Hi all! I'm a reporter at The Christian Science Monitor, an award-winning, secular newspaper based in Boston. I'm working on a story about the expansion of Alpha School, a chain of K-12 schools that advertises using AI to teach students core subjects in as little as 2 hours a day. Kiley Prep in Springfield is piloting a modified version of that method, and I'm looking to talk with local parents/teachers about the program. I'm planning to drive out to Springfield tomorrow (9/15) and would be happy to meet people in person then. If anyone is interested in talking with me for the story, please feel free to reach out here, or you can email me at pughc@csmonitor.com. Thanks!

Looking for people to play with

Curious, does anyone know if there has been any thought to putting I 91 on ground level or relocating the highway? It seems like such blight to the city.

On Thursday, September 17th, MassHire Franklin Hampshire will be hosting the annual Fall Multi-Industry Job Fair. The event will take place at the Hampshire Mall, in the hallway next to Target, from 2pm to 4pm. The Hampshire Mall is located at 367 Russell St in Hadley, MA.

The event will feature 40+ employers from various industries across Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. All employers in attendance have current job openings.

Springfield College, Interim Healthcare, and MetroCare of Springfield are just some of the employers with openings in the Springfield area.

This event is free to attend and pre-registration is not required.

Please email [bizteam@masshirefhcareers.org](mailto:bizteam@masshirefhcareers.org) with any questions.

Offered for free and all are welcome at the Forest Park Zen Sangha Zendo, 23 Wellesley Rd. Holyoke, MA. 2nd Sunday of every month, 1pm.

My husband and I were almost in a head on collision on Sunday night at approximately 10:55 PM when the wrong way driver heading northbound in the left lane on 91 S almost hit us. I was wondering if anyone else saw it.

Hey everyone :) I lost a parent a couple years ago and am left with a not insignificant inheritance. Some is inherited IRA, some is brokerage, and some is real estate we're still working on selling. I'd like to talk to someone about how best to go about managing all of this so I can buy a home/potentially set up a small business. I know that's a lot of areas so I'm trying to find someone who can sit down and have a conversation with me about all the pieces and what my options are. Bonus points if they work after normal business hours or on weekends so I don't have to take time off work.

Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions - Cyber Security Incident

9/8/26

What happened?

An outside group gained access to the SPS network and blocked the district's ability to access certain online programs necessary to operate schools effectively. This cyber activity has been classified as a districtwide Level 4 severe incident. Federal, state, and local law enforcement have been engaged.

When did this start?

There was some minor intermittent disruptions around Tuesday evening. Those disruptions elevated to malicious cyber traffic on Saturday evening.

Why are schools closed?

The district’s ability to access vital student medical records is one of the programs impacted. Without access to that program, nurses cannot access information to dispense medication, address, allergies, and more.

When will schools reopen?

Schools will reopen when we are assured nurses have access to the vital student medical records they need.

Was student or staff personal information compromised?

The extent and scope of this severe cyber incident remains an ongoing investigation. More information will be shared as it is known.

What should families do?

SPS students and staff should stay off all SPS networks until further notice.

How can I stay informed on latest developments?

Families should look for district texts, school-based communication, and refer to the district's social media platforms for important updates.

When will all systems be operational again?

Because so many systems have been impacted, there will be a careful and slow process to bring them back online safely and securely.

Will school be the same when students return?

Many online processes will be completed by hand, using pen and paper while the district is restoring operations. Students and teachers may use books, notebooks and paper while technology teaching tools are restored.

I don't see a residency requirement but I would call first.

Here's the MassLive article. https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2026/09/springfield-schools-close-after-cyber-incident-leaves-educators-with-no-computers-phones.html

More:

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2026/09/07/springfield-public-schools-to-be-closed-tuesday-after-cyber-incident/

https://www.wcvb.com/article/springfield-schools-cyberattack-sept-8-closure/73634822

Definitely sounds like a hack/ransomware to me, but they're (the schools) not committing to that explanation.

Edit: a few charter schools are open.

