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Lindsay Clancy trial ends in mistrial

Jurors must decide whether Clancy intentionally killed her children or was experiencing psychosis.

Public Safety

A jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lindsay Clancy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/27/lindsay-clancy-duxbury-killings-children" data-vars-content-id="bbfa315a-a9ad-47a7-a071-140908598862" data-vars-headline="Lindsay Clancy trial ends in mistrial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/27/lindsay-clancy-duxbury-killings-children" target="_self">Lindsay Clancy</a> on Friday in Plymouth County Superior Court, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial.The big picture: The case has sparked fierce debate nationwide over whether Clancy was in control or in psychosis fueled by postpartum depression when she killed her three children and attempted suicide in 2023.

Spill of the Hill: A louder Left in the Mass. Senate

Spilka's bench thins as Jehlen retires, Rush loses and Brownsberger's seat hangs in a recount.

Politics

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Assuming Democrats hold their seats in November, the Senate that convenes for the 195th General Court will have a different tone as it deals with thorny legislative issues like taxes and implementing ballot measures.Why it matters: Senate President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Karen Spilka" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/11/massachusetts-senate-energy-bill-mass-save-ratepayer-savings-climate-spilka" data-vars-content-id="8fe363a8-3ec3-4fe2-9fb3-d25313d9eef6" data-vars-headline="Spill of the Hill: A louder Left in the Mass. Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/11/massachusetts-senate-energy-bill-mass-save-ratepayer-savings-climate-spilka" target="_self">Karen Spilka</a> is losing a few of her most reliable allies just as a more assertive progressive bloc gains numbers.

Boston renters are paying higher rents for smaller units

Renters of all Boston apartments are paying more, even after factoring a 39% inflation increase.

Development

The average new apartment has shrunk in Boston during the past decade, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/national-average-apartment-size/" data-vars-content-id="9b3d804a-2fdc-4dc6-a5da-64c7f5d076cc" data-vars-headline="Boston renters are paying higher rents for smaller units" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/national-average-apartment-size/" target="_blank">new survey</a> from RentCafe.Why it matters: Even though square footage shrunk, renters of all apartments in Boston are paying more — even accounting for a 39% increase in inflation.

NFL season preview: What to know about the 2026 Patriots

The Pats kick off the 2026 season Wednesday night.

Sports

Last season, the Patriots shocked the NFL with their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="run to the Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/09/super-bowl-patriots-loss" data-vars-content-id="376f414e-2e18-4d18-af28-1f581e5cb9b1" data-vars-headline="NFL season preview: What to know about the 2026 Patriots" 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">run to the Super Bowl</a>. This season, they won&#x27;t catch anyone by surprise.Why it matters: The Pats kick off the 2026 season Wednesday night with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rematch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401872656/patriots-seahawks" data-vars-content-id="376f414e-2e18-4d18-af28-1f581e5cb9b1" data-vars-headline="NFL season preview: What to know about the 2026 Patriots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401872656/patriots-seahawks" target="_blank">rematch</a> of that title game, traveling to Seattle to face the reigning champions and their formidable defense.

Boston-area Colombians mobilize to support earthquake relief efforts 

An earthquake has killed hundreds and displaced thousands in western Colombia.

Culture

Boston-area Colombians are raising funds and collecting supplies to support relief efforts after a 7.4-magnitude <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="earthquake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/14/how-miamians-can-help-colombia-earthquake-relief-efforts" data-vars-content-id="68ef0d29-7920-4be5-a844-e5a30a59ec8b" data-vars-headline="Boston-area Colombians mobilize to support earthquake relief efforts " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/14/how-miamians-can-help-colombia-earthquake-relief-efforts" target="_self">earthquake</a> rocked the Latin American nation.The big picture: Massachusetts is home to an estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="42,000 residents," data-vars-click-url="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/lists/colombian-population-in-massachusetts-by-city/" data-vars-content-id="68ef0d29-7920-4be5-a844-e5a30a59ec8b" data-vars-headline="Boston-area Colombians mobilize to support earthquake relief efforts " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/lists/colombian-population-in-massachusetts-by-city/" target="_blank">42,000 residents,</a> the nation’s sixth-largest Colombian population.<ul><li>East Boston is unofficially considered New England’s “Little Colombia.”</li></ul>

Trump deportations cost Mass. taxpayers $3,200 each on average

Deportations cost one town's taxpayers ten times as much, projections suggest.

