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Healey backs Frank's Democratic warning

The governor aligns with his push for pragmatic politics over progressive litmus tests.

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey is backing Barney Frank&#x27;s dying message to the Democratic Party to focus primarily on the economy over social issues.Why it matters: Frank, now in hospice care in Ogunquit, Maine, is using his final days to push a blunt argument: Democrats are losing voters because the party&#x27;s left flank imposes &quot;litmus tests&quot; on issues most Americans don&#x27;t support.

First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston

The food hall opens May 1 with cuisine ranging from Indian to Korean to Indonesian.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Novo Marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" target="_self">Novo Marketplace</a> opens Friday, bringing a gathering space with a dozen Asian food vendors to Allston. Why it matters: Some U.S. food halls are struggling to turn a profit — the latest example being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Time Out Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" target="_blank">Time Out Market</a>— but owner Winson Chen is betting on the demand for gathering spaces and Asian cuisine in the Allston-Brighton area.

Mass. income tax cut ballot question faces legal threat

The SJC could pull the question from the November ballot entirely.

News

Massachusetts voters may be asked this November to decide whether to cut the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="income tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/28/state-tax-rates-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="0501ee62-92f0-42a7-bf1a-a72617c4a0d4" data-vars-headline="Mass. income tax cut ballot question faces legal threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/28/state-tax-rates-massachusetts" target="_self">income tax</a> rate from 5% to 4%, a move that would have huge consequences for state spending.<ul><li>But a legal challenge heard Monday could pull the question from the ballot entirely.</li></ul>

The MAGA millionaire looking to turn deep blue Massachusetts

Mike Minogue's landslide win sets up a high-stakes 2026 race, testing if a MAGA-aligned Republican can win in Massachusetts.

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Biotech multimillionaire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Minogue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/28/minogue-governor-campaign-ad-massachusetts-gop-momentum" data-vars-content-id="3bfc90ff-6837-4f63-8e6a-be484fc15648" data-vars-headline="The MAGA millionaire looking to turn deep blue Massachusetts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/28/minogue-governor-campaign-ad-massachusetts-gop-momentum" target="_self">Mike Minogue</a>&#x27;s landslide victory at the Mass. Republican Convention last month set up what promises to be a costly and very unlikely run to unseat Gov. Maura Healey in November.The big picture: Minogue&#x27;s win goes a long way to settle the GOP field and lays bare one of the central questions of the 2026 cycle: Can a Trump-aligned Republican come anywhere close to winning in Massachusetts?

New Día dispensary fights receivership request

A lender alleges the dispensary is behind on several obligations, including $5 million in rent.

A lender asked a Suffolk Superior Court judge to place New Día cannabis retailer into receivership, claiming it has racked up millions in debt. <ul><li>New Día disputes the claims and is fighting the lender&#x27;s request that the court appoint someone to take over the company and its assets.</li></ul>

Mass. biotech firms join alliance to counter competition from China

China's fast biotech growth has prompted 27 U.S. companies to join forces.

A group of biotech leaders, including three based in Massachusetts, have joined forces to try to maintain the nation&#x27;s lead on biotech innovation.Why it matters: Unlike China, the United States has no national strategy on biotech innovation — and competitors in China are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="catching up quickly," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/china-biotech-boom-us-drug-trials" data-vars-content-id="262a1e72-a4c3-4423-8d3c-c627331e490b" data-vars-headline="Mass. biotech firms join alliance to counter competition from China" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/china-biotech-boom-us-drug-trials" target="_self">catching up quickly,</a> Patroski Lawson, CEO of the firm KPM Group DC, tells Axios.

How Boston restaurants are preparing for the World Cup

Restaurants are trying to capitalize on World Cup matches amid economic uncertainty.

