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CIC, C10 Labs launch an AI hub in Kendall Square

C10 Labs and CIC want to make Kendall Square a global AI hub.

Business

Where Greater Boston residents face highest housing cost burden

Nearly half of Boston residents spend more than 30% of income on housing.

News

Feds bust upscale brothels in Watertown, Cambridge

Watertown and Cambridge apartments allegedly hosted high-end clients.

Where to have a cozy fireside dinner in Boston

There's nothing quite as romantic as a fireside dinner.

Things to Do

John Walsh, 'godfather' of modern grassroots campaigns, dies at 65

Walsh died in hospice care Monday at age 65.

Politics

Politicians across Massachusetts are mourning the loss of John Walsh, the political adviser behind former Gov. Deval Patrick’s unprecedented victory in 2006.Why it matters: Walsh’s grassroots campaigning playbook for sending Patrick to Beacon Hill — the same strategies he used on Sen. Ed Markey’s reelection campaign in the 2020 Democratic primary — became a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="model" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/massachusetts-governor-obama-share-playbook-1632819.php" data-vars-content-id="0e4ba42b-079a-4dc8-aa03-93a47156624f" data-vars-headline="John Walsh, &#x27;godfather&#x27; of modern grassroots campaigns, dies at 65" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/massachusetts-governor-obama-share-playbook-1632819.php" target="_blank">model</a> Barack Obama built upon to win the presidency in 2008.

Then-Mass. Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh speaks during a party to celebrate Ed Markey's U.S Senate special election victory at the Park Plaza Hotel in  2013.

Migrant families left hanging as spending bill stalls in State House

Top Democrats failed to reach a deal on $2.8 billion supplemental bill.

Waitlisted homeless families trying to escape the cold. Farmers with crops destroyed by this summer&#x27;s torrential rains. State employees awaiting raises as the cost of living surges.<ul><li>These are the people left hanging after top Democrats failed to reach a deal Wednesday night on a state budget bill.</li></ul>

Illustration of the Massachusetts State House with lines radiating from it. 

As Massachusetts grapples with homeless crisis, ID access remains unequal, advocates say

Improved access to state-issued IDs can reduce barriers to safety net services, advocates say.

Despite recent reforms to the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driver&#x27;s license law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/10/14/massachusetts-drivers-license-ballot-question" data-vars-content-id="1a653ae9-98ba-4976-be8e-90888b6cbac2" data-vars-headline="As Massachusetts grapples with homeless crisis, ID access remains unequal, advocates say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/10/14/massachusetts-drivers-license-ballot-question" target="_self">driver&#x27;s license law</a>, some homeless residents say the IDs — often their key to safety net services and other necessities — remain out of reach.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s homelessness crisis shows no signs of abating with the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" emergency family shelter system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/11/09/emergency-family-shelter-cap-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="1a653ae9-98ba-4976-be8e-90888b6cbac2" data-vars-headline="As Massachusetts grapples with homeless crisis, ID access remains unequal, advocates say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/11/09/emergency-family-shelter-cap-massachusetts" target="_self"> emergency family shelter system</a> over capacity. Improved access to state-issued IDs tends to reduce barriers to safety net services, which might give more families the ability to secure their own housing, housing advocates say.

Illustration of a driver's license in the shape of a text message balloon.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the majority of Greater Boston renters are cost-burdened when it comes to housing.Driving the news: At least 51% of Greater Boston renters spent more than 30% on housing costs in 2022, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greater Boston Housing Report Card" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/reports/2023/november/2023-greater-boston-housing-report-card" data-vars-content-id="9cca8c66-4f29-4ace-b249-c373410d893d" data-vars-headline="Where Greater Boston residents face highest housing cost burden" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/reports/2023/november/2023-greater-boston-housing-report-card" target="_blank">Greater Boston Housing Report Card</a> released yesterday.

A graph of Greater Boston's largest cities with the highest housing cost burden. Lawrence  tops the list with 55.8% of residents being cost-burdened in housing.

Massachusetts maxes out emergency family shelter system

Homeless families that qualify for emergency shelter may have to wait out in the cold.

Massachusetts officially hit its limit for sheltering families Thursday.Why it matters: Homeless families that did qualify for emergency shelter may have to wait out in the cold until slots open up for them in the state-run system.

Illustration of a homeless person sitting in front of a white picket fence

Massachusetts could finally ban "revenge porn"

The state would be the 49th in the country to criminalize distributing nude images without permission.

Massachusetts lags behind the rest of the country when it comes to banning &quot;revenge porn,&quot; but that could soon change as lawmakers prepare to take up a bill to crack down on domestic abuse.What&#x27;s happening: The Legislature&#x27;s Judiciary Committee approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a package of legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4115" data-vars-content-id="a4e31986-97b5-4721-96ab-e0a0a839dadd" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts could finally ban &quot;revenge porn&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4115" target="_blank">a package of legislation</a> last month that would increase fines for harassment and coercive control.

Illustration of XXX inside of an evidence bag.

Boston City Council results: Santana, FitzGerald and Weber poised to join incumbents

Progressive newcomers elected after dramatic preliminary races

Boston voters returned every active incumbent city councilor to City Hall last night and elected progressive newcomers to fill open seats in Boston&#x27;s off-year election, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boston.gov/departments/elections/unofficial-election-results" data-vars-content-id="8fddd7c4-35b6-42d6-b5df-e301ae9e1f73" data-vars-headline="Boston City Council results: Santana, FitzGerald and Weber poised to join incumbents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boston.gov/departments/elections/unofficial-election-results" target="_blank">unofficial results</a> and declarations from the candidates.

Boston City Council Ruthzee Louijene, who is seeking reelection,  sits on a desk and poses for a photo looking off into the distance

Massachusetts tapping community groups to create overflow shelters for migrants

The state will soon stop immediately placing eligible families in emergency shelter.

Massachusetts is tapping community groups to set up overnight shelters for homeless families on the state&#x27;s new emergency shelter waitlist.Driving the news: The state and United Way of Massachusetts Bay announced Tuesday a $5 million grant program for grassroots organizations setting up overflow shelters for waitlisted families with nowhere to stay, says Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, the state&#x27;s emergency assistance director.

Gen. L. Scott Rice, the state's emergency assistance director, speaks from a podium in the State House. 

Boston votes on new faces for City Council

At least four new members will be selected to join the 13-person City Council.

Tuesday is election day in Boston and at least four new members will be selected to join the 13-person City Council.Why it matters: After a tumultuous few years of infighting and turmoil in the council chamber, returning incumbents and fresh faces are pledging more harmony next year.

Illustration of Boston City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Boston city council district seats up for grabs after incumbent losses

Three of Boston's nine council districts will elect new representatives.

Voters in three of Boston&#x27;s nine council districts are charged with electing new representatives for their neighborhoods in City Hall this year.What&#x27;s happening: In Dorchester&#x27;s District 3, the race to replace the retiring Councilor Frank Baker is between John FitzGerald and Joel Richards.

Animated illustration of the Boston City Hall facade with a blue and yellow checkmark drawing over it.

Politics 🇺🇸