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Scoop: GOP state rep faces sexual harassment lawsuit

A former State House aide says Rep. John Gaskey made unwanted advances, tied her job to sexual favors and showed up uninvited at her hospital bedside.

Politics

A former State House aide is accusing Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver) of making unwanted advances while she was on the job and later firing her after she rejected him.Why it matters: The suit, filed by Kayla Churchill, a Republican state committeewoman who worked for Gaskey as his State House aide, lays out a chronology of alleged misconduct.

Mass. puts "freedom to read" law on the books

The law would prevent book bans led by out-of-town activists in school and public libraries.

Massachusetts is the latest state to pass laws that aim to curb book bans based on identity.Why it matters: The so-called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;freedom to read&quot; laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/states-are-banning-book-bans-will-it-work/2026/01" data-vars-content-id="76cc113f-e9f8-4f41-abc6-4cf52fec5f05" data-vars-headline="Mass. puts &quot;freedom to read&quot; law on the books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/states-are-banning-book-bans-will-it-work/2026/01" target="_blank">&quot;freedom to read&quot; laws</a> are blue states&#x27; answer to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="book banning movement," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/23/book-bans-2024-censorship-libraries-schools" data-vars-content-id="76cc113f-e9f8-4f41-abc6-4cf52fec5f05" data-vars-headline="Mass. puts &quot;freedom to read&quot; law on the books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/23/book-bans-2024-censorship-libraries-schools" target="_self">book banning movement,</a> which has revolved around books that focus on race, gender and sexuality.

Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities

While homicides have plummeted in Boston and across the U.S. in 2026, an uptick in aggravated assaults tells a more complicated local story.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" target="_self">Violent crime</a> kept falling across many of the nation&#x27;s largest cities through June, with homicides down 17.2% from the first half of 2025, according to preliminary data reviewed by Axios.Why it matters: The decline now spans two presidencies — it began falling under President Biden after the pandemic-era surge, and has kept dropping under President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" 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>.Zoom in: Crime in Boston is going down, but violence is getting worse.<ul><li>While the city mirrors the national plunge in murders, overall violent crime ticked up slightly.</li><li>Homicides plummeted 52% in the first half of 2026, dropping from 21 to 10. Reported rapes also fell by roughly 24%.</li></ul>Yes, but: Aggravated assaults jumped more than 7% (from 1,155 to 1,240), pushing the city&#x27;s total violent crime numbers slightly higher than the same period last year, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major Cities Chiefs Association&#x27;s (MCCA) survey" data-vars-click-url="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-Midyear.pdf" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-Midyear.pdf" target="_blank">Major Cities Chiefs Association&#x27;s (MCCA) survey</a>.Trump came into office casting America as being overrun by crime at a time when the national numbers were already declining dramatically. <ul><li>As that decline has continued during his watch, he&#x27;s taken credit for it, often linking it to his deployment of the National Guard in cities such as Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tenn.</li></ul>By the numbers: An Axios analysis of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MCCA" data-vars-click-url="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-Midyear.pdf" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-Midyear.pdf" target="_blank">MCCA</a> data on 66 large U.S. communities found drops in violent crime in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period last year.<ul><li>Homicides fell 17.2%.</li><li>Robberies dropped 16.6%.</li><li>Rapes declined 6.2%.</li><li>Aggravated assaults fell 5.7%.</li><li>Taken together, the four categories were down about 8.3%, for roughly 14,200 fewer reported violent crimes, according to the Axios review. </li></ul>Zoom in: The homicide drops are especially striking in several cities that have struggled with high levels of violence.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/national-guard-washington-dc-about" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/national-guard-washington-dc-about" target="_self">D.C</a>. reported 46 homicides, down 43.9% from 82 in the first half of 2025.</li><li>Homicides in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memphis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/15/trump-national-guard-memphis-chicago-dc-crime" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/15/trump-national-guard-memphis-chicago-dc-crime" target="_self">Memphis</a> fell 43.7%, from 119 killings to 67, and 38.3% in Houston, from 154 to 95.</li><li>Philadelphia recorded 83 homicides, down 27.2% from 114.</li></ul>The intrigue: Aurora, Colo. — a city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump falsely singled out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/11/trump-operation-aurora-targeting-undocumented-criminals" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/11/trump-operation-aurora-targeting-undocumented-criminals" target="_self">Trump falsely singled out</a> as being overrun by Venezuelan immigrant gangs during the 2024 election — saw a 58.8% drop in homicides.Caveat: Some of the biggest percentage drops came in places with relatively few killings to begin with — which can make the declines look particularly.<ul><li>Newark fell 64.7% from 17 to six homicides, Raleigh fell 63.6% from 11 to four, for example.</li></ul>Yes, but: Some cities had relatively small homicide totals that were significantly higher than in the first six months of 2025.<ul><li>Honolulu jumped 85.7%, from seven homicides to 13.</li><li>San Diego jumped 81.3%, from 16 to 29 — continuing the increase Axios identified in the first quarter.</li></ul>Zoom out: Another major crime tracker is seeing similar trends in declining violent crime.<ul><li>A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://counciloncj.org/homicide-likely-reaching-a-new-historic-low-as-most-crime-rates-continue-to-decline-at-mid-year/" data-vars-content-id="37f49a48-5bd6-4f05-9f2d-1e90a90b934a" data-vars-headline="Violent crime keeps falling in Boston and biggest U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://counciloncj.org/homicide-likely-reaching-a-new-historic-low-as-most-crime-rates-continue-to-decline-at-mid-year/" target="_blank">Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) analysis</a> found homicides down 18% among 30 reporting cities in the first half of 2026. The group says the decline began in the second half of 2022.</li><li>The finding is notable because crime has fallen across cities with different political leadership, policing strategies, economic conditions and levels of federal involvement, CCJ said.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;President Trump promised to make America safe again — and the data proves he is delivering faster and more decisively than any administration in history,&quot; the White House said in a statement.

