Boston

blue

Axios Boston Partners

Axios Boston

Standard

Boston Alerts

Alert

Axios Boston Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Boston Members

Membership

Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships' 4 million expected visitors

Crowds will gather to watch 60 ships from Argentina, Colombia, India and other nations.

Things to Do

Sixty ships from around the world will dock along Boston Harbor next month for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tall Ships" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/02/boston-biggest-events-2026-guide" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/02/boston-biggest-events-2026-guide" target="_self">Tall Ships</a>.The intrigue: The international gathering of military ships could bring an estimated 4 million people to Boston&#x27;s waterfront as the U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrates 250 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" target="_self">celebrates 250 years</a> — all while the city hosts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/22/scotland-tartan-army-leaves-boston-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/22/scotland-tartan-army-leaves-boston-world-cup" target="_self">the World Cup</a>.

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.

Education

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.

A dangerous heat wave rolls into Mass. this week

Temperatures could reach as high as 103 on Thursday.

Climate

A &quot;heat dome&quot; is forecast to bring dangerously high temperatures to much of the eastern half of the U.S. this week.<ul><li>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" data-vars-content-id="82942e1f-9e39-4dbf-965c-27750c5bb37d" data-vars-headline="A dangerous heat wave rolls into Mass. this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" target="_self">extreme heat</a> could last through July 4 celebrations.</li></ul>

Local pols split on Platner as Massachusetts eyes Maine race

Mass. delegation splits over insurgent Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner — with Warren and Markey in his corner and Auchincloss leading the opposition.

Politics

Massachusetts Democrats have staked out sharply different positions on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Graham Platner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/democrats-maine-dunlap-platner-2026-elections" data-vars-content-id="b04af9e0-0f3d-43b2-af74-5bb5a8f6f5c9" data-vars-headline="Local pols split on Platner as Massachusetts eyes Maine race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/democrats-maine-dunlap-platner-2026-elections" target="_self">Graham Platner</a>, the insurgent populist who won a highly contested Democratic primary to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.Why it matters: Platner&#x27;s radical candidacy is drawing enthusiastic backers and fierce critics from the capital of New England.

Mass. Senate previews rival energy savings plan

Senate president Karen Spilka previewed a plan for $10 billion in ratepayer savings over 10 years.

The Senate could be headed for a collision with the House over how to lower <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/27/massachusetts-electric-bills" data-vars-content-id="dff4ae43-8a78-47e5-9189-2bacb8eb419d" data-vars-headline="Mass. Senate previews rival energy savings plan" 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/massachusetts-electric-bills" target="_self">energy costs</a> for Massachusetts residents, one of the top issues for voters this year.Why it matters: Senate president Karen Spilka previewed the Senate&#x27;s new energy bill Thursday.<ul><li>It differs from the House-passed plan on how much Massachusetts should cut climate programs in pursuit of ratepayer relief.</li></ul>

Greater Boston's sewage problem may continue through 2050

A state proposal would reduce, but not eliminate, combined sewer overflows in major storms.

Environment

Cambridge and Arlington residents find themselves running and pushing strollers through sewage-tainted waters every time heavy rains flood the Alewife Brook Reservation.<ul><li>A state proposal would reduce, but not eliminate, the amount of sewage overflow from certain pipes into Boston-area waterways by 2050.</li></ul>

How to save a "stunned" sea turtle on the Cape

Mass Audubon is urging coastal residents and visitors to help sea turtles that wash ashore.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mass Audubon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/09/mass-audubon-wins-bid-for-chelsea-park" data-vars-content-id="35a37ef5-a4a8-40bc-ba64-8846dd840802" data-vars-headline="How to save a &quot;stunned&quot; sea turtle on the Cape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/09/mass-audubon-wins-bid-for-chelsea-park" target="_self">Mass Audubon</a> is urging coastal residents and visitors to help stunned turtles that wash ashore as temperatures dip.Why it matters: Some turtle species get &quot;cold-stunned&quot; in waters below 55 degrees Fahrenheit if they get stuck along the Cape or can&#x27;t swim south to warmer waters fast enough.

