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An idiot's guide to the Patriots in 2023
The Patriots' regular season kicks off Sunday in Foxborough with a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.When you find yourself at a tailgate party feeling anxious about your season knowledge, let us help you prepare.Driving the news: Welcome to Patriots rebuilding, season four. The cast of main characters hasn't changed much, but a behind-the-scenes addition might make this the year the Pats finally find their post-Tom Brady identity.Threat level: New England finished last season with eight wins and nine losses after losing the playoff wild card game to Buffalo.Since then, the talk has been about whether quarterback Mac Jones would return...
Brady comes back to Foxborough for halftime honors
The greatest Patriot who ever lived will be back at Gillette Stadium on Sunday for a halftime ceremony honoring his 20-year career in New England.Driving the news: The game kicks off at 4:25pm on WBZ, so expect halftime around 6pm.A crew will probably set up a small stage and owner Robert Kraft is expected to give a speech.Brady himself may only have a few minutes to speak to the crowd given halftime ceremonies' tight timelines, WBZ sports writer Michael Hurley said.The intrigue: The Patriots have been tightlipped about what the ceremony may look like.Kraft Sports & Entertainment COO Jim Nolan...
The T's summer of slow
Data: Transit Matters; Chart: Jared Whalen/AxiosMost MBTA subway trains are completing trips a lot slower than they were at the start of the summer.Speed restrictions on the Red and Orange Lines are dragging out travel times, according to data analyzed by advocacy group TransitMatters.Why it matters: The agency and its aging equipment have been under federal oversight since last summer after several severe safety problems. The data shows the understaffed MBTA is struggling to provide on-time, safe service while repairing track and rail infrastructure.It has to run trains at lower speeds on dangerous stretches of track in need of repair.By...
Boston's back-to-school COVID guidance
Boston health officials are urging families to stock up on COVID-19 tests as the school year starts Thursday.Why it matters: The first day of school comes as a new COVID-19 strain is spreading, and updated boosters are still weeks away.Driving the news: The Boston Public Health Commission recommends that families have rapid test kits at home in case anyone feels sick or has been exposed to COVID-19.The commission suggests children wear face masks in crowded indoor settings, or if they are immunocompromised or sick with COVID-19.Like most U.S. schools, Boston Public Schools doesn't have mask mandates, but recommends that people...
Massachusetts migrants' work permit mess
Thousands of migrants continue languishing in Massachusetts' emergency family shelter system, in part because of monthslong delays for federal work permits.Why it matters: Without the green light to legally work, migrants can't save up money to transition out of shelters.This creates a bottleneck as more families arrive seeking help, and it's a scenario playing out across the country, as Steph reported with Axios' Monica Eng, Stef Kight and Caitlin Owens.What's happening: Federal law requires asylum seekers to wait at least 180 days for a permit, but some new arrivals are also struggling to get quick legal help with their applications,...
Boston biotech jobs boom
Despite layoffs and economic concerns, the life sciences sector's workforce in Massachusetts saw more growth than nearly all other states last year, according to an industry report released Wednesday.Why it matters: MassBio's industry snapshot shows that Massachusetts remains competitive in the life sciences sector despite concerns about losing skilled workers to lower-cost states.Driving the news: Massachusetts outpaced nearly all of its competitors when it came to jobs in research and development and biomanufacturing, according to the report.Only North Carolina surpassed Massachusetts' R&D employment growth, and North Carolina has a far smaller R&D workforce.By the numbers: The Bay State's R&D workforce grew 8.5% year-over-year in 2022, outpacing California and Pennsylvania.Massachusetts ended 2022 with more than 64,000 R&D workers.It saw 6.3% growth in its biomanufacturing workforce, ending 2022 with nearly 10,500 employees.The big picture: Life sciences hubs nationwide have fared well despite a slowdown in venture capital funding, triggered in part by recent rate hikes and layoffs.But MassBio and other biotech industry groups say upcoming drug pricing negotiations could hurt their industries, stifling innovation.Get more health news in your inbox with Axios Vitals.
Boston's chaotic City Council faces the voters
This year's Boston City Council elections should have been placid like most normally are, with incumbents cruising to victory.But the panel's recent reputation for chaos and a series of serious scandals have caught voters' attention ahead of next Tuesday's preliminary election day.What's happening: Two councilors who wouldn't otherwise pique much interest beyond their districts have endured months of citywide scrutiny and bad press.Councilor Kendra Lara faces criminal charges after crashing an uninsured car into a house in June.Councilor Ricardo Arroyo was fined $3,000 for improperly representing his brother in a city lawsuit. He has also been under fire for sexual...
Dorchester headed for change at City Hall
Dorchester will elect a new district councilor for the first time in 12 years, following the retirement of veteran district councilor Frank Baker.Why it matters: Baker's retirement makes Dorchester's the only open district seat in the city, guaranteeing another new voice on the council.Big picture: The next District 3 councilor will grapple with constituent calls to make housing more affordable while balancing the needs of developers and longtime residents. The district is also on the doorstep of the Mass. and Cass area that has become the epicenter of the city's addiction crisis.What's happening: Seven candidates are running to succeed the...
Boston's open at-large race
When longtime at-large city councilor Michael Flaherty announced in July he wouldn't run for another term in the citywide seat, the election became one of the city's most competitive.Why it matters: The council's four at-large seats wield outsized influence. The positions have served as launching pads for the political careers of Mayor Wu, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and more.Driving the news: Voters will choose from progressive candidates like Wu aide Henry Santana and more conservative choices like iron worker Bridget Nee-Walsh, who ran unsuccessfully in 2021 and wants to carry on Flaherty's centrist positions.What they're saying: "With candidates in at-large...