How Healey's election year abortion law came to be

The new law ends Massachusetts' 24-week gestational limit on abortion and gives physicians final say on late-term care.

Massachusetts just <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scrubbed state law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/22/massachusetts-house-committee-abortion-bill-late-term-24-weeks-h5595-ways-and-means" data-vars-content-id="90022ee4-2b6c-41f2-9902-e3e141114bfe" data-vars-headline="How Healey&#x27;s election year abortion law came to be" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/22/massachusetts-house-committee-abortion-bill-late-term-24-weeks-h5595-ways-and-means" target="_self">scrubbed state law</a> of the 24-week gestational boundary for abortions and the &quot;exceptional circumstances&quot; test that previously governed later-term procedures.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the state&#x27;s latest move to shore up access to abortion in the post-Roe v. Wade era and it comes just as Gov. Maura Healey needs to rally Democrats to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="assure her reelection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/27/healey-2026-reelection-housing-energy-costs-massachusetts-governor-election" data-vars-content-id="90022ee4-2b6c-41f2-9902-e3e141114bfe" data-vars-headline="How Healey&#x27;s election year abortion law came to be" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/27/healey-2026-reelection-housing-energy-costs-massachusetts-governor-election" target="_self">assure her reelection</a> this fall.<ul><li>Politically, it&#x27;s another win for pro-choice advocates who have been working for decades on a long list of legislative goals.</li></ul>

Part of every Green Line is down this week

Prepare for longer commutes and shuttle service.

Transit

Parts of the Green Line are down until this week as the MBTA works on signal upgrades and accessibility-related repairs. Why it matters: Passengers along the city&#x27;s core should expect longer commutes via shuttles and buses through Sunday.

Mass. will add 3 pilots to cut T fares, extend summer discounts

The MBTA pilots stand to benefit some bus riders, seniors and passengers who transfer often.

