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Healey backs Frank's Democratic warning

The governor aligns with his push for pragmatic politics over progressive litmus tests.

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey is backing Barney Frank&#x27;s dying message to the Democratic Party to focus primarily on the economy over social issues.Why it matters: Frank, now in hospice care in Ogunquit, Maine, is using his final days to push a blunt argument: Democrats are losing voters because the party&#x27;s left flank imposes &quot;litmus tests&quot; on issues most Americans don&#x27;t support.

First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston

The food hall opens May 1 with cuisine ranging from Indian to Korean to Indonesian.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Novo Marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" target="_self">Novo Marketplace</a> opens Friday, bringing a gathering space with a dozen Asian food vendors to Allston. Why it matters: Some U.S. food halls are struggling to turn a profit — the latest example being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Time Out Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" target="_blank">Time Out Market</a>— but owner Winson Chen is betting on the demand for gathering spaces and Asian cuisine in the Allston-Brighton area.

Mass. income tax cut ballot question faces legal threat

The SJC could pull the question from the November ballot entirely.

News

Massachusetts voters may be asked this November to decide whether to cut the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="income tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/28/state-tax-rates-massachusetts" data-vars-content-id="0501ee62-92f0-42a7-bf1a-a72617c4a0d4" data-vars-headline="Mass. income tax cut ballot question faces legal threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/28/state-tax-rates-massachusetts" target="_self">income tax</a> rate from 5% to 4%, a move that would have huge consequences for state spending.<ul><li>But a legal challenge heard Monday could pull the question from the ballot entirely.</li></ul>

The MAGA millionaire looking to turn deep blue Massachusetts

Mike Minogue's landslide win sets up a high-stakes 2026 race, testing if a MAGA-aligned Republican can win in Massachusetts.

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.Biotech multimillionaire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Minogue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/28/minogue-governor-campaign-ad-massachusetts-gop-momentum" data-vars-content-id="3bfc90ff-6837-4f63-8e6a-be484fc15648" data-vars-headline="The MAGA millionaire looking to turn deep blue Massachusetts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/28/minogue-governor-campaign-ad-massachusetts-gop-momentum" target="_self">Mike Minogue</a>&#x27;s landslide victory at the Mass. Republican Convention last month set up what promises to be a costly and very unlikely run to unseat Gov. Maura Healey in November.The big picture: Minogue&#x27;s win goes a long way to settle the GOP field and lays bare one of the central questions of the 2026 cycle: Can a Trump-aligned Republican come anywhere close to winning in Massachusetts?

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Everything you need for Somerville Porchfest 2026

From 500+ bands to the "porta-potty" expansion, here is your guide.

The porches and stoops of Somerville will once again transform into a city-wide stage Saturday for the 2026 edition of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Porchfest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/25/somerville-porchfest-safety-changes" data-vars-content-id="bf916dae-f893-4c11-974d-d7c42ff2ad8f" data-vars-headline="Everything you need for Somerville Porchfest 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/25/somerville-porchfest-safety-changes" target="_self">Porchfest</a>.Why it matters: Somerville officials are bracing for a massive turnout.

What we know (and don't) about Boston's World Cup fan festivities

Organizers are planning a cultural showcase as part of the FanFest, but little else is known so far.

Sports

Small businesses looking to host <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/11/world-cup-boston-foxborough-funding-dispute" data-vars-content-id="3b10a0c0-c3ef-4e07-91b5-3041da31b94f" data-vars-headline="What we know (and don&#x27;t) about Boston&#x27;s World Cup fan festivities" 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">FIFA World Cup</a> watch parties and other events are still awaiting clarity on what they can do this summer.Why it matters: Boston-area businesses want a piece of the economic boon that FIFA organizers predict the tournament will bring.

Boston celebrates 50 years of "Rocky Horror" with doc screening

Fifty years ago this month, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" midnight screenings debuted in NYC.

