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GOP lieutenant governor nominee Shawn Oliver suspends campaign after OUI arrest

Oliver stepped aside Sunday after a Saturday night crash in New Bedford and an OUI charge. His name will remain on the ballot.

Politics

Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, suspended his campaign Sunday after being charged with drunk driving in New Bedford.Catch up quick: Police say Oliver&#x27;s vehicle hit five parked cars on Dartmouth Street around 11:40pm Saturday and overturned.

Mass. fraud scheme made $6M off "sham" marriages, feds say

Authorities charged six people in connection with the alleged immigration marriage fraud ring.

Federal authorities accused six Massachusetts residents of orchestrating a decade-long marriage fraud ring, marrying themselves off to immigrants repeatedly to help them obtain green card status.The big picture: The charges put a spotlight on Massachusetts&#x27; status as a welcoming state for immigrants regardless of legal status, weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.<ul><li>The lead defendant, Jennifer Gonzalez of Fall River, allegedly exploited the state&#x27;s reputation, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said.</li><li>Gonzalez allegedly told a witness, whom she believed to be an undocumented immigrant, &quot;Massachusetts is the best place for you to be.&quot;</li></ul>

Here's how many in Massachusetts signed up for Trump Accounts

The new federal Trump Accounts program offers $1,000 to eligible babies.

Money

Tens of thousands of Massachusetts families are among the first to apply for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump Accounts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/14/ohio-trump-accounts-eligibility-privacy" data-vars-content-id="c49a2008-1cf0-41db-91e2-8078c33845a3" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how many in Massachusetts signed up for Trump Accounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/14/ohio-trump-accounts-eligibility-privacy" target="_self">Trump Accounts</a>, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal investment program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/18/trump-accounts-for-kids-what-to-know-how-sign-up" data-vars-content-id="c49a2008-1cf0-41db-91e2-8078c33845a3" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how many in Massachusetts signed up for Trump Accounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/18/trump-accounts-for-kids-what-to-know-how-sign-up" target="_self">federal investment program</a> for babies. Why it matters: The program, which offers $1,000 to eligible babies, is meant to give American children a financial head start.

The rising costs that Massachusetts' poverty rate overlooks

On paper, Massachusetts fared better than other states. Rising costs tell a different story.

On paper, the poverty rate looks worse in Ohio, West Virginia and Oklahoma than in Massachusetts.<ul><li>But factor in the cost of living, and all three states fared better in recent years, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new U.S. Census Bureau data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/us-economy-income-census" data-vars-content-id="3e9c97a4-e989-4dab-9919-7a8a3da5fe5a" data-vars-headline="The rising costs that Massachusetts&#x27; poverty rate overlooks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/us-economy-income-census" target="_self">new U.S. Census Bureau data</a>.</li></ul>

The "pharm-to-table" blind spot employers may be missing

Connected benefits can help members find lower-cost pharmacy options.

Partners

The consumer experience has changed faster than many employer benefits strategies, giving employees more ways to find prescription drug options outside the traditional plan experience.<ul><li>Direct pharmaceutical channels now extend across a growing range of conditions, including chronic and specialty care like migraines, fertility and arthritis.</li></ul>Why it&#x27;s important: Pharmaceutical companies are spending more to reach people where they already spend time — through social feeds, digital prescribing services and direct purchasing channels.

Mass General Brigham, nurses stalemate drags as strike nears

Some 4,000 union nurses could walk off the job next week if a deal isn't reached.

Health

Mass General Brigham nurses and hospital management ended Thursday&#x27;s talks without any indication that they&#x27;re close to a contract agreement.Why it matters: At this rate, they appear headed toward an indefinite strike starting next week, which would disrupt services at the state&#x27;s largest hospital system.

Inside Boston's rat war, from the city's plan to local resistance

Boston's war on rats — or at least the Wu administration's offensive — is shaping up.

