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Prepare for a brutal summer of MBTA shutdowns and shuttle buses

The T is moving fast on infrastructure upgrades, but overlapping suspensions on the Green and Red lines will snarl spring commuting.

Transit

A cascade of overlapping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MBTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" data-vars-content-id="23f56185-7cdc-4b3d-947c-69b396adad2f" data-vars-headline="Prepare for a brutal summer of MBTA shutdowns and shuttle buses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" target="_self">MBTA</a> service suspensions will make this spring a hard one for subway riders as the T accelerates a push to modernize aging infrastructure.Why it matters: The disruptions are meant to correct years of deferred maintenance.<ul><li>The T under General Manager Phil Eng is moving fast on safety and accessibility upgrades — but that means some near-term commuter pain in the busy summer months.</li></ul>

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Cape Cod's hottest new spots this summer

From Brazilian comfort food to tarot-themed cocktails, here's what's new on the Cape this season.

Every year, the dining scene on Cape Cod rearranges itself with openings, new concepts and fresh starts in familiar locations.<ul><li>Prepare to dig in at some of the spots we&#x27;re most excited to try this season.</li></ul>

Healey taps executive branch veteran to lead Cannabis Control Commission

The governor named three new commissioners to lead the reformed cannabis agency.

Business

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey appointed Christopher Harding, Xiomara DeLobato and Anthony Wilson to lead the Cannabis Control Commission through a series of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-awaited reforms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/06/massachusetts-cannabis-reform-deal" data-vars-content-id="e60bda66-745a-4178-a09d-d9e47656f69e" data-vars-headline="Healey taps executive branch veteran to lead Cannabis Control Commission" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/06/massachusetts-cannabis-reform-deal" target="_self">long-awaited reforms</a>.Why it matters: All eyes are on the new commissioners to see if they can usher in a new era for an agency beleaguered by infighting, red tape and oversight failures.

Boston sends Sullivan Square plan to MassDOT, again

The dream of a redeveloped Rutherford Avenue, conceived in the '90s, is old enough to rent a car.

Development

The Sullivan Square of the 21st century is turning into a playground for young families and professionals, between the new pickleball club, Hood Park&#x27;s new gym and plans for a grocery store.<ul><li>All that&#x27;s missing is a facelift of the square&#x27;s infamous rotary.</li></ul>

How Hood Park is reshaping Sullivan Square

Its developer has led Sullivan Square's makeover through the pandemic and a volatile economy.

While <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Rutherford Avenue road project languished" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/26/wu-sullivan-square-plan-massdot" data-vars-content-id="a970fda4-b4a8-4b6f-98dd-307c639bff4c" data-vars-headline="How Hood Park is reshaping Sullivan Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/26/wu-sullivan-square-plan-massdot" target="_self">the Rutherford Avenue road project languished</a>, Hood Park&#x27;s developer built a quasi-town square with apartments, lab spaces, offices and retailers. Why it matters: Catamount Management Corporation has led Sullivan Square&#x27;s makeover through the COVID-19 pandemic and the years since.

Letter calls on Boston-area companies to better support parents

Two nonprofits asked companies to offer flexible hours and support for working parents.

It started with an open letter circulating around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mother&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/momflation-is-changing-how-we-celebrate-mothers-day" data-vars-content-id="fb43d797-3b38-4de5-95ad-b9ab5bcd46b5" data-vars-headline="Letter calls on Boston-area companies to better support parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/momflation-is-changing-how-we-celebrate-mothers-day" target="_self">Mother&#x27;s Day</a>.<ul><li>&quot;Let&#x27;s move beyond flowers and brunch and towards responsibility and action&quot; to support working mothers, states the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="letter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tfaforms.com/5221462" data-vars-content-id="fb43d797-3b38-4de5-95ad-b9ab5bcd46b5" data-vars-headline="Letter calls on Boston-area companies to better support parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tfaforms.com/5221462" target="_blank">letter</a>, published by YW Boston and Listen to Your Mothers. </li></ul>

Eugene Mirman brings the whimsy home to Somerville and beyond

The "Bob's Burgers" star talks his first comedy special in a decade, his recovery, and his favorite local Chinese food.

