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Boston official used PPP loan for rent, Uber Eats and child support, feds say

Authorities say he filed a PPP loan claiming to be a mechanic. He's head of city security.

Politics

Federal authorities say the city of Boston&#x27;s head of security filed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fraudulent pandemic loan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/30/54-billion-covid-aid-fraud-social-security-numbers" data-vars-content-id="652d1be5-0d21-4c49-8e70-0c9151d22e9f" data-vars-headline="Boston official used PPP loan for rent, Uber Eats and child support, feds say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/30/54-billion-covid-aid-fraud-social-security-numbers" target="_self">fraudulent pandemic loan</a> application and used over $20,000 in taxpayer funds on personal expenses.Between the lines: U.S. Attorney Leah Foley&#x27;s office announced the charges and plea agreement in one fell swoop Thursday afternoon, weeks after quietly proposing a plea agreement.

Healey ties Minogue to Trump; he presses her on accountability in first governor debate

Healey cited the president on costs, schools and immigration. Minogue pressed her record on taxes, spending and a Springfield courthouse deal.

Gov. Maura Healey invoked the specter of President Trump on nearly every issue in her first debate with challenger Mike Minogue, tying her reelection bid to national trends instead of state government work.Why it matters: Minogue tried to keep the conversation on state-level results to make voters&#x27; choice on Nov. 3 more of a referendum on Healey&#x27;s performance over the past four years.

Mass General Brigham, nurses stalemate drags as strike nears

Some 4,000 union nurses could walk off the job next week if a deal isn't reached.

Health

Mass General Brigham nurses and hospital management ended Thursday&#x27;s talks without any indication that they&#x27;re close to a contract agreement.Why it matters: At this rate, they appear headed toward an indefinite strike starting next week, which would disrupt services at the state&#x27;s largest hospital system.

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News

Think you&#x27;re up to speed on the week&#x27;s news? <ul><li>Take our quiz to prove it.</li></ul>

Pressure mounts over center-running bus lane plan in Mattapan

Dozens of Boston residents detailed their frustrations and fears during a two-hour hearing Thursday.

Public Safety

Dozens of Mattapan and Dorchester residents spent two-plus hours on Thursday listing their frustrations and fears over the proposed center-running bus lanes on Blue Hill Avenue.<ul><li>Among them? Making schoolchildren, elders and other pedestrians cross the major thoroughfare to reach the bus. </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.

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>.

Lindsay Clancy trial ends in mistrial

Jurors must decide whether Clancy intentionally killed her children or was experiencing psychosis.

A jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lindsay Clancy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/27/lindsay-clancy-duxbury-killings-children" data-vars-content-id="bbfa315a-a9ad-47a7-a071-140908598862" data-vars-headline="Lindsay Clancy trial ends in mistrial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/27/lindsay-clancy-duxbury-killings-children" target="_self">Lindsay Clancy</a> on Friday in Plymouth County Superior Court, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial.The big picture: The case has sparked fierce debate nationwide over whether Clancy was in control or in psychosis fueled by postpartum depression when she killed her three children and attempted suicide in 2023.

Boston lawyers' group sues police for footage in fatal police shooting

A police officer fatally shot Dorchester resident Stephenson King Jr. in March.

A group of Boston lawyers is suing city law enforcement agencies to make them release footage that captured the police killing of Dorchester resident <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stephenson King Jr." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/09/httpswwwwcvbcomarticleyannetti-defense-omalley-boston-police-king-shooting70975800" data-vars-content-id="6ddc7ece-31f2-4ded-bf0f-374b81d29e71" data-vars-headline="Boston lawyers&#x27; group sues police for footage in fatal police shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/09/httpswwwwcvbcomarticleyannetti-defense-omalley-boston-police-king-shooting70975800" target="_self">Stephenson King Jr.</a> in March.The big picture: The video, which would show how a carjacking complaint escalated into a fatal shooting, remains shielded from public view.

What to know as Lindsay Clancy trial ramps up

Lindsay Clancy is accused of murdering her three children in January 2023.