Boston officials have armed city blocks with rodent-resistant trash cans, birth control and thermal cameras that can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detect rat clusters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/12/01/rat-sightings-boston-rankings-2022" data-vars-content-id="3ec29006-8a31-4505-849a-17b1d612f517" data-vars-headline="Inside Boston&#x27;s rat war, from the city&#x27;s plan to local resistance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/12/01/rat-sightings-boston-rankings-2022" target="_self">detect rat clusters</a>, but every war has its rogue vigilante.<ul><li>In the North End, that&#x27;s Lilly, a 7-year-old dachshund.</li></ul>

Cancer's age shift is changing the benefits equation

Younger adults are facing cancer earlier, making coordinated care increasingly important.

Cancer is becoming more common among adults under 50, reshaping assumptions about who is most likely to need high-cost care — and complicating the benefits math for employers that may associate younger workforces with lower health care risk.Why it&#x27;s important: Cancer already ranks among the top three health care cost drivers for 86% of large employers, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross).

Healey pushes postpartum mental health screenings after Clancy trial

The Massachusetts governor wants $2.25 million to address perinatal mood disorders.

Following the high-profile <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lindsay Clancy case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/09/05/lindsay-clancy-trial-mistrial" data-vars-content-id="70fc70f6-9808-4eb1-8a4a-6a24b5a31c58" data-vars-headline="Healey pushes postpartum mental health screenings after Clancy trial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/09/05/lindsay-clancy-trial-mistrial" target="_self">Lindsay Clancy case</a>, Gov. Maura Healey is backing new funding and screening requirements for postpartum mental health care.Why it matters: Healey&#x27;s push comes after a mistrial was declared in the trial of Clancy, the Duxbury mother whose defense centered on the claim of postpartum psychosis after she killed her three children in 2023.

How AI is rewriting the rules for medicine and biotech in Mass.

Three Mass. health care leaders explain why AI in medicine is about more than speed—it's changing how scientists and doctors approach patient care.

Three health care leaders laid out how artificial intelligence is reshaping medical work, from the lab to the clinic, at a recent Axios Live event in Cambridge.Why it matters: Our speakers agreed AI in pharma and medicine means more than just a speed boost for drug discovery — it&#x27;s changing how scientists think about and approach care.

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

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

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.

Fenway Health hit with "IT incident," affecting service

It's unclear when the incident was first detected or how it affected patient data.

Fenway Health experienced an &quot;IT incident&quot; last week, but it has been mum on the details.Why it matters: The hospital system serves more than 30,000 patients, including longtime Fenway residents and LGBTQ+ patients.

Meta settlement pays Mass. $516M, bolsters teen restrictions

Meta agreed to pay 29 states up to $17.1 billion as part of the settelement.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/18/meta-trial-social-media-children-facebook-instagram" data-vars-content-id="7c49adad-8af1-4bd5-989c-9acfbb85687d" data-vars-headline="Meta settlement pays Mass. $516M, bolsters teen restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/18/meta-trial-social-media-children-facebook-instagram" target="_self">Meta</a> agreed to settle with U.S. states for up to $17.1 billion in a landmark deal over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that harm children.Why it matters: This is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/social-media" data-vars-content-id="7c49adad-8af1-4bd5-989c-9acfbb85687d" data-vars-headline="Meta settlement pays Mass. $516M, bolsters teen restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/social-media" target="_self">social</a> media&#x27;s version of the landmark 1990s tobacco settlement. It effectively reshapes the industry and potentially the user experience.

Second West Nile virus case reported in Massachusetts

The state's first infection of the year was confirmed last week.

Massachusetts has reported its second human case of West Nile virus this year. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mosquito-borne virus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/west-nile-virus-wnv" data-vars-content-id="3ba5accd-d418-4669-b0fb-8dba510f01ab" data-vars-headline="Second West Nile virus case reported in Massachusetts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/west-nile-virus-wnv" target="_blank">mosquito-borne virus</a> can lead to brain swelling or meningitis, killing 20 people between 2001 and 2005.

Health 🩺

The "pharm-to-table" blind spot employers may be missing

Mass General Brigham, nurses stalemate drags as strike nears

Inside Boston's rat war, from the city's plan to local resistance

Cancer's age shift is changing the benefits equation

Healey pushes postpartum mental health screenings after Clancy trial