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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.

10 Boston etiquette tips for new students and transplants

The stereotype that people are kind, not nice, bears some truth but is often misunderstood.

Culture

Steph here, with some advice for all the college students and transplants moving in this month.The intrigue: The stereotype that people here are kind, not nice, bears some truth but is often misunderstood.

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.

How local restaurant owners redirect surplus food across Boston

Boston-area Chick-fil-A restaurants have helped turn surplus food into more than 330,000 meals.

Partners

A record 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity in 2025, with more than half of those households turning to food charities for support.<ul><li>That rate has more than doubled since 2019, increasing pressure on community organizations to help fill the gap.</li></ul>The story: Hunger is a year-round challenge that requires sustained support — but locally owned businesses can play a practical role in strengthening that network.

Affordability meets opportunity in Greenville-Pitt County, NC

Build a life sciences career in NC without sacrificing quality of life

Expensive metropolitan hubs like Boston aren&#x27;t the only cities offering meaningful career growth for professionals in high-demand fields like life sciences and health care.What you need to know: Greenville-Pitt County in North Carolina is home to a growing life sciences and health care ecosystem.<ul><li>Residents, many of them transplants from cities like Boston, enjoy well-paying career opportunities and a welcoming place to put down roots.</li></ul>

A founding-era university for America's next builders

William & Mary helped shape America's past — and continues preparing its future leaders.

As America reflects on its 250th anniversary, the milestone has special resonance in Boston, where revolutionary history is part of daily life.<ul><li>But the moment is more than a commemoration of the past. It&#x27;s a chance to ask what kind of nation we hope to become — and who will help build it.</li></ul>The story: Before a new nation took shape in cities like Boston, William &amp; Mary, the Alma Mater of the Nation, was helping prepare the builders who would carry America&#x27;s founding ideas forward.<ul><li>That gives the university a singular place in America&#x27;s founding story. Its history provides credibility, but its mission remains focused on tomorrow.</li></ul>

Biotech's next leap is AI-driven, and Greater Seattle is ready

Seattle combines top research institutions and AI infrastructure to reduce the time from discovery to viable therapies.

AI and advanced computing are increasingly driving breakthroughs in life sciences, and Greater Seattle is accelerating that shift.Why it&#x27;s important: Regions that integrate scientific research with advanced software infrastructure can bring therapies closer to clinical use more quickly.

How to get the most out of spring in Boston

Outdoor projects are moving to the top of Boston's to-do lists — and Lowe's spring deals events help maximize the budget.

The first warm stretch of spring in Boston means it&#x27;s finally time to bring those outdoor spaces back to life after a long winter.<ul><li>Homeowners are refreshing flower beds, re-mulching, cleaning up yards and getting patios ready for the season.</li></ul>Why it&#x27;s important: Outdoor spaces can transform how you live and how you feel, from small refreshes to full backyard makeovers.

The next must-have leadership skills are uniquely human

Babson  College Professional & Executive Education is preparing those leaders with new programs that combine data-driven strategy with empathy, creativity and resilience — uniquely human skills essential for navigating today's evolving workplace.

Education

AI and automation are changing the way people work — and what it takes to lead.<ul><li>As technology reshapes industries, leaders who combine analytical thinking with emotional intelligence will rise to the top.</li></ul>Babson College Professional &amp; Executive Education is preparing those leaders with new programs that combine data-driven strategy with empathy, creativity and resilience — uniquely human skills essential for navigating today&#x27;s evolving workplace.

Fighting Hunger with care in Boston

Chick-fil-A turns surplus ingredients into new meals for neighbors in need in your city.

Chick-fil-A&#x27;s mission goes far beyond the drive-thru, and has real impact in every community the restaurant calls home.<ul><li>Locally owned and operated restaurants invest in people by mentoring team members, supporting schools and nonprofits and building connections that last.</li><li>They also encourage team members to pursue growth by developing leadership skills and applying for Chick-fil-A scholarships.</li></ul>

Boys & Girls Clubs and Thermo Fisher Scientific fuel the future of STEM

Next-generation STEM leaders are made at Boston's Boys & Girls Clubs.

Every student has the potential to become an innovator in STEM.The challenge: As the demand for STEM talent grows remarkably in the United States, access to high-quality STEM education lags.<ul><li>Industry and STEM leaders foresee a skills crisis in the labor market, according to the National Science Foundation.</li><li>This presents a risk to society&#x27;s ability to keep up with technological advances and address crucial global challenges.</li></ul>