A. J. Enchill, the president of the Berkshire Black Economic Council and Cheshire native J.D. Chesloff, the CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, have been named to a jobs and economy panel that is part of Gov.-elect Maura Healey's transition team. 

If this year’s ballot is any indication, Massachusetts’ ongoing battle with regional inequity has only become more serious as western and central parts of the state struggle to overcome a declining population and a lack of representation in statewide offices. 

State Sen. Adam Hinds has been named CEO and executive director of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

Brendan Phair, a para-professional educator in the special education department at Taconic High School, has long contemplated running for state office. He felt the moment came in December 2020 when the Legislature passed the Roe Act, opening access to abortion to any woman at any time for any reason.

Today, Massachusetts Agricultural Commissioner John Lebeaux is stopping in Berkshire County to visit three farms. In anticipation of this visit, The Berkshire Eagle stopped by each of the three farms on Tuesday to talk about the challenges they are facing and how the state might help alleviate some of those obstacles.

Commission members are calling for rural schools to receive at least $60 million to address issues of transportation, special education, declining student enrollment and more.

The first trip on the Berkshire Flyer ferried more than 60 people from New York City to the streets of Pittsfield, letting travelers off right near North Street. When they got here after a more than four-hour trip, many had already arranged their transportation to their ultimate destinations.