In the past few weeks, the debate over free speech for teachers has been reaching a breaking point. In response to Charlie Kirk’s death, public school teachers at Framingham High School and Wachusett Regional High School were suspended. These local suspensions spark the debate: should teachers be allowed to express their political beliefs publicly? What about online, or even in a classroom? When is it okay for a teacher to express their political beliefs and values, and when do they cross a line?

Every town has its ghost stories, and Needham is no exception. From eerie houses to tales passed through generations, our usually quiet town hides a surprisingly spooky side. With Halloween just around the corner, we set out to explore some of the most talked-about haunted spots in and around Needham. So without further ado, let’s dive into five local legends that prove even Needham has its ghosts. 

Friday Night Lights are a classic, a true American high school staple. However, despite being the quintessential sporting event for teens, football games couldn’t be more different from almost every other sport. 

Pollard Middle School is nearly seventy years old, and the town is aware of its shortcomings as the sole middle school for grades seven and eight. But replacing the school is a task that seems to become more difficult and farther from completion with each meeting despite the best efforts of the Pollard School Building Committee. In fact, the once last-resort idea of building a new school at neighboring DeFazio Park now seems just as likely as building the new school on the current site. Behind the drama in town government however, are the voices of the school community and individuals within it who are, and will be, most closely affected by the project.

Despite the fact that the trees haven’t really changed their colors yet, the smells and sounds of fall have begun to emerge. People have started to make their fall playlists on Spotify, carefully picking an aesthetic fall image to accompany their music—but what songs do they actually choose to put on their playlists? Do they choose the romantic songs that feel like a cozy sweater, pumpkin spice latte, and a cool breeze at the apple orchard? Or are their playlists filled with spookier music, songs with undertones of quiet social commentary or rebellion?

By Liza Scott

In the age of smartphones, social media, and streaming, screens are everywhere. Whether it’s scrolling on TikTok instead of doing homework, checking texts during lunch, or binge watching a new show before bed, high school students are spending more time on screens than ever before. So, the question becomes: How is this excessive screen time affecting our ability to focus?

By Maggie Sharrard 

It’s that time of year again. The time of year for crunchy leaves, cool, breezy mornings, and some questionable pumpkin spiced flavored food. It's almost Halloween! There are plenty of ways you can do your costume. You can do cute or scary. You can do “I forgot it was Halloween until yesterday, so I guess this is my costume now!”(My personal favorite). No matter what the costume seems to be or where it comes from, one of the most exciting things about this holiday is getting to see everyone's creativity. 

By Zoe Gacs

Pumpkin spice has long dominated October flavor menus and marketing: from candles to lattes, from the grocery store to Starbucks, “new” fall offerings often recycle the same pumpkin spice theme. Although pumpkin spice has its moments, many are becoming tired of the flavor. October’s seasonal flavors extend beyond the basic pumpkin spice latte, and each deserves their own moment in the spotlight. Some other options: