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Healey backs Frank's Democratic warning

The governor aligns with his push for pragmatic politics over progressive litmus tests.

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey is backing Barney Frank&#x27;s dying message to the Democratic Party to focus primarily on the economy over social issues.Why it matters: Frank, now in hospice care in Ogunquit, Maine, is using his final days to push a blunt argument: Democrats are losing voters because the party&#x27;s left flank imposes &quot;litmus tests&quot; on issues most Americans don&#x27;t support.

First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston

The food hall opens May 1 with cuisine ranging from Indian to Korean to Indonesian.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Novo Marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" target="_self">Novo Marketplace</a> opens Friday, bringing a gathering space with a dozen Asian food vendors to Allston. Why it matters: Some U.S. food halls are struggling to turn a profit — the latest example being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Time Out Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" target="_blank">Time Out Market</a>— but owner Winson Chen is betting on the demand for gathering spaces and Asian cuisine in the Allston-Brighton area.

Mass. income tax cut ballot question faces legal threat

The SJC could pull the question from the November ballot entirely.

News

Massachusetts voters may be asked this November to decide whether to cut the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="income tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/28/state-tax-rates-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="0501ee62-92f0-42a7-bf1a-a72617c4a0d4" data-vars-headline="Mass. income tax cut ballot question faces legal threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/28/state-tax-rates-massachusetts" target="_self">income tax</a> rate from 5% to 4%, a move that would have huge consequences for state spending.<ul><li>But a legal challenge heard Monday could pull the question from the ballot entirely.</li></ul>

The MAGA millionaire looking to turn deep blue Massachusetts

Mike Minogue's landslide win sets up a high-stakes 2026 race, testing if a MAGA-aligned Republican can win in Massachusetts.

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Biotech multimillionaire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Minogue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/28/minogue-governor-campaign-ad-massachusetts-gop-momentum" data-vars-content-id="3bfc90ff-6837-4f63-8e6a-be484fc15648" data-vars-headline="The MAGA millionaire looking to turn deep blue Massachusetts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/28/minogue-governor-campaign-ad-massachusetts-gop-momentum" target="_self">Mike Minogue</a>&#x27;s landslide victory at the Mass. Republican Convention last month set up what promises to be a costly and very unlikely run to unseat Gov. Maura Healey in November.The big picture: Minogue&#x27;s win goes a long way to settle the GOP field and lays bare one of the central questions of the 2026 cycle: Can a Trump-aligned Republican come anywhere close to winning in Massachusetts?

Boston's buzzworthy spring restaurant openings

From a beachfront Kowloon to Michelin-recommended expansions, here are the most anticipated restaurant openings coming to Boston in 2026.

Food and Drink

From a beachfront tiki bar to a Michelin-recommended expansion, Greater Boston can expect several new openings this season.Why it matters: A wave of high-profile concepts is slated to debut in the spring or summer. <ul><li>The cluster of openings is a mix of established local veterans expanding their footprints and new places hoping to make an impact.</li></ul>

RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin'. Mass. residents threatened revolts

RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin's sugary coffee drinks. Massachusetts residents blew up.

The United States&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="c892d6ba-a617-43da-98dc-fc962d4a2d41" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin&#x27;. Mass. residents threatened revolts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th anniversary</a> may be remembered as the year a Kennedy declared war on Massachusetts.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dunkin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/25/dunkin-boston-iced-coffee-mitten-bucket" data-vars-content-id="c892d6ba-a617-43da-98dc-fc962d4a2d41" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin&#x27;. Mass. residents threatened revolts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/25/dunkin-boston-iced-coffee-mitten-bucket" target="_self">Dunkin</a>&#x27;, the Bay State&#x27;s beloved coffee chain, is the Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy&#x27;s latest target.

Restaurant under scrutiny after Patriots players' late-night party

Estella's owner may now face penalties from licensing officials.

