The Common and Amherst Cinema Lose Federal Grants
On May 2, The Common and Amherst Cinema were among many arts organizations that lost National Endowment for the Arts grants.
Town
Local Libraries Facing Funding Cuts After Executive Order
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 14, targeting federal funding to libraries and museums through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Local libraries are feeling the effects of the order, including Forbes Library of Northampton, which lost a $7,500 grant.
Town Council Votes to Increase Regional Public Schools’ Budget
The Town Council voted to increase the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools (ARPS) and the elementary schools’ budgets after complaints about the proposed $3 million in budget cuts announced in March. The council’s recommendation must be approved by the Town Manager on May 1.
Amherst Community Protests to “Stand up for Democracy”
On Friday, approximately 50 students, faculty and staff, and town members gathered at the intersection of South Pleasant Street, College Road, and Northampton Road, to “stand up for democracy.”
Hadley Farmers Protest Trump’s Federal Funding Cuts
On March 23, approximately 300 farmers demonstrated against Trump’s recent federal funding cuts in front of the Hadley Farm Museum. Demonstrators were joined by several policymakers, including U.S. House Representative Jim McGovern.
Proposed Town Budget Estimates $3 Million in Cuts for Public Schools
Budget cuts are expected for the town’s public schools in the wake of declining enrollment and rising costs. 17 teaching positions are expected to be eliminated as a result of the cuts.
Town Members Protest Proposed Amherst Public School Budget Cuts
Support Our Schools (SOS) Amherst, a group of parents and volunteers, protested in town on Saturday over $3 million in proposed budget cuts to Amherst public schools.