Jurors this week are reviewing graphic details about the killings of three Duxbury children at the hands of their mother, Lindsay Clancy, and deciding whether to convict her of murder.The big picture: The high-profile trial is revealing common, but often unspoken, flaws in the health care sector&#x27;s treatment of postpartum mothers.<ul><li>The key question: whether Clancy intentionally strangled her children on Jan. 24, 2023, or acted uncontrollably under psychosis.</li></ul>

Mass. workers prepare to spot signs of assault and abuse this summer

Advocates and authorities are working with hospitality workers to spot the signs and intervene.

Days before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" data-vars-content-id="51a26eda-d306-4d40-9c4e-d21732875d06" data-vars-headline="Mass. workers prepare to spot signs of assault and abuse this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> begins, dozens of Boston-area bar managers, event organizers and advocates tuned in to a virtual training.<ul><li>Here, they learned about red flags that might otherwise go unnoticed during large-scale events: signs of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.</li></ul>

Public health experts tracking infectious disease risks this summer

Thousands are heading here for the World Cup, the 250th July 4th and Tall Ships.

Infectious disease experts will be keeping an eye on the trio of events drawing hundreds of thousands in Massachusetts this summer, starting with the 2026 FIFA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/03/world-cup-host-cities-preparations" data-vars-content-id="9ab96483-df03-4669-b161-8b85f381c2be" data-vars-headline="Public health experts tracking infectious disease risks this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/03/world-cup-host-cities-preparations" target="_self">World Cup</a>.Why it matters: Mass gatherings, from FIFA&#x27;s tournament to July 4th to Tall Ships, may become vectors for airborne diseases, sexually transmitted infections and other illnesses.

MBTA frets over Green Line safety, worker assaults

Worker assaults and Green Line safety incidents are the T's most persistent problems.

Assaults on MBTA workers and a surge in Green Line safety incidents are the transit authority&#x27;s most stubborn safety challenges heading into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a busy summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/21/mbta-spring-shutdowns-green-red-lines" data-vars-content-id="b8db7347-cc19-4f81-8217-848837d21e51" data-vars-headline="MBTA frets over Green Line safety, worker assaults" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/21/mbta-spring-shutdowns-green-red-lines" target="_self">a busy summer</a>.Why it matters: The MBTA is failing to hit its own targets for the safety of its operators and on the Green Line.

No ticket? No entry to "Boston Stadium" lot during World Cup

Tailgating will be limited to ticket holders during the World Cup matches in Foxborough.

Sports

FIFA&#x27;s takeover of Gillette Stadium starts Thursday with the venue&#x27;s rebranding as &quot;Boston Stadium.&quot;Why it matters: The first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/boston-restaurants-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="8432682a-9ef6-4a16-8a5c-ef4451a7178c" data-vars-headline="No ticket? No entry to &quot;Boston Stadium&quot; lot during World Cup" 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/boston-restaurants-world-cup" target="_self">World Cup</a> game in Foxborough kicks off in 30 days, which stands to bring tourism dollars and traffic jams to the region.

Boston's homicide rate remains below 2025's — so far

That could change if violent crime this summer looks anything like this past weekend.

Boston has reported <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fewer homicides" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="5371da79-12a8-4f0a-873d-51e80dea18f9" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s homicide rate remains below 2025&#x27;s — so far" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" target="_self">fewer homicides</a> than this time last year, but that could change if this summer looks anything like the past weekend.The big picture: Boston has had one of the lowest violent-crime rates in the nation in the year&#x27;s first quarter, along with several other major U.S. cities.<ul><li>The Hub&#x27;s homicide total remains lower than in most other big cities, at least for now, according to data collected by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major Cities Chiefs Association" data-vars-click-url="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-First-Quarter.pdf" data-vars-content-id="5371da79-12a8-4f0a-873d-51e80dea18f9" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s homicide rate remains below 2025&#x27;s — so far" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-First-Quarter.pdf" target="_blank">Major Cities Chiefs Association</a>.</li></ul>

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.