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Massachusetts inches toward automated speed cameras

A Senate-backed plan for automated speed cameras is headed to House negotiations.

News

Massachusetts could be on the verge of allowing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automated speed cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/exclusive-dcs-most-lucrative-speed-cameras" data-vars-content-id="e447aba9-f39c-4873-bcef-3be950887e38" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts inches toward automated speed cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/exclusive-dcs-most-lucrative-speed-cameras" target="_self">automated speed cameras</a> on the commonwealth&#x27;s streets for the first time.Why it matters: The shift — after a decade of political gridlock — could reshape how the state polices its deadliest roads.

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. 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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Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget

Long gone are the days where customers could try an upscale dinner for under $30.

Food and Drink

Dine Out Boston returns Saturday with nearly 200 restaurants participating.Why it matters: The semi-annual dining event comes as restaurants are hungry for customers — and as some of those <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would-be customers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" data-vars-content-id="1a0a25ea-cb97-4222-b850-66b513a7b1c9" data-vars-headline="Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" target="_self">would-be customers</a> are tightening their budgets.

Dunkin hacks: The Cape Cod Croque Madame

All it takes is a quick bechamel and a fried egg to turn a drive-thru snack into a bistro classic.

Turning a Dunkin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ham-and-cheese croissant stuffer" data-vars-click-url="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/file/croissant-stuffers551545515555156551575515855159551605516155162" data-vars-content-id="c36b0a58-1095-4a11-b58d-dfb02b0d4dfb" data-vars-headline="Dunkin hacks: The Cape Cod Croque Madame" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/file/croissant-stuffers551545515555156551575515855159551605516155162" target="_blank">ham-and-cheese croissant stuffer</a> into a Croque Madame takes about five minutes — and turns one of their cheaper breakfast items into a full meal.<ul><li>With added protein!</li></ul>

The last Boloco will close in September

It's the end of an era for the beloved, once booming burrito chain.

The last <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boloco" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/19/boston-restaurant-news-bakey-opens-in-faneuil-hall" data-vars-content-id="2e1221cb-f2ec-49da-b586-d11f15d456e1" data-vars-headline="The last Boloco will close in September" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/19/boston-restaurant-news-bakey-opens-in-faneuil-hall" target="_self">Boloco</a> will close in two months, ending the Boston-bred burrito seller&#x27;s 29-year run.Why it matters: Boloco fed generations of Bostonians and college students their signature buffalo chicken burritos and Nutella milkshakes (including to yours truly).

Mission Hill institution Flann O'Brien's is making a comeback

The iconic Brigham Circle pub might return to its original Tremont Street location by the end of 2026.

Flann O&#x27;Brien&#x27;s, a Mission Hill Irish pub shut down during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="734d30c4-db16-4541-aed3-5e362413b9aa" data-vars-headline="Mission Hill institution Flann O&#x27;Brien&#x27;s is making a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">pandemic</a>, could be resurrected later this year.Why it matters: The Brigham Circle bar at 1619 Tremont St. was a neighborhood institution for nearly three decades.

What to know about Boston and Cambridge public drinking zones

These cities are throwing drinking restrictions to the wind, at least for now.

Boston and Cambridge have become the guinea pigs in the state&#x27;s experiment with laxer drinking laws as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/15/boston-stadium-world-cup-matches-schedule" data-vars-content-id="eab0cc2e-2c9f-4963-9bd9-d2e69f94e4eb" data-vars-headline="What to know about Boston and Cambridge public drinking zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/15/boston-stadium-world-cup-matches-schedule" target="_self">World Cup</a> and <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="eab0cc2e-2c9f-4963-9bd9-d2e69f94e4eb" data-vars-headline="What to know about Boston and Cambridge public drinking zones" 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> draw thousands to Massachusetts. Why it matters: These cities are throwing drinking restrictions — described by some as puritanical — to the wind, at least until July 31, thanks to a hastily passed loosening of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Massachusetts&#x27; drinking laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" data-vars-content-id="eab0cc2e-2c9f-4963-9bd9-d2e69f94e4eb" data-vars-headline="What to know about Boston and Cambridge public drinking zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" target="_self">Massachusetts&#x27; drinking laws</a> this summer.

Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities

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

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.

Cheapskate's Guide to Boston Stadium tailgating

Beers at Boston Stadium start at $16, and the food prices are similarly high.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/14/world-cup-frantzdy-pierrot-haiti-scotland" data-vars-content-id="e2e0d9dc-cbbf-41a2-a1d8-8905f7b2f02a" data-vars-headline="Cheapskate&#x27;s Guide to Boston Stadium tailgating" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/14/world-cup-frantzdy-pierrot-haiti-scotland" target="_self">World Cup</a> fans have found various ways to cut down on costs in Massachusetts, from renting a school bus to avoid transit hikes to finding cheap eats.Why it matters: Blame FIFA or Boston&#x27;s high cost of living for sky-high prices, but World Cup fans say they won&#x27;t shell out extra money that easily.

Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup

Some cities and towns are racing to approve later last calls.

The race is on for cities and towns to greenlight <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extended alcohol service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" data-vars-content-id="1d43cee0-f915-4596-9889-04b7e67c3845" data-vars-headline="Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" target="_self">extended alcohol service</a> and public drinking districts, just days before the first World Cup match at Boston Stadium.Why it matters: Beacon Hill swiftly passed the last-minute bill extending alcohol service as late as 3am, but in a commonwealth with 351 municipalities, that&#x27;s just half the battle.

Mass. workers prepare to spot signs of assault and abuse this summer

Advocates and authorities are working with hospitality workers to spot the signs and intervene.

Public Safety

Days before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" data-vars-content-id="51a26eda-d306-4d40-9c4e-d21732875d06" data-vars-headline="Mass. workers prepare to spot signs of assault and abuse this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> begins, dozens of Boston-area bar managers, event organizers and advocates tuned in to a virtual training.<ul><li>Here, they learned about red flags that might otherwise go unnoticed during large-scale events: signs of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.</li></ul>

Behind Quincy chef Laurence Louie's rise on "Top Chef"

The community organizer turned chef owns Rubato HK Café in Quincy.

The line to order at Rubato HK Café spilled out the door Sunday as the staff served up HK French toast, bolo bao buns and, most recently, some dishes that were featured on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Top Chef: Carolinas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/30/axios-charlotte-gets-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-top-chef-filming" data-vars-content-id="11efda2d-ad1e-48f7-945c-85539daad21e" data-vars-headline="Behind Quincy chef Laurence Louie&#x27;s rise on &quot;Top Chef&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/30/axios-charlotte-gets-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-top-chef-filming" target="_self">Top Chef: Carolinas</a>.&quot;<ul><li>Laurence Louie, the owner and a contestant, sold out of his &quot;Top Chef&quot; specials in under two hours.</li></ul>

Food and Drink 🍽

Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget

Dunkin hacks: The Cape Cod Croque Madame

The last Boloco will close in September

Juici Patties comes to Boston

Mission Hill institution Flann O'Brien's is making a comeback