Massachusetts plans to launch three pilots to cut MBTA fares and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extend Commuter Rail discounts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/30/commuter-rail-world-cup-tickets" data-vars-content-id="0853ba03-ea32-4073-9372-7d7677a3d7ba" data-vars-headline="Mass. will add 3 pilots to cut T fares, extend summer discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/30/commuter-rail-world-cup-tickets" target="_self">extend Commuter Rail discounts</a> this fall.Between the lines: Transit leaders are trying to capitalize on the ridership boost they saw during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/13/world-cup-train-ridership-commuter-rail-amtrak" data-vars-content-id="0853ba03-ea32-4073-9372-7d7677a3d7ba" data-vars-headline="Mass. will add 3 pilots to cut T fares, extend summer discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/13/world-cup-train-ridership-commuter-rail-amtrak" target="_self">World Cup</a> and Sail Boston.

Red Line shutdown looms for Cambridge

The MBTA will suspend the Red Line between Alewife and Park Street from July 21-30.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The MBTA will suspend Red Line service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mbta.com/alerts/subway" data-vars-content-id="a8a74295-dccd-44a6-a282-82222f934354" data-vars-headline="Red Line shutdown looms for Cambridge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mbta.com/alerts/subway" target="_blank">The MBTA will suspend Red Line service</a> between Alewife and Park Street for 10 days starting Tuesday, through July 30.<ul><li>Instead of trains in the tunnel, free shuttle buses will ferry riders on street level at all eight stations in between Park Street and the northern end of the line.</li></ul>Why it matters: The closure will hit Cambridge&#x27;s busiest transit corridor hard.

World Cup boosted train ridership, but the financial picture's unclear

Amtrak saw a roughly 9% increase in ridership last month compared to June 2025.

The Northeast saw a boost in train ridership during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/09/world-cup-boston-economic-impact" data-vars-content-id="2310e1b2-9bde-4d8f-9afa-ccd649236924" data-vars-headline="World Cup boosted train ridership, but the financial picture&#x27;s unclear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/09/world-cup-boston-economic-impact" target="_self">World Cup</a>, from Amtrak rides to and from Boston to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Commuter Rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/30/commuter-rail-world-cup-tickets" data-vars-content-id="2310e1b2-9bde-4d8f-9afa-ccd649236924" data-vars-headline="World Cup boosted train ridership, but the financial picture&#x27;s unclear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/30/commuter-rail-world-cup-tickets" target="_self">Commuter Rail</a> to Foxborough.The big picture: State and federal officials consider the ridership increase a win, but it remains to be seen whether these public transit systems actually profited from the international tournament.

Why everyone's hating on the Orange Line extension idea

A proposal to bring the Orange Line to Blue Hill Avenue could be a bold move for the Bay State as it struggles with traffic and aging transit systems.

A recent proposal to extend the MBTA&#x27;s Orange Line is already hitting a wall of logistical, financial and political objections.Why it matters: Expanding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MBTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" data-vars-content-id="68f5b75a-5c14-492d-985f-110f2d596373" data-vars-headline="Why everyone&#x27;s hating on the Orange Line extension idea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" target="_self">MBTA</a>&#x27;s subway system could be a bold move for the Bay State as it struggles with traffic and aging transit systems.<ul><li>But experts say a plan from City Councilors Miniard Culpepper and Brian Worrell to bring the Orange Line to the Blue Hill Avenue corridor that connects Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan isn&#x27;t the answer.</li></ul>

MBTA drops collectible summer CharlieCards

Grab a piece of Boston transit history. The MBTA just released special-edition CharlieCards celebrating major summer events and iconic local landmarks.

The MBTA launched three special-edition collectible CharlieCards on Tuesday to commemorate the series of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major tourism events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/02/boston-biggest-events-2026-guide" data-vars-content-id="d384f933-3504-4b6b-a5d1-b488c3519d84" data-vars-headline="MBTA drops collectible summer CharlieCards" 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">major tourism events</a> coming to Boston this year.Why it matters: The transit agency is capitalizing on the massive influx of visitors expected to come to the Commonwealth for marquee summer celebrations like the country&#x27;s 250th birthday, SailBoston and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" data-vars-content-id="d384f933-3504-4b6b-a5d1-b488c3519d84" data-vars-headline="MBTA drops collectible summer CharlieCards" 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/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" target="_self">World Cup</a>.<ul><li>The initial designs feature the Boston Public Library, the USS Constitution and South Station.</li><li>Commemorative cards are currently stocked in fare vending machines at Park Street, Downtown Crossing and Forest Hills.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng framed the release as a unique way to engage with massive summer celebrations.<ul><li>&quot;The collectible cards are a fun way for both riders and visitors to explore the city, discover new destinations, and commemorate their travels,&quot; Eng said in a release.</li><li>What&#x27;s next: Officials will deploy the cards to more than a dozen additional subway stations later this week.</li></ul>

Some Boston commuters brace for "disaster" during World Cup

Commuter Rail riders will face closures, delayed trains, reduced service or all of the above.

