Good morning, Springfield.

A new MassBio report showed that venture capital investment in Massachusetts biotech companies dropped 17% in the first half of 2025—rolling back funding to 2017 levels.

Industry leaders warned that fewer funds, less federal support, and job losses could weaken U.S. biotech leadership and give China a competitive edge.

Forbes' college rankings show that eleven Massachusetts schools are in the top 100—MIT ranks first and Harvard, Williams and Amherst also appear—and the report uses measures like graduate salary and retention rates to evaluate outcomes.

On August 20, despite rainy weather, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s annual picnic drew more than 1,000 local and state officials, community members, and others—Reminder Publishing’s podcast 'So That Reminds Me' interviewed Springfield Councilor Delgado and fellow leaders who discussed digital equity, skills-based hiring, and plans to improve city services.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell leads a coalition of 47 attorneys general in a letter to major search engines asking them to add stronger warnings for deepfake pornography—warnings similar to those for content of physical violence, and the coalition also urged payment platforms to stop authorizing transactions for creating deepfake content.

Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Show

All Day — Brimfield Town Hall Annex — Entry fee varies — Explore the largest antique and collectibles market in the U.S. with thousands of dealers.

Latino Arts Festival 2025

5-8 p.m. — Springfield Museums — Free entry — Celebrate the vibrant arts and cultures of Latin America with music, exhibitions, and hands-on activities.

Crochet Club Drop-In

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Make-It Springfield — Free, Donation, or Supporter options — Connect with fellow crafters in a welcoming crochet community.

North East Toy Show

5 PM – 5 PM — MassMutual Center — Affordable options for families and businesses — Celebrate the creativity and joy of specialty toys at the premier East Coast showcase.

The Big E 2025

8 a.m. - 8 p.m. — Eastern States Exposition — $16+ — Experience 17 days of agricultural fun, live concerts, and cultural experiences from across New England.

The Big E Parade Featuring MCV

6:00-7:00 p.m. — The Big E — Ticketed event — MCV makes a festive debut in The Big Parade at the Eastern States Exposition.

Cole Swindell Live Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Big E — Tickets available — Experience country music star Cole Swindell with special guest John Morgan at The Big E.

Object-Oriented Programming in C# Training

9 a.m. — Healthforce CPR BLS ACLS PALS AHA Training Center — $1750 — Dive into C# programming through expert-led, hands-on classes in Springfield.

TLC with Big Boi Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Big E — Tickets available — Experience the iconic sounds of TLC alongside Big Boi in a vibrant music celebration.

The Avett Brothers Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Big E — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of folk rock with the harmonious sounds of The Avett Brothers.