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Healey ties Minogue to Trump; he presses her on accountability in first governor debate

Healey cited the president on costs, schools and immigration. Minogue pressed her record on taxes, spending and a Springfield courthouse deal.

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey invoked the specter of President Trump on nearly every issue in her first debate with challenger Mike Minogue, tying her reelection bid to national trends instead of state government work.Why it matters: Minogue tried to keep the conversation on state-level results to make voters&#x27; choice on Nov. 3 more of a referendum on Healey&#x27;s performance over the past four years.

Boston official used PPP loan for rent, Uber Eats and child support, feds say

Authorities say he filed a PPP loan claiming to be a mechanic. He's head of city security.

Federal authorities say the city of Boston&#x27;s head of security filed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fraudulent pandemic loan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/30/54-billion-covid-aid-fraud-social-security-numbers" data-vars-content-id="652d1be5-0d21-4c49-8e70-0c9151d22e9f" data-vars-headline="Boston official used PPP loan for rent, Uber Eats and child support, feds say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/30/54-billion-covid-aid-fraud-social-security-numbers" target="_self">fraudulent pandemic loan</a> application and used over $20,000 in taxpayer funds on personal expenses.Between the lines: U.S. Attorney Leah Foley&#x27;s office announced the charges and plea agreement in one fell swoop Thursday afternoon, weeks after quietly proposing a plea agreement.

Mass General Brigham, nurses stalemate drags as strike nears

Some 4,000 union nurses could walk off the job next week if a deal isn't reached.

Health

Mass General Brigham nurses and hospital management ended Thursday&#x27;s talks without any indication that they&#x27;re close to a contract agreement.Why it matters: At this rate, they appear headed toward an indefinite strike starting next week, which would disrupt services at the state&#x27;s largest hospital system.

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News

Think you&#x27;re up to speed on the week&#x27;s news? <ul><li>Take our quiz to prove it.</li></ul>

Charlie's Kitchen sells off steins, menus and signs while in limbo

The owner started selling off pieces of the dive bar's history in hopes of saving it long term.

Food and Drink

Charlie&#x27;s Kitchen was packed this weekend — not for its signature burgers and beers, but for an emergency sale.Why it matters: The 75-year-old dive bar&#x27;s best chances of survival, after suffering severe water damage in January, is to sell its historic decor, glasses and furniture, chef-owner David Oshima said.

Inside Boston's rat war, from the city's plan to local resistance

Boston's war on rats — or at least the Wu administration's offensive — is shaping up.

Boston officials have armed city blocks with rodent-resistant trash cans, birth control and thermal cameras that can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detect rat clusters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/12/01/rat-sightings-boston-rankings-2022" data-vars-content-id="3ec29006-8a31-4505-849a-17b1d612f517" data-vars-headline="Inside Boston&#x27;s rat war, from the city&#x27;s plan to local resistance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/12/01/rat-sightings-boston-rankings-2022" target="_self">detect rat clusters</a>, but every war has its rogue vigilante.<ul><li>In the North End, that&#x27;s Lilly, a 7-year-old dachshund.</li></ul>

"Love Is Blind" Boston premieres in October

Culture

&quot;Love Is Blind&quot; fans finally have a &quot;save the date&quot; for the season based in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/07/29/love-is-blind-new-england-casting" data-vars-content-id="dfe0b2bc-5edd-4ecc-a4e0-d38fbb8ae2e0" data-vars-headline="&quot;Love Is Blind&quot; Boston premieres in October" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/07/29/love-is-blind-new-england-casting" target="_self">Boston</a>.The intrigue: The show is bound to have its fill of romance, drama and, hopefully, a lobster roll or two.

Converse apologizes, pulls ad that drew KKK comparisons

The Boston-based sneaker maker faced backlash for the ad.

