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Mass. passes law limiting ICE. Now comes the backlash

Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill limiting local police from interacting with federal immigration agents.

Immigration

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill Wednesday that limits local police from interacting with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration agents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/13/boston-prepares-ice-surge-wu-plans" data-vars-content-id="e2b06598-2e1d-4964-9f6f-43b83500d070" data-vars-headline="Mass. passes law limiting ICE. Now comes the backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/13/boston-prepares-ice-surge-wu-plans" target="_self">federal immigration agents</a>.The big picture: The signing ceremony drew cheers from hundreds who packed into La Collaborativa in Chelsea.<ul><li>And it swiftly drew rebukes from critics accusing Healey of doubling down on the sanctuary label she&#x27;s shied away from during her reelection campaign.</li></ul>

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Alpha Schools, the AI-powered school network, expands into Boston

Boston is one of 27 cities the school system is opening in this school year.

Education

Alpha Schools, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-end, AI-powered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/27/alpha-schools-ai-artifical-intelligence-education" data-vars-content-id="f417430a-2cb4-4647-aa96-0fe12b7c6ff2" data-vars-headline="Alpha Schools, the AI-powered school network, expands into Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/27/alpha-schools-ai-artifical-intelligence-education" target="_self">high-end, AI-powered</a> private school, plans to launch in 27 cities this school year, including Boston.Why it matters: While traditional schools navigate how to adopt AI, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alpha Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/alpha-schools-ai-expansion-50-campuses" data-vars-content-id="f417430a-2cb4-4647-aa96-0fe12b7c6ff2" data-vars-headline="Alpha Schools, the AI-powered school network, expands into Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/alpha-schools-ai-expansion-50-campuses" target="_self">Alpha Schools</a> uses an AI-dependent classroom model that the company claims reduces screen time and increases human interaction.<ul><li>Tuition will start at $55,000 a year, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Globe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/10/metro/private-ai-school-alpha-approved-in-boston/" data-vars-content-id="f417430a-2cb4-4647-aa96-0fe12b7c6ff2" data-vars-headline="Alpha Schools, the AI-powered school network, expands into Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/10/metro/private-ai-school-alpha-approved-in-boston/" target="_blank">Boston Globe</a> reported.</li></ul>

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

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

Business

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.

Mass. puts "freedom to read" law on the books

The law would prevent book bans led by out-of-town activists in school and public libraries.

Politics

Massachusetts is the latest state to pass laws that aim to curb book bans based on identity.Why it matters: The so-called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;freedom to read&quot; laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/states-are-banning-book-bans-will-it-work/2026/01" data-vars-content-id="76cc113f-e9f8-4f41-abc6-4cf52fec5f05" data-vars-headline="Mass. puts &quot;freedom to read&quot; law on the books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/states-are-banning-book-bans-will-it-work/2026/01" target="_blank">&quot;freedom to read&quot; laws</a> are blue states&#x27; answer to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="book banning movement," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/23/book-bans-2024-censorship-libraries-schools" data-vars-content-id="76cc113f-e9f8-4f41-abc6-4cf52fec5f05" data-vars-headline="Mass. puts &quot;freedom to read&quot; law on the books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/23/book-bans-2024-censorship-libraries-schools" target="_self">book banning movement,</a> which has revolved around books that focus on race, gender and sexuality.

Boston sues Meta, Snap, ByteDance over youth mental health

The city is suing the companies behind Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Boston is suing three social media giants, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/ai-meta-image-generator" data-vars-content-id="72600bde-60c0-43d9-91fb-6cbad17f7fef" data-vars-headline="Boston sues Meta, Snap, ByteDance over youth mental health" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/ai-meta-image-generator" target="_self">Meta</a>, Snap and ByteDance, alleging they use addictive features to get children hooked on their platforms and harm their mental health.Why it matters: Boston joins more than 1,500 school districts taking on social media companies over their effect on minors.

A founding-era university for America's next builders

William & Mary helped shape America's past — and continues preparing its future leaders.

Partners

As America reflects on its 250th anniversary, the milestone has special resonance in Boston, where revolutionary history is part of daily life.<ul><li>But the moment is more than a commemoration of the past. It&#x27;s a chance to ask what kind of nation we hope to become — and who will help build it.</li></ul>The story: Before a new nation took shape in cities like Boston, William &amp; Mary, the Alma Mater of the Nation, was helping prepare the builders who would carry America&#x27;s founding ideas forward.<ul><li>That gives the university a singular place in America&#x27;s founding story. Its history provides credibility, but its mission remains focused on tomorrow.</li></ul>

Take a free Harvard course on the Constitution

Brush up on your civics ahead of July 4 with a free, six-part Harvard online course.

