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MBTA's Red Line fleet replacement might not be finished until the 2030s

The MBTA's latest capital plan puts completion in fiscal 2032. So far, 68 of 252 new cars have been accepted into revenue service.

Transit

Replacing all of the MBTA&#x27;s Red Line train cars could now take until at least the early 2030s, according to its latest spending plan.Why it matters: Supply chain problems, international economic winds and other tensions with the Chinese manufacturer have delayed the replacement cars that were originally expected to be in place by the end of the 2010s.

Former Healey aide LaMar Cook arrested on SNAP fraud charge

Cook, who worked in Springfield, was indicted last year on cocaine trafficking and firearm charges.

Politics

LaMar Cook, a former aide to Gov. Maura Healey who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faces cocaine trafficking and gun charges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/29/healey-aide-arrested-springfield" data-vars-content-id="a32ce2d5-5d0d-4f8c-b6c3-9315ac77daa3" data-vars-headline="Former Healey aide LaMar Cook arrested on SNAP fraud charge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/29/healey-aide-arrested-springfield" target="_self">faces cocaine trafficking and gun charges</a>, was arrested by federal authorities Wednesday on suspicion of SNAP fraud.The big picture: Cook&#x27;s travel to Disney World and other spending raised eyebrows as he <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="received more than $30,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/08/healey-condemns-payout-arrested-aide-lamar-cook" data-vars-content-id="a32ce2d5-5d0d-4f8c-b6c3-9315ac77daa3" data-vars-headline="Former Healey aide LaMar Cook arrested on SNAP fraud charge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/08/healey-condemns-payout-arrested-aide-lamar-cook" target="_self">received more than $30,000</a> in accrued vacation pay — which state officials say was paid in error after his firing — and later started receiving SNAP benefits.

GOP lieutenant governor nominee Shawn Oliver suspends campaign after OUI arrest

Oliver stepped aside Sunday after a Saturday night crash in New Bedford and an OUI charge. His name will remain on the ballot.

Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, suspended his campaign Sunday after being charged with drunk driving in New Bedford.Catch up quick: Police say Oliver&#x27;s vehicle hit five parked cars on Dartmouth Street around 11:40pm Saturday and overturned.

Healey calls GOP ticket "chaos" after Oliver's arrest

Republican lieutenant governor candidate Shawn Oliver was arrested Saturday on an OUI charge.

Gov. Maura Healey said her Republican rival Mike Minogue&#x27;s campaign is in &quot;chaos&quot; after his running mate&#x27;s arrest.Why it matters: The fallout comes less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election, when Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll face Minogue and Shawn Oliver, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="was arrested Saturday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/18/shawn-oliver-oui-arrest-lieutenant-governor-massachusetts-suspends-campaign-minogue-new-bedford-crash-healey-driscoll-election" data-vars-content-id="00be2064-20c5-471d-8d6d-3bd0b7b98a3a" data-vars-headline="Healey calls GOP ticket &quot;chaos&quot; after Oliver&#x27;s arrest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/18/shawn-oliver-oui-arrest-lieutenant-governor-massachusetts-suspends-campaign-minogue-new-bedford-crash-healey-driscoll-election" target="_self">was arrested Saturday</a> on an OUI charge.

Pressure mounts over center-running bus lane plan in Mattapan

Dozens of Boston residents detailed their frustrations and fears during a two-hour hearing Thursday.

Public Safety

Dozens of Mattapan and Dorchester residents spent two-plus hours on Thursday listing their frustrations and fears over the proposed center-running bus lanes on Blue Hill Avenue.<ul><li>Among them? Making schoolchildren, elders and other pedestrians cross the major thoroughfare to reach the bus. </li></ul>

Holocaust Museum Boston leans into 21st-century storytelling tools

Visitors will see propaganda from a cellphone-shaped monitor and find other interactive tools.

History

Standing in front of bare steel frames, Jodi Kipnis pointed to the exact spot where a monitor would show a cellphone and a selection of apps broadcasting different types of propaganda in the upcoming Holocaust museum.Why it matters: The cellphone display is one of several ways Holocaust Museum Boston is trying to connect with younger generations to keep this history and the lessons it bears.

