Boston

blue

Axios Boston Partners

Axios Boston

Standard

Boston Alerts

Alert

Axios Boston Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Boston Members

Membership

RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin'. Mass. residents threatened revolts

RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin's sugary coffee drinks. Massachusetts residents blew up.

Business

The United States&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="c892d6ba-a617-43da-98dc-fc962d4a2d41" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin&#x27;. Mass. residents threatened revolts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th anniversary</a> may be remembered as the year a Kennedy declared war on Massachusetts.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dunkin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/25/dunkin-boston-iced-coffee-mitten-bucket" data-vars-content-id="c892d6ba-a617-43da-98dc-fc962d4a2d41" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr. took aim at Dunkin&#x27;. Mass. residents threatened revolts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/25/dunkin-boston-iced-coffee-mitten-bucket" target="_self">Dunkin</a>&#x27;, the Bay State&#x27;s beloved coffee chain, is the Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy&#x27;s latest target.

Take the Axios Boston news quiz!

Things to Do

Think you&#x27;re up to speed on the week&#x27;s news? Take our quiz to prove it!

What a Jayson Tatum comeback could mean for the Celtics

It appears increasingly likely he'll be back for the Celts' postseason push.

Sports

The Celtics look like a contender as the NBA playoffs near, but speculation is rampant about a player who has yet to lace up: six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum.Why it matters: Many thought Tatum would miss this entire season after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tearing his Achilles tendon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nba.com/news/celtics-jayson-tatum-surgery-ruptured-right-achilles" data-vars-content-id="2945b821-e4d2-424d-bd76-bba2a62d5be5" data-vars-headline="What a Jayson Tatum comeback could mean for the Celtics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nba.com/news/celtics-jayson-tatum-surgery-ruptured-right-achilles" target="_blank">tearing his Achilles tendon</a> in the playoffs last May. Instead, it appears increasingly likely he&#x27;ll be back for the Celts&#x27; 2026 postseason push.<ul><li>Meanwhile, the team has flourished in his absence, led by fellow superstar Jaylen Brown, who&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a contender for league MVP" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7081712/2026/03/03/nba-mvp-odds-sga-jokic-wemby/" data-vars-content-id="2945b821-e4d2-424d-bd76-bba2a62d5be5" data-vars-headline="What a Jayson Tatum comeback could mean for the Celtics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7081712/2026/03/03/nba-mvp-odds-sga-jokic-wemby/" target="_blank">a contender for league MVP</a>.</li></ul>

Mass. medical cannabis patients ask lawmakers to consider "universal" access

Patients and advocates want lawmakers to let them get medical cannabis at any dispensary.

As Massachusetts lawmakers negotiate an overhaul of the cannabis industry, some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical patients" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/29/massachusetts-medical-cannabis-parks-dcr" data-vars-content-id="3f9e3b03-a23e-4d77-a68b-6c59311471b3" data-vars-headline="Mass. medical cannabis patients ask lawmakers to consider &quot;universal&quot; access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/29/massachusetts-medical-cannabis-parks-dcr" target="_self">medical patients</a> are urging an option no state has undertaken — letting any dispensary sell medical cannabis. Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to 79,000 medical cannabis patients, and some of the most vocal ones say their access to tax-free cannabis is diminishing as more medical facilities close.

Boston's biggest concerts this spring and summer

Boston is packed with concerts this spring and summer despite Boston Calling's hiatus.

Some of the world&#x27;s biggest acts are coming to Boston this spring and summer.The intrigue: Boston is drawing stars like R&amp;B singer Ari Lennox to jam band Phish, even as Boston Calling takes a hiatus in 2026.

BoriCorridor brings Puerto Rican arts to Boston

BoriCorridor returns with a rallying cry for Puerto Ricans in Massachusetts: Don't let go.

Culture

Puerto Rican arts series BoriCorridor returns to Boston this year with a rallying cry: &quot;No sueltes la bandera&quot; — Spanish for &quot;Don&#x27;t let go of the flag.&quot;Why it matters: It&#x27;s not only a lyric in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bad Bunny&#x27;s song" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvfDaZ4ZT80&amp;list=RDuvfDaZ4ZT80&amp;start_radio=1" data-vars-content-id="2437e2cc-4f49-4048-a64e-89e536e97a9c" data-vars-headline="BoriCorridor brings Puerto Rican arts to Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvfDaZ4ZT80&amp;list=RDuvfDaZ4ZT80&amp;start_radio=1" target="_blank">Bad Bunny&#x27;s song</a> about Puerto Rican displacement, but a call to action to keep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Puerto Rico&#x27;s spirit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/05/bad-bunny-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="2437e2cc-4f49-4048-a64e-89e536e97a9c" data-vars-headline="BoriCorridor brings Puerto Rican arts to Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/05/bad-bunny-massachusetts" target="_self">Puerto Rico&#x27;s spirit</a> alive.<ul><li>It comes amid struggles with American imperialism and gentrification — even more than 1,600 miles away in Massachusetts.</li></ul>

Lobster roll lover Dua Lipa double dips at Boston North End hot spots

The pop star covered, and ate, Boston's best.

Music

Pop superstar Dua Lipa enjoyed some of the North End&#x27;s finest eats and paid homage to Boston with some Hub-specific cover songs during her &quot;Radical Optimism Tour&quot; stop at TD Garden last week.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lipa covered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/09/pop-stars-cover-of-disco-icons-hit-gives-fans-at-boston-show-goosebumps.html" data-vars-content-id="934c607e-ae47-4334-a384-b175a72ad494" data-vars-headline="Lobster roll lover Dua Lipa double dips at Boston North End hot spots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/09/pop-stars-cover-of-disco-icons-hit-gives-fans-at-boston-show-goosebumps.html" target="_blank">Lipa covered</a> Aerosmith&#x27;s &quot;I Don&#x27;t Want to Miss a Thing&quot; on Monday and followed that up with Dorchester native Donna Summer&#x27;s &quot;Bad Girls&quot; the next night.

Allston-Brighton festival puts arts (and rats) in the spotlight

One part arts fest, one part rat education initiative

Just like the armies of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rodents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/12/04/rats-with-cars-research" data-vars-content-id="cf264446-3b55-4493-8bfe-dd85bdaa7d76" data-vars-headline="Allston-Brighton festival puts arts (and rats) in the spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/12/04/rats-with-cars-research" target="_self">rodents</a> that rule Boston&#x27;s neighborhoods, the annual Rat City Arts Festival is back, bigger and better each year.Why it matters: More than 800 people will attend. In its fourth year, the Allston-Brighton-based fest will see significant upgrades and relocate to the Charles River Speedway.

Boston R&B legends New Edition get an official day

The 1980s boy band that gave us Bobby Brown and Bel Biv Devoe will be honored Aug. 30

Aug. 30 will be New Edition Day in Boston, honoring the homegrown R&amp;B group on the 42nd anniversary of its founding.

Boston Calling: New England's biggest music festival is back

New England's biggest music festival is back with Fall Out Boy, Dave Matthews and more.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Calling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/08/your-boston-summer-concert-guide" data-vars-content-id="8c45a831-2f5a-4581-8265-620153ec9e5b" data-vars-headline="Boston Calling: New England&#x27;s biggest music festival is back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/08/your-boston-summer-concert-guide" target="_self">Boston Calling</a> is back, and for the 2025 edition, New England&#x27;s biggest music festival is going big on nostalgic rock acts from the &#x27;90s and 2000s.

Your Boston summer concert guide

Greater Boston music fans will have plenty to pick from this year as major touring artists and some big festivals come to the area.Why it matters: There&#x27;s something for everyone, from aging classic rock acts to up-and-coming artists.

Boston's only dueling piano bar shuts down

It's the latest venue to have rebounded after a long pandemic closure — only to close for good.

D&#x27;s Keys, the dueling piano bar that brought life to the edge of the Seaport, has reached its final act.<ul><li>And like the old days, you can&#x27;t get a reservation.</li></ul>

With new piano lab, East Boston students straddle two worlds

A Boston school has drawn students to Beethoven, Vivaldi — and superstar Juan Gabriel.

News

An East Boston school has drawn students to Beethoven, Vivaldi — and the likes of Mexican superstar Juan Gabriel.<ul><li>A new piano lab aims to give a boost to the majority-Latino school&#x27;s bicultural music program.</li></ul>

Boston's party for morning people: The 9am Banger comes to Big Night Live

A New York-based events company wants to get the party started early.

One of the biggest parties of the spring kicks off just in time for breakfast.<ul><li>&quot;The 9AM Banger,&quot; a phenomenon that started in New York City nearly a decade ago, is coming to Boston later this month.</li></ul>