The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday September 25, 2019

The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

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.

1. U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III was in Pittsfield, announcing his campaign to seek the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination — he’ll be vying against fellow Democrat Ed Markey. We tell this story with an EdgeCast:
https://theberkshireedge.com/edgecast-joe-kennedy-iii-opens-campaign-for-ed-markeys-u-s-senate-seat/
2. Meanwhile, The Great Barrington Selectboard has rejected the advice of the Lake Mansfield Task Force, and voted to keep the Lake Mansfield Road open — and one way. The road skirts the banks of the popular recreational area, and the roadbed is falling into the lake:
https://theberkshireedge.com/divided-selectboard-votes-to-keep-lake-mansfield-open-one-way-for-now/

3. Faced with declining enrollments, two south berkshire school districts areseriously  talking merger…. prompted by the eroding enrollment int he Southern Berkshire district that borders Connecticut.
https://theberkshireedge.com/at-bhrsd-sbrsd-summit-talk-of-potential-merger-and-doing-whats-best-for-students/

4. Will horse racing ever return to the Great Barrington Fairgrounds?There is a possibility of enabling state legislation, that would supercede local permits, but even the hint of opening up the race brings out many objections:
https://theberkshireedge.com/lawmakers-to-town-local-permits-for-potential-horse-racing-valid-and-necessary/
https://theberkshireedge.com/dont-let-horse-racing-return-to-great-barrington/

5.  In a ceremony last week, the 16 immigrants were granted citizenship in a ceremony at the Norman Rockwell Museum. It was a moving ceremony…and packed with relatives and well-wishers …. quite a contrast to the racist degradation of immigrants you hear from the president:https://theberkshireedge.com/welcome-new-americans-immigrants-granted-citizenship-at-norman-rockwell-museum/

6.  Finally, during the Sept. 20 global student-led climate strike, students from Berkshire County schools left classes to take part in demonstrations urging action of climate change… in Great Barrington, things got a little out of hand… several Simon’s Rock students were arrested for blocking traffic… 
https://theberkshireedge.com/youth-climate-strike-included-arrests-street-disturbances-as-young-and-old-sound-the-alarm-about-warming-planet/