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Boston Children's Hospital tops U.S. News rankings in 7 specialties

The survey included 40,000 pediatric specialists and 100 hospitals.

Health

Boston Children&#x27;s Hospital topped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026-27 U.S. News&#x27; 2026-27 rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="56f49179-3444-43c5-b27e-ce40b83d425d" data-vars-headline="Boston Children&#x27;s Hospital tops U.S. News rankings in 7 specialties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">2026-27 U.S. News&#x27; 2026-27 rankings</a> for several pediatrics specialties in its best children&#x27;s hospitals list.Why it matters: Boston is considered one of the nation&#x27;s top health care hubs, despite recent federal funding cuts and other economic hurdles.

Fluff Festival turns 21 with music, vendors and road closures

Somerville's sticky-sweet tradition returns Saturday with live music, 100+ vendors, games and a full slate of Union Square road closures to plan around.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s a special year for Somerville&#x27;s &quot;What the Fluff?&quot; Festival as it returns to Union Square on Saturday.Why it matters: If the annual celebration of the marshmallow topping were a person, the 21-year-old festival could legally drink.<ul><li>It&#x27;s this Saturday from 1-5pm.</li></ul>

Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE's 2027 free speech rankings

Clark University leads the state, Northeastern scores lowest, and Harvard posted the region's biggest jump in this year's FIRE report.

Education

American colleges are largely failing to create a healthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" target="_self">free speech</a> climate on campus, according to a new national ranking.Why it matters: Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" target="_self">political pressure</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="53ecf7c3-4c52-4b38-b360-13bf203f9f41" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts colleges still fail FIRE&#x27;s 2027 free speech rankings" 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</a> administration and efforts by some universities to change policies in response.

Eastie cowboy bar, Lao pop-up and more Boston restaurant news

After a months-long wait, The Spur Cowboy Bar in Maverick Square is preparing to open.

Food and Drink

Darling, a Chinese-inspired cocktail bar in Cambridge, hosts Green Zone, a Middle Eastern cocktail bar in Washington, D.C., for Boston Rum Week.<ul><li>Darling will pair Green Zone&#x27;s drinks with the &quot;Filet O Fish&quot; bao, Hunanese pork ribs and other dishes. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reservations encouraged" data-vars-click-url="https://resy.com/cities/cambridge-ma/venues/darling-ma?seats=2&amp;date=2026-09-13" data-vars-content-id="1dec6989-538f-4658-a6f9-4a4a1d58e07f" data-vars-headline="Eastie cowboy bar, Lao pop-up and more Boston restaurant news" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://resy.com/cities/cambridge-ma/venues/darling-ma?seats=2&amp;date=2026-09-13" target="_blank">Reservations encouraged</a>.</li></ul>

Trahan's unlikely path to AI power

Westford Rep. Lori Trahan lacks the formal AI credentials some colleagues hold — but she's become one of Congress' most consequential voices on regulating the technology.

News

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Westford U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan is at the center of what&#x27;s becoming the most consequential debate Congress has taken on in decades.<ul><li>Trahan is one of the top House Democrats shaping how Washington <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regulates the companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/lawmakers-regulate-ai-without-using-it" data-vars-content-id="e3de616a-d6ef-4b02-a071-2c171a7de026" data-vars-headline="Trahan&#x27;s unlikely path to AI power" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/lawmakers-regulate-ai-without-using-it" target="_self">regulates the companies</a> building the world&#x27;s most powerful AI systems.</li></ul>Why it matters: It&#x27;s a role she built through committee work, connections and a bipartisan partnership, even though she&#x27;s not a member of Congress&#x27; official AI task force.

How Wu's incentives to build housing work

Housing development has drastically slowed in Boston post-pandemic.

Politics

Boston&#x27;s tax breaks for new housing construction are one of five tools the city is considering to encourage development in a sluggish market, Mayor Michelle Wu told business leaders Wednesday.Why it matters: Housing development has slowed since the pandemic, due to higher materials costs, tariffs, interest rates and, developers say, the city&#x27;s affordable housing requirements.<ul><li>The Wu administration is considering drastically lowering its housing construction target from 13,000 in her first term to 3,000 annually in her second term, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Globe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/08/business/michelle-wu-housing-plan/" data-vars-content-id="1e6ecc19-9a9b-4a5a-ab47-a2084e74fede" data-vars-headline="How Wu&#x27;s incentives to build housing work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/08/business/michelle-wu-housing-plan/" target="_blank">Boston Globe</a> reported last week.</li></ul>

Mass. tries to rein in data centers but leaves open questions

Massachusetts is steering away from the moratoriums other states are considering.

Business

Gov. Maura Healey&#x27;s latest executive order will test what regulating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" data-vars-content-id="cd41bc1d-f7c7-4c07-b87f-c65a7211cb7f" data-vars-headline="Mass. tries to rein in data centers but leaves open questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" target="_self">data centers</a> could look like, in lieu of banning them altogether.The big picture: Massachusetts is steering away from the moratoriums <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncsl.org/fiscal/which-states-are-banning-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="cd41bc1d-f7c7-4c07-b87f-c65a7211cb7f" data-vars-headline="Mass. tries to rein in data centers but leaves open questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncsl.org/fiscal/which-states-are-banning-data-centers" target="_blank">eight states</a> are considering this year for a middle-of-the-road approach to data center infrastructure, specifically for data centers with peak electricity demand exceeding 25 megawatts.<ul><li>Its success depends on whether the state will give the order&#x27;s restrictions some teeth, researchers and industry leaders say.</li></ul>

Mass. has over 1,200 license plate readers. Here's where they are.

