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Expect big crowds at Mass. "No Kings" protests

Over 160 "No Kings" protests are scheduled across Massachusetts Saturday.

News

Organizers behind the nationwide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="7c110bfe-5fc6-42de-84b0-f027ab4b95df" data-vars-headline="Expect big crowds at Mass. &quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" target="_self">&quot;No Kings&quot; protests</a> claim more than 160 rallies are scheduled across the Commonwealth tomorrow.Why it matters: Massachusetts is playing a big role in the nationwide mobilization organizers describe as possibly the largest single-day protest in U.S. history.

How over 27,000 Mass. residents got medical debt wiped out

The $42 million total amounts to an average of $1,560 per recipient.

Business

Some 27,000 eastern Massachusetts residents are getting letters in the mail with rare good news: They&#x27;re the latest beneficiaries of a debt relief initiative, and some, if not all, of their medical debt has been wiped out.Why it matters: One in eight Massachusetts residents has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical debt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/medical-debt-united-states" data-vars-content-id="3aeb954c-e0ae-49fd-afcb-538690df0655" data-vars-headline="How over 27,000 Mass. residents got medical debt wiped out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/medical-debt-united-states" target="_self">medical debt</a>, per the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Center for Health Information and Analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chiamass.gov/assets/docs/r/pubs/2025/Understanding-Medical-Debt-in-Massachusetts.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3aeb954c-e0ae-49fd-afcb-538690df0655" data-vars-headline="How over 27,000 Mass. residents got medical debt wiped out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chiamass.gov/assets/docs/r/pubs/2025/Understanding-Medical-Debt-in-Massachusetts.pdf" target="_blank">Center for Health Information and Analysis</a>.<ul><li>Among Black residents, that number is one in five. </li></ul>

A blue wave would bury the Mass. GOP deeper

A blue wave won't shake up Beacon Hill, but it could leave Massachusetts Republicans with even less leverage.

Politics

If there&#x27;s a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blue wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" data-vars-content-id="ce5dbc4f-fe5b-4b23-bad0-2fedf6d47fc8" data-vars-headline="A blue wave would bury the Mass. GOP deeper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" target="_self">blue wave</a>&quot; of Democratic success at the polls this fall, it won&#x27;t mean much for the leaders who already run Beacon Hill, but it could bury the opposition party even deeper.Why it matters: Republicans currently hold about 15 percent of seats across the House and Senate. It&#x27;s a small but not inconsequential presence that assures at least some open debate and public votes.<ul><li>Republicans have seen their numbers dwindle when Democrats win big.</li></ul>

No, the MBTA is not expanding the Red Line to Lexington

Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem spent $5K on fake MBTA expansion billboards.

MBTA riders in Cambridge, Medford and Somerville will be thrilled to find out the T has plans to extend electrified rapid transit well into the suburbs — but not for long. <ul><li>That&#x27;s because the news is an elaborate April Fools&#x27; Day prank put on by a political candidate.</li></ul>

Coworking can be costly in Boston, but options abound

Coworking companies promise a haven for productivity and community, but it'll cost you.

Coworking companies, large and small, promise a haven for productivity and maybe even community, but it&#x27;ll cost you.The big picture: Boston coworking spaces must balance the cost of doing business in one of the nation&#x27;s costliest real estate markets with members&#x27; tighter budgets.

Housing permits dip while prices remain high, report says

Mass. may see even slower housing construction in the next few years, while prices stay high.

Real Estate

Let&#x27;s start with the good news: Massachusetts has added nearly 98,000 new housing units in the past five years, including 71,000 in Greater Boston.<ul><li>The bad news: Permits for future house construction have dropped, and most renters can&#x27;t afford to buy a home here, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tbf.org/-/media/tbf/reports-and-covers/2025/2025-gr-boston-housing-report-card-final-2025.pdf" data-vars-content-id="059e28db-432e-469d-8406-919460bfa663" data-vars-headline="Housing permits dip while prices remain high, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tbf.org/-/media/tbf/reports-and-covers/2025/2025-gr-boston-housing-report-card-final-2025.pdf" target="_blank">Boston Foundation</a> report.</li></ul>

Where Boston-area SNAP recipients can get free pet food

Food pantries and pet shelters are offering free pet food for SNAP recipients.

Food and Drink

Add pet food to the list of items needed for Massachusetts residents on SNAP.Why it matters: The SNAP disruptions not only put more than 1.1 million Massachusetts residents at risk of going hungry, but also prevent them from feeding their dogs and cats at home.

Dip your toes into art collecting at the Affordable Art Fair

The fair repping 50 galleries from around the world comes to Boston this week for the first time.

