Boston

blue

Axios Boston Partners

Axios Boston

Standard

Boston Alerts

Alert

Axios Boston Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Boston Members

Membership

Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities

Boston-area bars welcome the sales boost amid a challenging economy.

Business

Empty kegs, emergency beer shipments, tabs the length of the infamous CVS receipts — the Scotland effect is boosting sales in Boston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggling bar scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="7f69857e-f527-4537-bead-ca6aa035f8ec" data-vars-headline="Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" target="_self">struggling bar scene</a>.Between the lines: Boston&#x27;s drinking culture has shown signs of drying up in recent years, which restaurant owners attribute to shrinking corporate budgets, rising costs and the rise of cannabis and zero-proof drinks.

Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot

The court ruled that the official summary of the initiative was misleading.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday blocked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a ballot initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" data-vars-content-id="1d0eac44-8722-4c33-8a7b-d18df121db7d" data-vars-headline="Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" target="_self">a ballot initiative</a> that would have slashed the state&#x27;s personal income tax rate from 5% to 4%.Why it matters: The high court ruling kills a business-backed ballot measure that opponents say could have created a $5 billion budget hole.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a major victory for labor unions and progressive groups against the Mass. business community.</li></ul>

Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards

Local experts say you need a little intention to help native plants thrive.

Climate

Chaos gardening — the viral TikTok trend of scattering seeds and &quot;letting nature decide&quot; — is surging across the country as demand for native plants reaches new heights.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Native" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" data-vars-content-id="f24ea706-ed8e-427b-a8d3-cb6ef9703542" data-vars-headline="Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" target="_self">Native</a> chaos gardens appeal to New England homeowners seeking lower-maintenance yards that also help local wildlife thrive.

Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions

State lawmakers want to increase primary care spending, but industry leaders raise questions over how.

Health

Massachusetts state senators plan to vote on a bill seeking to increase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary care access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" data-vars-content-id="1d8f22c4-8e24-4db7-9293-cd0755507bd3" data-vars-headline="Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" target="_self">primary care access</a>, but questions remain about how it will be funded.Why it matters: 75% of Massachusetts residents surveyed last year reported having a preventive care appointment in the last 12 months, down from over 81% in 2023.

Student testifies Brockton mayor grabbed her at parade, pulled her close

A 17-year-old testified that Mayor Moises Rodrigues grabbed her by the waist.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brockton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/10/24/best-boston-suburb-brockton-rank" data-vars-content-id="d9646155-80ce-4cf9-ab10-6a8c9c6cc6a1" data-vars-headline="Student testifies Brockton mayor grabbed her at parade, pulled her close" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/10/24/best-boston-suburb-brockton-rank" target="_self">Brockton</a> Mayor Moises Rodrigues&#x27; political future is up in the air as witnesses describe in court how he allegedly pressed his body against a teenage student while dancing at a parade.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The hearing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/22/metro/brockton-mayor-hearing-harassment-order/?p1=HP_Feed_ContentQuery" data-vars-content-id="d9646155-80ce-4cf9-ab10-6a8c9c6cc6a1" data-vars-headline="Student testifies Brockton mayor grabbed her at parade, pulled her close" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/22/metro/brockton-mayor-hearing-harassment-order/?p1=HP_Feed_ContentQuery" target="_blank">The hearing</a> will determine whether a harassment prevention order against Rodrigues will be extended or dismissed. It bars him from coming within 100 yards of the student.<ul><li>The complaint has thrown Rodrigues&#x27; administration into a tailspin as the mayor struggles with damage control.</li></ul>

Why Mass. Democratic incumbents are skipping primary debates

Incumbents are leaving their primary challengers to face Republican candidates alone on stage ahead of September.

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Massachusetts Democratic incumbents are sitting out debates — and letting their challengers fill the void against the GOP.Why it matters: Two of the state&#x27;s highest-profile primaries heading into September haven&#x27;t seen any public in-person head-to-head matchups.<ul><li>Instead, Democratic challengers Seth Moulton and Patrick Roath appeared with Republican candidates when the incumbents didn&#x27;t show up.</li></ul>

Trahan faces progressive pushback over federal AI regulation plan

The Democrat from Westford is a House point-person for the regulation debate.

Massachusetts progressives are pushing back on one of their own over a sweeping federal AI proposal.Why it matters: Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Westford) is a House Democratic point-person for the debate over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regulation of artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/04/house-draft-bill-regulate-ai" data-vars-content-id="0f061651-f53c-473c-9222-38491a904a6a" data-vars-headline="Trahan faces progressive pushback over federal AI regulation plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/04/house-draft-bill-regulate-ai" target="_self">regulation of artificial intelligence</a> and federal restrictions on state-level AI laws.

Poll findings that didn't make the front page

Here's what polled Massachusetts voters really think about AI, return-to-office and more.