Any Americans looking for a nonpartisan civics refresher can take a free Harvard course on the U.S. Constitution this July 4.Why it matters: Harvard Kennedy School professor Thomas E. Patterson is offering access to a free, nonpartisan online course to mark <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the nation&#x27;s 250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/americans-founders-disappointed-250th-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="007d9071-e216-4fa1-b28d-b10509827139" data-vars-headline="Take a free Harvard course on the Constitution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/americans-founders-disappointed-250th-anniversary" target="_self">the nation&#x27;s 250th anniversary</a> this July 4.

Mass. could pitch in $500K to GBH as federal funding dries up

State lawmakers are stepping in with a boost for the PBS powerhouse.

Massachusetts taxpayers could help foot part of the bill for funding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GBH" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/01/gbh-fundraising-campaign-post-cpb" data-vars-content-id="6bfeee4e-c7fc-4476-88cf-a951850554d8" data-vars-headline="Mass. could pitch in $500K to GBH as federal funding dries up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/01/gbh-fundraising-campaign-post-cpb" target="_self">GBH</a>, the Brighton-based public media giant that has produced everything from PBS history documentaries and the &quot;Arthur&quot; cartoon to local news coverage.Why it matters: After federal funding for public media was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pulled back last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/01/cpb-npr-pbs-corporation-public-broadcasting" data-vars-content-id="6bfeee4e-c7fc-4476-88cf-a951850554d8" data-vars-headline="Mass. could pitch in $500K to GBH as federal funding dries up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/01/cpb-npr-pbs-corporation-public-broadcasting" target="_self">pulled back last year</a>, state lawmakers want to contribute $500,000 to help out the public broadcasting heavyweight.

Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration

Massachusetts already risks losing its lead in life sciences, health care and other industries.

Massachusetts needs at least another 60,000 new immigrants by 2030 to prevent the economy from shrinking, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/2026/June/immigration-workforce" data-vars-content-id="3c41135b-1c40-4501-8b26-1c0d2badadb2" data-vars-headline="Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/2026/June/immigration-workforce" target="_blank">new report</a> says.Why it matters: Massachusetts already risks losing its lead in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life sciences" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/09/massachusetts-biotech-pharma-outlook" data-vars-content-id="3c41135b-1c40-4501-8b26-1c0d2badadb2" data-vars-headline="Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/09/massachusetts-biotech-pharma-outlook" target="_self">life sciences</a>, health care and other industries amid rising costs, an immigration crackdown and competition from other U.S. tech hubs and China.

Boston, employers reach deal to continue teen jobs program

Mayor Wu proposes keeping summer jobs, but defunding the school year program.

Boston officials reached a deal with employers to hire nearly 500 teens for paid jobs during the school year in a redesigned youth jobs program.Why it matters: The move, which comes after student-led protests, saves jobs that high schoolers would have lost under Mayor Michelle Wu&#x27;s proposed cuts in her $4.9 billion fiscal 2027 budget.

Wu cancels Harvard Law speech amid grad student strike

Boston's mayor asked the graduate student union to pause picketing, but they said no.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu backed out of yesterday&#x27;s appearance as Class Day speaker at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harvard Law School" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/08/harvard-law-ties-duke-in-rankings-shake-up" data-vars-content-id="5eac079d-696b-4e00-a9d0-0c7319cf858a" data-vars-headline="Wu cancels Harvard Law speech amid grad student strike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/08/harvard-law-ties-duke-in-rankings-shake-up" target="_self">Harvard Law School</a> over the graduate student union&#x27;s strike.Why it matters: Wu tried, unsuccessfully, to reach a compromise with the union after learning last week that members planned to picket the event.

Harvard votes on limiting "A" grades

Faculty begin voting this week on whether to limit top grades to 20% of students per course.

Harvard&#x27;s faculty begins voting Tuesday on limiting the number of top grades professors can award students.Why it matters: Grade inflation is at a tipping point at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harvard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/14/harvards-endowment-trump-grant-funding-cuts" data-vars-content-id="97b4c468-9320-4190-bfb6-5c2f6f275604" data-vars-headline="Harvard votes on limiting &quot;A&quot; grades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/14/harvards-endowment-trump-grant-funding-cuts" target="_self">Harvard</a>.<ul><li>A move to make A grades harder to come by at one of the world&#x27;s leading universities could influence grading debates at peer institutions.</li></ul>

Education 📚

Mass. puts "freedom to read" law on the books

Alpha Schools, the AI-powered school network, expands into Boston

Boston sues Meta, Snap, ByteDance over youth mental health

A founding-era university for America's next builders

Take a free Harvard course on the Constitution