Tracy Chang makes the case for eating green crabs

Chang and The Nature Conservancy want locals to try cooking with green crabs.

Business

Tracy Chang packed steaming hot sambus into to-go containers one chilly afternoon outside of South Station.<ul><li>With every purchase, she touted the secret ingredient in the filling: green crab broth.</li></ul>

Mass. Gov. Maura Healey takes on utility bills

Healey wants a line-by-line review. It's up to utility regulators to make that happen this fall.

No matter what&#x27;s happening in the world, Massachusetts can rely on two constants each fall: unpredictable weather and, in recent years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sky-high energy bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/13/mass-gov-maura-healeys-energy-power-utility-bills-cost" data-vars-content-id="48d8cfc6-5b1f-44b8-b5da-26e0230a1621" data-vars-headline="Mass. Gov. Maura Healey takes on utility bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/13/mass-gov-maura-healeys-energy-power-utility-bills-cost" target="_self">sky-high energy bills</a>.Why it matters: Gov. Maura Healey can&#x27;t control the weather, but she can direct regulators to rein in utility costs — at least, that&#x27;s what she&#x27;s trying to do.

How Mass. CO2 emissions changed in 18 years

The state still has farther to go to meet its climate goals, which rely on clean energy production.

Massachusetts slashed its energy-related <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CO₂ emissions per capita" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/23/co2-emissions-state" data-vars-content-id="3cb46758-dcb1-46c3-88e9-a2c3d3492f51" data-vars-headline="How Mass. CO2 emissions changed in 18 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/23/co2-emissions-state" target="_self">CO₂ emissions per capita</a> by more than one-third over 18 years, but it&#x27;s still far from transitioning to clean energy.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are working, but the Trump administration&#x27;s cuts to wind and solar energy production may keep the state from reaching its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate goals for 2030" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030" data-vars-content-id="3cb46758-dcb1-46c3-88e9-a2c3d3492f51" data-vars-headline="How Mass. CO2 emissions changed in 18 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030" target="_blank">climate goals for 2030</a> and beyond.

Boston-area residents, ecologists fight black swallow-wort spread

Boston-area ecologists, farmers and residents are fighting its spread.

Armed with a pair of scissors, Amy Collier slashes long pod-bearing vines that encroach on Jamaica Plain sidewalks and parks while out walking.<ul><li>Workers near the Boston Nature Center and the Bell Isle March have embarked on the same mission— to stop the invasion of the black swallow-wort.</li></ul>

Our readers weigh in: Would you swim in the Charles River?

We asked readers Friday if they&#x27;d be willing to take a dive into the not-so-dirty water of the Charles River themselves.<ul><li>51.4% of you said &quot;Hell yes I would!&quot; and 48.6% responded &quot;No way. The ick is real.&quot;</li></ul>

Boston's Charles River open for swimming for 1 day only

Axios Boston's Mike Deehan takes the plunge into once-polluted waters.

News

This Saturday, swimmers will plunge into the not-so-dirty water of the Charles River for the eighth City Splash event.What&#x27;s happening: From noon to 4pm at the Esplanade, Bostonians who have signed up for the event can have some fun in the river, which is normally closed to swimming.

The long, long road to taxing mileage in Mass.

Mass. could soon embark on the long, long road to taxing mileage.

Lawmakers are looking for the state to get closer to its climate-friendly emissions goal by targeting how many miles residents drive.Why it matters: Transportation accounts for 37% of all Massachusetts<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" emissions" data-vars-click-url="https://transitmatters.org/blog/from-vmts-to-tmts" data-vars-content-id="be75baa4-e576-422d-adce-b2a5cf935e6c" data-vars-headline="The long, long road to taxing mileage in Mass." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://transitmatters.org/blog/from-vmts-to-tmts" target="_blank"> emissions</a>, yet the state consistently trails behind its own goals to reduce greenhouse gases.<ul><li>Factoring miles driven into state policy — and possibly taxing them down the road — would be a sea change in the way Bay Staters move around the commonwealth.</li></ul>