How Wu's incentives to build housing work

Housing development has drastically slowed in Boston post-pandemic.

Boston&#x27;s tax breaks for new housing construction are one of five tools the city is considering to encourage development in a sluggish market, Mayor Michelle Wu told business leaders Wednesday.Why it matters: Housing development has slowed since the pandemic, due to higher materials costs, tariffs, interest rates and, developers say, the city&#x27;s affordable housing requirements.<ul><li>The Wu administration is considering drastically lowering its housing construction target from 13,000 in her first term to 3,000 annually in her second term, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Globe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/08/business/michelle-wu-housing-plan/" data-vars-content-id="1e6ecc19-9a9b-4a5a-ab47-a2084e74fede" data-vars-headline="How Wu&#x27;s incentives to build housing work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/08/business/michelle-wu-housing-plan/" target="_blank">Boston Globe</a> reported last week.</li></ul>

Boston renters are paying higher rents for smaller units

Renters of all Boston apartments are paying more, even after factoring a 39% inflation increase.

Development

The average new apartment has shrunk in Boston during the past decade, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/national-average-apartment-size/" data-vars-content-id="9b3d804a-2fdc-4dc6-a5da-64c7f5d076cc" data-vars-headline="Boston renters are paying higher rents for smaller units" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/national-average-apartment-size/" target="_blank">new survey</a> from RentCafe.Why it matters: Even though square footage shrunk, renters of all apartments in Boston are paying more — even accounting for a 39% increase in inflation.

Downtown Boston office vacancies create opening for nonprofits

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

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.

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.

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.

Business

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.

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.

How churches, synagogues could be key to Mass. housing crisis

Faith-based land could unlock hundreds of thousands of new Massachusetts homes — and new legislation would let religious organizations build without local zoning approval.

Land owned by faith-based organizations could unlock hundreds of thousands of new homes to help get Massachusetts out of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/11/12/greater-boston-housing-report-card" data-vars-content-id="3984a3ed-3b42-4631-8262-5252921330c6" data-vars-headline="How churches, synagogues could be key to Mass. housing crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/11/12/greater-boston-housing-report-card" target="_self">housing crisis</a>.Why it matters: Massachusetts religious organizations control nearly 5,000 developable parcels over more than 20,000 acres, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to an analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://cgsearth.org/-whoa-housing-faith-based-land-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="3984a3ed-3b42-4631-8262-5252921330c6" data-vars-headline="How churches, synagogues could be key to Mass. housing crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cgsearth.org/-whoa-housing-faith-based-land-massachusetts" target="_blank">according to an analysis</a>.<ul><li>The land mostly sits idle while the state needs 222,000 housing units built by 2035.</li></ul>

Foodie's closure sparks fight over South End storefronts

Residents fended off an attempt to convert the market into a school. But the battle's not over.

Food and Drink

South End residents convinced a private school to back off plans to turn a grocery store into classrooms, but that&#x27;s just half the battle.The big picture: The news of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Foodie&#x27;s Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/04/foodies-market-closure" data-vars-content-id="7c582db7-c9e0-4abc-9083-f2e6fec22da5" data-vars-headline="Foodie&#x27;s closure sparks fight over South End storefronts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/04/foodies-market-closure" target="_self">Foodie&#x27;s Market</a> closing in June has mobilized residents to lobby for a new grocer to maintain food access around 1421 Washington St., the only supermarket in that part of the South End.

Bar chart shows the average size of new apartments, ranging from 1,156 square feet in Tallahassee, Fla., to Seattle at 645 square feet. The U.S. average is 910 square feet.

Development 🏗️

Pressure mounts over center-running bus lane plan in Mattapan

Holocaust Museum Boston leans into 21st-century storytelling tools

How Wu's incentives to build housing work

Boston renters are paying higher rents for smaller units

Downtown Boston office vacancies create opening for nonprofits