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Boston Children's Hospital tops U.S. News rankings in 7 specialties

The survey included 40,000 pediatric specialists and 100 hospitals.

Health

Boston Children&#x27;s Hospital topped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026-27 U.S. News&#x27; 2026-27 rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="56f49179-3444-43c5-b27e-ce40b83d425d" data-vars-headline="Boston Children&#x27;s Hospital tops U.S. News rankings in 7 specialties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">2026-27 U.S. News&#x27; 2026-27 rankings</a> for several pediatrics specialties in its best children&#x27;s hospitals list.Why it matters: Boston is considered one of the nation&#x27;s top health care hubs, despite recent federal funding cuts and other economic hurdles.

Fluff Festival turns 21 with music, vendors and road closures

Somerville's sticky-sweet tradition returns Saturday with live music, 100+ vendors, games and a full slate of Union Square road closures to plan around.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s a special year for Somerville&#x27;s &quot;What the Fluff?&quot; Festival as it returns to Union Square on Saturday.Why it matters: If the annual celebration of the marshmallow topping were a person, the 21-year-old festival could legally drink.<ul><li>It&#x27;s this Saturday from 1-5pm.</li></ul>

Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE's 2027 free speech rankings

Clark University leads the state, Northeastern scores lowest, and Harvard posted the region's biggest jump in this year's FIRE report.

Education

American colleges are largely failing to create a healthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" target="_self">free speech</a> climate on campus, according to a new national ranking.Why it matters: Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" target="_self">political pressure</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" 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">Trump</a> administration and efforts by some universities to change policies in response.

Eastie cowboy bar, Lao pop-up and more Boston restaurant news

After a months-long wait, The Spur Cowboy Bar in Maverick Square is preparing to open.

Food and Drink

Darling, a Chinese-inspired cocktail bar in Cambridge, hosts Green Zone, a Middle Eastern cocktail bar in Washington, D.C., for Boston Rum Week.<ul><li>Darling will pair Green Zone&#x27;s drinks with the &quot;Filet O Fish&quot; bao, Hunanese pork ribs and other dishes. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reservations encouraged" data-vars-click-url="https://resy.com/cities/cambridge-ma/venues/darling-ma?seats=2&amp;date=2026-09-13" data-vars-content-id="1dec6989-538f-4658-a6f9-4a4a1d58e07f" data-vars-headline="Eastie cowboy bar, Lao pop-up and more Boston restaurant news" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://resy.com/cities/cambridge-ma/venues/darling-ma?seats=2&amp;date=2026-09-13" target="_blank">Reservations encouraged</a>.</li></ul>

Hawksmoor comes to Fort Point with Boston spin on its menu

Hawksmoor's consciously sourced beef is the main event, but it's also serving seafood staples.

London steakhouse Hawksmoor is bringing new life to Necco Street with carefully sourced beef and Boston-inspired dishes.The intrigue: The Fort Point restaurant is aiming for an upscale ($$$), but not stuffy, vibe in its third U.S. location.

Cambridge Recipe Club shares accessible home cooking

The Cambridge Recipe Club is amassing subscribers interested in low-cost, accessible meals.

A Cambridge man is channeling his love of home cooking into a newsletter for neighbors and fellow foodies.The intrigue: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cambridge Recipe Club" data-vars-click-url="https://signup.cambridgerecipeclub.com/" data-vars-content-id="2e6e6e89-1afc-4efe-9b15-79ec2e9c75a2" data-vars-headline="Cambridge Recipe Club shares accessible home cooking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signup.cambridgerecipeclub.com/" target="_blank">Cambridge Recipe Club</a> is amassing thousands of subscribers interested in low-cost, accessible ideas for meals.

The Hawksmoor, La Petite Maison open in Boston this month

At least two Boston restaurants are set to open in September, while others announced closures.

The Hawksmoor, a British steakhouse, officially opens in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fort Point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hawksmoor+Boston/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xbc17e67b0d20868b?sa=X&amp;ved=1t:2428&amp;ictx=111" data-vars-content-id="6eb47ac7-7426-42b2-a5b7-857bfba2a5f4" data-vars-headline="The Hawksmoor, La Petite Maison open in Boston this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hawksmoor+Boston/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xbc17e67b0d20868b?sa=X&amp;ved=1t:2428&amp;ictx=111" target="_blank">Fort Point</a> on Sept. 8 at 15 Necco St. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="La Petite Maison" data-vars-click-url="https://lpmrestaurants.com/" data-vars-content-id="6eb47ac7-7426-42b2-a5b7-857bfba2a5f4" data-vars-headline="The Hawksmoor, La Petite Maison open in Boston this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lpmrestaurants.com/" target="_blank">La Petite Maison</a> (LPM), an international French Riviera-inspired restaurant chain, opens Sept. 19 at Four Seasons Hotel in the Back Bay.

