Who doesn't enjoy a delicious pupusa, some tasty enchiladas, or a hearty bandeja paisa ? Undoubtedly, everyone. In the Berkshires, eating well doesn't mean having to give up Latin food. Traditional Latin cuisine (rich in vegetables, beans, whole grains, fruits, nuts/seeds, various proteins, and dairy) aligns perfectly with current nutritional guidelines for optimal well-being. The challenges that Latin cuisine faces in fitting within a healthy eating pattern are driven by m

Immigrants lifted state's population count but shift under Trump points to trend moving in opposite direction Ella Adams / SHNS STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2026…..On the heels of federal estimates that reflect slowing population growth in Massachusetts, an expert on the topic cited dropping international immigration levels and long-term fertility trends as she told lawmakers that the drain could get even worse.  Immigration accounts for the biggest change in the state and n

The story of Luana Dias and the community project that seeks to bring Brazilian culture to the heart of the Berkshires In the Berkshires, where festivals and cultural life are constantly evolving, one project seeks to make its mark through a relatively unexplored avenue in the region: The Quilombo Experience  — Brazilian culture told from within, through movement, music, rhythm, and history. This project is part of the Berkshire Brazil initiative, and in its second year, it a

Berkshire Brazil Experiences has opened applications for The Quilombo Experience , a creative residency aimed at 10 local artists (dancers, musicians, poets and storytellers) interested in exploring and showcasing Afro-Brazilian heritage through movement, costume design and storytelling. The application process will be open until March 1. El proceso colaborativo  guiado por su fundadora, Luana Dias David The selected artists will receive a stipend of $600 , in addition to

If you missed part one, you can read it here: Part 1 I soon found out. "How did you enter the United States?" the ICE agent asked me through an interpreter. —You have my information, if you arrested me it's because you have my information. "How did you get in? Which way?" The question returned like a battering ram, giving me no respite, but I also realized that ICE didn't know who I was. "I didn't arrest you. They call us and hand them over to us; they tell us where they are

Photos: Marina Dominguez Gloria Escobar Community Relations & Financial Wellness Latinx Coach Two women, Gloria and Cindy , have helped open very real doors for the immigrant and Latino community in the Berkshires . Doors that for years seemed impossible to cross: something as basic as being able to keep money in a bank account without a Social Security number was, until recently, unthinkable. They didn't achieve this with flattering speeches, but with daily work, patience

That April 25 in Great Barrington is something I will never forget. It dawned like so many other mornings in the Berkshires, with a lazy sun that never quite managed to fully break through the rain-heavy clouds. It was part of that routine one learns to respect, because around here the only thing truly reliable is how unpredictable the weather is. I woke up early. Without ceremony and without omens. Just the rush of a mother who has to work and the familiar thought as I got d

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright declared a statutory emergency on Sunday for the ISO New England power grid, which serves six states, including Massachusetts, due to a shortage of electricity and generating capacity amid a severe winter storm. At the request of the grid operator, Wright authorized an emergency order allowing certain generating plants to operate at maximum capacity until Saturday, January 31, regardless of weather conditions , in order to prevent blackout