Massachusetts&#x27; transit plans for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" data-vars-content-id="0bf88383-2f21-4c6c-b116-ef8fd693ee1d" data-vars-headline="Some Boston commuters brace for &quot;disaster&quot; during World Cup" 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/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" target="_self">World Cup</a> are derailing commuters&#x27; plans to get to work in Boston at a time when most employers are retreating from hybrid work.Why it matters: The biggest losers of the World Cup matches at Foxborough&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/13/boston-stadium-gillette-foxborough-world-cup-tickets" data-vars-content-id="0bf88383-2f21-4c6c-b116-ef8fd693ee1d" data-vars-headline="Some Boston commuters brace for &quot;disaster&quot; during World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/13/boston-stadium-gillette-foxborough-world-cup-tickets" target="_self">Boston Stadium</a>&quot; just might be regular Commuter Rail passengers if they can&#x27;t work remotely and avoid the traffic jams and train disruptions.

Boston sends Sullivan Square plan to MassDOT, again

The dream of a redeveloped Rutherford Avenue, conceived in the '90s, is old enough to rent a car.

Development

The Sullivan Square of the 21st century is turning into a playground for young families and professionals, between the new pickleball club, Hood Park&#x27;s new gym and plans for a grocery store.<ul><li>All that&#x27;s missing is a facelift of the square&#x27;s infamous rotary.</li></ul>

Prepare for a brutal summer of MBTA shutdowns and shuttle buses

The T is moving fast on infrastructure upgrades, but overlapping suspensions on the Green and Red lines will snarl spring commuting.

A cascade of overlapping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MBTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" data-vars-content-id="23f56185-7cdc-4b3d-947c-69b396adad2f" data-vars-headline="Prepare for a brutal summer of MBTA shutdowns and shuttle buses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" target="_self">MBTA</a> service suspensions will make this spring a hard one for subway riders as the T accelerates a push to modernize aging infrastructure.Why it matters: The disruptions are meant to correct years of deferred maintenance.<ul><li>The T under General Manager Phil Eng is moving fast on safety and accessibility upgrades — but that means some near-term commuter pain in the busy summer months.</li></ul>

Healey wants Mass. to enact first-in-the-nation rules for e-bikes and scooters

Complaints are piling up against e-bikes, scooters and mopeds, and one scooter rider died.

Gov. Maura Healey filed legislation Monday that, if approved, would make Massachusetts the first state to regulate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="e-bikes, scooters and mopeds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/13/massachusetts-micromobility-ebike-laws-regulations" data-vars-content-id="d0412109-982f-41df-bbec-a972c0fa09c8" data-vars-headline="Healey wants Mass. to enact first-in-the-nation rules for e-bikes and scooters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/04/13/massachusetts-micromobility-ebike-laws-regulations" target="_self">e-bikes, scooters and mopeds</a>.Why it matters: Healey&#x27;s bill is a response to an uptick in complaints about the electric vehicles — including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deadly scooter and car crash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsa8Iat_0Wc" data-vars-content-id="d0412109-982f-41df-bbec-a972c0fa09c8" data-vars-headline="Healey wants Mass. to enact first-in-the-nation rules for e-bikes and scooters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsa8Iat_0Wc" target="_blank">deadly scooter and car crash</a> in February — as they&#x27;re not beholden to local or state regulations like cars.

Transit 🚗

Part of every Green Line is down this week

Mass. will add 3 pilots to cut T fares, extend summer discounts

Red Line shutdown looms for Cambridge

World Cup boosted train ridership, but the financial picture's unclear

Why everyone's hating on the Orange Line extension idea