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It's official. Boston will have professional women's soccer again.

Driving the news: The Boston Unity Soccer Club will take the field in 2026 as part of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Jennifer Epstein, controlling manager of Boston Unity Soccer Partners said on Tuesday.

Why it matters: The league will bring professional women's soccer back to Boston for the first time in nearly a decade. 

The new team's owners plan to repair the dilapidated, 78-year-old White Stadium in Franklin Park, which is still used for summer camp, football games and track meets.

Flashback: The Women's United Soccer Association brought in the Boston Breakers in 2000. The Breakers played in that league until it folded in 2003, followed by a subsequent one until 2012, before joining the NWSL as a founding team.

But the team disbanded in 2018 when a buyer fell through.

What they're saying: "We intend to build a championship-caliber team that is a perennial contender," Epstein said at a press conference.

"We strive to create a legacy for women's sports in Boston and reestablish what a successful Boston sports team can look like within our city."

Between the lines: The news of the stadium rehabilitation comes to Boston soccer fans who for years have yearned for a local venue to watch professional soccer. Up to this point, that has only meant the men's team, the New England Revolution.

Robert Kraft even failed to build his own soccer stadium after discussions with UMass Boston stalled in 2017.

Zoom out: The NWSL, which will soon expand to 16 teams, has seen major growth recently.

Ticketing revenue rose more than 125% in 2022, per the organization.

Boston is one of two teams that paid a record-setting $50 million in entry fees.

What we're watching: This $30-million overhaul marks the biggest investment in White Stadium in years. While it has remained in use, a fire destroyed the East Grandstand in the 1990s.

The refurbished stadium would also be used for Boston Public Schools athletics, city officials say.

Boston Unity brings women's soccer back to town

The league will bring pro women's soccer to Boston for the first time in nearly a decade.

Illustration of a seagull standing on a soccer ball.

It&#x27;s official. Boston will have professional women&#x27;s soccer again.Driving the news: The Boston Unity Soccer Club will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="take the field in 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/18/sports/nwsl-boston/" data-vars-content-id="0bac2991-23f2-4cb0-99d9-2a5327aa6086" data-vars-headline="Boston Unity brings women&#x27;s soccer back to town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/18/sports/nwsl-boston/" target="_blank">take the field in 2026</a> as part of the National Women&#x27;s Soccer League (NWSL), Jennifer Epstein, controlling manager of Boston Unity Soccer Partners said on Tuesday.

Sports

News

Massachusetts is spending $2 million to expand state-funded legal services for migrants in response to the surge of new arrivals.

Why it matters: Legal help speeds up migrant applications for relief and work permits so they can find work and transition out of shelters sooner, thereby alleviating the strain on the state.

More than 6,500 families are in the state's emergency family shelter system as of this week, a record high for Massachusetts.

Driving the news: The state will contract with eight refugee resettlement agencies to help fill out asylum petitions and work permit applications for thousands of migrants in up to 50 emergency shelters, Gov. Maura Healey's administration announced Thursday.

This is separate from the existing state-funded legal services led by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

The expansion will cover more than 70% of the state shelters that don't currently have legal services.

Of note: Officials also hope this will address the threat of notario fraud, where unlicensed people offer legal advice to new arrivals and often botch their immigration petitions.

Between the lines: The announcement comes as Democratic state and city leaders nationwide increase pressure on the Biden administration to accelerate federal work permit approvals.

Healey administration officials say they met with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' team to discuss the topic again this week.

Zoom out: The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday it aims to process work permits faster for migrants admitted temporarily into the country and extend work permit validity to five years for certain non-citizens, including asylum applicants.

The government also made Venezuelans who arrived by July 31, 2023 eligible for Temporary Protected Status, which grants work permits for two years. That status was previously limited to those who arrived by March 8, 2021.

Yes, but: In Massachusetts, Venezuelan migrants make up a small share of families in shelters, per the Healey administration.

Healey officials and Massachusetts advocates say the federal government should extend Temporary Protected Status to Haitian and Central American migrants who have arrived more recently, and are demanding even further steps to accelerate work permit approvals, including provisional ones.

Reality check: Federal officials told Axios last month that many of the recommendations by local and state officials, like these, are either illegal or impractical.

What's next: The Massachusetts legal services expansion started this week with three refugee resettlement agencies and will grow to eight by mid-October.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include details from the governor’s office about the cost of the program.

Massachusetts expands legal services for migrants amid surge

The legal services aim to get migrants' applications filed faster so they can find legal work sooner.

Illustration of a cutout of a heart in the middle of a suitcase.

Massachusetts is spending $2 million to expand state-funded legal services for migrants in response to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/11/massachusetts-migrant-shelter-crisis-response" data-vars-content-id="2bcde099-8211-4afb-8519-5ed4e6b84a97" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts expands legal services for migrants amid surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/11/massachusetts-migrant-shelter-crisis-response" target="_self">surge</a> of new arrivals.Why it matters: Legal help speeds up migrant applications for relief and work permits so they can find work and transition out of shelters sooner, thereby alleviating the strain on the state.

Politics

Grab your stein and get a drink at one of many Boston-area breweries and bars celebrating Oktoberfest this fall.

Both the Jamaica Plain brewery and downtown taproom are holding Octoberfest events this weekend.

The brewery kicks off the festivities with a VIP Beer Dinner Thursday, including a three-course meal with beer pairings. Tickets are $75.

The brewery and taproom will have live music and food all weekend.  Tickets are $10.

Night Shift Brewing is hosting Oktoberfest events Friday at its beer gardens on the Esplanade and in Allston with jumbo soft pretzels.

The Everett location has an event Saturday with live music, food trucks and a stein-holding competition.

