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What to know about the Mass. ballot question to repeal legal pot

Ten years after legalizing adult-use cannabis, Mass. voters are being asked to reconsider.

Business

Massachusetts voters are being asked to revisit legal cannabis at the ballot box this fall.The big picture: The Bay State has become a key battleground state for opponents of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adult-use cannabis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/25/massachusetts-cannabis-industry-repeal-opposition" data-vars-content-id="f89b417a-6332-404e-90e9-7b7f2992e8af" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Mass. ballot question to repeal legal pot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/25/massachusetts-cannabis-industry-repeal-opposition" target="_self">adult-use cannabis</a> who want to outlaw recreational sales nationwide.

What a switch to permanent daylight saving time would mean for Mass.

A federal time-zone law, a stalled Senate bill and New York's economy all stand between Massachusetts and brighter winter evenings.

News

Switching the commonwealth to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permanent daylight saving time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/daylight-saving-congress-backlash-side-effects" data-vars-content-id="f3193c80-4327-42c3-ad1f-ad620c5f318e" data-vars-headline="What a switch to permanent daylight saving time would mean for Mass." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/daylight-saving-congress-backlash-side-effects" target="_self">permanent daylight saving time</a> is more realistic than ever.Why it matters: Plenty of people in Massachusetts want more winter sunlight, but getting it would mean threading a federal needle, syncing with neighboring states and rewriting the school day.

Mass. is worried about AI, but most still use it

Two-thirds of Massachusetts voters are more concerned than excited about AI.

Massachusetts voters say they&#x27;re deeply worried about the impact of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="1678c877-a1df-4868-8419-0d530dc8866c" data-vars-headline="Mass. is worried about AI, but most still use it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">artificial intelligence</a>, even as many regularly use it.Why it matters: 65% say they&#x27;re more concerned about AI&#x27;s dangers than excited about its potential to aid humanity.

Boston University signs first PILOT deal in 25 years

BU will pay the city $104.3 million over five years.

Boston University and the City of Boston have struck a five-year agreement that will see BU pay the city over $104 million in cash and benefits over the span of the deal.<ul><li>It&#x27;s the university&#x27;s first written payment commitment in 25 years.</li></ul>

How Sail250 connects a diaspora

Dozens of military ships from 21 countries are berthed along the Boston Harbor until Thursday.

America at 250

Sail Boston and the Colombian tall ship&#x27;s visit brought something I&#x27;ve never experienced with my family in Medellín: a chance to learn about our nation&#x27;s maritime history.<ul><li>So I put on my Colombia jersey and headed to Pier 11 in Charlestown on Sunday.</li></ul>

TPS holders at risk of losing work permits sue Trump administration

TPS holders from three countries could lose their work authorization as soon as July 22.

Immigration

While the future of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Temporary Protected Status" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/26/haiti-syria-tps-boston-next-steps" data-vars-content-id="a319b509-11b0-437d-b53e-daeb4fc6afa4" data-vars-headline="TPS holders at risk of losing work permits sue Trump administration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/26/haiti-syria-tps-boston-next-steps" target="_self">Temporary Protected Status</a> remains in limbo, TPS recipients across Massachusetts could lose their jobs as soon as July 22.Why it matters: Delays in processing renewal applications are colliding with new restrictions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.<ul><li>The result: Tens of thousands of TPS holders could be without work authorization while they wait for work permits they applied to renew earlier this year.</li></ul>

Boston-area Haitian leaders brace for next steps after TPS ruling

"We have no choice but to be victorious," Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune said Thursday.

Haitian families across Greater Boston were still coming off the high of watching their national team score two goals in the World Cup when they started learning the news.<ul><li>The Supreme Court had ruled that the Trump administration could end <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Temporary Protected Status," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/20/nearly-5000-mass-haitians-at-risk-as-protections-expire" data-vars-content-id="c782cb59-9d67-4807-8bbf-f0e9e8802857" data-vars-headline="Boston-area Haitian leaders brace for next steps after TPS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/20/nearly-5000-mass-haitians-at-risk-as-protections-expire" target="_self">Temporary Protected Status,</a> a designation that elders, neighbors and young adults had relied on for years.</li></ul>