The majority of these are Flock cameras, but other companies have their readers installed.

Public Safety

About 140,000 automated license plate readers, including thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/flock-camera-local-opposition-surveillance" data-vars-content-id="9ec63daf-d463-4b42-9cf9-520a474d37ab" data-vars-headline="Mass. has over 1,200 license plate readers. Here&#x27;s where they are." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/flock-camera-local-opposition-surveillance" target="_self">Flock cameras</a>, are installed across the U.S., according to this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="publicly available data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.findingflock.com/map" data-vars-content-id="9ec63daf-d463-4b42-9cf9-520a474d37ab" data-vars-headline="Mass. has over 1,200 license plate readers. Here&#x27;s where they are." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.findingflock.com/map" target="_blank">publicly available data</a>.Why it matters: These cameras can help police find stolen cars and wanted people, but their ability to track all vehicles all the time has fueled a growing privacy backlash and calls for tighter oversight or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="removal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/09/02/dallas-flock-cameras-abbott-funding" data-vars-content-id="9ec63daf-d463-4b42-9cf9-520a474d37ab" data-vars-headline="Mass. has over 1,200 license plate readers. Here&#x27;s where they are." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/09/02/dallas-flock-cameras-abbott-funding" target="_self">removal</a>.

Mass. Sen. William Brownsberger wins recount against Daniel Lander

Brownsberger will retain his seat on Beacon Hill.

Mass. Sen. William Brownsberger survived <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a primary challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/08/31/middlesex-suffolk-da-state-senate-primary-massachusetts-brownsberger-collins-decker-mackay" data-vars-content-id="157d746f-7359-4ae8-bd37-c8981b2fedae" data-vars-headline="Mass. Sen. William Brownsberger wins recount against Daniel Lander" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/08/31/middlesex-suffolk-da-state-senate-primary-massachusetts-brownsberger-collins-decker-mackay" target="_self">a primary challenge</a> against Daniel Lander, a former Wu administration aide, election officials found Thursday.Why it matters: The narrow race, which triggered a recount, was seen as a proxy battle between Senate leadership and Mayor Michelle Wu after their clash over a property tax relief bill.

Feds vs. states mail-in voting fight comes to a head

Massachusetts voting rights groups are leading one of several lawsuits over a new federal rule.

The Supreme Court must decide whether to let the U.S. Postal Service overhaul states&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in voting systems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/09/02/mail-in-voting-usps-massachusetts-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="6146ae3a-83ec-4898-a9be-8d172899d640" data-vars-headline="Feds vs. states mail-in voting fight comes to a head" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/09/02/mail-in-voting-usps-massachusetts-lawsuit" target="_self">mail-in voting systems</a> this fall.The big picture: The U.S. Postal Service&#x27;s plans, which the Trump administration says are meant to curb voter fraud, have sparked legal battles by voting rights groups and state officials who say this would derail their elections and likely disenfranchise voters.

Spill of the Hill: A louder Left in the Mass. Senate

Spilka's bench thins as Jehlen retires, Rush loses and Brownsberger's seat hangs in a recount.

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Assuming Democrats hold their seats in November, the Senate that convenes for the 195th General Court will have a different tone as it deals with thorny legislative issues like taxes and implementing ballot measures.Why it matters: Senate President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Karen Spilka" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/11/massachusetts-senate-energy-bill-mass-save-ratepayer-savings-climate-spilka" data-vars-content-id="8fe363a8-3ec3-4fe2-9fb3-d25313d9eef6" data-vars-headline="Spill of the Hill: A louder Left in the Mass. Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/11/massachusetts-senate-energy-bill-mass-save-ratepayer-savings-climate-spilka" target="_self">Karen Spilka</a> is losing a few of her most reliable allies just as a more assertive progressive bloc gains numbers.

Mass. voting rights groups fight USPS mail-in voting overhaul

Voting rights groups argue the change could disenfranchise voters.

Attorneys on Thursday will make their case for why a federal judge in Boston should stop the Trump administration from overhauling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in voting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/06/massachusetts-mail-in-voting-trump" data-vars-content-id="50764fe8-7847-42ad-804a-a1982e113552" data-vars-headline="Mass. voting rights groups fight USPS mail-in voting overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/06/massachusetts-mail-in-voting-trump" target="_self">mail-in voting</a> this November.The big picture: The lawsuit, one of several legal challenges nationwide, could determine whether the states or the federal government can regulate mail-in ballots in a process that voting rights groups argue could disenfranchise voters.

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.

Minogue wins Mass. GOP governor primary, sets up race against Healey

The medical device executive skipped debates and leaned on a lopsided convention win.

Mike Minogue will win the Republican primary for Massachusetts governor, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the AP projects," data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/massachusetts-primary-results/" data-vars-content-id="dda0a421-607e-4689-945d-0e548266f67e" data-vars-headline="Minogue wins Mass. GOP governor primary, sets up race against Healey" 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 AP projects,</a> setting up a general election matchup with Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in November.State of play: Minogue is a wealthy former medical device executive. He poured millions of his own money into the race.

A map showing in the number of ALPR cameras in each county in the state. Darker shades represent more cameras, lighter shades represent fewer, and gray means there have been no cameras reported in that county. 

Where cameras track license plates in Massachusetts

Data: Finding Flock; Map: Brad Jennings/Axios; Note: Counties shown in gray have no known ALPR cameras.

Politics 🇺🇸

Trahan's unlikely path to AI power

How Wu's incentives to build housing work

Mass. tries to rein in data centers but leaves open questions

Mass. has over 1,200 license plate readers. Here's where they are.

Mass. Sen. William Brownsberger wins recount against Daniel Lander