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Haymarket station in limbo as Bulfinch Crossing project drags on

The transit hub has been torn apart for over four years and there's no word on when the project will be done.

News

One of downtown Boston&#x27;s busiest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" data-vars-content-id="5d2b4d09-6b81-4786-ae5a-daf754b3d9a5" data-vars-headline="Haymarket station in limbo as Bulfinch Crossing project drags on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" target="_self">transit</a> hubs has been torn apart for over four years and there&#x27;s no word on when the project will be finished.Why it matters: The demolition of the former Government Center Garage has repeatedly disrupted Orange and Green Line service at the Haymarket station and shuttered the bus terminal indefinitely, forcing riders onto a makeshift busway for years.

Mass. lawmakers reach deal on cannabis reform bill

Lawmakers agreed to increase cannabis purchase limits, add a tip portal and other changes.

Politics

Massachusetts lawmakers plan to send a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cannabis reform" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/06/04/massachusetts-cannabis-overhaul-bill" data-vars-content-id="e3ef788c-e51a-4ed2-a093-f75a356570e3" data-vars-headline="Mass. lawmakers reach deal on cannabis reform bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/06/04/massachusetts-cannabis-overhaul-bill" target="_self">cannabis reform</a> bill Monday and plan to vote on the proposal later this week.Why it matters: The proposal makes several long-awaited changes to medical cannabis dispensaries, purchase limits and the beleaguered Cannabis Control Commission as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wholesale flower prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/13/massachusetts-cannabis-cultivation-sites" data-vars-content-id="e3ef788c-e51a-4ed2-a093-f75a356570e3" data-vars-headline="Mass. lawmakers reach deal on cannabis reform bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/13/massachusetts-cannabis-cultivation-sites" target="_self">wholesale flower prices</a> hit an all-time low.

Mass. House pushes nation's toughest youth social media ban

Mass. House pushes nation's toughest youth social media ban — while the Senate version stops at the schoolhouse door. Here's where the two chambers and Gov. Healey agree, and where they don't.

Beacon Hill is moving toward some of the nation&#x27;s toughest restrictions on young people using technology, but the &quot;Big 3&quot; Democrats in charge aren&#x27;t entirely on the same page.Why it matters: Unless Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano and Gov. Maura Healey align, there won&#x27;t be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="youth tech law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/28/cell-phones-in-schools-ban-social-media-healey-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="74b09ffb-06e7-41a3-aeca-0ed8a33edda5" data-vars-headline="Mass. House pushes nation&#x27;s toughest youth social media ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/28/cell-phones-in-schools-ban-social-media-healey-massachusetts" target="_self">youth tech law</a> passed before the start of the next school year.

Critics warn social media ban goes too far, could ban YouTube, Wikipedia

A sweeping definition of "social media" has critics warning it could rope in nearly the entire internet — including sites children rely on every day.

The Massachusetts House wants the Commonwealth to become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the most restrictive state in the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/08/massachusetts-house-senate-cellphone-ban-social-media-youth-children-schools-healey-bill" data-vars-content-id="ca294bc7-c03c-477f-9644-fa6f102fbbb7" data-vars-headline="Critics warn social media ban goes too far, could ban YouTube, Wikipedia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/08/massachusetts-house-senate-cellphone-ban-social-media-youth-children-schools-healey-bill" target="_self">the most restrictive state in the country</a> for young people on the Internet, but some worry the bill goes much too far.Why it matters: Critics argue the House&#x27;s bill trades child safety for a surveillance state and may accidentally ban platforms children use every day.

New Mass. boating safety law kicks in

All Massachusetts motorized vessel operators must get certified under new Hanson Milone law — here's what you need to know and when.

Public Safety

Massachusetts boaters need a new safety certification under a law that takes effect Wednesday and ups requirements for all motorized vessel operators.Why it matters: Officials say drowning and boating accidents remain persistent public safety risks. <ul><li>The Hanson Milone Safe Boating Law&#x27;s backers say mandatory training can reduce preventable deaths on lakes, rivers and coasts.</li></ul>

Massachusetts pours nearly $86 million into World Cup prep

The state is using a mix of federal grants and state funding for World Cup preparations.

Sports

Massachusetts officials and organizers are pouring nearly $86 million into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup preparations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/11/world-cup-boston-foxborough-funding-dispute" data-vars-content-id="09150db7-d7a8-4e7d-a014-802f19436ad5" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts pours nearly $86 million into World Cup prep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/11/world-cup-boston-foxborough-funding-dispute" target="_self">World Cup preparations</a>.Why it matters: Public safety officials and event organizers are bolstering safety and health resources to manage the crowds coming in for the seven matches set for Gillette Stadium.

Mass. House to advance bill preserving due process for local immigrants

House leaders said they expect a vote on the bill in the next few weeks.

Immigration

Massachusetts House lawmakers plan to advance a bill Friday that would limit how police forces, jails and state agencies work with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/ice-immigrant-detention-warehouses-spending" data-vars-content-id="46bf6208-3510-40f3-8026-58bbbfb216dd" data-vars-headline="Mass. House to advance bill preserving due process for local immigrants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/ice-immigrant-detention-warehouses-spending" target="_self">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a>.The big picture: Massachusetts Democrats are trying to preserve the state&#x27;s due process protections for all residents, regardless of immigration status or criminal history. <ul><li>That would defy the Trump administration&#x27;s nationwide efforts to limit due process rights and other protections to citizens.</li></ul>

SJC sends bar advocate pay issue back to Beacon Hill

CPCS wants to hike bar advocates' pay to recruit more lawyers to represent indigent defendants.

