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Haymarket station in limbo as Bulfinch Crossing project drags on

The transit hub has been torn apart for over four years and there's no word on when the project will be done.

News

One of downtown Boston&#x27;s busiest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" data-vars-content-id="5d2b4d09-6b81-4786-ae5a-daf754b3d9a5" data-vars-headline="Haymarket station in limbo as Bulfinch Crossing project drags on" 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">transit</a> hubs has been torn apart for over four years and there&#x27;s no word on when the project will be finished.Why it matters: The demolition of the former Government Center Garage has repeatedly disrupted Orange and Green Line service at the Haymarket station and shuttered the bus terminal indefinitely, forcing riders onto a makeshift busway for years.

Mass. lawmakers reach deal on cannabis reform bill

Lawmakers agreed to increase cannabis purchase limits, add a tip portal and other changes.

Politics

Massachusetts lawmakers plan to send a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cannabis reform" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/06/04/massachusetts-cannabis-overhaul-bill" data-vars-content-id="e3ef788c-e51a-4ed2-a093-f75a356570e3" data-vars-headline="Mass. lawmakers reach deal on cannabis reform bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/06/04/massachusetts-cannabis-overhaul-bill" target="_self">cannabis reform</a> bill Monday and plan to vote on the proposal later this week.Why it matters: The proposal makes several long-awaited changes to medical cannabis dispensaries, purchase limits and the beleaguered Cannabis Control Commission as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wholesale flower prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/13/massachusetts-cannabis-cultivation-sites" data-vars-content-id="e3ef788c-e51a-4ed2-a093-f75a356570e3" data-vars-headline="Mass. lawmakers reach deal on cannabis reform bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/13/massachusetts-cannabis-cultivation-sites" target="_self">wholesale flower prices</a> hit an all-time low.

Mass. House pushes nation's toughest youth social media ban

Mass. House pushes nation's toughest youth social media ban — while the Senate version stops at the schoolhouse door. Here's where the two chambers and Gov. Healey agree, and where they don't.

Beacon Hill is moving toward some of the nation&#x27;s toughest restrictions on young people using technology, but the &quot;Big 3&quot; Democrats in charge aren&#x27;t entirely on the same page.Why it matters: Unless Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano and Gov. Maura Healey align, there won&#x27;t be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="youth tech law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/28/cell-phones-in-schools-ban-social-media-healey-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="74b09ffb-06e7-41a3-aeca-0ed8a33edda5" data-vars-headline="Mass. House pushes nation&#x27;s toughest youth social media ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/28/cell-phones-in-schools-ban-social-media-healey-massachusetts" target="_self">youth tech law</a> passed before the start of the next school year.

Critics warn social media ban goes too far, could ban YouTube, Wikipedia

A sweeping definition of "social media" has critics warning it could rope in nearly the entire internet — including sites children rely on every day.

The Massachusetts House wants the Commonwealth to become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the most restrictive state in the country" 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="ca294bc7-c03c-477f-9644-fa6f102fbbb7" data-vars-headline="Critics warn social media ban goes too far, could ban YouTube, Wikipedia" 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">the most restrictive state in the country</a> for young people on the Internet, but some worry the bill goes much too far.Why it matters: Critics argue the House&#x27;s bill trades child safety for a surveillance state and may accidentally ban platforms children use every day.

Mass. joins growing list of lawsuits against Trump's mail-in voting order

Massachusetts joined a 23-state lawsuit, while a Massachusetts voting rights group filed another.

Lawsuits are piling up against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/03/wa-lawsuit-trump-executive-order-mail-voting-usps-ballots-voter-list" data-vars-content-id="bc16e170-606c-4b8f-8b87-253df41059df" data-vars-headline="Mass. joins growing list of lawsuits against Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/03/wa-lawsuit-trump-executive-order-mail-voting-usps-ballots-voter-list" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s executive order</a> requiring the feds to create and oversee a &quot;citizenship list&quot; determining who can get an election ballot by mail.Why it matters: The executive order threatens &quot;bedrock principles of federalism and separation of powers,&quot; according to a 23-state lawsuit that Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell joined last week.

Healey: Trump will target elections

Outlined four specific tactics she says the federal government could use to interfere with voting

Gov. Maura Healey used Saturday&#x27;s &quot;No Kings&quot; rally on Boston Common and a subsequent State House press conference Monday to lay out a warning about President Donald Trump: she believes his administration will attempt to interfere with the 2026 elections.Why it matters: Healey, a former attorney general running for a second term as governor, framed federal election interference as a likely scenario, citing incidents involving a California sheriff and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fulton County, Georgia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/05/fulton-county-election-raid-trump-retribution-georgia-voting" data-vars-content-id="f98be720-7001-469a-84c2-75ec33fac825" data-vars-headline="Healey: Trump will target elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/05/fulton-county-election-raid-trump-retribution-georgia-voting" target="_self">Fulton County, Georgia</a>, as showing an emerging pattern.

Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson face off for Somerville mayor

The two councilors are head-to-head after eliminating the incumbent mayor

With <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Katjana Ballantyne out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/19/why-somerville-fired-mayor-ballantyne" data-vars-content-id="0806eca5-8ad3-4921-a444-881d37e31e84" data-vars-headline="Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson face off for Somerville mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/19/why-somerville-fired-mayor-ballantyne" target="_self">Mayor Katjana Ballantyne out</a> of the race, Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson are offering different takes on progressive leadership for Somerville.Why it matters: The two city councilors share liberal values but have distinct backgrounds that will play a role in their one-on-one sprint to Nov. 4.

Why Somerville fired Mayor Ballantyne

Ballantyne's defeat shows there's significant voter dissatisfaction in the progressive city.

