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Boston can build White Stadium in Franklin Park, SJC rules

It's a major victory for Mayor Michelle Wu, who has pursued the public-private redevelopment.

Politics

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled Boston can continue building <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="White Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/17/bostons-white-stadium-lawsuit-soccer-michelle-wu-josh-kraft" data-vars-content-id="875f9b00-2477-43bc-b99e-d14966c9fdd0" data-vars-headline="Boston can build White Stadium in Franklin Park, SJC rules" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/17/bostons-white-stadium-lawsuit-soccer-michelle-wu-josh-kraft" target="_self">White Stadium</a> in Franklin Park.Why it matters: It’s a major victory for Mayor Michelle Wu, who has pursued the public-private redevelopment project despite some residents&#x27; criticisms about potential traffic impacts and displacement of fall student athletes.

Trump deportations cost Mass. taxpayers $3,200 each on average

Deportations cost one town's taxpayers ten times as much, projections suggest.

Immigration

Massachusetts taxpayers will end up paying over $3,200 each on average for President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="0ee992a2-ce20-4b73-89d7-fd9db211cb71" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations cost Mass. taxpayers $3,200 each on average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump&#x27;s</a> mass deportation push, according to a new calculator tool from the Economic Policy Institute.<ul><li>And taxpayers in one town will pay tenfold. </li></ul>Why it matters: The estimate fuels debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="0ee992a2-ce20-4b73-89d7-fd9db211cb71" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations cost Mass. taxpayers $3,200 each on average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> should instead fund other public priorities such as food assistance, health care or housing.

Sheriff's trial could be a headache for leading Boston Dems

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins could lose his $191,000 job, pension and freedom.

News

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins heads to federal court Monday to face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extortion charges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/27/steven-tompkins-medical-leave-indicted-extortion" data-vars-content-id="10b46797-0ad3-4210-a7e4-02ea39db6ab1" data-vars-headline="Sheriff&#x27;s trial could be a headache for leading Boston Dems" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/27/steven-tompkins-medical-leave-indicted-extortion" target="_self">extortion charges</a> that could end his 13-year tenure and land him in prison.Why it matters: A conviction would cost the powerful Democratic insider his $191,000 annual salary and his ample pension.

Boston-area Colombians mobilize to support earthquake relief efforts 

An earthquake has killed hundreds and displaced thousands in western Colombia.

Culture

Boston-area Colombians are raising funds and collecting supplies to support relief efforts after a 7.4-magnitude <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="earthquake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/14/how-miamians-can-help-colombia-earthquake-relief-efforts" data-vars-content-id="68ef0d29-7920-4be5-a844-e5a30a59ec8b" data-vars-headline="Boston-area Colombians mobilize to support earthquake relief efforts " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/14/how-miamians-can-help-colombia-earthquake-relief-efforts" target="_self">earthquake</a> rocked the Latin American nation.The big picture: Massachusetts is home to an estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="42,000 residents," data-vars-click-url="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/lists/colombian-population-in-massachusetts-by-city/" data-vars-content-id="68ef0d29-7920-4be5-a844-e5a30a59ec8b" data-vars-headline="Boston-area Colombians mobilize to support earthquake relief efforts " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/lists/colombian-population-in-massachusetts-by-city/" target="_blank">42,000 residents,</a> the nation’s sixth-largest Colombian population.<ul><li>East Boston is unofficially considered New England’s “Little Colombia.”</li></ul>

El Gran Combo to headline Boston Embrace Massó Festival

It will be the Puerto Rican band's first outdoor show in Boston in decades.

Music

Downtown Boston is about to get a lesson from &quot;The University of Salsa.&quot;<ul><li>El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico will headline the Embrace Massó ¡Con Salsa! Ritmo y Sonido Block Party next month.</li></ul>

Was this Boston's "best summer ever"? It depends on who you ask

Many in Boston profited off of this summer's major events, but it wasn't a win for everyone.

Business

Seven miles south of City Hall, Mayor Michelle Wu convened 17 city officials, business leaders and entrepreneurs in a brewery for a victory lap.<ul><li>A blue sign hanging at the center of the U-shaped table summed it up: &quot;Celebrating Boston&#x27;s best summer ever.&quot;</li></ul>

How Boston is spotlighting LGBTQ+ history during America 250

A display, a screening and tours are highlighting Boston's queer history.

History

As the nation turns 250, some historians and tour guides are going beyond household names like Paul Revere and Martin Luther King Jr.<ul><li>They&#x27;re highlighting figures like Deborah Sampson, a cross-dressing private in the Continental Army, and Elaine Noble, the nation&#x27;s first LGBTQ+ candidate elected to a state legislature.</li></ul>Why it matters: Boston&#x27;s queer history is as old as the American Revolution, but it has eluded the pages of the average U.S. textbook.

