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Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities

Boston-area bars welcome the sales boost amid a challenging economy.

Business

Empty kegs, emergency beer shipments, tabs the length of the infamous CVS receipts — the Scotland effect is boosting sales in Boston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggling bar scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="7f69857e-f527-4537-bead-ca6aa035f8ec" data-vars-headline="Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" target="_self">struggling bar scene</a>.Between the lines: Boston&#x27;s drinking culture has shown signs of drying up in recent years, which restaurant owners attribute to shrinking corporate budgets, rising costs and the rise of cannabis and zero-proof drinks.

Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot

The court ruled that the official summary of the initiative was misleading.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday blocked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a ballot initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" data-vars-content-id="1d0eac44-8722-4c33-8a7b-d18df121db7d" data-vars-headline="Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" target="_self">a ballot initiative</a> that would have slashed the state&#x27;s personal income tax rate from 5% to 4%.Why it matters: The high court ruling kills a business-backed ballot measure that opponents say could have created a $5 billion budget hole.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a major victory for labor unions and progressive groups against the Mass. business community.</li></ul>

Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards

Local experts say you need a little intention to help native plants thrive.

Climate

Chaos gardening — the viral TikTok trend of scattering seeds and &quot;letting nature decide&quot; — is surging across the country as demand for native plants reaches new heights.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Native" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" data-vars-content-id="f24ea706-ed8e-427b-a8d3-cb6ef9703542" data-vars-headline="Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" target="_self">Native</a> chaos gardens appeal to New England homeowners seeking lower-maintenance yards that also help local wildlife thrive.

Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions

State lawmakers want to increase primary care spending, but industry leaders raise questions over how.

Health

Massachusetts state senators plan to vote on a bill seeking to increase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary care access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" data-vars-content-id="1d8f22c4-8e24-4db7-9293-cd0755507bd3" data-vars-headline="Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" target="_self">primary care access</a>, but questions remain about how it will be funded.Why it matters: 75% of Massachusetts residents surveyed last year reported having a preventive care appointment in the last 12 months, down from over 81% in 2023.

Harvard Book Store to open new shop in downtown Boston

The original Harvard Square store is staying put, while the new branch will open this fall.

At last, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harvard Book Store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/02/06/bookstores-boston-cambridge-somerville?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=national&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23909507513&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDTq-DynfaT_G8R9M4xCGYHQ5&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxb7RBhA5EiwAQ-AAdDPyNYlTewjFTBuKGcjKSnQEu3YmNZEccxH00pWCdeiW5ktEE4WnRxoC2wYQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="5337a86a-97df-4d74-9566-8704177c4a66" data-vars-headline="Harvard Book Store to open new shop in downtown Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/02/06/bookstores-boston-cambridge-somerville?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=national&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23909507513&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDTq-DynfaT_G8R9M4xCGYHQ5&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxb7RBhA5EiwAQ-AAdDPyNYlTewjFTBuKGcjKSnQEu3YmNZEccxH00pWCdeiW5ktEE4WnRxoC2wYQAvD_BwE" target="_self">Harvard Book Store</a> will expand into Boston. Why it matters: The 94-year-old bookstore tried to open a second location in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Prudential Center," data-vars-click-url="https://www.wgbh.org/culture/books/2024-02-29/despite-cancelled-prudential-expansion-harvard-book-store-sees-bright-future-for-independent-book-sellers" data-vars-content-id="5337a86a-97df-4d74-9566-8704177c4a66" data-vars-headline="Harvard Book Store to open new shop in downtown Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wgbh.org/culture/books/2024-02-29/despite-cancelled-prudential-expansion-harvard-book-store-sees-bright-future-for-independent-book-sellers" target="_blank">Prudential Center,</a> but those plans fell through in 2024.

These Boston spots are streaming the World Cup

Boston-area restaurants, parks and hotels are gearing up to stream the World Cup

Boston-area restaurants are extending their business hours and planning watch parties for World Cup games.<ul><li>Some restaurants will root for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="particular teams," data-vars-click-url="https://www.boston.gov/departments/small-business-development/neighborhood-business-guide" data-vars-content-id="f45ccf23-9fcf-4d9a-ad47-f459ba5685a9" data-vars-headline="These Boston spots are streaming the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boston.gov/departments/small-business-development/neighborhood-business-guide" target="_blank">particular teams,</a> while others will host all sorts of fans. Here is where to go.</li></ul>

Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup

Some cities and towns are racing to approve later last calls.

The race is on for cities and towns to greenlight <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extended alcohol service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" data-vars-content-id="1d43cee0-f915-4596-9889-04b7e67c3845" data-vars-headline="Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" target="_self">extended alcohol service</a> and public drinking districts, just days before the first World Cup match at Boston Stadium.Why it matters: Beacon Hill swiftly passed the last-minute bill extending alcohol service as late as 3am, but in a commonwealth with 351 municipalities, that&#x27;s just half the battle.

Healey signs bill extending last call for World Cup

The law extends last call by an hour and creates public drinking spaces until July 31.

Sports

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey swiftly signed a bill that lets cities and towns create public drinking districts and extend alcohol service <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="until 3am" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/04/massachusetts-last-call-bill-alcohol-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="4a62aa28-f2f2-4f2a-b08e-bd053ea34c91" data-vars-headline="Healey signs bill extending last call for World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/04/massachusetts-last-call-bill-alcohol-world-cup" target="_self">until 3am</a> this summer.Why it matters: The last-minute change to alcohol service, which comes five days before the first World Cup match in Foxborough, allows the state to offer bar and restaurant service on par with other host cities.

Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales

The proposal now moves to the Senate for a vote.

Politics

The Mass. House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extend last call" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/massachusetts-later-alcohol-sales-districts-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="be74bf6d-3421-4308-a033-ec5fe4acdf7d" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/massachusetts-later-alcohol-sales-districts-world-cup" target="_self">extend last call</a> for alcohol sales until 3am this summer.Why it matters: The highly anticipated bill would put Massachusetts cities and towns serving World Cup fans on par with other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup host cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" data-vars-content-id="be74bf6d-3421-4308-a033-ec5fe4acdf7d" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" target="_self">World Cup host cities</a> offering late-night service.

Driving in Mass. is getting wildly expensive

It's not just at the pump. Here's what drivers are paying now.

Even setting aside gas prices, owning a car in Massachusetts has gotten dramatically more expensive in recent years.Why it matters: Despite MBTA buses, subways, trams and commuter rail — and ever-improving bike infrastructure — most Massachusetts locals still rely on cars. That makes rising ownership costs hard to avoid.

Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration

Massachusetts already risks losing its lead in life sciences, health care and other industries.

Massachusetts needs at least another 60,000 new immigrants by 2030 to prevent the economy from shrinking, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/2026/June/immigration-workforce" data-vars-content-id="3c41135b-1c40-4501-8b26-1c0d2badadb2" data-vars-headline="Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/2026/June/immigration-workforce" target="_blank">new report</a> says.Why it matters: Massachusetts already risks losing its lead in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life sciences" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/09/massachusetts-biotech-pharma-outlook" data-vars-content-id="3c41135b-1c40-4501-8b26-1c0d2badadb2" data-vars-headline="Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/09/massachusetts-biotech-pharma-outlook" target="_self">life sciences</a>, health care and other industries amid rising costs, an immigration crackdown and competition from other U.S. tech hubs and China.

Business 🏦

Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot

South End restaurant Oishii is closing

Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions

Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities

Harvard Book Store to open new shop in downtown Boston