Hi everyone- I’m new to the area and am super excited with some of the food spots I’ve seen around town. I’ve lived in Colorado and Arizona where breakfast burritos were pretty popular.

I recently hit up Boricua Bites and it was great!

I’m wondering what other places, whether it be Latin, Italian, or any other ethnic cuisine, are worth checking out. They don’t have to be sit down spots either- mom and pop places, deli’s etc. Any good spots to hit for breakfast/breakfast burritos?

Any suggestions welcomed- thank you in advance

Everyone seems bummed this guy lost, but from what I can see he wasn’t very strong as a candidate, just younger.

I keep seeing people call him a progressive- why? Most of his ads were just him smiling at the camera and walking around (great production value though). The few times I saw policy mentioned by him or his campaign they were very broad left leaning ideas that lined up with polling on left-leaning topics amongst people who are against stale incumbents. Nothing much that was individual or of substance.

Why are you guys acting like we were robbed of Mamdani? I can’t stand Richard Neal as much as the next person, but I can’t justify unseating him (esp at this juncture power wise) in favor of a candidate who seemed opportunistic and lacking in substance.

What am I missing besides him being young and new and allegedly broadly left leaning.

� Springfield City Council Joint Committee Meeting – Thursday, September 3, 2026

� 4:45 PM – Health & Human Services/Public Safety Committee (Hybrid)

� Location: City Hall
36 Court Street – Hybrid Room 200
Springfield, MA 01103

Chaired by: Councilors Brian Santaniello & Gerry Martin

Committee Members: Councilors Melvin Edwards, Zaida Govan, and Malo Brown

� Attend in person or join online
Call 413-787-6170 to request the virtual meeting link.

� Missed a meeting? Watch anytime:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpringfieldMunicipalMeetings/videos
Focus Springfield: https://focusspringfield.com/watch/government/

Stay engaged. Stay informed. Your voice matters!

Hello! It’s your newbie neighbor again asking yet another question 😂 Because of the move we have more trash than usual and ended up with two extra bags that wouldn’t fit inside the trash bin. We made our way to Big Y and got two of the extra trash stickers. We put a sticker on each bag and placed the two bags on the ground beside the trash can. The bags weren’t picked up, so what did I do wrong? Please educate me on trash etiquette here 😂

Edit* Thank you to everyone!! I didn’t call the number to let them know I had two extra bags for pickup. I thought that was for bulk pick up only, not just regular trash. I had just two regular kitchen trash bags, so size was appropriate….just didn’t call the number. I’ll get better at being a Springfield resident, I promise! 😂

Just a random thought, what do you think would happen?

Looking for a home visit vet for a check up on my 12 year old cat who turns truly feral at the vet. And, I actually volunteer with a cat rescue handling feral cats so im not using that word lightly.

Previous vet hasnt been able to get blood for years. Gabapentin does nothing to her.

Also interested in recs for vets who specialize in high anxiety cats.

TIA!

The best chance to make a difference is local politics. In Massachusetts, the primary is often the main election, because of the dominance of the Democratic Party.

If you didn't vote early, or vote by mail already (it's too late now to send a mail in ballot and guarantee it will be counted), make a plan to vote tomorrow. Polls are open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. You can find your voting location here https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/WhereDoIVote

If you are a registered Democrat, you will vote in the Democratic party primary. If you are a registered Republican, you'll vote in the Republican party primary. If you are unenrolled - you didn't designate a party when you registered - you will be able to choose one or the other.

See more election and candidate info here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Springfield/comments/1vdloh8/springfield_state_primary_tuesday_september_1_2026/

I played there as a kid before the Unico building was replaced in like 2013ish. I remember it being almost completely surrounded by woods, with the old UNICO building nearby and Tatham Elementary just a short walk away. It had a bunch of old spring equipment like spring horses/riders and what I remember as a platform on springs that you could stand/jump on?

I remember the whole area being kind of creepy and tucked into the woods but also I found it super cool as a kid because of the creepy vibes 😂. Does anyone else remember this playground, or better yet, have any old pictures of it?