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No, the MBTA is not expanding the Red Line to Lexington

Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem spent $5K on fake MBTA expansion billboards.

Politics

MBTA riders in Cambridge, Medford and Somerville will be thrilled to find out the T has plans to extend electrified rapid transit well into the suburbs — but not for long. <ul><li>That&#x27;s because the news is an elaborate April Fools&#x27; Day prank put on by a political candidate.</li></ul>

Boston's World Cup organizers acknowledge fundraising woes

Boston trails behind other cities in corporate sponsorships and grant funding.

Business

Boston&#x27;s World Cup organizers anticipate a smaller series of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fan celebrations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/10/world-cup-fanfest-boston-city-hall-plaza-2026" data-vars-content-id="9fa65038-9870-4648-9653-161028849f7b" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s World Cup organizers acknowledge fundraising woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/10/world-cup-fanfest-boston-city-hall-plaza-2026" target="_self">fan celebrations</a> this summer than they originally envisioned.Why it matters: They promised an international tournament that would boost Greater Boston&#x27;s economy, but so far, FIFA has been the biggest winner.

A blue wave would bury the Mass. GOP deeper

A blue wave won't shake up Beacon Hill, but it could leave Massachusetts Republicans with even less leverage.

If there&#x27;s a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blue wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" data-vars-content-id="ce5dbc4f-fe5b-4b23-bad0-2fedf6d47fc8" data-vars-headline="A blue wave would bury the Mass. GOP deeper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" target="_self">blue wave</a>&quot; of Democratic success at the polls this fall, it won&#x27;t mean much for the leaders who already run Beacon Hill, but it could bury the opposition party even deeper.Why it matters: Republicans currently hold about 15 percent of seats across the House and Senate. It&#x27;s a small but not inconsequential presence that assures at least some open debate and public votes.<ul><li>Republicans have seen their numbers dwindle when Democrats win big.</li></ul>

We tried Dunkin's new banana lineup so you don't have to

Here is how the new cold foam treats actually taste.

News

Dunkin&#x27; has a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="banana-based lineup" data-vars-click-url="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog/banana-lineup-2026" data-vars-content-id="fc19061a-d87f-43f5-a989-5ea6c5193467" data-vars-headline="We tried Dunkin&#x27;s new banana lineup so you don&#x27;t have to" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog/banana-lineup-2026" target="_blank">banana-based lineup</a> for Spring 2026 and as a diehard banana Stan, I tried out some oft he new flavors on tap.What I&#x27;m saying: &quot;Wow, that is not what a banana tastes like,&quot; I blurted out to the dog, who has never had a banana and did not dispute my claim.

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

Coworking can be costly in Boston, but options abound

Expect more office mandates and "microshifting" in 2026

Exclusive: Massachusetts mothers create mobile accessible bathroom

Massachusetts baby names: Liam and Olivia top the list

Massachusetts child care has a workforce problem