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Massachusetts inches toward automated speed cameras

A Senate-backed plan for automated speed cameras is headed to House negotiations.

News

Massachusetts could be on the verge of allowing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automated speed cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/exclusive-dcs-most-lucrative-speed-cameras" data-vars-content-id="e447aba9-f39c-4873-bcef-3be950887e38" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts inches toward automated speed cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/exclusive-dcs-most-lucrative-speed-cameras" target="_self">automated speed cameras</a> on the commonwealth&#x27;s streets for the first time.Why it matters: The shift — after a decade of political gridlock — could reshape how the state polices its deadliest roads.

Mass. passes law limiting ICE. Now comes the backlash

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

Immigration

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>

New England arts orgs lost over $13M in funding in 2025

They reported losses in state funding, individual donations and private-sector grants.

Business

New England arts and culture organizations estimate losing a combined $13.5 million in 2025, the vast majority due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal funding cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/21/arts-funding-cuts-trump-pennsylvania-pa-humanities" data-vars-content-id="62a091a3-e5e3-4fc9-92f3-c34c62aa3723" data-vars-headline="New England arts orgs lost over $13M in funding in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/21/arts-funding-cuts-trump-pennsylvania-pa-humanities" target="_self">federal funding cuts</a>, a new regional survey found.Why it matters: The funding cuts led to 720 job losses across the region, according to employers across 125 organizations.

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Boston to host national rat summit

Mayor Wu says the two-day September gathering will bring researchers and city officials together to swap strategies on urban rodent control.

Boston will host the second-ever <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Urban Rat Summit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/operations-cabinet/2026-national-urban-rat-summit" data-vars-content-id="0975a292-2537-458a-afb9-730535346689" data-vars-headline="Boston to host national rat summit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/operations-cabinet/2026-national-urban-rat-summit" target="_blank">National Urban Rat Summit</a> this fall, according to City Hall.<ul><li>The summit brings municipal officials, researchers and public health experts from across the country to tackle the urban rodent problem.</li></ul>

Microwave fidget toy trend still burning kids

Doctors at Shriners Children's Boston say they're still treating a steady stream of severe burns from a viral trend — and knockoff toys may be raising the risk.

Some of Boston&#x27;s leading burn doctors are seeing steady, serious burn injuries tied to a viral trend of microwaving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gel-filled fidget toys" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/27/iowa-needoh-burn-hot-car" data-vars-content-id="c12ee4b6-7faf-4615-b543-5d9be47453c2" data-vars-headline="Microwave fidget toy trend still burning kids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/27/iowa-needoh-burn-hot-car" target="_self">gel-filled fidget toys</a>.Why it matters: Shriners Children&#x27;s Boston reports treating at least one patient with burns related to microwaving the toys each week over the past six months. <ul><li>They say cases are rising as kids spend more time at home over the summer.</li></ul>

Mass. pig protections threatened by U.S. House bill

A provision tucked into the House farm bill would preempt Massachusetts' voter-approved rules on pork and veal from out-of-state animals — but the Senate hasn't signed on yet.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="farm bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/30/maha-pesticide-surgeon-general-congress" data-vars-content-id="126325f4-dc33-4e44-8948-eb88c3c61578" data-vars-headline="Mass. pig protections threatened by U.S. House bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/30/maha-pesticide-surgeon-general-congress" target="_self">farm bill</a> passed by the Republican-controlled U.S. House could override key Massachusetts farm-animal rules passed by voters.Why it matters: The bill would preempt key provisions governing pork and veal produced outside the state under Massachusetts&#x27; voter-approved farm-animal welfare law, the 2016 Question 3.

House votes to ease Massachusetts' late-term abortion restrictions

The committee clears the way for scrapping the state's four-part test for abortions after 24 weeks.

The Massachusetts House voted to loosen restrictions on abortions later in pregnancy on Wednesday.Why it matters: The bill replaces the state&#x27;s current four-part test for abortions at 24 weeks or later that requires the procedure be necessary to preserve life or health, or tied to a fetal diagnosis.<ul><li>It swaps in broader language allowing an abortion &quot;based upon the professional judgment of the physician.&quot;</li></ul>

Mass. locks in order for nine ballot questions this November

State election officials have assigned numbers 1 through 9 to this fall's ballot questions, covering everything from public records to marijuana sales to gun regulation.

Massachusetts voters will face nine statewide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot questions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/12/17/mass-voters-may-decide-rent-control-tax-cuts-and-election-reforms-on-packed-2026-ballot" data-vars-content-id="f492c94e-e460-4260-ad5f-8657a702ba0a" data-vars-headline="Mass. locks in order for nine ballot questions this November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/12/17/mass-voters-may-decide-rent-control-tax-cuts-and-election-reforms-on-packed-2026-ballot" target="_self">ballot questions</a> this November, and now we know which question number is assigned to each political debate.Why it matters: With nearly ten questions certified, voters will be bombarded by &quot;yes on 4&quot; or &quot;no on 1&quot; messaging this fall. <ul><li>It&#x27;ll be more work than usual to keep it all straight.</li></ul>

What a switch to permanent daylight saving time would mean for Mass.