The Lovejoy Wharf location celebrates on Sunday with live music from the Hofbrau Polka Band and an Oktoberfest-themed menu.

Harpoon Brewery will celebrate Octoberfest Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 with stein-hoisting competitions, pretzel eating contests and chicken dancing.

Be smart: People interested in competing should arrive early to sign up for a slot.

The Belmont brewery is hosting a four-course dinner with beer pairings on Oct. 3.

The event, which runs 6pm-9pm, features "Fest of Both Worlds," a collaboration beer by Jack's Abby and Weihenstephan.

Aeronaut Allston is hosting an Oktoberfest event Oct. 7 from 1pm-9pm.

There's a multi-round stein-hoisting competition.

Tickets are $12 — or $35 if you opt to keep the 1 liter stein and a first pour.

How to celebrate Oktoberfest at Boston-area breweries

Grab a stein and head to the many breweries and bars hosting events.

A close up on a stein with the Samuel Adams Oktoberfest beer logo with three men in the background.

Sam Adams' Octoberfest. Photo: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Grab your stein and get a drink at one of many Boston-area breweries and bars celebrating Oktoberfest this fall.

Things to Do

Massachusetts now offers rebates for residents buying used electric cars, thanks to last year's climate law.

Why it matters: The rebates are one of several ways Massachusetts is trying to wean residents off fossil fuels and meet its climate goals, including a 2025 deadline to reach 300,000 zero-emission vehicles.

Massachusetts had nearly 50,000 registered in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

What's happening: The state is now offering $3,500 for purchases or leases of used electric cars through participating dealerships.

As of Sept. 1, electric car buyers can use the rebate to help cover a down payment at the point of sale, per the Globe.

They can also get the rebate through a check in the mail within 90 days of an application approval.

Be smart: The new rules apply to used electric vehicle purchases since last fall.

Those who bought an electric car between Nov. 10, 2022 and Aug. 8, 2023 must submit a rebate application by Nov. 6, 2023.

How to qualify: Massachusetts residents can get the rebate for light-duty electric vehicles (EV) or fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV). Hybrid car purchases don't qualify.

Eligible residents need to either receive some form of state or federal assistance or meet certain income restrictions.

The state caps recipients' income at $150,000 for a couple, $112,500 for a head of household and $75,000 for everyone else.

Plus: Those who get public assistance could get an additional $1,500 back.

Massachusetts' new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments

The state is trying to wean residents off fossil fuels.

Illustration of an electric vehicle plugged in, the charging wire has dollar bill signs running inside of it towards the car. 

Massachusetts now offers rebates for residents buying used electric cars, thanks to last year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bdlaw.com/publications/net-zero-by-2050-massachusetts-passes-new-climate-clean-energy-bill/#:~:text=On%20August%2011%2C%202022%2C%20Massachusetts,greenhouse%20gas%20(GHG)%20emissions." data-vars-content-id="e94f1a42-7b16-4b76-9815-96f8ffb39109" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bdlaw.com/publications/net-zero-by-2050-massachusetts-passes-new-climate-clean-energy-bill/#:~:text=On%20August%2011%2C%202022%2C%20Massachusetts,greenhouse%20gas%20(GHG)%20emissions." target="_blank">climate law</a>.Why it matters: The rebates are one of several ways Massachusetts is trying to wean residents off fossil fuels and meet its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate goals" data-vars-click-url="https://netzeroma.org/#:~:text=The%20Next%20Generation%20Roadmap%20Act,net%20zero%20emissions%20by%202050." data-vars-content-id="e94f1a42-7b16-4b76-9815-96f8ffb39109" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://netzeroma.org/#:~:text=The%20Next%20Generation%20Roadmap%20Act,net%20zero%20emissions%20by%202050." target="_blank">climate goals</a>, including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 deadline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/zero-emission-vehicle-zev-commission#:~:text=These%20states%20released%20a%20collaborative,in%20the%20state%20by%202025." data-vars-content-id="e94f1a42-7b16-4b76-9815-96f8ffb39109" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/zero-emission-vehicle-zev-commission#:~:text=These%20states%20released%20a%20collaborative,in%20the%20state%20by%202025." target="_blank">2025 deadline</a> to reach 300,000 zero-emission vehicles.

Climate

This weekend marks the start of fall, and there's plenty to do in the Boston area. 

📽 The 39th annual Boston Film Festival kicked off Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Check out Friday's virtual screening of the locally made short "In Cod We Trust" about Gloucester fishermen at 7pm or Saturday's 2:30pm screening of the environmental documentary "Common Ground."

🐶 ​The Somerville Dog Festival is Sunday at 11am at Trum Field, the park by Magoun Square.

The free event will have games, costume contests, pet product vendors, treats and food trucks for the humans.

💃🏿 Ágora Cultural and Boston officials are holding a salsa night at City Hall Plaza on Saturday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The salsa night, which runs from 5-8:30pm, includes dance classes and a performance by Boston-based Latin jazz band Clave & Blues.

The event is free. Registration is encouraged.

🍻 Plus: ICYMI, Sam Adams and Night Shift Brewing are hosting a few Oktoberfest events this weekend.

Boston films, Somerville Dog Festival and more things to do this weekend

Illustration of lit marquee letters spelling "WEEKEND" sitting in a row of theater seats.

This weekend marks the start of fall, and there&#x27;s plenty to do in the Boston area.

Steph Solis

Featured stories

Massachusetts expands legal services for migrants amid surge

Boston films, Somerville Dog Festival and more things to do this weekend

How to celebrate Oktoberfest at Boston-area breweries

Massachusetts' new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments

Boston Unity brings women's soccer back to town