Quizzes
Test your news knowledge with our weekly quiz
Eight questions about major stories from August 18 through 25, 2026, with answers and scoring guide included.
Welcome to the Pioneer Valley Gazette's weekly news quiz! Each Friday, we test your knowledge of the major stories we've covered over the past seven days. How well do you keep up with local and national events? Take the quiz below and see how you score. Answers are at the bottom of the page. This week's quiz covers August 18–25, 2026, and includes stories ranging from local government decisions to international developments.
The Quiz
- The Northampton City Council voted this week to approve a $45 million bond for what major infrastructure project?
- How many students are expected to enroll at the new Western Massachusetts Community College satellite campus that was announced on Tuesday?
- Which New England state's governor signed legislation banning single-use plastic bags in retail stores?
- The Federal Reserve announced its decision on interest rates this week. Did it raise, lower, or hold rates steady?
- A breakthrough in gene therapy research was announced by scientists at which Springfield-area university?
- How much did the Pioneer Valley's median home price increase in the past year, according to latest real estate data?
- The U.S. Senate advanced a bill this week on which contentious policy issue: healthcare reform, climate change, or infrastructure investment?
- Which national restaurant chain announced plans to open five new locations throughout the Pioneer Valley region?
Scoring Guide
If you scored 7 or 8 correct, you're a news junkie! You're clearly keeping close tabs on local and national developments. If you scored 5 or 6, you're well-informed and stay aware of major stories. A score of 3 or 4 means you catch the headlines but might benefit from digging deeper. If you scored 2 or fewer, don't worry—this week's quiz was particularly challenging, and there's always next week to test your knowledge again.
The Answers
- 1. Northampton Bond: A new pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning the Connecticut River, connecting downtown Northampton to the South Hadley riverfront.
- 2. Student Enrollment: Approximately 1,200 students in the first year, with projections to grow to 2,500 by year three.
- 3. Plastic Bag Ban: Connecticut's governor signed the legislation, with the ban taking effect in 2027.
- 4. Federal Reserve Decision: The Fed held interest rates steady at 4.75 percent, citing inflation concerns and the need for continued monitoring.
- 5. Gene Therapy Research: University of Massachusetts Amherst announced a successful trial for treating hereditary eye disease.
- 6. Home Price Increase: The median home price rose 6.2 percent over the past 12 months, reaching $385,000 in the Pioneer Valley region.
- 7. Senate Bill: The Senate advanced healthcare reform legislation, with a vote expected next week.
- 8. Restaurant Chain: Maple & Co., a Boston-based farm-to-table restaurant group, announced plans for expansion throughout the region.
Want to challenge your friends? Share this quiz on social media and see who scores highest. Have a question about any of these stories? Visit our archives at pioneerpvalleygazette.com or email our newsroom at news@pioneervalleygazette.com. Join us next Friday for our next quiz!