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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.

News

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.

What to know as Lindsay Clancy trial ramps up

Lindsay Clancy is accused of murdering her three children in January 2023.

Public Safety

Jurors this week are reviewing graphic details about the killings of three Duxbury children at the hands of their mother, Lindsay Clancy, and deciding whether to convict her of murder.The big picture: The high-profile trial is revealing common, but often unspoken, flaws in the health care sector&#x27;s treatment of postpartum mothers.<ul><li>The key question: whether Clancy intentionally strangled her children on Jan. 24, 2023, or acted uncontrollably under psychosis.</li></ul>

Healey's three 2026 vulnerabilities

Housing costs, sky-high utility bills and residents fleeing the state are testing Healey — but she remains heavily favored to win a second term.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Maura Healey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/15/healey-ice-maine-texas-shooting-massachusetts-governor-race-minogue-shortsleeve" data-vars-content-id="67f6a5f6-8ceb-4882-ac62-389c637ec0cf" data-vars-headline="Healey&#x27;s three 2026 vulnerabilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/15/healey-ice-maine-texas-shooting-massachusetts-governor-race-minogue-shortsleeve" target="_self">Gov. Maura Healey</a> faces three important fault lines heading into Election Day. Why it matters: Even if the political math heavily favors her, voters still need to evaluate her first term before giving her a second.<ul><li>Polls tell us voter frustration is concentrated in three areas: housing, cost of living and out-migration.</li></ul>

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>

Letter calls on Boston-area companies to better support parents

Two nonprofits asked companies to offer flexible hours and support for working parents.

Business

It started with an open letter circulating around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mother&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/momflation-is-changing-how-we-celebrate-mothers-day" data-vars-content-id="fb43d797-3b38-4de5-95ad-b9ab5bcd46b5" data-vars-headline="Letter calls on Boston-area companies to better support parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/momflation-is-changing-how-we-celebrate-mothers-day" target="_self">Mother&#x27;s Day</a>.<ul><li>&quot;Let&#x27;s move beyond flowers and brunch and towards responsibility and action&quot; to support working mothers, states the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="letter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tfaforms.com/5221462" data-vars-content-id="fb43d797-3b38-4de5-95ad-b9ab5bcd46b5" data-vars-headline="Letter calls on Boston-area companies to better support parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tfaforms.com/5221462" target="_blank">letter</a>, published by YW Boston and Listen to Your Mothers. </li></ul>

Healey proposes restricting social media access for teens under 16

The bill would limit use of a social media app to two hours a day and block pings during school.

Gov. Maura Healey unveiled her own proposal to limit social media use among teens under age 16.Why it matters: That makes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three major competing bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/08/massachusetts-house-senate-cellphone-ban-social-media-youth-children-schools-healey-bill" data-vars-content-id="32b7e7e0-7a5b-438f-bdeb-c331599090ed" data-vars-headline="Healey proposes restricting social media access for teens under 16" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/08/massachusetts-house-senate-cellphone-ban-social-media-youth-children-schools-healey-bill" target="_self">three major competing bills</a> reining in youth social media use on Beacon Hill, with just over three months to hash out a compromise.

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.

Expect more office mandates and "microshifting" in 2026

Employers may expect a traditional full-time workplace but life entering 2026 is anything but.

The increased pressure to bring people back to the office four or more days a week is prompting employees to get creative about their schedules.Why it matters: Employers may envision a traditional full-time workplace with their latest mandates, but their employees&#x27; schedules entering 2026 are anything but, per Boston-based Owl Labs&#x27; 2025 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of Hybrid Work report" data-vars-click-url="https://owllabs.com/state-of-hybrid-work/2025" data-vars-content-id="fecd62d7-688a-4653-a35b-ef72d91d8b65" data-vars-headline="Expect more office mandates and &quot;microshifting&quot; in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://owllabs.com/state-of-hybrid-work/2025" target="_blank">State of Hybrid Work report</a>.

Exclusive: Massachusetts mothers create mobile accessible bathroom

The creators want the Lynnebago trailer to transform public life for people with disabilities.

A pair of North Shore advocates are building a bathroom on wheels in hopes of making festivals, meetups and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other public activities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/09/18/lynn-ferry-budget-dinner-cruise" data-vars-content-id="35066533-5200-46fb-be08-0780ad96dd6b" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Massachusetts mothers create mobile accessible bathroom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/09/18/lynn-ferry-budget-dinner-cruise" target="_self">other public activities</a> accessible to people with disabilities. Why it matters: Events of all kinds — from concerts to Pride festivals — shut out countless people with disabilities and others because they fail to offer bathrooms that truly fit their needs.

Massachusetts child care has a workforce problem

Massachusetts has revamped its child care systems, but workers continue to struggle.

Child care workers in Massachusetts continue to struggle despite the state&#x27;s reforms in recent years, with many working multiple jobs to make ends meet or leaving the industry altogether, per a new report. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wide-ranging reforms" data-vars-click-url="https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/mass-takes-major-step-toward-child-care-reform/" data-vars-content-id="900529e7-56f6-42dc-9b67-418a8b7483dd" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts child care has a workforce problem" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/mass-takes-major-step-toward-child-care-reform/" target="_blank">wide-ranging reforms</a> to Massachusetts child care will go only so far without enough workers to watch over the children.

Why Massachusetts is suing TikTok

TikTok has faced scrutiny over whether its algorithm causes adverse mental health effects.

Massachusetts is the latest state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suing TikTok" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/05/state-lawsuits-social-media-children-harm-addiction" data-vars-content-id="bcdf3209-702e-40c5-9b1f-a1a656b5d9f1" data-vars-headline="Why Massachusetts is suing TikTok" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/05/state-lawsuits-social-media-children-harm-addiction" target="_self">suing TikTok</a> claiming the company designed its app to keep underage users addicted to the content.Why it matters: TikTok has faced scrutiny in recent years over whether its algorithm is causing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adverse mental health effects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/22/tiktok-youtube-kids-scroll-time-data" data-vars-content-id="bcdf3209-702e-40c5-9b1f-a1a656b5d9f1" data-vars-headline="Why Massachusetts is suing TikTok" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/22/tiktok-youtube-kids-scroll-time-data" target="_self">adverse mental health effects</a> in teenagers.

Massachusetts poised to expand laws defining parentage, bolstering LGBTQ+ family rights

Massachusetts would be the last New England state to update its parentage laws.

Massachusetts is on track become the latest state to update parental laws to bolster <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="protections for LGBTQ+ parents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/05/14/massachusetts-parenthood-laws" data-vars-content-id="35466466-09c7-4c9f-b469-312a4dbfa135" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts poised to expand laws defining parentage, bolstering LGBTQ+ family rights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/05/14/massachusetts-parenthood-laws" target="_self">protections for LGBTQ+ parents</a>.Why it matters: Queer couples have faced legal challenges and hurdles raising their children even in the two decades since winning the right to marry.

Parenting

What to know as Lindsay Clancy trial ramps up

Letter calls on Boston-area companies to better support parents

Healey proposes restricting social media access for teens under 16

Coworking can be costly in Boston, but options abound

Expect more office mandates and "microshifting" in 2026