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MBTA looks into using falcons to clear pigeons from stations

The T is asking falconry firms how raptors could deter pigeons, seagulls and starlings at stations and maintenance campuses. No pilot is guaranteed.

Transit

The MBTA thinks one way to stop pigeons from pooping all over the stations is to have trained birds of prey ready to swoop in and regulate.Why it matters: Poo-covered subway stations like Tufts Medical and JFK/UMass could get raptor bouncers to keep the pigeons in line.

Mass. couple wants to bring Bolivian food back to Boston

Sandra Roque and her husband sell Bolivian and Dominican food in Raynham. But Boston's home.

Food and Drink

Sandra Roque was hard-pressed to find empanadas and other dishes from her native Bolivia.<ul><li>So, she started selling them herself.</li></ul>

How to become an MIT-certified pirate

Students need to complete pistol, sailing, fencing and archery classes to reach pirate status.

Education

MIT nerds can satisfy their physical education requirements by becoming recognized pirates.Why it matters: Undergraduates who complete archery, fencing, pistol and sailing classes can claim a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pirate Certificate" data-vars-click-url="https://physicaleducationandwellness.mit.edu/about/pirate-certificate/" data-vars-content-id="b22f8f82-4ed4-4228-a31d-1a5be50daca1" data-vars-headline="How to become an MIT-certified pirate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://physicaleducationandwellness.mit.edu/about/pirate-certificate/" target="_blank">Pirate Certificate</a>.

One way to retain talent? A Mass.-only accelerator

These founders were tasked with developing products that address biotech' s biggest pain points.

Business

The ask was simple: Pitch a product that doesn&#x27;t just layer AI onto existing software, but uses it to fix a problem affecting life sciences companies.<ul><li>The only <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="requirements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/massventures_mfn-applied-ai-life-sciences-challenge-activity-7462867228833746945-hrU7?utm_medium=ios_app&amp;rcm=ACoAAAbDsyIB3OOnuwPuAvYkUki6dvaqXdDEcSc&amp;utm_source=social_share_send&amp;utm_campaign=copy_link" data-vars-content-id="bb7a4c97-0586-4990-b7f8-02b42c43c978" data-vars-headline="One way to retain talent? A Mass.-only accelerator" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/massventures_mfn-applied-ai-life-sciences-challenge-activity-7462867228833746945-hrU7?utm_medium=ios_app&amp;rcm=ACoAAAbDsyIB3OOnuwPuAvYkUki6dvaqXdDEcSc&amp;utm_source=social_share_send&amp;utm_campaign=copy_link" target="_blank">requirements</a>? It must have high growth potential and be based in Massachusetts.</li></ul>

Healey plans to cut solar, renewable energy charges in utility bills

The executive order comes amid oil price hikes and her reelection campaign.

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey declared a &quot;state of energy emergency&quot; and issued an executive order to cut charges on electric and oil heating bills.Between the lines: It&#x27;s the governor&#x27;s latest move to cut high energy costs amid her reelection bid.<ul><li>It also comes after her proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas-tax holiday stalled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/05/healey-gas-tax-holiday-massachusetts-gas-prices-house-democrats-mariano-michlewitz-election" data-vars-content-id="117d3b50-e0ed-4f2d-bb1b-d2f9365e9ea9" data-vars-headline="Healey plans to cut solar, renewable energy charges in utility bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/05/healey-gas-tax-holiday-massachusetts-gas-prices-house-democrats-mariano-michlewitz-election" target="_self">gas-tax holiday stalled</a> on Beacon Hill. </li></ul>

Americans' income hits record, with wide gaps mirroring Mass. disparities 

52.4% of U.S. household income went to the top fifth percentile. 3% went to the bottom fifth.

Money

U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="household income" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/30/gdp-q2-economy-ai" data-vars-content-id="d9937b0e-7691-472e-8cca-6abb52ce8e93" data-vars-headline="Americans&#x27; income hits record, with wide gaps mirroring Mass. disparities " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/30/gdp-q2-economy-ai" target="_self">household income</a> hit a record in 2025, but the lowest earners barely shared in the gains, mirroring disparities in Massachusetts, new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/income-poverty-health-insurance-coverage.html" data-vars-content-id="d9937b0e-7691-472e-8cca-6abb52ce8e93" data-vars-headline="Americans&#x27; income hits record, with wide gaps mirroring Mass. disparities " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/income-poverty-health-insurance-coverage.html" target="_blank">Census data</a> show.Why it matters: Broader measures of financial security show millions still getting squeezed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/health-insurance-costs-trap-millions-unwanted-jobs" data-vars-content-id="d9937b0e-7691-472e-8cca-6abb52ce8e93" data-vars-headline="Americans&#x27; income hits record, with wide gaps mirroring Mass. disparities " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/health-insurance-costs-trap-millions-unwanted-jobs" target="_self">medical costs</a>, uneven income gains and a thinning public safety net — even as Americans look richer than ever.

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.

Cheapskate's Guide: Free Spectacle Island cruises

Spectacle Sundays offer locals a chance to visit one of the Harbor Islands for free.

Things to Do

There&#x27;s still time to visit the Harbor Islands before the temperatures dip, and you can go for free.Why it matters: The Harbor Islands are considered a national and state park, but getting there can cost you if you don&#x27;t have your own boat.