Sports

A downtown Boston restaurant may face penalties for hosting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Patriots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/09/super-bowl-patriots-loss" data-vars-content-id="41b46e05-61c3-4fdb-95b1-8d6ac172243a" data-vars-headline="Restaurant under scrutiny after Patriots players&#x27; late-night party" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/09/super-bowl-patriots-loss" target="_self">Patriots</a> players after hours in a pot- and hookah-filled celebration in January.Why it matters: Helder George Brandao, the owner of Estella on Temple Place, said the celebration caught him by surprise and broke several local laws and regulations.<ul><li>Brandao described the evening to the Boston Licensing Board on Tuesday morning, per reporting by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UniversalHub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/downtown-bar-owner-says-patriots-came-celebrate-his-place-after-they" data-vars-content-id="41b46e05-61c3-4fdb-95b1-8d6ac172243a" data-vars-headline="Restaurant under scrutiny after Patriots players&#x27; late-night party" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/downtown-bar-owner-says-patriots-came-celebrate-his-place-after-they" target="_blank">UniversalHub</a>.</li></ul>

How to do Dine Out Boston on a budget

The restaurant week aims to bring new customers to local eateries, but it's becoming pricer.

Dine Out Boston returns this week with more restaurants and higher price points.The intrigue: The restaurant week aims to bring new customers to local eateries, but it&#x27;s becoming harder for cash-strapped Boston-area residents to enjoy.

Food hall app Wonder opening 9 Mass. restaurants

Wonder opens locations in Natick, Belmont and Framingham Thursday with more on the way.

A fast-growing company that&#x27;s part-restaurant, part-food pickup and delivery app opens three Massachusetts locations Thursday.Why it matters: Massachusetts is the latest market for New York-based Wonder, which is ramping up operations across the Northeast.

Foodie's closure sparks fight over South End storefronts

Residents fended off an attempt to convert the market into a school. But the battle's not over.

South End residents convinced a private school to back off plans to turn a grocery store into classrooms, but that&#x27;s just half the battle.The big picture: The news of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Foodie&#x27;s Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/04/foodies-market-closure" data-vars-content-id="7c582db7-c9e0-4abc-9083-f2e6fec22da5" data-vars-headline="Foodie&#x27;s closure sparks fight over South End storefronts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/04/foodies-market-closure" target="_self">Foodie&#x27;s Market</a> closing in June has mobilized residents to lobby for a new grocer to maintain food access around 1421 Washington St., the only supermarket in that part of the South End.

South End market closure sparks food access debate

Residents called on city planners to reject efforts to convert the space for a private school.

The impending closure of a South End market has sparked a debate over what should replace it — another grocer or a growing private school.The big picture: Foodie&#x27;s Markets&#x27; South End location is the latest small grocer in the Boston area to shutter.

Boston dining's 2026 glow-up

Boston is shedding its chowder-and-beans reputation entering 2026.

Boston is shedding its chowder-and-beans reputation entering 2026, with new awards buzz and highly anticipated openings.Why it matters: Boston grabbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its first Michelin star" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/16/boston-michelin-guide-alternatives-dining" data-vars-content-id="3ec32f01-4472-4ea2-b5c9-ee4d01ff56e7" data-vars-headline="Boston dining&#x27;s 2026 glow-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/16/boston-michelin-guide-alternatives-dining" target="_self">its first Michelin star</a>, did well in recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard award nominations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/21/james-beard-boston-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="3ec32f01-4472-4ea2-b5c9-ee4d01ff56e7" data-vars-headline="Boston dining&#x27;s 2026 glow-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/21/james-beard-boston-semifinalists" target="_self">James Beard award nominations</a> and captured the title of Condé Nast Traveler&#x27;s #1 food destination in the U.S.

Exclusive: Harpoon wades into "mid-strength" beer market with Low Key lager

Boozy beers have long dominated American craft beer, but the pendulum's swinging the other way.

Harpoon is taking a page from European brewers and releasing a lower-ABV lager in March.Why it matters: While strong, boozy beers have long dominated the craft beer world, the pendulum is swinging in the other direction in the U.S. as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more consumers shy away from alcohol" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" data-vars-content-id="cd419ce4-5f8c-4456-a448-b870f12de4ff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Harpoon wades into &quot;mid-strength&quot; beer market with Low Key lager" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" target="_self">more consumers shy away from alcohol</a>.

Food and Drink 🍽

First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston

Boston's buzzworthy spring restaurant openings

Boston's first zero-proof bar opens in Jamaica Plain

Allston food hall vendors seek alcohol licenses

Carrie Nation, Dubliner settle wage theft violations with Mass. AG