When Haiti faces Scotland next month, Roundhead Brewing will welcome fans with three screens, light-blocking curtains and a multilingual emcee.Why it matters: Boston-area restaurants are pulling out all the stops for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/25/massachusetts-world-cup-prep" data-vars-content-id="17ab4a2e-90c2-43f0-a519-6bd921c79b90" data-vars-headline="How Boston restaurants are preparing for the 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/2026/03/25/massachusetts-world-cup-prep" target="_self">World Cup</a> that they hope will bring a boost in business amid economic uncertainty.

These Boston restaurants are streaming the World Cup

Boston-area restaurants are extending their hours and promoting World Cup watch parties.

Boston-area restaurants are extending their business hours and planning watch parties for World Cup games.<ul><li>Here is where to go for June matches so far, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="City of Boston" 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 restaurants 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">City of Boston</a>.</li></ul>

Boston restaurants, stores often flout captions ordinance

Changing a business' TV settings makes spaces more inclusive for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, say disability rights advocates.

Boston businesses often violate the city&#x27;s ordinance requiring captions on TVs, more than three years after the law&#x27;s passage.<ul><li>And the city rarely enforces the law, according to records reviewed by Axios.</li></ul>Why it matters: A simple change to a business&#x27; TV settings makes spaces more inclusive for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, who make up roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2% of Boston&#x27;s population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2023/04/%28ENG%29%20LCA%20Disability%20Demographic%20Data%20Report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="54015d40-b269-402a-8c5c-25e0cff58389" data-vars-headline="Boston restaurants, stores often flout captions ordinance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2023/04/%28ENG%29%20LCA%20Disability%20Demographic%20Data%20Report.pdf" target="_blank">2% of Boston&#x27;s population</a>, disability rights advocates say.

Substation trading cards highlight Boston history

The trading cards highlight MBTA and substation history.

History

A rescue hook. An Orange Line train. A historic blackout.<ul><li>These are the details of Roslindale&#x27;s history highlighted in the Substation&#x27;s trading card series.</li></ul>

Massachusetts' electricity bills exceeded national average in 2025

Nantucket had the highest estimated average monthly electric bills in the continental U.S.

Money

Massachusetts residents have some of the highest home electric bills in the country, per a new Axios analysis of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" data-vars-content-id="c6737cb4-1650-4cbf-b315-71e535e4a340" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; electricity bills exceeded national average in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" target="_blank">data</a> collected and shared by climate newsroom Heatmap News.Why it matters: Tensions over rising energy bills and power-hungry AI data centers are emerging as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="key political issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" data-vars-content-id="c6737cb4-1650-4cbf-b315-71e535e4a340" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; electricity bills exceeded national average in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" target="_self">key political issue</a>, and should be a potent force in this year&#x27;s midterms.

Biotech's next leap is AI-driven, and Greater Seattle is ready

Seattle combines top research institutions and AI infrastructure to reduce the time from discovery to viable therapies.

Partners

AI and advanced computing are increasingly driving breakthroughs in life sciences, and Greater Seattle is accelerating that shift.Why it&#x27;s important: Regions that integrate scientific research with advanced software infrastructure can bring therapies closer to clinical use more quickly.

What we know (and don't) about Boston's World Cup fan festivities

Organizers are planning a cultural showcase as part of the FanFest, but little else is known so far.

Sports

Small businesses looking to host <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/11/world-cup-boston-foxborough-funding-dispute" data-vars-content-id="3b10a0c0-c3ef-4e07-91b5-3041da31b94f" data-vars-headline="What we know (and don&#x27;t) about Boston&#x27;s World Cup fan festivities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/11/world-cup-boston-foxborough-funding-dispute" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a> watch parties and other events are still awaiting clarity on what they can do this summer.Why it matters: Boston-area businesses want a piece of the economic boon that FIFA organizers predict the tournament will bring.

Business 🏦

New Día dispensary fights receivership request

Mass. biotech firms join alliance to counter competition from China

How Boston restaurants are preparing for the World Cup

These Boston restaurants are streaming the World Cup

Boston restaurants, stores often flout captions ordinance