Thursday, May 15 BOSTON -- As Senate leaders unveiled a $28 billion budget Wednesday that relies heavily on new taxes and money from the state's "rainy day" fund, Republicans pledged to file Gov. Deval Patrick's casino bill as an amendment to the spending plan, saying the state needs new revenues.   Full Story

Thursday, May 15 Williams College senior Steve Melis of Cleveland, Ohio, flies a kite in the quad in front of the Paresky Center Monday afternoon as part of a student activity to help students relieve stress during crunch time. Students were also allowed to blow bubbles and play with canines.   Full Story

Thursday, May 15 WILLIAMSTOWN -- Of the 29 articles on the annual town meeting warrant this year, perhaps none are more contested than Article 25, which asks voters to adopt a wetlands protection bylaw that took the Conservation Commission nearly four years to draft. This week, different community members spoke for and against passing the bylaw in attempts to inform voters before the  Full Story

Thursday, May 15 WILLIAMSTOWN -- Voters attending the annual town meeting on Tuesday will be asked to consider 29 warrant articles, three of which could make significant changes to the town's bylaw if passed, and four of which would draw a total of $905,000 from the Community Preservation Fund. The total of all budgetary articles that voters will consider at the meeting is about $19.   Full Story

Thursday, May 15 BALTIMORE -- In years past, the Baltimore Orioles probably would have wilted against the Boston Red Sox after falling behind by three runs and watching Manny Ramirez make an incredible play in left field. It didn't happen in Wednesday's 6-3 victory, and the Orioles insist it's not going to happen anymore.   Full Story

Thursday, May 15 PITTSFIELD -- The Drury softball team looked good on Wednesday against Pittsfield, and it also looked good for the future. Freshman Kayla Brown-Wood drove in four runs, helping the Blue Devils top the Generals 10-3. After falling behind 2-0, Drury (12-3, 8-2) put a six-pack of runs on the board in the second.   Full Story

Monday, May 12 The new Greylock Glen Advisory Committee has some good things going for it -- first of which is that it only has nine members, as opposed to the 20-some who seemingly forever bogged down the last three incarnations of the project to build a resort at the 1,063-acre tract at the eastern foot of Mount Greylock.   Full Story