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Expect big crowds at Mass. "No Kings" protests

Over 160 "No Kings" protests are scheduled across Massachusetts Saturday.

News

Organizers behind the nationwide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="7c110bfe-5fc6-42de-84b0-f027ab4b95df" data-vars-headline="Expect big crowds at Mass. &quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" target="_self">&quot;No Kings&quot; protests</a> claim more than 160 rallies are scheduled across the Commonwealth tomorrow.Why it matters: Massachusetts is playing a big role in the nationwide mobilization organizers describe as possibly the largest single-day protest in U.S. history.

Boston judge blocks ICE from detaining refugees

The judge issued a stay on a new federal policy that would let agents detain refugees.

Immigration

A federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked federal immigration agents from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detaining refugees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/10/refugees-iine-trump-administration" data-vars-content-id="877a8dd2-12c3-4365-8782-e2d4c9201fac" data-vars-headline="Boston judge blocks ICE from detaining refugees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/10/refugees-iine-trump-administration" target="_self">detaining refugees</a>.Why it matters: The order offers a reprieve for refugees, who were vetted to enter the country legally and apply for legal permanent residency after a year only to be targeted for deportation.

A casual fan's guide to the 2026 Red Sox season

The Sox have finished 3rd in the AL East two years in a row.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Red Sox" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/26/a-casual-fans-guide-to-the-2025-red-sox" data-vars-content-id="e135207b-a071-4288-a4c2-574526f8b911" data-vars-headline="A casual fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 Red Sox season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/26/a-casual-fans-guide-to-the-2025-red-sox" target="_self">Red Sox</a> kick off their 2026 season Thursday with an emerging superstar and strong pitching they hope will lead to title contention.Why it matters: The Sox have finished third in the AL East two years in a row, and the division again looks to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the best in baseball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48287373/opening-day-2026-mlb-season-preview-rankings-every-team-playoff-odds-world-series-chances#bos" data-vars-content-id="e135207b-a071-4288-a4c2-574526f8b911" data-vars-headline="A casual fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 Red Sox season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48287373/opening-day-2026-mlb-season-preview-rankings-every-team-playoff-odds-world-series-chances#bos" target="_blank">one of the best in baseball</a>.<ul><li>Outdueling the Yankees and American League champion Blue Jays will require big contributions from Boston&#x27;s offseason acquisitions.</li></ul>

Boston cop's shooting charge roils DA race, divides city councilors

Boston cop shooting charge roils DA race, with Rollins, Flaherty and Mullen weighing runs against Hayden — while councilors split on how to frame King's death.

The manslaughter charge filed against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Police Officer Nicholas O&#x27;Malley" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/21/metro/officer-arrest-strong-message/" data-vars-content-id="ed38ac76-c5b5-46d8-b8d0-8a959f075308" data-vars-headline="Boston cop&#x27;s shooting charge roils DA race, divides city councilors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/21/metro/officer-arrest-strong-message/" target="_blank">Boston Police Officer Nicholas O&#x27;Malley</a> for the on-duty shooting death of a carjacking suspect has ignited two separate political firestorms.<ul><li>One is directed at Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden for bringing charges, the other inside the Boston City Council chamber.</li></ul>Why it matters: The case has revived longstanding tensions over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="police accountability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/21/database-federal-police-misconduct-trump-deletes" data-vars-content-id="ed38ac76-c5b5-46d8-b8d0-8a959f075308" data-vars-headline="Boston cop&#x27;s shooting charge roils DA race, divides city councilors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/21/database-federal-police-misconduct-trump-deletes" target="_self">police accountability</a> in Boston while scrambling the Suffolk DA race.

World Cup goers will see price hike on Commuter Rail

Acting Transportation Secretary Phil Eng said the prices aren't finalized, but they'll be higher.

Transit

The Commuter Rail will likely charge people far more for train tickets to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/19/boston-world-cup-funds" data-vars-content-id="d6e1f315-e43e-4dfe-a3f1-2194cb3013fe" data-vars-headline="World Cup goers will see price hike on Commuter Rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/19/boston-world-cup-funds" target="_self">World Cup matches</a> in Foxborough this summer, acting transportation secretary Phil Eng confirmed.Why it matters: Transportation officials want World Cup attendees to use public transit to minimize car traffic, but it will cost them.

Brazil vs. France: What to know about the friendly match in Mass.

The commuter rail will run four trains from South Station to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

Tens of thousands of fans will flock to Gillette Stadium on Thursday for an exhibition game between Brazil and France ahead of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/19/boston-world-cup-funds" data-vars-content-id="a158d7cc-637f-457c-8d92-15e0d2085fde" data-vars-headline="Brazil vs. France: What to know about the friendly match in Mass." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/19/boston-world-cup-funds" target="_self">World Cup</a>.Why it matters: It gives transportation officials a glimpse at the traffic impact and how prepared they are to deal with potential transit issues come June.

Explaining the T's anti-icing trains

Those darkened MBTA train cars are actually mobile de-icing stations designed to keep the third rail clear of ice.

You&#x27;ve probably noticed certain darkened train cars on the MBTA&#x27;s subway lines that don&#x27;t allow passengers before and during winter weather events.State of play: According to the MBTA, that&#x27;s because the cars are full of equipment for de-icing the third rails that power the trains.

