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The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire

The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire

The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire

The welcome banner for UMass Sex on the Lawn 2025.

Sex on the Lawn? It’s not what you think

Laura Slafka, Entertainment Editor October 7, 2025

On Sept. 26, student volunteers, coordinators, and local/national health and safety organizations set up shop at the South Lawn for Sex on the Lawn, a sex-ed event that ran from 12 to 4 pm. The event was...

Ed Fast and Congabop performs at Northampton Jazz Festival 2025 in Pulaski Park.

Inside Northampton’s Jazz Festival

Laura Slafka, Entertainment Editor October 6, 2025

Northampton came alive with the sounds of saxophones, scat singing, and Afro-Cuban rhythms during the annual Northampton Jazz Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26 with the crowd-favorite “Jazz Strut”...

Tom Ricardi displays one of his raptors, a barred owl.

Birds of Prey Make a Guest Appearance for UMass Homecoming

Anna Carpinelli, News Editor October 6, 2025

Birds of prey, including a falcon and an eagle, were showcased at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library on Friday by Tom Ricardi, a wildlife biologist and licensed animal rehabilitator.  The homecoming event,...

A still from McGlynn's new short documentary "Piece Now: The Rise and Fall of the Weather Underground Organization" shows an armed hippie couple posing for a radical self-defense manual.

UMass Archival Collection Recalls Divisive Legacy of the Weather Underground Organization

Dan McGlynn, Editor-in-Chief September 22, 2025
70's revolutionaries and UMass libraries? Who would have thought?
The injury crisis holding back Women’s basketball

The injury crisis holding back Women’s basketball

Thierry Barbosa, Writer June 7, 2025

During an NCAA Tournament Game on Mar. 24 between USC and Mississippi State, one of the brightest and most talented players in the country and USC’s star guard, Juju Watkins, suffered a devastating ACL...

Sunset Creatures Performance

From Grassroots Activism to Legislative Change

Nick de Melo, Staff Writer May 13, 2025

Hazy smoke lingered over sweet sounds of local music and easygoing conversation as weed enthusiasts gathered for an annual celebration of the plant.    When 1,400 people attended the 31st Extravaganja...

UMass Researchers React to Trump’s NIH Cuts

UMass Researchers React to Trump’s NIH Cuts

Will Hann, Writer May 13, 2025

Anxiety is growing in local research fields as UMass faces a potential $10 million NIH funding cut, researchers told the Amherst Wire. The threat comes after an early February Trump proposal to cap indirect...

State police officers encircle protestors on May 7, 2024.

UMass shelled out $446,000 to law firm for encampment crackdown review

Dan McGlynn, News Editor May 7, 2025

This piece is being co-published with The Shoestring. A Boston law firm’s review of UMass Amherst’s violent crackdown on a peaceful pro-Palestine encampment on May 7, 2024, cost the university $445,938.89,...

Green at Last: Rory McIlroy Breaks Through for Career-Defining Masters Victory

Green at Last: Rory McIlroy Breaks Through for Career-Defining Masters Victory

Zuriel Sarosh, Writer April 17, 2025

We are all witnesses. At long last, Rory McIlroy has secured his career grand slam in the most McIlroy fashion possible. After a rollercoaster at the 2025 Masters, the 11-year wait is finally over after...

How the Celtics' stay-ready group is pivotal to their chances of repeating as champions

How the Celtics’ stay-ready group is pivotal to their chances of repeating as champions

Eric Lee, Writer April 16, 2025

The Boston Celtics' bench has earned the nickname the “Stay-Ready Group” for the past two seasons. Simply put, being in the stay-ready group means you are prepared to go into the game at any time and...

UMass hockey shipping off to Fargo for the NCAA tournament

UMass hockey shipping off to Fargo for the NCAA tournament

Hayden McLaughlin, Head Sports Editor March 27, 2025

The Path to the Tournament  Despite a rocky road, the Minutemen (20-13-5, 10-9-5 Hockey East) have reached a second consecutive NCAA tournament and the fifth of the Coach Carvel era. The Minutemen...

Previews and predictions of top-heavy Sweet 16

Previews and predictions of top-heavy Sweet 16

Callum McNamara, Writer March 27, 2025

Starting with the Men’s tournament on Thursday, highlighting the four-game slate  No. 6 BYU vs. No. 2 Alabama / East Region (Mar. 27, 7:09 PM on CBS) One of the partial Cinderellas of March Madness,...

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