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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.

7 things to do in Boston this week

From Mumford & Sons at Fenway to a massive Red Sox-Yankees series, here is your curated guide to Boston.

Things to Do

Monday, 6/22<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mumford &amp; Sons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/concerts/mumford-and-sons" data-vars-content-id="ecce03ae-5f80-47e7-9fa4-bb1b5b1e236c" data-vars-headline="7 things to do in Boston this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/concerts/mumford-and-sons" target="_blank">Mumford &amp; Sons</a> at Fenway Park brings stadium folk-rock to America&#x27;s Most Beloved Ballpark, 6pm.

Anita, electric-solar boat prototype, makes appearance on Charles River

The prototype will give select rides this weekend as part of Community Boating Inc's 80th anniversary.

Sports

Sailing enthusiasts will get a preview this weekend of a solar-electric boat that&#x27;s due to launch later this year.Why it matters: James Worden, a solar industry leader and MIT alum, is pioneering solar design and manufacturing for the sea.

These are the 7 World Cup matches at Boston Stadium

Boston Stadium kicked off its leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Haiti playing Scotland Saturday.

Foxborough is hosting seven World Cup matches this summer at &quot;Boston Stadium.&quot; Why it matters: The tournament stands to give <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greater Boston&#x27;s economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/boston-restaurants-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="e14d3f0c-fa7e-4387-8dc5-e0251d8b8c05" data-vars-headline="These are the 7 World Cup matches at Boston Stadium" 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">Greater Boston&#x27;s economy</a> a boost and exacerbate the region&#x27;s already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gnarly traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/commuter-rail-boston-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="e14d3f0c-fa7e-4387-8dc5-e0251d8b8c05" data-vars-headline="These are the 7 World Cup matches at Boston Stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/commuter-rail-boston-world-cup" target="_self">gnarly traffic</a>.

Boston drag queen Jujubee makes big-screen debut in "Stop! That! Train!"

Between the film and a show on the Cape, Jujubee's summer is packed.

No matter how many times Jujubee leaves New England, the Boston-born drag queen keeps coming back.<ul><li>This summer, she&#x27;ll appear in a parody musical on the Cape and at theaters nationwide.</li></ul>

Cemetery book club returns for summer

Mount Auburn Cemetery has revived its monthly book club after a pandemic pause — with readings, history, and visits to the graves of the books' subjects.

Mount Auburn Cemetery is reviving its monthly book club, bringing readers back to the historic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cambridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/06/cambridge-sanctuary-city-policy-ice-immigration" data-vars-content-id="5238e5ce-f0fa-4582-b42f-7022b77e9855" data-vars-headline="Cemetery book club returns for summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/06/cambridge-sanctuary-city-policy-ice-immigration" target="_self">Cambridge</a> grounds for discussions on literature, landscape and history.Why it matters: Mount Auburn has a dual role as both a working cemetery and a public garden and cultural institution.

Boston's top events this week

From the opening of the FIFA Fan Festival at City Hall Plaza to the Spectacle on Boston Harbor, here is your curated guide to Boston.

Monday, 6/8<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saborcito @ The Anchor: Salsa &amp; Bachata Dancing" data-vars-click-url="https://theanchorboston.com/" data-vars-content-id="2811522b-b646-4b46-b2e5-29f0da227763" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s top events this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theanchorboston.com/" target="_blank">Saborcito @ The Anchor: Salsa &amp; Bachata Dancing</a> at The Anchor in Charlestown brings the energy to the waterfront with an open-air evening of dance and music, 6pm.

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Boston Pride 2026: LGBTQ+ events this weekend

Boston celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride a weekend early.

Culture

This weekend is packed with events surrounding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pride for the People&#x27;s annual parade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonprideforthepeople.org/" data-vars-content-id="bdc3ccef-4066-4766-9b3c-fab1d4f1a220" data-vars-headline="Boston Pride 2026: LGBTQ+ events this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonprideforthepeople.org/" target="_blank">Pride for the People&#x27;s annual parade</a> on Saturday.The big picture: Organizers moved up the parade due to the World Cup, which kicks off its first Boston Stadium game on June 13.

Healey vows to "stand our ground" amid anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in Mass.

Massachusetts isn't immune to the backlash against LGBTQ+ rights and its community.

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey vowed Massachusetts would stand firm against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attacks on LGBTQ+ rights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/02/anti-lgbtq-incidents-glaad-data-transgender" data-vars-content-id="aca936e1-4f3b-462d-bd6c-a3c56f4af9f7" data-vars-headline="Healey vows to &quot;stand our ground&quot; amid anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in Mass." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/02/anti-lgbtq-incidents-glaad-data-transgender" target="_self">attacks on LGBTQ+ rights</a> and celebrate Pride Month, but some of that backlash hit closer to home this week.The big picture: Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, isn&#x27;t immune to anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

Mass. leaders make case for last-minute bill extending summer alcohol sales

Mass. braces for a tourism super-season as the World Cup, Tall Ships and 250th July Fourth near.

Boston-area business leaders and elected officials urged state lawmakers to pass a last-minute bill letting cities and towns allow early morning alcohol sales during the <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="78a6a45c-e4e4-421a-9ff4-6e6db48f024a" data-vars-headline="Mass. leaders make case for last-minute bill extending summer alcohol sales" 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>.Why it matters: Greater Boston could have one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="earliest last-call times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" data-vars-content-id="78a6a45c-e4e4-421a-9ff4-6e6db48f024a" data-vars-headline="Mass. leaders make case for last-minute bill extending summer alcohol sales" 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/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" target="_self">earliest last-call times</a> of all the U.S. host cities, potentially losing out on late-night business.

Things to Do 🗓

7 things to do in Boston this week

Anita, electric-solar boat prototype, makes appearance on Charles River

World Cup matches, Juneteenth Festival and more things to do around Boston this week

These are the 7 World Cup matches at Boston Stadium

Black Owned Bos. guide takes tourists into Boston neighborhoods