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Boston Children's Hospital tops U.S. News rankings in 7 specialties

The survey included 40,000 pediatric specialists and 100 hospitals.

Health

Boston Children&#x27;s Hospital topped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026-27 U.S. News&#x27; 2026-27 rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="56f49179-3444-43c5-b27e-ce40b83d425d" data-vars-headline="Boston Children&#x27;s Hospital tops U.S. News rankings in 7 specialties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">2026-27 U.S. News&#x27; 2026-27 rankings</a> for several pediatrics specialties in its best children&#x27;s hospitals list.Why it matters: Boston is considered one of the nation&#x27;s top health care hubs, despite recent federal funding cuts and other economic hurdles.

Fluff Festival turns 21 with music, vendors and road closures

Somerville's sticky-sweet tradition returns Saturday with live music, 100+ vendors, games and a full slate of Union Square road closures to plan around.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s a special year for Somerville&#x27;s &quot;What the Fluff?&quot; Festival as it returns to Union Square on Saturday.Why it matters: If the annual celebration of the marshmallow topping were a person, the 21-year-old festival could legally drink.<ul><li>It&#x27;s this Saturday from 1-5pm.</li></ul>

Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE's 2027 free speech rankings

Clark University leads the state, Northeastern scores lowest, and Harvard posted the region's biggest jump in this year's FIRE report.

Education

American colleges are largely failing to create a healthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" target="_self">free speech</a> climate on campus, according to a new national ranking.Why it matters: Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" target="_self">political pressure</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" 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</a> administration and efforts by some universities to change policies in response.

Eastie cowboy bar, Lao pop-up and more Boston restaurant news

After a months-long wait, The Spur Cowboy Bar in Maverick Square is preparing to open.

Food and Drink

Darling, a Chinese-inspired cocktail bar in Cambridge, hosts Green Zone, a Middle Eastern cocktail bar in Washington, D.C., for Boston Rum Week.<ul><li>Darling will pair Green Zone&#x27;s drinks with the &quot;Filet O Fish&quot; bao, Hunanese pork ribs and other dishes. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reservations encouraged" data-vars-click-url="https://resy.com/cities/cambridge-ma/venues/darling-ma?seats=2&amp;date=2026-09-13" data-vars-content-id="1dec6989-538f-4658-a6f9-4a4a1d58e07f" data-vars-headline="Eastie cowboy bar, Lao pop-up and more Boston restaurant news" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://resy.com/cities/cambridge-ma/venues/darling-ma?seats=2&amp;date=2026-09-13" target="_blank">Reservations encouraged</a>.</li></ul>

Trahan's unlikely path to AI power

Westford Rep. Lori Trahan lacks the formal AI credentials some colleagues hold — but she's become one of Congress' most consequential voices on regulating the technology.

News

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Westford U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan is at the center of what&#x27;s becoming the most consequential debate Congress has taken on in decades.<ul><li>Trahan is one of the top House Democrats shaping how Washington <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regulates the companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/lawmakers-regulate-ai-without-using-it" data-vars-content-id="e3de616a-d6ef-4b02-a071-2c171a7de026" data-vars-headline="Trahan&#x27;s unlikely path to AI power" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/lawmakers-regulate-ai-without-using-it" target="_self">regulates the companies</a> building the world&#x27;s most powerful AI systems.</li></ul>Why it matters: It&#x27;s a role she built through committee work, connections and a bipartisan partnership, even though she&#x27;s not a member of Congress&#x27; official AI task force.

Runners carry US flags from Boston to NYC on 9/11 anniversary

Relay for America wants to "reclaim" the route that two planes took the morning of the attacks.

Relay for America runners are taking pair of American flags from Boston to New York City.The big picture: The organization wants to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;reclaim&quot; the 227-mile route" data-vars-click-url="https://relayforamerica.org/" data-vars-content-id="b947ff8d-1f05-47ff-9dfc-952cce712bcc" data-vars-headline="Runners carry US flags from Boston to NYC on 9/11 anniversary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://relayforamerica.org/" target="_blank">&quot;reclaim&quot; the 227-mile route</a> that two planes ultimately took the morning of the World Trade Center terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.<ul><li>It&#x27;s been 25 years since the attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, including 206 from Massachusetts.</li></ul>

Take the Axios Boston news quiz

Think you're up to speed on the week's news? Take our quiz to prove it.

Think you&#x27;re up to speed on the week&#x27;s news? <ul><li>Take our quiz to prove it.</li></ul>

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.

Kori bustard hatches at Franklin Park Zoo

The kori bustard is considered "near threatened," meaning it will likely become endangered.

Say hello to Boston&#x27;s 5-week-old kori bustard chick. The intrigue: It&#x27;s the first kori bustard chick to hatch at Franklin Park Zoo in 23 years.

Scoop: Roxbury's Madrugada, a celeb go-to, eyes South End storefront

An upcoming South End boutique grew out of a Roxbury shed. Now it's a go-to for stars.

Business

Madrugada, a beloved Roxbury-born clothing brand, is returning with a permanent brick-and-mortar.Why it matters: What began as a homegrown side hustle sold out of a backyard shed may soon become the South End&#x27;s newest upscale boutique.

Worcester's millennials are now mostly homeowners

New data shows 55% of Worcester's millennials now own homes, while Boston's generation remains majority renters despite a homebuying surge.

Now that they&#x27;re in their 40s, Massachusetts millennials are becoming homeowners — not in Boston, but in Worcester.Why it matters: Greater Boston&#x27;s affordability crunch drives the news and grinds the gears of anyone saving for a down payment inside 495, but in Worcester, Gen Y has already crossed into the ownership majority.

Texas chain behind Morton's, Bubba Gump looks to buy Oyster House

The hospitality giant behind Morton's and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. wants Boston's oldest restaurant.

Boston&#x27;s Licensing Board will weigh a sale of Union Oyster House, the 200-year-old Union Street institution.<ul><li>The buyer: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Houston-based hospitality company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/texan-restaurant-chain-operator-angling-buy-union-oyster-house" data-vars-content-id="3670926f-9951-4c67-9445-3562612f0c48" data-vars-headline="Texas chain behind Morton&#x27;s, Bubba Gump looks to buy Oyster House" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/texan-restaurant-chain-operator-angling-buy-union-oyster-house" target="_blank">the Houston-based hospitality company</a> that owns Chart House, McCormick &amp; Schmick&#x27;s, Morton&#x27;s and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</li></ul>

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>

Sheriff's trial could be a headache for leading Boston Dems

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins could lose his $191,000 job, pension and freedom.

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins heads to federal court Monday to face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extortion charges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/27/steven-tompkins-medical-leave-indicted-extortion" data-vars-content-id="10b46797-0ad3-4210-a7e4-02ea39db6ab1" data-vars-headline="Sheriff&#x27;s trial could be a headache for leading Boston Dems" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/27/steven-tompkins-medical-leave-indicted-extortion" target="_self">extortion charges</a> that could end his 13-year tenure and land him in prison.Why it matters: A conviction would cost the powerful Democratic insider his $191,000 annual salary and his ample pension.

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.

News 🗞

Trahan's unlikely path to AI power

Runners carry US flags from Boston to NYC on 9/11 anniversary

Take the Axios Boston news quiz

Boston renters are paying higher rents for smaller units

Kori bustard hatches at Franklin Park Zoo