Things to Do

For all the Basquiats and Warhols out of reach, an art event coming to Boston promises high-end pieces for a much lower price.The intrigue: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Affordable Art Fair," data-vars-click-url="https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/boston/" data-vars-content-id="0b4b3924-2f84-4625-ae1a-ed8496ca9e0a" data-vars-headline="Dip your toes into art collecting at the Affordable Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/boston/" target="_blank">Affordable Art Fair,</a> which began in 1999 in the UK, connects wannabe collectors to contemporary artists with works ranging from $300 to $10,000.

Mass. Gov. Maura Healey takes on utility bills

Healey wants a line-by-line review. It's up to utility regulators to make that happen this fall.

Climate

No matter what&#x27;s happening in the world, Massachusetts can rely on two constants each fall: unpredictable weather and, in recent years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sky-high energy bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/13/mass-gov-maura-healeys-energy-power-utility-bills-cost" data-vars-content-id="48d8cfc6-5b1f-44b8-b5da-26e0230a1621" data-vars-headline="Mass. Gov. Maura Healey takes on 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/2025/05/13/mass-gov-maura-healeys-energy-power-utility-bills-cost" target="_self">sky-high energy bills</a>.Why it matters: Gov. Maura Healey can&#x27;t control the weather, but she can direct regulators to rein in utility costs — at least, that&#x27;s what she&#x27;s trying to do.

More millionaires in Massachusetts despite new surtax

The "Millionaire's tax" hasn't caused the wealthy to flee.

Money

Massachusetts has seen a 38.6% jump in the number of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millionaire residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/02/07/millionaire-renters-real-estate-housing" data-vars-content-id="c94b3c80-b09d-45a1-8de7-a368ed33464a" data-vars-headline="More millionaires in Massachusetts despite new surtax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/02/07/millionaire-renters-real-estate-housing" target="_self">millionaire residents</a> since voters approved a 4% surtax on high earners in 2022.Why it matters: The uptick in super-wealthy Bay Staters contradicts predictions that rich residents would flee the state for lower-tax areas, like over the state line in income-tax-free New Hampshire.

How much you need to earn to be among Massachusetts' 1%

For those who aspire to be among the most elite earners, Massachusetts sets a high bar.

For those who aspire to be among the most elite earners, Massachusetts sets a high bar.By the numbers: There are only four states (plus D.C.) where you need to earn seven figures to be among the top <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1% of wage earners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/05/americans-income-top-one-percent-states" data-vars-content-id="0caf059a-9554-474b-b110-895668b5d0ff" data-vars-headline="How much you need to earn to be among Massachusetts&#x27; 1%" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/05/americans-income-top-one-percent-states" target="_self">1% of wage earners</a>, and we&#x27;re one of them.

Boston's share of rent-burdened households exceeds U.S. average

An excessive rent burden can make it harder to afford other basic needs.

More than one-quarter of Boston-area renters spend over half of their household income on rents, higher than the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national average" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/12/american-renters-housing-paycheck-spending" data-vars-content-id="14ffebac-819c-4d54-8010-1f9e8bcf93ef" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s share of rent-burdened households exceeds U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/12/american-renters-housing-paycheck-spending" target="_self">national average</a>.Why it matters: An excessive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rent burden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/27/rent-unaffordable-housing-market-apartment-prices-cost" data-vars-content-id="14ffebac-819c-4d54-8010-1f9e8bcf93ef" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s share of rent-burdened households exceeds U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/27/rent-unaffordable-housing-market-apartment-prices-cost" target="_self">rent burden</a> can make it harder to afford other basic needs, like groceries and transportation — or to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="save for a down payment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/22/gen-z-homeownership-rent-prices" data-vars-content-id="14ffebac-819c-4d54-8010-1f9e8bcf93ef" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s share of rent-burdened households exceeds U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/22/gen-z-homeownership-rent-prices" target="_self">save for a down payment</a> that can turn rent checks to a landlord into mortgage payments towards home equity.

Boston professional services freelancers see post-pandemic growth

Boston is among a handful of "upscale brain markets."

Boston&#x27;s freelancers in accounting, legal and other professional services have seen double-digit revenue growth in recent years, despite the upheaval of the pandemic.The big picture: Boston is among a handful of &quot;upscale brain markets&quot; that have attracted highly educated workers freelancing in professional services and, to some extent, tech jobs, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fiverr.com/freelance-impact" data-vars-content-id="69d81f9a-d11d-46ef-b4b8-eb61e5c6b9dc" data-vars-headline="Boston professional services freelancers see post-pandemic growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fiverr.com/freelance-impact" target="_blank">report</a> by the freelance platform Fiverr and the market research firm Illuminas.