Beyond headlines on voters&#x27; attitudes about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost of living" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/16/metro/mass-voters-considered-leaving-suffolk-globe-poll/" data-vars-content-id="6eb3c303-3cf4-4bf1-9fdd-7b0b1ef97bc3" data-vars-headline="Poll findings that didn&#x27;t make the front page" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/16/metro/mass-voters-considered-leaving-suffolk-globe-poll/" target="_blank">cost of living</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="politicians&#x27; popularity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/16/metro/healey-voter-suffolk-poll-2026-midterm/" data-vars-content-id="6eb3c303-3cf4-4bf1-9fdd-7b0b1ef97bc3" data-vars-headline="Poll findings that didn&#x27;t make the front page" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/16/metro/healey-voter-suffolk-poll-2026-midterm/" target="_blank">politicians&#x27; popularity</a> in Massachusetts, many of the findings from Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/16/metro/full-results-poll-of-massachusetts-voters/" data-vars-content-id="6eb3c303-3cf4-4bf1-9fdd-7b0b1ef97bc3" data-vars-headline="Poll findings that didn&#x27;t make the front page" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/16/metro/full-results-poll-of-massachusetts-voters/" target="_blank">Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll</a> got little attention in the paper.Why it matters: The overlooked poll data shows a deeper picture of where Bay State voters stand on AI, remote work and kids in classrooms.

Mass. has thousands of jailed voters. Few had votes counted in 2024.

Some jailed voters can still cast their ballots, but advocates say several barriers stand in the way.

Just 5% of eligible incarcerated voters in Massachusetts cast their ballots in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024 election," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/10/01/massachusetts-voter-guide-2024-general-election" data-vars-content-id="026b3222-5d45-44e8-8d4d-5adc8e22a1a4" data-vars-headline="Mass. has thousands of jailed voters. Few had votes counted in 2024." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/10/01/massachusetts-voter-guide-2024-general-election" target="_self">2024 election,</a> according to a long-awaited report on jail-based voting.The big picture: The report, which Secretary of State William Galvin released after a court-ordered settlement, highlights barriers to participating in elections while locked up, voting rights advocates say.

Mass. could pitch in $500K to GBH as federal funding dries up

State lawmakers are stepping in with a boost for the PBS powerhouse.

Education

Massachusetts taxpayers could help foot part of the bill for funding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GBH" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/01/gbh-fundraising-campaign-post-cpb" data-vars-content-id="6bfeee4e-c7fc-4476-88cf-a951850554d8" data-vars-headline="Mass. could pitch in $500K to GBH as federal funding dries up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/01/gbh-fundraising-campaign-post-cpb" target="_self">GBH</a>, the Brighton-based public media giant that has produced everything from PBS history documentaries and the &quot;Arthur&quot; cartoon to local news coverage.Why it matters: After federal funding for public media was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pulled back last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/01/cpb-npr-pbs-corporation-public-broadcasting" data-vars-content-id="6bfeee4e-c7fc-4476-88cf-a951850554d8" data-vars-headline="Mass. could pitch in $500K to GBH as federal funding dries up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/01/cpb-npr-pbs-corporation-public-broadcasting" target="_self">pulled back last year</a>, state lawmakers want to contribute $500,000 to help out the public broadcasting heavyweight.

Mass. Senate previews rival energy savings plan

Senate president Karen Spilka previewed a plan for $10 billion in ratepayer savings over 10 years.

The Senate could be headed for a collision with the House over how to lower <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/27/massachusetts-electric-bills" data-vars-content-id="dff4ae43-8a78-47e5-9189-2bacb8eb419d" data-vars-headline="Mass. Senate previews rival energy savings plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/27/massachusetts-electric-bills" target="_self">energy costs</a> for Massachusetts residents, one of the top issues for voters this year.Why it matters: Senate president Karen Spilka previewed the Senate&#x27;s new energy bill Thursday.<ul><li>It differs from the House-passed plan on how much Massachusetts should cut climate programs in pursuit of ratepayer relief.</li></ul>

Healey wants happy hour back. House leaders and restaurants don't.

The push to legalize happy hour in Massachusetts is opposed by those who'd be serving the drinks.

Even with Gov. Maura Healey&#x27;s support, bringing back <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="happy hour" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/21/boston-dinner-app-specials-happy-hour" data-vars-content-id="f2da36f6-272e-4e75-8431-9f2d5d6d3b8b" data-vars-headline="Healey wants happy hour back. House leaders and restaurants don&#x27;t." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/21/boston-dinner-app-specials-happy-hour" target="_self">happy hour</a> in Massachusetts faces steep opposition from restaurant owners and the House.Why it matters: The governor, Senate and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="70% of Mass. voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/poll-70-of-mass-residents-want-happy-hour-back/2437382/" data-vars-content-id="f2da36f6-272e-4e75-8431-9f2d5d6d3b8b" data-vars-headline="Healey wants happy hour back. House leaders and restaurants don&#x27;t." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/poll-70-of-mass-residents-want-happy-hour-back/2437382/" target="_blank">70% of Mass. voters</a> want it, but House Democratic leaders and restaurant operators remain firmly opposed to legalizing drink discounts.<ul><li>The bills floating around Beacon Hill would give cities and towns the option to allow discounts on alcoholic drinks, a practice that was banned in Massachusetts in 1984.</li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

Student testifies Brockton mayor grabbed her at parade, pulled her close

Why Mass. Democratic incumbents are skipping primary debates

Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot

Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions

Trahan faces progressive pushback over federal AI regulation plan