Stories Archives · Page 86 of 153 · New England News Collaborative

For ‘Organic’ To Remain Strong, Farmers Say They Need More Consistent Enforcement

September 3, 2019

Organic dairy farmers in Vermont say inconsistent enforcement of industry standards have allowed large-scale producers to market milk that is not truly organic. The farmers are asking Congress for help to close regulatory loopholes they say have given some large farms an unfair advantage in the market. On Stony Pond Farm, in Fairfield, young Jersey…

Yes, You Can Smoke Hemp. And Yes, It’s Gaining Popularity

August 22, 2019

When Congress legalized hemp farming at the end of last year, CNN’s Harmeet Kaur wrote: “… if you try to smoke hemp, you’ll probably just end up with a headache.” Kaur may not be spending enough time in Vermont. Advocates have been at pains to differentiate marijuana, the psychoactive cannabis flower people smoke, from hemp,…

Democratic Candidates Scramble Through New Hampshire As Next Debate Deadline Approaches

August 19, 2019

While late summer can be a quiet time on the presidential primary campaign trail, many Democratic candidates face a crucial test in the coming days: either qualify for the next round of televised debates, or risk losing relevance. That urgency was on display as candidates made the rounds this weekend in New Hampshire. As he…

Gypsy Moths On The Decline — For Now — But Damage Is Already Done

August 19, 2019

In recent years, an invasive insect called the gypsy moth has spelled doom for countless New England trees. From 2016 through 2018, it’s estimated gypsy moths defoliated more than 2 million acres in southern New England, which means a lot of cleanup for foresters. But among all that destruction there is some good news: gypsy…

In 1st Year, MGM Springfield Has Little Impact On Most Neighborhood Businesses

August 7, 2019

As the casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, was under construction a few years ago, several local retailers and restaurants said they got a lot of new business. But now — a year after it opened — not so much. One hot July day, Jason and Lori Czech made their third visit to the MGM Springfield from…

Crackdown On CBD Products Frustrates Massachusetts Businesses

August 6, 2019

Many Massachusetts retailers and farmers say a recent state policy statement on CBD is bad for business. The policy, issued in June, bans the sale of some hemp products, including foods made with hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD). And this has left many businesses that hoped to tap into the lucrative CBD industry in limbo. It’s not hard…

Zoning To Oppose Casella Landfill Plan Divides Small North Country Town

August 5, 2019

The solid waste company Casella says it’s running out of space for Northern New England’s trash. So it’s taking the rare step of planning a brand-new landfill, in the small Coös County town of Dalton. Lots of locals agree – they don’t want the landfill. But they’re divided on one potential tool to block it:…

Seals On Cape Cod Are More Than Just Shark Bait

August 2, 2019

There are tens of thousands of seals on Cape Cod and the Islands, and everyone seems to have an opinion about them. Some see them as an adorable tourist attraction that helps the ecosystem. But to others, they’re Public Enemy No. 1 — a messy, fish-eating shark magnet that needs to be culled. Chatham-based commercial…

Exchange Program Brings Indonesia Closer To New England

July 29, 2019

It takes over a day to fly from the Berkshires in western Massachusetts to Indonesia. With than 250-million inhabitants, Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s most populous nation; it’s also the world’s largest Muslim country. Its nearly 20-thousand tropical islands are home to beaches, mountains, rainforests, and bustling metropolises like Jakarta. Indonesia’s islands may be half a world away from the Berkshire hills. But an Indonesian-born filmmaker living in Berkshire County is finding ways to bring her native home and her adopted home closer together.

Norman Rockwell's portrait of Erik Erikson. It is currently on display at the Norman Rockwell Museum. Photo by Lily Tyson for NEXT

How Norman Rockwell’s Relationship With Erik Erikson Influenced His Work

July 29, 2019

In 1953 American illustrator Norman Rockwell moved from Arlington, Vermont, to the small town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on the Western edge of the Berkshires. While there, Rockwell developed a relationship with a prominent psychotherapist who came to influence the artist’s work. Their relationship is the subject of a new exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum: “Inspired: Norman Rockwell and Erik Erikson.”