Culture

&quot;The Rocky Horror Picture Show&quot; has outlived the Soviet Union, Y2K and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="89c3f8a9-86ea-4435-9215-41be43236002" data-vars-headline="Boston celebrates 50 years of &quot;Rocky Horror&quot; with doc screening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.<ul><li>Boston-area fans will celebrate its legacy on Saturday with a documentary showing that pays tribute to the cult classic and its fandom.</li></ul>

Boston-area patios and rooftops to visit this spring

The only thing better than longer days is getting to watch the sunset from a patio over dinner or drinks.

Boston-area patios and rooftops are opening just in time for warmer weather.The intrigue: The only thing better than longer days is getting to watch the sunset from a patio over dinner or drinks.

Things to do in Boston this week

From a 35mm Bob Odenkirk premiere to Eddie Izzard's one-woman Hamlet, here is your curated guide to Boston.

Monday, 3/16<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Irish in Boston" data-vars-click-url="https://framinghamlibrary.org/calendar/event/the-irish-in-boston" data-vars-content-id="a7fef10d-ac18-4201-b2fd-f2793f7f90b5" data-vars-headline="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://framinghamlibrary.org/calendar/event/the-irish-in-boston" target="_blank">The Irish in Boston</a> features historian Anthony Sammarco at the Framingham Public Library. He&#x27;ll explore the 19th and 20th-century institutions—from Boston College to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross—founded by Irish immigrants, 7pm–8pm.<ul><li>Free.</li></ul>

Boston's biggest concerts this spring and summer

Boston is packed with concerts this spring and summer despite Boston Calling's hiatus.

Some of the world&#x27;s biggest acts are coming to Boston this spring and summer.The intrigue: Boston is drawing stars like R&amp;B singer Ari Lennox to jam band Phish, even as Boston Calling takes a hiatus in 2026.

Boston-area things to do, 2/23-3/1

The Femmes bring back "Gay Prom" and the Museum of Science talks psychedelics.

Monday, 2/23🎤 Tracy Palandijan, CEO and cofounder of the nonprofit Social Finance, discusses how investing and partnerships can drive change in education, workforce development, housing and more at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kennedy Institute," data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-event-tracy-palandjian-on-investing-in-opportunity-tickets-1980734758984" data-vars-content-id="f14c517e-43cb-456f-a692-0a282a56020e" data-vars-headline="Boston-area things to do, 2/23-3/1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-event-tracy-palandjian-on-investing-in-opportunity-tickets-1980734758984" target="_blank">Kennedy Institute,</a> 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Boston's blockbuster 2026 brings World Cup, Tall Ships and more

From the World Cup to the 250th anniversary of the U.S., here is what is coming to Boston in 2026.

Between the 250th anniversary of the nation&#x27;s founding, the return of the Tall Ships and the first-ever <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/09/world-cup-gillette-stadium-massachusetts-planning-venue-issues" data-vars-content-id="6d435a92-e92b-44de-adcd-9d12f5ffdb2a" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s blockbuster 2026 brings World Cup, Tall Ships and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/01/09/world-cup-gillette-stadium-massachusetts-planning-venue-issues" target="_self">World Cup matches</a> at Gillette Stadium, Boston is getting ready for one of its busiest years yet.Why it matters: The semiquincentennial and World Cup add an extra layer of festivities to a packed schedule that already includes the 130th Boston Marathon and usual harbor festivities.

Winteractive returns with giant art installations across downtown Boston

Giant eyeballs watch over downtown Boston as Winteractive returns.

Boston&#x27;s signature winter art exhibition is up and running for a third year, with 18 international installations designed to bring people to public spaces during the coldest months.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winteractive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/17/winteractive-pink-men-trees-art-boston" data-vars-content-id="dfbece46-ad4f-463b-a5b9-d68b134d5cb2" data-vars-headline="Winteractive returns with giant art installations across downtown Boston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/17/winteractive-pink-men-trees-art-boston" target="_self">Winteractive</a> is a free, walkable exhibition that transforms downtown into a big, snowy outdoor art gallery.

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Everything you need for Somerville Porchfest 2026

Boston-area events this week: Satan Dave, The Hold Steady, spring markets

What we know (and don't) about Boston's World Cup fan festivities

Boston celebrates 50 years of "Rocky Horror" with doc screening