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The Boston-area holiday pop-up bars, lounges to visit in 2023

Boston-area bars are bringing out the Christmas trees, menorahs and hot toddies for the holidays.

Food and Drink

John Walsh, 'godfather' of modern grassroots campaigns, dies at 65

Walsh died in hospice care Monday at age 65.

Politics

Celtics fans pay highest beer prices in NBA

News

Where to have a cozy fireside dinner in Boston

There's nothing quite as romantic as a fireside dinner.

Things to Do

Gene-editing treatment cuts cholesterol in small study

The experimental CRISPR treatment could offer an answer for tackling heart disease.

A study led by Boston-based Verve Therapeutics showed for the first time that gene-editing can cut high cholesterol.Why it matters: The experimental treatment could offer an answer for tackling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heart disease" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/05/us-death-rates-fall-cdc" data-vars-content-id="443a8bbf-5c4d-4542-b681-49f09e056d4c" data-vars-headline="Gene-editing treatment cuts cholesterol in small study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/05/us-death-rates-fall-cdc" target="_self">heart disease</a>, the nation&#x27;s leading cause of death.

Illustration of a magnifying glass showing the pixelated piece of a double helix. 

Black Bostonians have twice the average infant mortality rate

Black infants had the highest mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group in the city.

Health

Black Boston residents experience the highest rates of infant mortality, preterm births and low birth rates, according to a new city report.Driving the news: The mortality rate among Black infants in Boston was 9.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2021 — more than twice the city average of 4.6 deaths per 1,000 — per new data released today by the Boston Public Health Commission.

Illustration of a crib sitting beneath a mobile with a hanging medical cross 

Boston startup hopes to remedy the nursing shortage with international students

InSpring plans to admit 20-30 international students into its first cohort this winter.

Business

While hospitals struggle with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nursing shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/01/nursing-shortages-survey-amn-hospitals" data-vars-content-id="dbd9a459-f53c-409f-883f-86edf275821f" data-vars-headline="Boston startup hopes to remedy the nursing shortage with international students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/01/nursing-shortages-survey-amn-hospitals" target="_self">nursing shortages</a>, a Massachusetts startup is preparing to train hundreds of foreign-born students to fill those roles.Driving the news: Boston-based InSpring plans to admit its first cohort of 20-30 international students with bachelor&#x27;s degrees in the U.S. and other countries this winter, co-founder and CEO Chris Hoehn-Saric tells Axios.

Illustration of a caduceus wearing a graduation cap.

Advocates seek to build a regional New England abortion rights haven

Reproductive Equity now is expanding its policy and advocacy efforts into two more states.

Reproductive Equity Now, the advocacy group behind successful efforts to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bolster abortion rights laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/07/15/massachusetts-fatal-fetal-abortion-law-scrutiny" data-vars-content-id="9a97b1f3-9a3d-4dac-a24b-18b7763c9c27" data-vars-headline="Advocates seek to build a regional New England abortion rights haven" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/07/15/massachusetts-fatal-fetal-abortion-law-scrutiny" target="_self">bolster abortion rights laws</a> in Massachusetts, is expanding into Connecticut and New Hampshire.Why it matters: The Boston-based organization wants to build an abortion safe haven across New England, a region where state laws and resources for reproductive health <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="still vary" data-vars-click-url="https://states.guttmacher.org/policies/?gad=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw38SoBhB6EiwA8EQVLmd1Wh94OlRrwTf33uNcFB-F_75bIXjPZLRn1u2YvjW3SnhhfQkRJBoCn68QAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="9a97b1f3-9a3d-4dac-a24b-18b7763c9c27" data-vars-headline="Advocates seek to build a regional New England abortion rights haven" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://states.guttmacher.org/policies/?gad=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw38SoBhB6EiwA8EQVLmd1Wh94OlRrwTf33uNcFB-F_75bIXjPZLRn1u2YvjW3SnhhfQkRJBoCn68QAvD_BwE" target="_blank">still vary</a>.

Illustration of a protest sign with a caduceus on it.

How to get free Paxlovid in Massachusetts

You can get the treatment at no cost with just a couple steps on your part.

👋 Steph here. When I tested positive for COVID-19 last week, I assumed the state&#x27;s hotline and resources had all vanished at this stage of the pandemic.<ul><li>Fortunately, I was wrong.</li></ul>Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/03/covid-summer-cases-wastewater" data-vars-content-id="fc13fa73-4037-44dc-ac78-dba8466fda5e" data-vars-headline="How to get free Paxlovid in Massachusetts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/03/covid-summer-cases-wastewater" target="_self">COVID-19 cases</a> are on the rise again, and the state can get you Paxlovid with just a couple steps on your part.

Someone with clear gloves holds out the package of Paxlovid tablets next to two Paxlovid boxes.

Massachusetts' biotech job boom

Massachusetts is competitive in the sector despite layoffs.

Despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="layoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/fierce-biotech-layoff-tracker-2022" data-vars-content-id="9ef48ba5-1810-4543-910a-ce6b3e4d3497" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; biotech job boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/fierce-biotech-layoff-tracker-2022" target="_blank">layoffs</a> and economic concerns, the life sciences sector&#x27;s workforce in Massachusetts saw more growth than nearly all other states last year, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="industry report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.massbio.org/industry-snapshot/" data-vars-content-id="9ef48ba5-1810-4543-910a-ce6b3e4d3497" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; biotech job boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.massbio.org/industry-snapshot/" target="_blank">industry report</a> released Wednesday.Why it matters: MassBio&#x27;s industry snapshot shows that Massachusetts remains competitive in the life sciences sector despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://massinc.org/research/sizing-up-massachusetts-looming-skilled-worker-shortage/" data-vars-content-id="9ef48ba5-1810-4543-910a-ce6b3e4d3497" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; biotech job boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://massinc.org/research/sizing-up-massachusetts-looming-skilled-worker-shortage/" target="_blank">concerns</a> about losing skilled workers to lower-cost states.

Illustration of a hand holding a microscope slide with a liquid sample forming a dollar sign.

Electrolyte powders are popular in Boston, but not proven

The salty powders may not be helping as much as you think.

Electrolyte supplements have become a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" shockingly big market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/electrolyte-mix-market-to-reach-30-1-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-2-cagr-allied-market-research-301850813.html" data-vars-content-id="68d2f6cb-c799-438d-b662-07d7264aec4b" data-vars-headline="Electrolyte powders are popular in Boston, but not proven" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/electrolyte-mix-market-to-reach-30-1-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-2-cagr-allied-market-research-301850813.html" target="_blank"> shockingly big market</a> in Greater Boston, even though they&#x27;re supported by limited scientific evidence.Why it matters: Although influencers and marketers consider electrolyte powders hydration hacks, doctors say that regularly drinking them instead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plain water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/america-drinking-water-dehydration-effects" data-vars-content-id="68d2f6cb-c799-438d-b662-07d7264aec4b" data-vars-headline="Electrolyte powders are popular in Boston, but not proven" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/america-drinking-water-dehydration-effects" target="_self">plain water</a> is a waste of money.

Pharma companies with Massachusetts ties targeted in Medicare drug talks

Federal officials say the talks will rein in prices, but industry leaders say it will stifle innovation.

The Biden administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unveiled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/08/29/hhs-selects-the-first-drugs-for-medicare-drug-price-negotiation.html" data-vars-content-id="f396a4e5-b43b-44f2-90b0-2a7eee37eb2b" data-vars-headline="Pharma companies with Massachusetts ties targeted in Medicare drug talks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/08/29/hhs-selects-the-first-drugs-for-medicare-drug-price-negotiation.html" target="_blank">unveiled</a> Tuesday the first 10 drugs that will undergo Medicare price negotiations in 2023 and 2024, including several from companies with Massachusetts ties.Why it matters: Federal officials say the negotiations will rein in prices for Americans, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have paid far more" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Public-Medicines-Report-updated.pdf" data-vars-content-id="f396a4e5-b43b-44f2-90b0-2a7eee37eb2b" data-vars-headline="Pharma companies with Massachusetts ties targeted in Medicare drug talks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Public-Medicines-Report-updated.pdf" target="_blank">have paid far more</a> than people in other countries for the same life-saving medications.

Illustration of money pouring into a prescription bottle.  

Scoop: Newest Boston accelerator helps humanity reach new heights

Participating companies are using AI, exoskeletons, wearable devices and other tech.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MassChallenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/06/08/boston-startup-accelerator-masschallenge-officially-has-a-new-ceo" data-vars-content-id="e6f9a4a7-0d1b-4f5e-b158-c51c0cdec516" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Newest Boston accelerator helps humanity reach new heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/06/08/boston-startup-accelerator-masschallenge-officially-has-a-new-ceo" target="_self">MassChallenge</a>&#x27;s latest startup accelerator is helping entrepreneurs build technology that pushes the limits of human performance, the organization tells Axios exclusively.Driving the news: Participating companies are using AI, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exoskeletons" data-vars-click-url="https://builtin.com/robotics/exoskeleton-suit" data-vars-content-id="e6f9a4a7-0d1b-4f5e-b158-c51c0cdec516" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Newest Boston accelerator helps humanity reach new heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://builtin.com/robotics/exoskeleton-suit" target="_blank">exoskeletons</a>, wearable devices and other technology to build products they hope will help athletes, astronauts, soldiers and others take their skills to the next level.

Illustration of robot hand reaching out to human hand

Boston's plan to offer doula services is taking shape

The city received a $4.7-million grant to launch a community-based perinatal health project.

Come next year, Boston could become one of the only cities in the nation to offer doula services for expecting parents.Why it matters: Black mothers and babies face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortality rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/07/13/massachusetts-maternal-mortality-morbidity" data-vars-content-id="005bebbd-17ff-46ad-a19d-3f028d378ddb" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s plan to offer doula services is taking shape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/07/13/massachusetts-maternal-mortality-morbidity" target="_self">mortality rates</a> more than twice as high as white mothers and babies because of environmental factors and racism — even if white and Black parents are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just neighborhoods apart" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/10/05/black-infant-mortality-rate" data-vars-content-id="005bebbd-17ff-46ad-a19d-3f028d378ddb" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s plan to offer doula services is taking shape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/10/05/black-infant-mortality-rate" target="_self">just neighborhoods apart</a>.

Illustration of a seagull holding a baby bundle.

Health 🩺