New England arts orgs lost over $13M in funding in 2025

They reported losses in state funding, individual donations and private-sector grants.

New England arts and culture organizations estimate losing a combined $13.5 million in 2025, the vast majority due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal funding cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/21/arts-funding-cuts-trump-pennsylvania-pa-humanities" data-vars-content-id="62a091a3-e5e3-4fc9-92f3-c34c62aa3723" data-vars-headline="New England arts orgs lost over $13M in funding in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/21/arts-funding-cuts-trump-pennsylvania-pa-humanities" target="_self">federal funding cuts</a>, a new regional survey found.Why it matters: The funding cuts led to 720 job losses across the region, according to employers across 125 organizations.

The Boston legacies you won't see on the freedom trail

Several new and upcoming markers highlight the city's diverse history.

An Islamic cultural center, a temple, a zen garden — these are some of the sites being recognized as Boston celebrates the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="semiquincentennial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/america-250-christianity-founders" data-vars-content-id="cc23f7a0-3196-42e2-ad24-d0e846e5a06c" data-vars-headline="The Boston legacies you won&#x27;t see on the freedom trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/america-250-christianity-founders" target="_self">semiquincentennial</a>.Why it matters: These institutions haven&#x27;t drawn massive crowds of patriotic tourists, but their legacies paint a picture of the communities that shaped one of the nation&#x27;s oldest cities.

How Sail250 connects a diaspora

Dozens of military ships from 21 countries are berthed along the Boston Harbor until Thursday.

America at 250

Sail Boston and the Colombian tall ship&#x27;s visit brought something I&#x27;ve never experienced with my family in Medellín: a chance to learn about our nation&#x27;s maritime history.<ul><li>So I put on my Colombia jersey and headed to Pier 11 in Charlestown on Sunday.</li></ul>

Scottish keepsake: Glasgow influencer brings cone to Boston

A decked-out cone cements the good vibes between the new sister cities.

Arriving soon at Logan Airport: A Scottish keepsake for Boston.The intrigue: The cone is the latest gesture of goodwill between Glasgow and Boston, which recently became <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sister cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boston.gov/news/mayor-michelle-wu-signs-formal-declaration-intent-establish-partnership-glasgow-scotland" data-vars-content-id="4a58972f-7b0c-4df9-8bdb-c5574dae609c" data-vars-headline="Scottish keepsake: Glasgow influencer brings cone to Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boston.gov/news/mayor-michelle-wu-signs-formal-declaration-intent-establish-partnership-glasgow-scotland" target="_blank">sister cities</a>.Zoom in: Scottish influencer Andrew Dobbie couldn&#x27;t make the World Cup matches that drew throngs of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tartan Army members" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/14/scotland-world-cup-boston-stadium" data-vars-content-id="4a58972f-7b0c-4df9-8bdb-c5574dae609c" data-vars-headline="Scottish keepsake: Glasgow influencer brings cone to Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/14/scotland-world-cup-boston-stadium" target="_self">Tartan Army members</a> to Massachusetts.<ul><li>But he is shepherding a decked-out traffic cone on a flight across the pond on an invitation from Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu. </li><li>It has the Boston Red Sox, a duckling and, of course, the words &quot;No Scotland, no party!&quot;</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Healey and Wu will welcome the cone to Boston Tuesday and sign it.<ul><li>Then, the cone begins its journey around the city fundraising for Scottish and Massachusetts mental health organizations.</li></ul>

Sail250 begins: Your Parade of Sail and tall ships cheat sheet

Dozens of ships, including 50-plus military vessels from 21 countries, are coming to Boston.

Things to Do

Boston welcomes more than 50 military ships from 21 countries starting Saturday for Sail250, the culmination of the multicity tall ships celebration.The intrigue: You don&#x27;t have to know the difference between a bow and a flying jib to appreciate the spectacle.

Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships' 4 million expected visitors

Crowds will gather to watch 60 ships from Argentina, Colombia, India and other nations.

Sixty ships from around the world will dock along Boston Harbor next month for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tall Ships" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/02/boston-biggest-events-2026-guide" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/02/boston-biggest-events-2026-guide" target="_self">Tall Ships</a>.The intrigue: The international gathering of military ships could bring an estimated 4 million people to Boston&#x27;s waterfront as the U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrates 250 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" target="_self">celebrates 250 years</a> — all while the city hosts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/22/scotland-tartan-army-leaves-boston-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/22/scotland-tartan-army-leaves-boston-world-cup" target="_self">the World Cup</a>.