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Massachusetts inches toward automated speed cameras

A Senate-backed plan for automated speed cameras is headed to House negotiations.

News

Massachusetts could be on the verge of allowing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automated speed cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/exclusive-dcs-most-lucrative-speed-cameras" data-vars-content-id="e447aba9-f39c-4873-bcef-3be950887e38" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts inches toward automated speed cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/exclusive-dcs-most-lucrative-speed-cameras" target="_self">automated speed cameras</a> on the commonwealth&#x27;s streets for the first time.Why it matters: The shift — after a decade of political gridlock — could reshape how the state polices its deadliest roads.

New England arts orgs lost over $13M in funding in 2025

They reported losses in state funding, individual donations and private-sector grants.

Business

New England arts and culture organizations estimate losing a combined $13.5 million in 2025, the vast majority due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal funding cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/21/arts-funding-cuts-trump-pennsylvania-pa-humanities" data-vars-content-id="62a091a3-e5e3-4fc9-92f3-c34c62aa3723" data-vars-headline="New England arts orgs lost over $13M in funding in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/21/arts-funding-cuts-trump-pennsylvania-pa-humanities" target="_self">federal funding cuts</a>, a new regional survey found.Why it matters: The funding cuts led to 720 job losses across the region, according to employers across 125 organizations.

Mass. passes law limiting ICE. Now comes the backlash

Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill limiting local police from interacting with federal immigration agents.

Immigration

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill Wednesday that limits local police from interacting with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration agents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/13/boston-prepares-ice-surge-wu-plans" data-vars-content-id="e2b06598-2e1d-4964-9f6f-43b83500d070" data-vars-headline="Mass. passes law limiting ICE. Now comes the backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/13/boston-prepares-ice-surge-wu-plans" target="_self">federal immigration agents</a>.The big picture: The signing ceremony drew cheers from hundreds who packed into La Collaborativa in Chelsea.<ul><li>And it swiftly drew rebukes from critics accusing Healey of doubling down on the sanctuary label she&#x27;s shied away from during her reelection campaign.</li></ul>

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Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget

Long gone are the days where customers could try an upscale dinner for under $30.

Food and Drink

Dine Out Boston returns Saturday with nearly 200 restaurants participating.Why it matters: The semi-annual dining event comes as restaurants are hungry for customers — and as some of those <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would-be customers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" data-vars-content-id="1a0a25ea-cb97-4222-b850-66b513a7b1c9" data-vars-headline="Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" target="_self">would-be customers</a> are tightening their budgets.

The best things to do in Boston this weekend

From Ariana Grande at TD Garden to the massive Boston Puerto Rican Festival at Franklin Park.

Friday, 7/24The Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park open a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" weekend divisional series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/single-game-tickets" data-vars-content-id="28e7ce5c-ebdf-4f5d-a100-87243dd49ed7" data-vars-headline="The best things to do in Boston this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/single-game-tickets" target="_blank"> weekend divisional series</a> against their AL East rivals under the Friday night lights, 7:15pm.Saturday, 7/25

Boston's top events this week

From Ariana Grande at TD Garden to the massive Harvard Book Store Warehouse Sale.

Thursday, 7/23<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ariana Grande" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tdgarden.com/events" data-vars-content-id="17e49c6c-229a-47b6-a5f6-6bacdb28bff2" 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://www.tdgarden.com/events" target="_blank">Ariana Grande</a> brings her massive The Eternal Sunshine Tour to TD Garden for the first of three huge shows, 8pm.<ul><li>She also plays Saturday and Sunday.</li></ul>

Sail250 begins: Your Parade of Sail and tall ships cheat sheet

Dozens of ships, including 50-plus military vessels from 21 countries, are coming to Boston.

Boston welcomes more than 50 military ships from 21 countries starting Saturday for Sail250, the culmination of the multicity tall ships celebration.The intrigue: You don&#x27;t have to know the difference between a bow and a flying jib to appreciate the spectacle.

The big Boston bookstore bar crawl

From Beacon Hill to Fields Corner, we mapped nine Boston bookstores and the bars within stumbling distance.

Boston&#x27;s literary crowd could have a new favorite pastime: pairing a bookstore haul with a well-poured drink nearby.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent bookshops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/02/06/bookstores-boston-cambridge-somerville" data-vars-content-id="cbbf90ed-e600-47f9-95f2-0a963508f2ae" data-vars-headline="The big Boston bookstore bar crawl" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/02/06/bookstores-boston-cambridge-somerville" target="_self">independent bookshops</a> and its bar scene sit close enough together that a browse-then-sip route becomes obvious.

Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships' 4 million expected visitors

Crowds will gather to watch 60 ships from Argentina, Colombia, India and other nations.

Sixty ships from around the world will dock along Boston Harbor next month for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tall Ships" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/02/boston-biggest-events-2026-guide" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/02/boston-biggest-events-2026-guide" target="_self">Tall Ships</a>.The intrigue: The international gathering of military ships could bring an estimated 4 million people to Boston&#x27;s waterfront as the U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrates 250 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" target="_self">celebrates 250 years</a> — all while the city hosts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/22/scotland-tartan-army-leaves-boston-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="605f19d8-061f-4e0e-b7ef-f9df91c21056" data-vars-headline="Boston Harbor braces for Tall Ships&#x27; 4 million expected visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/22/scotland-tartan-army-leaves-boston-world-cup" target="_self">the World Cup</a>.

Gardner Museum in Boston expands free admission to every Thursday

The museum is turning its free First Thursdays into a weekly event.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/05/boston-travel-guide-best-things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="cdfa3d17-b3f5-49f1-948c-be5bd4640a53" data-vars-headline="Gardner Museum in Boston expands free admission to every Thursday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/05/boston-travel-guide-best-things-to-do" target="_self">Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum</a> expanded its free admission on the first Thursday of the month to every week.Why it matters: The move increases access to the 123-year-old art museum.

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.

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.

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Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget

The best things to do in Boston this weekend

Boston's top events this week

Sail250 begins: Your Parade of Sail and tall ships cheat sheet