Bored Bostonian accidentally renamed an MBTA bus stop

A West Roxbury resident's pandemic joke exposed how the MBTA uses crowdsourced Google Maps data for automated bus stop announcements.

A Boston resident <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accidentally renamed an MBTA bus stop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1pbbyxt/so_i_accidentally_named_a_mbta_bus_stop/" data-vars-content-id="3d3b14e9-1d4c-41a6-a89b-25698d9ce1f9" data-vars-headline="Bored Bostonian accidentally renamed an MBTA bus stop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1pbbyxt/so_i_accidentally_named_a_mbta_bus_stop/" target="_blank">accidentally renamed an MBTA bus stop</a>, and the change stuck for years, becoming the official name for the stop declared by the T&#x27;s announcement system.Why it matters: A Reddit user&#x27;s pandemic boredom-induced joke showed how the MBTA relies on crowdsourced Google Maps data for the automated stop announcements bellowed from vehicles&#x27; speakers.

Boston's buses are slowing down — again

MBTA bus speeds fell again in 2024 — and bunching got worse on key routes serving Boston's inner-city riders.

Bus speeds on the MBTA system slipped in 2024 and buses bunched more — marking a setback for riders who rely on the service most, according to a new report.

Drivers can't figure out new pedestrian crosswalks

What to know about the the solid and flashing lights.

Public Safety

Massachusetts drivers are struggling to interpret new flashing crosswalks, with nearly a quarter running red lights and most misusing the flashing red phase, according to University of Massachusetts Amherst research.

Healey's transpo trick: Tapping Train Daddy Eng

Politics

Gov. Maura Healey&#x27;s appointment of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phil Eng" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/16/tibbits-nutt-out-at-massdot-ts-eng-takes-over" data-vars-content-id="63afecd8-d1ae-436d-ab39-9041f0efc61e" data-vars-headline="Healey&#x27;s transpo trick: Tapping Train Daddy Eng" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/10/16/tibbits-nutt-out-at-massdot-ts-eng-takes-over" target="_self">Phil Eng</a> as the new interim state transportation secretary was more than just a move to place one of her most capable aides in charge of a troubled MassDOT. It was a deft act of political deflection.Why it matters: Instead of focusing on the premature departure of Monica Tibbits-Nutt, whose tenure was controversial, all the press, T fans and Beacon Hill chatterers can talk about is the promotion of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Train Daddy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/16/metro/phillip-eng-mbta-fans/" data-vars-content-id="63afecd8-d1ae-436d-ab39-9041f0efc61e" data-vars-headline="Healey&#x27;s transpo trick: Tapping Train Daddy Eng" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/16/metro/phillip-eng-mbta-fans/" target="_blank">Train Daddy</a>&quot; Eng.

Newton's new traffic light divides drivers

Some drivers say the light is causing backups and more delays.

A new traffic light in Newton is creating backups and long delays even when there&#x27;s no congestion, local drivers told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CBS Boston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/newton-traffic-light-needham-street/" data-vars-content-id="389934b3-b062-46b5-a892-ef0d634b82e1" data-vars-headline="Newton&#x27;s new traffic light divides drivers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/newton-traffic-light-needham-street/" target="_blank">CBS Boston</a>.Why it matters: The traffic light is either a godsend for kids trying to cross the street or the bane of every driver&#x27;s existence, depending on whom you ask.

MBTA Orange Line speeds up later this month

Riders will see improved service, Phil Eng announced.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/14/mbtas-eng-on-healeys-big-transpo-funding-push" data-vars-content-id="3af07d73-e78c-42cc-aa9e-3639b05056ff" data-vars-headline="MBTA Orange Line speeds up later this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/14/mbtas-eng-on-healeys-big-transpo-funding-push" target="_self">Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority</a> plans to increase the maximum speed of the Orange Line starting Aug. 24, cutting travel times by approximately 5 minutes for trips across the whole line.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a tangible service improvement for daily commuters after extensive infrastructure work, system reliability efforts and spending by the T.

MBTA tries late-night service again

It's been a struggle to keep trains running past midnight before.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MBTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/15/mbta-electronic-bus-train-signs" data-vars-content-id="633a6c22-cd93-4a55-b5a1-39368ad7a51f" data-vars-headline="MBTA tries late-night service again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/15/mbta-electronic-bus-train-signs" target="_self">MBTA</a> plans to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extend subway and bus service" data-vars-click-url="https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/3i.%20Fall%202025%20Service%20Memo.pdf" data-vars-content-id="633a6c22-cd93-4a55-b5a1-39368ad7a51f" data-vars-headline="MBTA tries late-night service again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/3i.%20Fall%202025%20Service%20Memo.pdf" target="_blank">extend subway and bus service</a> by about one hour on Friday and Saturday nights starting Aug. 24.Why it matters: T service later in the evening would be a boon to the graveyard shift, like health care workers and restaurant staff who rely on cars to get around after the trains stop.

Transit 🚗

World Cup goers will see price hike on Commuter Rail

Brazil vs. France: What to know about the friendly match in Mass.

Explaining the T's anti-icing trains

Bored Bostonian accidentally renamed an MBTA bus stop

Boston's buses are slowing down — again