MCLA Faculty Authors Present Panel on Book Writing and Publishing

• Caren Beilin, Assistant Professor of Creative Writing and author of Blackfishing the IUD (Wolfman Books, 2019) 
• Ingrid E. Castro, Professor of Sociology and editor/author of Childhood, Agency, and Fantasy: Walking in Other Worlds (Lexington Books/Rowman & Littlefield, 2021) 
• Kelli Newby, Adjunct Instructor of English and author of The Good Girl's Guide to Fantasy and Adventure (self-published, 2021) 
• Paul Nnodim, Professor of Philosophy and author of Beyond Justice as Fairness: Rethinking Rawls from a Cross-Cultural Perspective (Lexington - Rowman, 2020) 
• Gerol Petruzella, Director of Academic Technology and author of The Cruellest Month: 30 days of microfic from the pandemic era (Shires Press, 2020) 
• Jenna Sciuto, Associate Professor of English and author of Policing Intimacy: Law, Sexuality, and the Color Line in Twentieth-Century Hemispheric American Literature (University Press of Mississippi, forthcoming 2021)    

Healey, Driscoll Outline Municipal Funding Plans at MMA Conference

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:38AM / Saturday, January 24, 2026

The conference ran 'The Tonight Show' skit that had three Boston stars reading off the names of all 351 cities and towns. 

BOSTON — The Healey administration's 2027 budget will include boosts a 4.4 percent boost to local aid of more than $10.4 billion. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have the Massachusetts Municipal Association's annual conference a small preview of the upcoming budget and other initiatives at Friday morning's opening session.

 

Healey expounded on her State of the Commonwealth address given Thursday night, and the state's efforts to maintain its even keel despite a less than helpful federal government.

 

"They're driving prices up and they're making things more difficult for all of us, whether that's freezing food and health benefits or cutting off services with for veterans," said the governor. on Friday. "Last month we're dealing with taking away health care. I mean, the hits just keep coming. But you know, we just have to stand strong together. 

 

"And I think now more than ever, we just need to double down on our partnership and our collaboration."

 

She reminded the gathering during her talk that America was founded because of Massachusetts, and that we still vote in town meetings, and play catch on town commons where the militia once drilled. 

 

"I think we can be a really positive response and a role model, frankly, for the country right now, people who are looking for stability, common sense, and a focus on their lives, what matters to them," the governor said.