Gov. Maura Healey is shielding immigrants from federal law enforcement in sensitive Massachusetts locations like schools, hospitals and courthouses.

Why it matters: It's one of Healey's biggest direct challenges to the Trump administration after the rescission of federal "protected areas" policies.

• Healey argues that unbridled ICE activity in the state caused school enrollment to drop and led immigrant families to skip medical care out of fear.

State of play: Healey's executive order bans new 287(g) enforcement agreements between Massachusetts executive entities and the federal government without a certified safety need. (Such agreements allow state and local cops to participate in immigration enforcement.)

• It also prohibits civil arrests in non-public state areas and bars state property from being used by ICE as staging grounds.
• The order doesn't affect the state Department of Corrections' existing 287(g) agreement.

Part two of Healey's move, in the form of a bill that will need legislative approval, requires judicial warrants for ICE to enter schools or health care facilities.

• Healey would allow parents to pre-arrange "standby" guardianship for children if they are detained.
• The bill would make it illegal for another state to deploy National Guard troops to Massachusetts without the governor's explicit permission.

What's next: Legislative leaders, including Senate President Karen Spilka, signaled support for moving the proposals quickly.

Go deeper

The state has had enough of towns flouting the law meant to increase housing production and is suing nine of them.

Why it matters: Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is signaling that local opposition will no longer be tolerated as housing costs soar.

• The legal action is a major escalation in the conflict with municipalities that still resist "as-of-right" multifamily zoning under the MBTA Communities Act.

State of play: Campbell filed a lawsuit Thursday against nine towns for failing to comply with the 2021 mandate designed to ease the state's housing crisis.

• Dracut, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Holden, Marblehead, Middleton, Tewksbury, Wilmington and Winthrop missed a July 14, 2025, deadline to adopt zoning plans compliant with the law.

How it works: Cities and towns served by the MBTA need to have at least one district where multifamily housing is allowed without special permitting.

• The state's Supreme Judicial Court ruled last year that compliance is mandatory.

What they're saying: "While bringing a lawsuit is never my first choice... the urgency of our housing shortage compels me to act," Campbell said in a statement.

What's next: The AG wants a court order to force the towns to rezone according to the law.

Read on: What the towns are saying

Cape Cod Potato Chips won't be made on the Cape anymore.

• The kettle-cooked classic's parent company Campbell's is moving operations out of state and eliminating 49 Mass. jobs. (Press release)

🛑 Rep. Ayanna Pressley renewed calls to abolish ICE and end qualified immunity for federal agents after voting against a $28 billion DHS funding bill. (The Boston Globe)

• Pressley joined Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minneapolis this week to condemn recent enforcement actions.

🏈 Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was listed as a limited participant in practice after a right shoulder injury as the team prepares for Super Bowl LX against Seattle. (CBS News Boston)

• Maye told reporters he feels good.

Despite President Trump's claims that the new documentary about his wife is "selling out fast," opening night data from the film's Boston screenings show nearly empty theaters.

• And there might be a blatant effort to buy an audience for the First Lady's doc, "Melania," which chronicles her private life leading up to the 2025 inauguration.

State of play: Online sleuths noticed several opening night screenings sold abysmally low numbers of tickets at major hubs like AMC Boston Common and AMC Causeway.

• Meanwhile, a Craigslist "event gig" post is claiming to offer Boston residents $50 in cash plus a free ticket to attend screenings this weekend.
• According to the post, the only requirement is that viewers must remain in their seats for the whole film.

Axios replied to the post, seeking more information.

• So far, no response.

Between the lines: If it's legit, the bribe to get butts into theater seats highlights a big gap between political branding and actual consumer interest, especially in Boston.

• The $50 offer would be a striking last-ditch effort to avoid a box office flop.

Spread the word, for Melania's sake

In 2026, vacations aren't just about switching off — they're about coming back smarter.

Why it matters: Vacations are being redefined as investments in personal growth — a shift that's reshaping how people use PTO and how the travel industry sells time away.

By the numbers: 72% of people say they want time off work to explore a personal passion, skill or hobby, per Hilton's 2026 trends report.

How it works: Travelers opting into "skillcations" or "curiosity leave" use PTO for trips to embark on experiences ranging from gourmet cooking to mastering mahjong. The idea is to leave refreshed and enlightened.

Between the lines: Skillcations can cost a little more than your standard beach getaway. The average is about $7,000, according to tourism and hospitality consultancy Future Partners.

Zoom out: Hotels, resorts and guides are taking notice of the trend, offering unique opportunities like mastering the art of falconry ($215/person) at Sea Island, Georgia or foraging in Sweden.

The bottom line: This year's best vacationers might return with skills that outlast their tan.

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