Somerville voters ousted Mayor Katjana Ballantyne from office after two terms, topped by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two opponents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/19/willie-burnley-jr-and-jake-wilson-face-off-for-somerville-mayor" data-vars-content-id="db3c89e7-4e9b-4155-84ae-e95768ed9fef" data-vars-headline="Why Somerville fired Mayor Ballantyne" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/19/willie-burnley-jr-and-jake-wilson-face-off-for-somerville-mayor" target="_self">two opponents</a> who said she lacked responsive leadership in trying times.Why it matters: Delivering city services still matters, even amid a nationalized political atmosphere.

Michelle Wu crushes in prelim election; Josh Kraft faces uphill fight

Kraft has eight weeks to reinvent himself.

Election

Mayor Michelle Wu dominated Tuesday&#x27;s preliminary election for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/09/boston-election-michelle-wu-josh-kraft-election-preliminary" data-vars-content-id="8b6f3bee-b1ae-4a45-a08e-b4e2c12c0844" data-vars-headline="Michelle Wu crushes in prelim election; Josh Kraft faces uphill fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/09/09/boston-election-michelle-wu-josh-kraft-election-preliminary" target="_self">mayor</a> of Boston with a decisive victory over challenger Josh Kraft that validated predictions showing the incumbent&#x27;s massive popularity with voters.Why it matters: The 48 percentage point margin suggests Wu has replicated and even exceeded the winning coalition she put together in 2021.

Boston goes to the polls in Wu vs. Kraft mayoral race

Today's election narrows the four-candidate field to two finalists

If recent polling holds true, Mayor Michelle Wu has a commanding advantage over challenger Josh Kraft heading into today&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary election for mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/20/mayor-election-issues-michelle-wu-joshua-kraft" data-vars-content-id="a46422d6-49f6-46f2-a723-f98fc82d0821" data-vars-headline="Boston goes to the polls in Wu vs. Kraft mayoral race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/20/mayor-election-issues-michelle-wu-joshua-kraft" target="_self">preliminary election for mayor</a>.Why it matters: Today&#x27;s election narrows the four-candidate field to two finalists who will face off in November&#x27;s general election.

Poll: Weigh in on Josh Kraft's mayoral run

The  billionaire Patriots' owner's son has deep community ties

Do you think Josh Kraft should throw his hat into the ring against Mayor Michelle Wu this fall?<ul><li>Let us know by voting in our reader poll.</li></ul>

Massachusetts votes to let rideshare drivers unionize

Customers will wait to see if companies pass the costs of collective bargaining onto them.

Massachusetts voted to give <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rideshare drivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/09/30/massachusetts-rideshare-union-vote-question-3" data-vars-content-id="f8a7f69e-4f6d-484b-8424-571ae92a1508" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts votes to let rideshare drivers unionize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/09/30/massachusetts-rideshare-union-vote-question-3" target="_self">rideshare drivers</a> the option to unionize, according to the Associated Press. It&#x27;s the first state to approve such a measure. Why it matters: Contractors who have long complained of declining wages and rising expenses as the rideshare companies’ profits increase will get a chance at negotiating.

Why Massachusetts is dreading a Trump comeback

One of the most common refrains of Harris' campaign has been "we're not going back."

Progressive Massachusetts voters are waking up and realizing they&#x27;re on the losing side of yesterday&#x27;s presidential election.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="39e3acc9-d0d4-420a-b28c-7785c0019940" data-vars-headline="Why Massachusetts is dreading a Trump comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Former President Trump</a> will be the 47th U.S. president, the Associated Press projected Wednesday, marking the culmination of a divisive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" data-vars-content-id="39e3acc9-d0d4-420a-b28c-7785c0019940" data-vars-headline="Why Massachusetts is dreading a Trump comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" target="_self">campaign</a> against Vice President Harris.

Voters let state auditor look inside the Legislature's books

Auditor Diana DiZoglio wins power over the Legislature.

Voters in Massachusetts have granted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Auditor Diana DiZoglio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/10/10/massachusetts-question-1-dizoglio-walking-sunshine-tour" data-vars-content-id="610a44a6-ab2c-4c28-a085-811ed19abd18" data-vars-headline="Voters let state auditor look inside the Legislature&#x27;s books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/10/10/massachusetts-question-1-dizoglio-walking-sunshine-tour" target="_self">Auditor Diana DiZoglio</a>&#x27;s wish to shine a little sunlight on the often shadowy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ledgers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/05/17/spilka-dizoglio-auditor-legislature-feud" data-vars-content-id="610a44a6-ab2c-4c28-a085-811ed19abd18" data-vars-headline="Voters let state auditor look inside the Legislature&#x27;s books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/05/17/spilka-dizoglio-auditor-legislature-feud" target="_self">ledgers</a> of the state Legislature, according to the Associated Press.Why it matters: The win gives DiZoglio&#x27;s office the authority to oversee <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some of the Legislature&#x27;s spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/05/17/spilka-dizoglio-auditor-legislature-feud" data-vars-content-id="610a44a6-ab2c-4c28-a085-811ed19abd18" data-vars-headline="Voters let state auditor look inside the Legislature&#x27;s books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/05/17/spilka-dizoglio-auditor-legislature-feud" target="_self">some of the Legislature&#x27;s spending</a>, contracts and personnel practices that aren&#x27;t currently open to the public.

Election 🗳️

Mass. joins growing list of lawsuits against Trump's mail-in voting order

Healey: Trump will target elections

Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson face off for Somerville mayor

Why Somerville fired Mayor Ballantyne

Michelle Wu crushes in prelim election; Josh Kraft faces uphill fight