SCOTUS lets Trump end protected status for Haitians, Syrians

Massachusetts is home to more than 22,000 TPS holders from Haiti

Politics

The Supreme Court&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thursday ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/supreme-court-temporary-protected-status.html" data-vars-content-id="8c12ecf0-7c87-47f3-9f98-0a2bab772277" data-vars-headline="SCOTUS lets Trump end protected status for Haitians, Syrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/supreme-court-temporary-protected-status.html" target="_blank">Thursday ruling</a> allowing the Trump administration to strip immigrants&#x27; Temporary Protected Status throws the future of thousands of families in Massachusetts into doubt.The big picture: Massachusetts is home to nearly 37,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TPS holders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/20/nearly-5000-mass-haitians-at-risk-as-protections-expire" data-vars-content-id="8c12ecf0-7c87-47f3-9f98-0a2bab772277" data-vars-headline="SCOTUS lets Trump end protected status for Haitians, Syrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/20/nearly-5000-mass-haitians-at-risk-as-protections-expire" target="_self">TPS holders</a>, including 22,000 Haitians and others who fled violence and instability in their home countries.<ul><li>Business leaders and immigration advocates have said such a ruling could not only upend the lives of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thousands of families statewide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/10/25/tps-boston-rally-immigration" data-vars-content-id="8c12ecf0-7c87-47f3-9f98-0a2bab772277" data-vars-headline="SCOTUS lets Trump end protected status for Haitians, Syrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/10/25/tps-boston-rally-immigration" target="_self">thousands of families statewide</a>, but exacerbate job shortages in health care, construction and other high-demand roles.</li></ul>

Healey doubles down on denying ICE confidential license plates

The Trump administration is suing Massachusetts officials.

The Trump administration is taking Massachusetts to court over the state&#x27;s refusal to give federal immigration agents confidential license plates to work undercover. Why it matters: The lawsuit could test the limits of state resistance to President Trump&#x27;s immigration crackdown.

Chelsea bets big on World Cup games despite ICE fears

Chelsea officials hope public watch parties will boost the city's spirits and economy.

Chelsea officials say they won&#x27;t let fears of immigration enforcement stop them from celebrating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/boston-restaurants-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="1e1ccb16-4139-4af7-b494-d36e1e53e356" data-vars-headline="Chelsea bets big on World Cup games despite ICE fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/boston-restaurants-world-cup" target="_self">World Cup</a>.Why it matters: City manager Fidel Maltez is betting on the FIFA tournament to raise Chelsea&#x27;s spirits and economy after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="majority-Latino city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/chelsea-ma-population-by-race/" data-vars-content-id="1e1ccb16-4139-4af7-b494-d36e1e53e356" data-vars-headline="Chelsea bets big on World Cup games despite ICE fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/chelsea-ma-population-by-race/" target="_blank">majority-Latino city</a> became a target for federal immigration agents.

Lawsuit challenges Trump's attacks on diversity visa lottery

A class-action lawsuit includes 65 people within the U.S., including one couple in Massachusetts.

A class-action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freeze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/19/trump-green-card-lottery-visa-brown-university-mit-shootings" data-vars-content-id="3c949f0f-9e3a-4739-9dd2-76b624cf40b4" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit challenges Trump&#x27;s attacks on diversity visa lottery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/19/trump-green-card-lottery-visa-brown-university-mit-shootings" target="_self">freeze</a> of the diversity visa lottery program will decide the future of hundreds who sought a shot at building a life in the United States.<ul><li>That includes a couple in Somerville who want to raise their baby here.</li></ul>

Boston's noncitizen voting push faces Beacon Hill roadblock

The Legislature's aversion to the issue dates back to the 19th century

As Boston leaders weigh letting noncitizens vote in local elections, the idea was effectively killed by a panel of Massachusetts Democrats last week.Why it matters: Beacon Hill&#x27;s aversion to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2018/07/09/boston-non-citizens-vote-immigrants-local-elections" data-vars-content-id="d2a8c29d-6ee6-43eb-84ef-31479c41e5c2" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s noncitizen voting push faces Beacon Hill roadblock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2018/07/09/boston-non-citizens-vote-immigrants-local-elections" target="_self">the issue</a> dates back to the 19th century, when Massachusetts first imposed a literacy test to keep foreigners from casting ballots.

Boston judge blocks ICE from detaining refugees

The judge issued a stay on a new federal policy that would let agents detain refugees.

A federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked federal immigration agents from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detaining refugees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/10/refugees-iine-trump-administration" data-vars-content-id="877a8dd2-12c3-4365-8782-e2d4c9201fac" data-vars-headline="Boston judge blocks ICE from detaining refugees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/10/refugees-iine-trump-administration" target="_self">detaining refugees</a>.Why it matters: The order offers a reprieve for refugees, who were vetted to enter the country legally and apply for legal permanent residency after a year only to be targeted for deportation.

Mass. House to advance bill preserving due process for local immigrants

House leaders said they expect a vote on the bill in the next few weeks.

Massachusetts House lawmakers plan to advance a bill Friday that would limit how police forces, jails and state agencies work with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/ice-immigrant-detention-warehouses-spending" data-vars-content-id="46bf6208-3510-40f3-8026-58bbbfb216dd" data-vars-headline="Mass. House to advance bill preserving due process for local immigrants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/ice-immigrant-detention-warehouses-spending" target="_self">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a>.The big picture: Massachusetts Democrats are trying to preserve the state&#x27;s due process protections for all residents, regardless of immigration status or criminal history. <ul><li>That would defy the Trump administration&#x27;s nationwide efforts to limit due process rights and other protections to citizens.</li></ul>