The Berkshire Edge On-Air Wednesday January 25, 2023

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

1.  The Housatonic River has received a federal designation as a Wild and Scenic River, thereby further protecting the river and its immediate surroundings:

https://theberkshireedge.com/housatonic-river-receives-wild-scenic-designation/-

2. True to its progressive credentials, Pittsfield hosted a demonstration commemorating the 50 year anniversary of Roe v. Wade, now that the court has reversed itself, allowing states to determine the legality of the procedure:

https://theberkshireedge.com/pittsfield-residents-commemorate-the-50-year-anniversary-of-the-roe-v-wade-decision/

3. In a review of the state of the Berkshire economy, 1Berkshire cited the introduction of east-west passenger rail service through Pittsfield … giving hope to the business community that a more robust rail service could be restored from Pittsfield south through Great Barrington and Connecticut to New York City:

4. In her “dateline Stockbridge” column Carol Owens has summoned the soul of Stockbridge, depicting the community as still governed by traditional but vanishing old-time values:

https://theberkshireedge.com/dateline-stockbridge-in-stockbridge-history-still-informs-contemporary-decisions/

5. And finally, what’s in a name? The two southern Berkshire regional school districts are stalled in their effort to merge simply because school officials can’t decide on a name for the enlarged district:

https://theberkshireedge.com/regional-school-district-agreement-taking-longer-than-anticipated-committee-cant-agree-to-merged-districts-name/