Business

Boston-based sneaker maker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Converse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/11/06/converse-archives-sam-smallidge" data-vars-content-id="1df94f5c-2f8a-4813-99a7-90032ea2ad30" data-vars-headline="Converse apologizes, pulls ad that drew KKK comparisons" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/11/06/converse-archives-sam-smallidge" target="_self">Converse</a> sparked outrage last week after releasing a social media ad that critics say evokes the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.The big picture: Converse is the latest company under fire for racist imagery in ads at a time when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent hanging deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://capitalbnews.org/black-hanging-deaths/" data-vars-content-id="1df94f5c-2f8a-4813-99a7-90032ea2ad30" data-vars-headline="Converse apologizes, pulls ad that drew KKK comparisons" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://capitalbnews.org/black-hanging-deaths/" target="_blank">recent hanging deaths</a> of Black people have made national headlines, most recently last week in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mississippi" data-vars-click-url="https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/cases-black-people-found-hanged-us-south-reminder-136524632" data-vars-content-id="1df94f5c-2f8a-4813-99a7-90032ea2ad30" data-vars-headline="Converse apologizes, pulls ad that drew KKK comparisons" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/cases-black-people-found-hanged-us-south-reminder-136524632" target="_blank">Mississippi</a>.

How the Boston area is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates Latino and Hispanic history nationwide.

Things to Do

The Boston area is packed with events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The big picture: Hispanic Heritage Month, which started Tuesday and runs through Oct. 15, commemorates Latino and Hispanic history nationwide.<ul><li>The month coincides with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independence days" data-vars-click-url="https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources/hispanic-heritage-month" data-vars-content-id="8b6e2775-845d-4572-ab0d-9c31b9254377" data-vars-headline="How the Boston area is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources/hispanic-heritage-month" target="_blank">independence days</a> of eight countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile and Belize.</li></ul>

Scoop: Roxbury's Madrugada, a celeb go-to, eyes South End storefront

An upcoming South End boutique grew out of a Roxbury shed. Now it's a go-to for stars.

Madrugada, a beloved Roxbury-born clothing brand, is returning with a permanent brick-and-mortar.Why it matters: What began as a homegrown side hustle sold out of a backyard shed may soon become the South End&#x27;s newest upscale boutique.

10 Boston etiquette tips for new students and transplants

The stereotype that people are kind, not nice, bears some truth but is often misunderstood.

Steph here, with some advice for all the college students and transplants moving in this month.The intrigue: The stereotype that people here are kind, not nice, bears some truth but is often misunderstood.

Jaylen Brown throws a Boston farewell party for the ages 

Jaylen Brown's 741 Frequency Fest brought out Lil' Jon, FERG and thousands of Celtics fans.

Boston Celtics fans set aside their heartbreak Sunday afternoon and celebrated Jaylen Brown before he sets off to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.The intrigue: Brown&#x27;s farewell party, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="741 Frequency Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://741performance.com/pages/frequency-fest" data-vars-content-id="17a4ca68-4192-4c6f-8a63-d296db4e416f" data-vars-headline="Jaylen Brown throws a Boston farewell party for the ages " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://741performance.com/pages/frequency-fest" target="_blank">741 Frequency Fest</a>, took over the Boston Common with games, local artists and celebrities in what emcees say they hope will become an annual tradition.

Downtown Boston office vacancies create opening for nonprofits

Downtown's vacancy rate is hovering just above 25%.

Development

Boston-area nonprofits are capitalizing on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="office vacancies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/27/boston-area-office-vacancies-drop-slightly-in-q1-2026" data-vars-content-id="2d971e74-7dd4-4d7e-9f2a-72f474f558c6" data-vars-headline="Downtown Boston office vacancies create opening for nonprofits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/27/boston-area-office-vacancies-drop-slightly-in-q1-2026" target="_self">office vacancies</a> downtown.Why it matters: Office vacancies and, in some cases, steeply discounted building sales have created an opening for nonprofits to buy or lease in a pricey real estate market.

Bare-knuckle fighting makes its (legal) Boston debut

Fenway Park will host the city's first legal bare-knuckle fighting tournament.

Sports

Fenway Park will host the state&#x27;s first legal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bare-knuckle fighting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/07/25/bare-knuckle-fighting-florida-bybextreme-dada5000" data-vars-content-id="d79d3418-234c-4ba9-bd1c-a9adc08f4378" data-vars-headline="Bare-knuckle fighting makes its (legal) Boston debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/07/25/bare-knuckle-fighting-florida-bybextreme-dada5000" target="_self">bare-knuckle fighting</a> tournament this weekend.Why it matters: The bloody combat sport, which was illegal nationwide until 2018, has spread across over 30 states in the years since.