How local restaurant owners redirect surplus food across Boston

Boston-area Chick-fil-A restaurants have helped turn surplus food into more than 330,000 meals.

Partners

A record 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity in 2025, with more than half of those households turning to food charities for support.<ul><li>That rate has more than doubled since 2019, increasing pressure on community organizations to help fill the gap.</li></ul>The story: Hunger is a year-round challenge that requires sustained support — but locally owned businesses can play a practical role in strengthening that network.

Texas chain behind Morton's, Bubba Gump looks to buy Oyster House

The hospitality giant behind Morton's and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. wants Boston's oldest restaurant.

News

Boston&#x27;s Licensing Board will weigh a sale of Union Oyster House, the 200-year-old Union Street institution.<ul><li>The buyer: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Houston-based hospitality company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/texan-restaurant-chain-operator-angling-buy-union-oyster-house" data-vars-content-id="3670926f-9951-4c67-9445-3562612f0c48" data-vars-headline="Texas chain behind Morton&#x27;s, Bubba Gump looks to buy Oyster House" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/texan-restaurant-chain-operator-angling-buy-union-oyster-house" target="_blank">the Houston-based hospitality company</a> that owns Chart House, McCormick &amp; Schmick&#x27;s, Morton&#x27;s and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</li></ul>

A Red Bull Bull-y Boy? Boston distillery pitches collab

The Boston distillery pitched a collab between it and the energy drink brand.

Boston-based distillery Bully Boy decided to shoot its shot this month and pitch a collaboration with Red Bull.The intrigue: The energy drink brand has chosen Boston for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dance competitions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/05/03/melisa-valdez-celtics-red-bull-host" data-vars-content-id="6dd5900c-3866-4e2c-9eb9-66b17b88a0ab" data-vars-headline="A Red Bull Bull-y Boy? Boston distillery pitches collab" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/05/03/melisa-valdez-celtics-red-bull-host" target="_self">dance competitions</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cliff diving tournaments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/06/02/cliff-diving-world-series" data-vars-content-id="6dd5900c-3866-4e2c-9eb9-66b17b88a0ab" data-vars-headline="A Red Bull Bull-y Boy? Boston distillery pitches collab" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/06/02/cliff-diving-world-series" target="_self">cliff diving tournaments</a>, so why not go local for a boozy partnership?

2 Boston restaurants join "Pay What You Can" initiative

100 restaurants worldwide are joining the "Pay What You Can" initiative.

Two Boston-area restaurants will give locals a chance to dine without a hefty bill on Wednesday.Why it matters: Fine dining isn&#x27;t accessible to most people. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Paga Lo Que Puedas/Pay What You Can&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pagaloquepuedas-paywhatyoucan.com" data-vars-content-id="288605ce-bd24-4cd8-9ac5-23b3eabe5ec6" data-vars-headline="2 Boston restaurants join &quot;Pay What You Can&quot; initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pagaloquepuedas-paywhatyoucan.com" target="_blank">&quot;Paga Lo Que Puedas/Pay What You Can&quot;</a> initiative wants to change that, however briefly.

East Boston specialty grocer EBO is closing 

EBO in East Boston is closing, and other foodie news.

Business

EBO Grocery&#x27;s owners decided not to renew their lease at 110 Meridian in East Boston, citing shifting priorities with their newer businesses, per their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Instagram page" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcLl5wsnCyJ/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="7d6ec453-6cb0-4dba-811a-b25f9a5ce243" data-vars-headline="East Boston specialty grocer EBO is closing " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcLl5wsnCyJ/?img_index=1" target="_blank">Instagram page</a>. <ul><li>The store will be closed between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1 as the company heads to Italy for an oyster shucking event. </li><li>Then they&#x27;ll reopen until the last week of September.</li></ul>

Was this Boston's "best summer ever"? It depends on who you ask

Many in Boston profited off of this summer's major events, but it wasn't a win for everyone.

Seven miles south of City Hall, Mayor Michelle Wu convened 17 city officials, business leaders and entrepreneurs in a brewery for a victory lap.<ul><li>A blue sign hanging at the center of the U-shaped table summed it up: &quot;Celebrating Boston&#x27;s best summer ever.&quot;</li></ul>

Food and Drink 🍽

Eastie cowboy bar, Lao pop-up and more Boston restaurant news

Hawksmoor comes to Fort Point with Boston spin on its menu

Cambridge Recipe Club shares accessible home cooking

The Hawksmoor, La Petite Maison open in Boston this month

How local restaurant owners redirect surplus food across Boston