Immigration

Massachusetts taxpayers will end up paying over $3,200 each on average for President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="0ee992a2-ce20-4b73-89d7-fd9db211cb71" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations cost Mass. taxpayers $3,200 each on average" 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&#x27;s</a> mass deportation push, according to a new calculator tool from the Economic Policy Institute.<ul><li>And taxpayers in one town will pay tenfold. </li></ul>Why it matters: The estimate fuels debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="0ee992a2-ce20-4b73-89d7-fd9db211cb71" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations cost Mass. taxpayers $3,200 each on average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> should instead fund other public priorities such as food assistance, health care or housing.

Mass. passes law limiting ICE. Now comes the backlash

Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill limiting local police from interacting with federal immigration agents.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill Wednesday that limits local police from interacting with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration agents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/13/boston-prepares-ice-surge-wu-plans" data-vars-content-id="e2b06598-2e1d-4964-9f6f-43b83500d070" data-vars-headline="Mass. passes law limiting ICE. Now comes the backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/13/boston-prepares-ice-surge-wu-plans" target="_self">federal immigration agents</a>.The big picture: The signing ceremony drew cheers from hundreds who packed into La Collaborativa in Chelsea.<ul><li>And it swiftly drew rebukes from critics accusing Healey of doubling down on the sanctuary label she&#x27;s shied away from during her reelection campaign.</li></ul>

Boston cafe turns into phone bank for Haitian TPS bill

The chances of Congress voting to extend temporary protections for Haiti become slimmer.

Dozens of people gathered inside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ula Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/ulacafe/p/DbdeVu1lUsT/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="133e6eff-94f2-4c4b-8614-9a8ca0a985a6" data-vars-headline="Boston cafe turns into phone bank for Haitian TPS bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/ulacafe/p/DbdeVu1lUsT/?hl=en" target="_blank">Ula Cafe</a> and called a list of U.S. senators Tuesday, urging them to pass a bill extending <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Temporary Protected Status" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/temporary-protected-status-tps-trump-immigration" data-vars-content-id="133e6eff-94f2-4c4b-8614-9a8ca0a985a6" data-vars-headline="Boston cafe turns into phone bank for Haitian TPS bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/temporary-protected-status-tps-trump-immigration" target="_self">Temporary Protected Status</a> for Haiti.The big picture: This Jamaica Plain cafe is one of several businesses and nonprofits nationwide pushing for congressional intervention now that TPS has expired for some 350,000 Haitians.

PROTECT Act: What's in the Mass. immigrant protections bill

The proposal includes what some activists call a carve out allowing 287(g) agreements.

A bill that would bolster <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigrant protections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/29/protect-act-massachusetts-haiti-tps-limbo" data-vars-content-id="aa0adfeb-e85d-4152-8bfe-e234b053653c" data-vars-headline="PROTECT Act: What&#x27;s in the Mass. immigrant protections bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/29/protect-act-massachusetts-haiti-tps-limbo" target="_self">immigrant protections</a> in Massachusetts nears the finish line this week.Why it matters: The proposal would limit police from interacting with federal immigration agents in most cases and outline how schools, daycares, hospitals and other public-facing institutions respond to agents.

Mass. lawmakers advance Protect Act amid Haitian TPS limbo

The final bill comes as Haitian TPS holders retreat from public life, fearing ICE detention.

Massachusetts lawmakers plan to vote Thursday on a proposal to limit immigration enforcement and bolster protections for immigrants, Sen. Cindy Friedman said.The big picture: The proposal would codify due process protections for immigrants, including Haitians who recently lost <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Temporary Protected Status," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/25/supreme-court-massachusetts-tps-haiti" data-vars-content-id="63b464ce-9af7-4647-9b14-79f554dbf29b" data-vars-headline="Mass. lawmakers advance Protect Act amid Haitian TPS limbo" 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/supreme-court-massachusetts-tps-haiti" target="_self">Temporary Protected Status,</a> at a time when federal agents are reportedly ramping up immigration enforcement.

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.

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

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>

A choropleth map showing the estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detention funding across the U.S. states. The average cost is $2.4k. Washington, D.C., has the highest load, at $3.9k.

Estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detainment funding

The cost per taxpayer in Boston is at least $3,988. Data: Economic Policy Institute; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios