Boston

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Boston with Mike Deehan and Steph Solis.

Axios Boston

Standard

Axios Boston Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Boston Alerts

Alert

Axios Boston Partners

Boston Members

Membership

The Mass. primary down-ballot races that matter most

DA races and Wu-backed Senate challenges are quietly deciding who holds real power in Massachusetts.

Politics

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.While political news in Massachusetts this cycle has centered on marquee races like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic U.S. Senate primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/08/markey-moulton-debate-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="6a679057-9069-4761-8ffd-e5dd82bd9cee" data-vars-headline="The Mass. primary down-ballot races that matter most" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/08/markey-moulton-debate-massachusetts" target="_self">Democratic U.S. Senate primary</a>, some of the contests getting the least attention will do the most to shape how power is wielded in Massachusetts.Why it matters: Three things are happening: DA races are testing prosecutorial power, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is pushing for more clout in the state Senate and disputes over how the Legislature actually operates are dominating down-ballot races.

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.

Where Trump's tariffs hit Massachusetts the hardest

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

Money

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.

Lynch survives Roath's primary challenge

The 71-year-old incumbent outlasted a heavily funded challenger who attacked his record on health care and immigration.

South Boston Rep. Stephen Lynch turned back a stiff primary challenge from attorney Patrick Roath on Tuesday, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/massachusetts-primary-results/" data-vars-content-id="04f127e7-4151-4ada-9c79-30a2ad3672a0" data-vars-headline="Lynch survives Roath&#x27;s primary challenge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/massachusetts-primary-results/" target="_blank">the Associated Press</a>.Why it matters: Lynch&#x27;s win, in the Boston and South Shore-based district he&#x27;s held since 2001, shows voters preferred experience and familiarity over new blood.

El Gran Combo to headline Boston Embrace Massó Festival

It will be the Puerto Rican band's first outdoor show in Boston in decades.

Music

Downtown Boston is about to get a lesson from &quot;The University of Salsa.&quot;<ul><li>El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico will headline the Embrace Massó ¡Con Salsa! Ritmo y Sonido Block Party next month.</li></ul>

Remembering Daddy's Junky Music

Nearly 15 years after its closure, Boston musicians are flocking to Reddit to share fond memories of the beloved Daddy's Junky Music store.

Daddy&#x27;s Junky Music has been gone for nearly 15 years.<ul><li>Boston musicians have been trading memories of Daddy&#x27;s, the discount instrument chain that once anchored Massachusetts Avenue near Berklee&#x27;s campus.</li></ul>Why it matters: For decades, the Boston shop was a rite of passage for students, working musicians and wannabe guitar gods pining over a shiny new-to-you Strat or Les Paul.

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>

Boston's biggest concerts this spring and summer

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

Things to Do

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.

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.

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.