A federal time-zone law, a stalled Senate bill and New York's economy all stand between Massachusetts and brighter winter evenings.

Switching the commonwealth to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permanent daylight saving time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/daylight-saving-congress-backlash-side-effects" data-vars-content-id="f3193c80-4327-42c3-ad1f-ad620c5f318e" data-vars-headline="What a switch to permanent daylight saving time would mean for Mass." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/daylight-saving-congress-backlash-side-effects" target="_self">permanent daylight saving time</a> is more realistic than ever.Why it matters: Plenty of people in Massachusetts want more winter sunlight, but getting it would mean threading a federal needle, syncing with neighboring states and rewriting the school day.

Boston University signs first PILOT deal in 25 years

BU will pay the city $104.3 million over five years.

Boston University and the City of Boston have struck a five-year agreement that will see BU pay the city over $104 million in cash and benefits over the span of the deal.<ul><li>It&#x27;s the university&#x27;s first written payment commitment in 25 years.</li></ul>

Mass. is worried about AI, but most still use it

Two-thirds of Massachusetts voters are more concerned than excited about AI.

Massachusetts voters say they&#x27;re deeply worried about the impact of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="1678c877-a1df-4868-8419-0d530dc8866c" data-vars-headline="Mass. is worried about AI, but most still use it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">artificial intelligence</a>, even as many regularly use it.Why it matters: 65% say they&#x27;re more concerned about AI&#x27;s dangers than excited about its potential to aid humanity.

A pleasant dip in the Charles River

Hundreds took the plunge Saturday in the Charles River Conservancy's annual sanctioned swim.

I was one of dozens of swimmers who bravely plunged into the Charles River Saturday for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="City Splash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/11/charles-river-boston-swimming-safe-city-splash" data-vars-content-id="d9974ef0-9dc8-4b66-a735-bd24d8777dfa" data-vars-headline="A pleasant dip in the Charles River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/11/charles-river-boston-swimming-safe-city-splash" target="_self">City Splash</a>, the Charles River Conservancy&#x27;s annual swim in the once-polluted river.Why it matters: The event is one of the only sanctioned chances to swim in the Charles. Demand keeps outpacing supply, and registration slots disappear within hours every year.Do you have brain worms now? Not that I know of!<ul><li>The water was totally fine and not really nasty at all.</li><li>It was surprisingly warm and not much of a shock to dive into.</li></ul>One man&#x27;s opinion: It would be amazing to have access to the river for swimming on some of the hot days we&#x27;ve had in Boston this year.Catch up quick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Last July&#x27;s swim was canceled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/charles-river-swim-canceled-city-splash/" data-vars-content-id="d9974ef0-9dc8-4b66-a735-bd24d8777dfa" data-vars-headline="A pleasant dip in the Charles River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/charles-river-swim-canceled-city-splash/" target="_blank">Last July&#x27;s swim was canceled</a> when heavy rain drove E. coli levels above safe thresholds.<ul><li>The Charles&#x27; reputation as one of the cleaner urban rivers still hinges on the weather.</li><li>But at least we know officials take bacteria testing seriously enough to cancel events for safety concerns.</li></ul>State of play: This year&#x27;s swim, the eighth, drew a full house at Fiedler Dock, plus an expanded vendor setup with crafts and food trucks.Between the lines: The swimmers&#x27; optimism comes along with a fight over the river&#x27;s future.<ul><li>The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has proposed reclassifying the Charles to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="formally permit discharges of stormwater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2025/11/04/charles-river-e-coli-massachusetts-water-resources-authority-sewage-overflow-fredericks-hewett" data-vars-content-id="d9974ef0-9dc8-4b66-a735-bd24d8777dfa" data-vars-headline="A pleasant dip in the Charles River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2025/11/04/charles-river-e-coli-massachusetts-water-resources-authority-sewage-overflow-fredericks-hewett" target="_blank">formally permit discharges of stormwater</a> mixed with sewage. </li><li>Advocates, including the Charles River Watershed Association, argue that only adds pollution rather than fixing it.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Conservancy officials are pushing for expanded, longer-term swimming access.<ul><li>The MWRA&#x27;s board is weighing what to do with the sewage discharges.</li></ul><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Last year we asked if you&#x27;d swim in the Charles." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/14/our-readers-weigh-in-would-you-swim-in-the-charles-river" data-vars-content-id="d9974ef0-9dc8-4b66-a735-bd24d8777dfa" data-vars-headline="A pleasant dip in the Charles River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/14/our-readers-weigh-in-would-you-swim-in-the-charles-river" target="_self">Last year we asked if you&#x27;d swim in the Charles.</a> What do you say now? Email boston@axios.com to let us know.

News 🗞

Massachusetts inches toward automated speed cameras

BTMU: Another Davis escalator incident

Boston to host national rat summit

Microwave fidget toy trend still burning kids

Mass. pig protections threatened by U.S. House bill