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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>

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How the Boston area is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates Latino and Hispanic history nationwide.

The Boston area is packed with events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The big picture: Hispanic Heritage Month, which started Tuesday and runs through Oct. 15, commemorates Latino and Hispanic history nationwide.<ul><li>The month coincides with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independence days" data-vars-click-url="https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources/hispanic-heritage-month" data-vars-content-id="8b6e2775-845d-4572-ab0d-9c31b9254377" data-vars-headline="How the Boston area is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources/hispanic-heritage-month" target="_blank">independence days</a> of eight countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile and Belize.</li></ul>

Boston-area events this week: Hazlett, Kendi's new book, AI Week

Whether you're line dancing or talking AI, there's something for everyone.

Monday, 9/14🎵 Club Cafe hosts a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="line and partner dance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/queer-line-partner-dancing--6" data-vars-content-id="02686ff0-3f41-4354-bd21-04f182b95965" data-vars-headline="Boston-area events this week: Hazlett, Kendi&#x27;s new book, AI Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/queer-line-partner-dancing--6" target="_blank">line and partner dance</a> class, 7:30-10:30pm.

El Gran Combo comes to Boston as salsa nears crossroads

Jerry Rivas talks salsa in Boston, Bad Bunny's influence and the future of the genre.

Music

When Jerry Rivas first joined <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Gran Combo," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/08/25/el-gran-combo-boston-embrace-masso-festival" data-vars-content-id="891e87d8-ceb2-45cf-867e-eda70677c37b" data-vars-headline="El Gran Combo comes to Boston as salsa nears crossroads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/08/25/el-gran-combo-boston-embrace-masso-festival" target="_self">El Gran Combo,</a> he was called &quot;el nene,&quot; or the kid, of the world-famous salsa band.<ul><li>Nearly 50 years later, he&#x27;s coming to downtown Boston as the veteran of the group.</li></ul>

Things to do: Iron Maiden, Beyoncé book, El Gran Combo

From Iron Maiden to El Gran Combo, this week brings something for everyone.

Tuesday, 9/8🐝 Cultural critic and certified Beyhive member Antonia Jade King discusses her book, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Beyoncé—One of One,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wordsasworlds.org/event-details/author-event-beyonce-one-of-one" data-vars-content-id="6b526ab9-b901-4d09-85ff-cc58fa867042" data-vars-headline="Things to do: Iron Maiden, Beyoncé book, El Gran Combo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wordsasworlds.org/event-details/author-event-beyonce-one-of-one" target="_blank">&quot;Beyoncé—One of One,&quot;</a> at Just Book-ish, 6-7:30pm.

Cheapskate's Guide: Free Spectacle Island cruises

Spectacle Sundays offer locals a chance to visit one of the Harbor Islands for free.

There&#x27;s still time to visit the Harbor Islands before the temperatures dip, and you can go for free.Why it matters: The Harbor Islands are considered a national and state park, but getting there can cost you if you don&#x27;t have your own boat.

10 Boston etiquette tips for new students and transplants

The stereotype that people are kind, not nice, bears some truth but is often misunderstood.

Culture

Steph here, with some advice for all the college students and transplants moving in this month.The intrigue: The stereotype that people here are kind, not nice, bears some truth but is often misunderstood.

Boston braces for more traffic, higher costs this Labor Day

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer.

Travel

Americans face a more congested and expensive Labor Day weekend.Why it matters: Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and travelers want to make the most of it, despite rising costs.

5 things to do in Boston this week

From Robyn at Agganis Arena to the illuminated lantern experience at the Franklin Park Zoo, here is your curated guide to Boston.

Monday, 8/31<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zoonewengland.org/franklin-park-zoo/boston-lights/" data-vars-content-id="b1d44717-1727-4122-8205-e1831981be21" data-vars-headline="5 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.zoonewengland.org/franklin-park-zoo/boston-lights/" target="_blank">Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience</a> at the Franklin Park Zoo offers a stunning evening stroll through illuminated lanterns across the zoo grounds, 6pm.Tuesday, 9/1<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ken Carson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.crossroadspresents.com/mgm-music-hall-at-fenway" data-vars-content-id="b1d44717-1727-4122-8205-e1831981be21" data-vars-headline="5 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.crossroadspresents.com/mgm-music-hall-at-fenway" target="_blank">Ken Carson</a> at MGM Music Hall at Fenway brings his current wave of Atlanta-influenced hip-hop to Boston, 7:30pm.

Things to Do 🗓

Take the Axios Boston news quiz!

Fluff Festival turns 21 with music, vendors and road closures

How the Boston area is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Boston-area events this week: Hazlett, Kendi's new book, AI Week

El Gran Combo comes to Boston as salsa nears crossroads