The fight for increased <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attorney pay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/30/lawmakers-deal-bar-advocates-pay" data-vars-content-id="e68330db-3fe7-4cfc-8084-5b883bb798d0" data-vars-headline="SJC sends bar advocate pay issue back to Beacon Hill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/30/lawmakers-deal-bar-advocates-pay" target="_self">attorney pay</a> on Beacon Hill may not be over.The big picture: The Legislature allocated millions of dollars last year for the Committee for Public Counsel Services to hire more public defenders and raise wages for volunteer lawyers, known as bar advocates.

Restaurant under scrutiny after Patriots players' late-night party

Estella's owner may now face penalties from licensing officials.

A downtown Boston restaurant may face penalties for hosting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Patriots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/09/super-bowl-patriots-loss" data-vars-content-id="41b46e05-61c3-4fdb-95b1-8d6ac172243a" data-vars-headline="Restaurant under scrutiny after Patriots players&#x27; late-night party" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/09/super-bowl-patriots-loss" target="_self">Patriots</a> players after hours in a pot- and hookah-filled celebration in January.Why it matters: Helder George Brandao, the owner of Estella on Temple Place, said the celebration caught him by surprise and broke several local laws and regulations.<ul><li>Brandao described the evening to the Boston Licensing Board on Tuesday morning, per reporting by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UniversalHub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/downtown-bar-owner-says-patriots-came-celebrate-his-place-after-they" data-vars-content-id="41b46e05-61c3-4fdb-95b1-8d6ac172243a" data-vars-headline="Restaurant under scrutiny after Patriots players&#x27; late-night party" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.universalhub.com/2026/downtown-bar-owner-says-patriots-came-celebrate-his-place-after-they" target="_blank">UniversalHub</a>.</li></ul>

Blizzard dumps 2 feet of snow over Greater Boston

Flight cancellations, power outages and other disruptions may take several days to fully resolve.

Climate

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blizzard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/17/winter-storms-boston" data-vars-content-id="37929781-6095-4982-b396-7cc6beb43788" data-vars-headline="Blizzard dumps 2 feet of snow over Greater Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/17/winter-storms-boston" target="_self">blizzard</a> is over, and now comes the hard part: digging out, getting power back and resuming the work week.Why it matters: Flight cancellations, power outages and other storm-related disruptions may take several days to fully resolve, state officials say.

Bostonians slashed tires and egged cars over parking spots after snowstorm

Tensions heated up on Boston's streets in the two weeks after the Jan. 25 storm.

To say Bostonians lost their cool after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last month&#x27;s snowstorm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/26/massachusetts-snowfall-storm" data-vars-content-id="f8fe85d3-e46e-46a8-8f59-a5130a4015dc" data-vars-headline="Bostonians slashed tires and egged cars over parking spots after snowstorm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/26/massachusetts-snowfall-storm" target="_self">last month&#x27;s snowstorm</a> is an understatement.<ul><li>Dozens of people got involved in spats over shoveled spaces, with some finding their tires slashed, cars egged or other damage, per records reviewed by Axios.</li></ul>

Federal judge bars ICE agents from making arrests at some Boston-area churches

Some Lutheran and Baptist churches got a reprieve from ICE activity.

Immigration officials are temporarily barred from arresting immigrants at some Boston-area churches following a federal ruling.Why it matters: The Trump administration&#x27;s decision to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remove guidance discouraging immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/trump-deportation-ice-churches-schools-raids" data-vars-content-id="a46d3957-d2f8-4e58-b27f-228ec916299a" data-vars-headline="Federal judge bars ICE agents from making arrests at some Boston-area churches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/trump-deportation-ice-churches-schools-raids" target="_self">remove guidance discouraging immigration enforcement</a> at &quot;sensitive locations&quot; such as churches has evolved into a legal fight.<ul><li>Faith leaders say religious protections are at stake.</li></ul>

Boston gets thousands of snow-related complaints

The city has received more than 900 complaints since Friday.

Did Bostonians forget how to dig out from a snowstorm?<ul><li>That&#x27;s what some have asked as city crews and landlords failed to fully clear walkways and streets in the days since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last week&#x27;s blizzard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/26/massachusetts-snowfall-storm" data-vars-content-id="a76f4598-a407-4a25-a1c9-5c0d9616897a" data-vars-headline="Boston gets thousands of snow-related complaints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/26/massachusetts-snowfall-storm" target="_self">last week&#x27;s blizzard</a>.</li></ul>

Winter storm dumps over a foot of snow on Greater Boston

The snow storm shuttered Massachusetts schools and workplaces Monday.

The snow storm has lived up to the hype and halted the Monday morning commute for most in eastern Massachusetts, shuttering schools and workplaces across the state. The big picture: The storm has dumped more than a foot of snow across Greater Boston since late Sunday morning.