Where Trump's tariffs hit Massachusetts the hardest

States bear wildly different burdens from President Trump's $342 billion in tariffs.

States bear wildly different estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" data-vars-content-id="db19257b-07fb-4b99-a86c-b43ba5fd096d" data-vars-headline="Where Trump&#x27;s tariffs hit Massachusetts the hardest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" target="_self">tariff</a> burdens from 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="db19257b-07fb-4b99-a86c-b43ba5fd096d" data-vars-headline="Where Trump&#x27;s tariffs hit Massachusetts the hardest" 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>trade actions since the start of 2025, from California&#x27;s<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" $62.8 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://tariffs.org/" data-vars-content-id="db19257b-07fb-4b99-a86c-b43ba5fd096d" data-vars-headline="Where Trump&#x27;s tariffs hit Massachusetts the hardest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tariffs.org/" target="_blank"> $62.8 billion</a> share to Wyoming&#x27;s $107 million.Why it matters: Local industries dictate how and how hard communities have been hit — in this case, the impact on Massachusetts&#x27; health care industry.

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.

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.

White wealth dwarfs that of Black, Latino households, study finds

More than one-third of families said they couldn't cover a $400 emergency expense.

Black business owners and some officials rang the alarm after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2015 study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonindicators.org/article-pages/2015/october/living-with-a-net-worth-of-$8" data-vars-content-id="f5083c8b-7de9-4c32-a7d6-ce6f06ed24ff" data-vars-headline="White wealth dwarfs that of Black, Latino households, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonindicators.org/article-pages/2015/october/living-with-a-net-worth-of-$8" target="_blank">2015 study</a> revealed Boston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wealth disparities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/21/greater-boston-sees-income-inequality-worsen" data-vars-content-id="f5083c8b-7de9-4c32-a7d6-ce6f06ed24ff" data-vars-headline="White wealth dwarfs that of Black, Latino households, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/21/greater-boston-sees-income-inequality-worsen" target="_self">wealth disparities</a> — a median net worth of $8 for Black households, compared with $250,000 for white households.<ul><li>In 2020, business leaders and politicians statewide vowed to do better.</li></ul>Why it matters: A follow-up study released Thursday by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Fed" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bostonfed.org/publications/one-time-pubs/mass-echos.aspx__;!!Al82Z4c!wK13PkaPy3iNTfYYDwzqa6LmUoXLnqXaRQ2xQ63nKiJcDXfxtpjc5ycOHXTXeKldhwleu7WiWNEdQ---_7QzRXJ5f0U$" data-vars-content-id="f5083c8b-7de9-4c32-a7d6-ce6f06ed24ff" data-vars-headline="White wealth dwarfs that of Black, Latino households, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bostonfed.org/publications/one-time-pubs/mass-echos.aspx__;!!Al82Z4c!wK13PkaPy3iNTfYYDwzqa6LmUoXLnqXaRQ2xQ63nKiJcDXfxtpjc5ycOHXTXeKldhwleu7WiWNEdQ---_7QzRXJ5f0U$" target="_blank">Boston Fed</a> suggests those promises remain unfulfilled.

What to know about the 2026 Massachusetts sales tax holiday

The sales tax holiday falls on Aug. 8 and 9.

This weekend is your only chance in 2026 to bypass the Massachusett&#x27;s sales tax.The intrigue: If you know what to look for, you could be in for some hefty savings, like I did when I bought a bicycle a few years back.

Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget

Long gone are the days where customers could try an upscale dinner for under $30.

Dine Out Boston returns Saturday with nearly 200 restaurants participating.Why it matters: The semi-annual dining event comes as restaurants are hungry for customers — and as some of those <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would-be customers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" data-vars-content-id="1a0a25ea-cb97-4222-b850-66b513a7b1c9" data-vars-headline="Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" target="_self">would-be customers</a> are tightening their budgets.

Axios Latino

A line chart that shows U.S. real median household income from 1967 to 2025 in inflation-adjusted 2025 dollars. Income rose from $56,230 in 1967 to $87,460 in 2025, the series high. It peaked earlier at $85,310 in 2019, fell to $81,460 in 2022, then recovered.

U.S. real median household income: 1967 to 2025

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2026 Annual Social and Economic Supplements; Note: Census identifies breaks in the series in 2013 and 2017 due to methodological changes; Chart: Russell Contreras/Axios

Bar chart shows the average size of new apartments, ranging from 1,156 square feet in Tallahassee, Fla., to Seattle at 645 square feet. The U.S. average is 910 square feet.

Average size of new apartments

Data: Yardi Matrix via RentCafe.com; Chart: Jim Sergent, Axios

A map showing estimated tariff impacts by state, as a per-household equivalent, due to executive orders imposed since January 2025. The range of tariff costs spans from $228 per household in Montana to nearly $6,000 per household in Michigan. States like California, Texas, Michigan and Georgia exhibit significant impacts, chiefly to their auto industries, while many western states show lesser costs.

Estimated tariff impacts per household

Data: Trade Partnership Worldwide, via National Taxpayers Union Foundation. Note: Includes tariffs mandated by executive order only. Totals through June 2026. Map: Brad Jennings/Axios