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Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities

Boston-area bars welcome the sales boost amid a challenging economy.

Business

Empty kegs, emergency beer shipments, tabs the length of the infamous CVS receipts — the Scotland effect is boosting sales in Boston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggling bar scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="7f69857e-f527-4537-bead-ca6aa035f8ec" data-vars-headline="Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" target="_self">struggling bar scene</a>.Between the lines: Boston&#x27;s drinking culture has shown signs of drying up in recent years, which restaurant owners attribute to shrinking corporate budgets, rising costs and the rise of cannabis and zero-proof drinks.

Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot

The court ruled that the official summary of the initiative was misleading.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday blocked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a ballot initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" data-vars-content-id="1d0eac44-8722-4c33-8a7b-d18df121db7d" data-vars-headline="Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" target="_self">a ballot initiative</a> that would have slashed the state&#x27;s personal income tax rate from 5% to 4%.Why it matters: The high court ruling kills a business-backed ballot measure that opponents say could have created a $5 billion budget hole.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a major victory for labor unions and progressive groups against the Mass. business community.</li></ul>

Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards

Local experts say you need a little intention to help native plants thrive.

Climate

Chaos gardening — the viral TikTok trend of scattering seeds and &quot;letting nature decide&quot; — is surging across the country as demand for native plants reaches new heights.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Native" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" data-vars-content-id="f24ea706-ed8e-427b-a8d3-cb6ef9703542" data-vars-headline="Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" target="_self">Native</a> chaos gardens appeal to New England homeowners seeking lower-maintenance yards that also help local wildlife thrive.

Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions

State lawmakers want to increase primary care spending, but industry leaders raise questions over how.

Health

Massachusetts state senators plan to vote on a bill seeking to increase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary care access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" data-vars-content-id="1d8f22c4-8e24-4db7-9293-cd0755507bd3" data-vars-headline="Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" target="_self">primary care access</a>, but questions remain about how it will be funded.Why it matters: 75% of Massachusetts residents surveyed last year reported having a preventive care appointment in the last 12 months, down from over 81% in 2023.

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

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

Education

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.

Politics

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>

Only one Mass. college topped U.S. News & World Report's grad school rankings

Massachusetts often considers itself a hub for the best colleges.

Massachusetts universities failed to top <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="bef2276d-ad23-4c3c-bac9-df38d2ec6919" data-vars-headline="Only one Mass. college topped U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s grad school rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s rankings</a> of the best U.S. graduate schools in nearly every category.Why it matters: The Bay State often touts itself as home to the world&#x27;s best universities and research institutions.

What we know about The Croft School's financial troubles

A month ago, The Croft School was planning to expand. Now, it's struggling to keep its doors open.

A month ago, The Croft School was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="discussing expansion plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/10/foodies-market-south-end" data-vars-content-id="ffd83883-b38a-40ca-a47d-2c15a406e25f" data-vars-headline="What we know about The Croft School&#x27;s financial troubles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/10/foodies-market-south-end" target="_self">discussing expansion plans</a> in the South End.<ul><li>Now, the private school is struggling to keep its doors open amid allegations that its founder hid $13 million in debt.</li></ul>

Larry Summers resigns from Harvard professorship amid Epstein probe

Summers' exit is the latest in a reckoning on college campuses over ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary and Harvard president, is officially out of a job at the university.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summers&#x27; exit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/epstein-larry-summers-relationship-resignation" data-vars-content-id="563e3826-3363-4758-a31e-63e15953b48c" data-vars-headline="Larry Summers resigns from Harvard professorship amid Epstein probe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/epstein-larry-summers-relationship-resignation" target="_self">Summers&#x27; exit</a> from his professorship at Harvard is the latest in a reckoning over U.S. college leaders&#x27; ties to sex offender <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/epstein-files-fracture-trump-coalition-bondi" data-vars-content-id="563e3826-3363-4758-a31e-63e15953b48c" data-vars-headline="Larry Summers resigns from Harvard professorship amid Epstein probe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/epstein-files-fracture-trump-coalition-bondi" target="_self">Jeffrey Epstein</a>.

First look: Boston nonprofit EdVestors gets $1.5M grant

The nonprofit plans to expand its work helping Boston-area students prepare for future careers.

Boston-based nonprofit EdVestors is getting $1.5 million award to scale up its career pathways program that helps students prepare for the workforce.The big picture: EdVestors is one of five regions getting $7.5 million from the Washington, D.C.,-based Pathways Impact Fund to help <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gen Z" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/10/gen-z-jobs-side-hustle" data-vars-content-id="bcbe111f-e080-4b1c-8578-e152c05b6c8d" data-vars-headline="First look: Boston nonprofit EdVestors gets $1.5M grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/10/gen-z-jobs-side-hustle" target="_self">Gen Z</a> students prepare for in-demand careers.

Trump targets Harvard with $1B demand

After reports of a potential settlement, President Trump pivoted to aggressive new demands.

Politics & Policy

President Trump intensified his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="war against Harvard University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/17/trumps-pressure-campaign-continues-against-harvard" data-vars-content-id="f8d77e84-f8ac-48f4-8d5b-39c59a4cfb73" data-vars-headline="Trump targets Harvard with $1B demand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/17/trumps-pressure-campaign-continues-against-harvard" target="_self">war against Harvard University</a> overnight, demanding $1 billion for &quot;damages&quot; and threatening criminal investigations. Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s escalation could mean a breakdown in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="negotiations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/04/harvard-community-pushes-back-on-a-deal-with-trump" data-vars-content-id="f8d77e84-f8ac-48f4-8d5b-39c59a4cfb73" data-vars-headline="Trump targets Harvard with $1B demand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/04/harvard-community-pushes-back-on-a-deal-with-trump" target="_self">negotiations</a> between the university and administration.

Education 📚

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

Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration

Boston, employers reach deal to continue teen jobs program

Wu cancels Harvard Law speech amid grad student strike

Harvard votes on limiting "A" grades