Culture

Comedian and &quot;Bob&#x27;s Burgers&quot; star Eugene Mirman has a new comedy special, &quot;Here Comes the Whimsy,&quot; premiering Tuesday night on YouTube.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The special" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHPEaN1DxKw" data-vars-content-id="6833d32a-9a97-47c2-af7d-2a42dc848f2e" data-vars-headline="Eugene Mirman brings the whimsy home to Somerville and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHPEaN1DxKw" target="_blank">The special</a>—recorded at the Crystal Ballroom in Mirman&#x27;s hometown of Somerville—is his first in 10 years.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a great way to plunge into his specific brand of local absurdity, covering everything from Montessori school applications to rental car disputes and many, many shoes.</li><li>Mirman will host a live chat watch party on YouTube for the world premiere Tuesday night at 8pm.</li></ul>Between the lines: Mirman told Axios he chose YouTube for the release to bypass the &quot;inundated&quot; streaming giants and allow fans to access the work directly.<ul><li>To recoup production costs, Mirman is selling &quot;silly packages&quot; that include items like a bag of flour with his face drawn on it or a framed piece of siding from his own house.</li></ul>For fans of &quot;Bob&#x27;s Burgers,&quot; Mirman describes the set as &quot;a grown-up Gene doing stand-up,&quot; though he warns it might be better suited for teenagers than younger children.State of play: Mirman also opened up about his recovery following a harrowing, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fiery car crash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/02/us/eugene-mirman-bobs-burgers-actor-crash-injured-hnk" data-vars-content-id="6833d32a-9a97-47c2-af7d-2a42dc848f2e" data-vars-headline="Eugene Mirman brings the whimsy home to Somerville and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/02/us/eugene-mirman-bobs-burgers-actor-crash-injured-hnk" target="_blank">fiery car crash</a> at a New Hampshire toll plaza last month.<ul><li>Mirman expressed deep gratitude for the bystanders, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and her security team, who helped pull him from the wreckage.</li><li>&quot;I feel so, so unbelievably lucky,&quot; Mirman said, noting he is getting back to everyday life.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Mirman will be at the Newbury Comics in Harvard Square on May 30 for an album signing.💭 Deehan&#x27;s thought bubble: I was at the taping at Crystal Ballroom and the special was pretty hilarious. You&#x27;ll dig it.

Inside La Casa, the South End's new arts and community center

When it opens in May, La Casa will be the largest Latino performing arts center in New England.

When Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción&#x27;s arts center opens, it will host concerts, youth arts programming, workshops and maybe a quinceañera (a traditional 15th birthday celebration for Latinas).The big picture: La Casa, a $33 million project, will be the largest Latino arts center in New England.

Boston celebrates 50 years of "Rocky Horror" with doc screening

Fifty years ago this month, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" midnight screenings debuted in NYC.

&quot;The Rocky Horror Picture Show&quot; has outlived the Soviet Union, Y2K and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="89c3f8a9-86ea-4435-9215-41be43236002" data-vars-headline="Boston celebrates 50 years of &quot;Rocky Horror&quot; with doc screening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.<ul><li>Boston-area fans will celebrate its legacy on Saturday with a documentary showing that pays tribute to the cult classic and its fandom.</li></ul>

Help us pick the best Greater Boston-area film

Boston is home to some of the biggest films, from "The Departed" to "Legally Blonde."

Greater Boston is home to some of the biggest films, from &quot;The Departed&quot; to &quot;Legally Blonde.&quot;<ul><li>We asked you to decide which is the best. </li></ul>

2026 Boston Marathon cheat sheet: Where to watch, what to bring

The Boston Athletic Association plans to have runners start in six waves.

Sports

More than 32,000 runners will compete in the Boston Marathon.Why it matters: The 130th marathon will draw tens of thousands of spectators Monday along the route between Hopkinton and Copley Square.

Healey proposes restricting social media access for teens under 16

The bill would limit use of a social media app to two hours a day and block pings during school.

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey unveiled her own proposal to limit social media use among teens under age 16.Why it matters: That makes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three major competing bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/08/massachusetts-house-senate-cellphone-ban-social-media-youth-children-schools-healey-bill" data-vars-content-id="32b7e7e0-7a5b-438f-bdeb-c331599090ed" data-vars-headline="Healey proposes restricting social media access for teens under 16" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/08/massachusetts-house-senate-cellphone-ban-social-media-youth-children-schools-healey-bill" target="_self">three major competing bills</a> reining in youth social media use on Beacon Hill, with just over three months to hash out a compromise.

Less than 1% of Greater Boston nonprofit revenue helps women of color

Less than 1% of revenue for women's nonprofits went to groups serving women and girls of color.

News

Less than 1% of the revenue that Greater Boston nonprofits serving women, girls and gender-expansive people reported in 2024 went to groups prioritizing girls and women of color.Why it matters: Those groups&#x27; leaders reported being understaffed, overworked and less supported than other nonprofits, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonwomensfund.org/carryingtheweight" data-vars-content-id="d5991ea0-3ceb-4bb3-95e5-94bc39177dd1" data-vars-headline="Less than 1% of Greater Boston nonprofit revenue helps women of color" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonwomensfund.org/carryingtheweight" target="_blank">new report</a> from the Boston Women&#x27;s Fund and UMass Boston.<ul><li>The findings come six years after U.S. business, philanthropic and political leaders pledged to address racial inequities.</li></ul>