Electrolyte powders are popular, but not proven
Data: NIQ; Note: Includes sales of powdered drink enhancers that list electrolytes on the packaging from grocery, mass merchandise and drug stores in the US; Chart: Axios VisualsElectrolyte supplements have become a shockingly big market in Greater Boston, even though they're supported by limited scientific evidence.Why it matters: Although influencers and marketers consider electrolyte powders hydration hacks, doctors say that regularly drinking them instead of plain water is a waste of money.By the numbers: Nearly twice as many electrolyte powders have sold in Greater Boston in the past 12 months compared to 2021, according to consumer research company NIQ.Electrolyte powder...
Boston attorney's children's book explores diversity through his dog
Iván Espinoza-Madrigal and his partner spent the beginning of the pandemic in the Berkshires where they learned a surprising lesson from their dog, Obie.They noticed how their city pup didn't hesitate to meet new animals like owls and porcupines, despite their obvious differences.What's happening: Espinoza-Madrigal, a Boston-based civil rights attorney, decided to write a children's book about it with author Susan Rich, "Obie's Adventures in the Berkshires."The story explores diversity, equity and inclusion through the eyes of Obie, a 10-year-old Lhasa-poodle mix being raised by an interracial, same-sex couple.The book was published earlier this summer.The intrigue: Espinoza-Madrigal has been on the front lines of high-profile lawsuits and policy campaigns, including recent calls for the federal government to investigate Harvard's legacy admissions practices.But he'd never written a children's book before.What they're saying: The time spent in the Berkshires "had a lot of lessons for me in terms of really making sure that I stay open to different experiences and that I remain open-minded about being able to navigate and to meet people across lines of difference," Espinoza-Madrigal told Axios.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Sumner Tunnel reopens Friday, followed by more closures
The Sumner Tunnel will reopen to motorists Friday — just in time for the holiday weekend.Why it matters: The end of the two-month closure brings relief to motorists traveling between East Boston and the rest of the city, including those trying to make their flights at Logan Airport.Driving the news: Crews overhauled the ceiling and ventilation system during the 88-year-old tunnel's two-month closure.The tunnel is set to reopen between 3am and 5am Friday.Yes, but: It's not over yet. More tunnel closures are on the horizon for repairs, per MassDOT.Starting in the fall, the Sumner Tunnel will be closed during the...
How to beat Boston traffic for Labor Day weekend
Thursday afternoon is projected to be the busiest time on the road ahead of Labor Day weekend, especially if you're headed down the Cape.Driving the news: Peak congestion is expected Thursday around 3:30pm on the main route between Boston and Hyannis along I-93 and Route 6, according to INRIX, a global provider of transportation data that works with AAA to find the best/worst car travel times.The typical Cape-bound route will take 53.8% longer than usual.The worst time to return to Boston will be Monday at 2:45pm, when it could take 45.5% longer than normal.Why it matters: Planning to drive during off times could save you hours in the car.The busiest time to depart from Boston to Manchester, New Hampshire, is 3:15pm tomorrow.I-95 south to New York will get clogged around 4:30pm today.Overall, the times with the least traffic this holiday weekend nationally, INRIX reports, are:Thursday before 7amFriday before 11amSaturday after 6pmSunday anytime (minimal traffic is expected overall)Monday after 7pmWhat they're saying: "If you must travel during heavy traffic, navigation apps and local departments of transportation can help steer drivers around long delays," says Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Revere elections spotlight city's changing face
Revere — a city of 60,000 just north of Boston — is having municipal elections this year that could change the face of the city's politics.Driving the news: The most diverse slate of candidates in city history is vying for five at-large City Council seats, three of which are open races.The candidates tell Axios this year presents a remarkable opportunity for change in Revere.Why it matters: Revere's elected officials have remained mostly white and male for decades, even as its non-white population grew by nearly a third between 2013 and 2020 to a high of 49%.Meanwhile: Neighboring Boston embraced a...
Pharma companies with Mass. ties targeted in Medicare drug talks
The Biden administration unveiled Tuesday the first 10 drugs that will undergo Medicare price negotiations in 2023 and 2024, including several from companies with Massachusetts ties.Why it matters: Federal officials say the negotiations will rein in prices for Americans, who have paid far more than people in other countries for the same life-saving medications.Driving the news: The companies with drugs on the initial list employ more than 9,000 people in Massachusetts, Kendalle Burlin O'Connell, CEO and president of MassBio, said in a statement to Axios. They include Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Merck & Co. Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals.O'Connell is one...
Massachusetts kindergarten vaccine exemption rate steady since 2012
Data: CDC; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosMassachusetts kindergarten students are arriving at school exempt from the state's vaccine requirements at the same rate as about a decade ago.The Bay State is bucking a national trend that's seen a spike in exemptions for young students amid the public debate over vaccine efficacy.Driving the news: 1.4% of all kindergartners across Massachusetts were granted exemptions to required vaccines in the school year ending this past spring, the same rate as in 2012, per the latest state health statistics and CDC data.That's a 40% increase over the 2021-2022 school year when only 1% of kindergarteners received...
Who can say they're really from Boston
What does it mean that you're from here?Like, really from here?Does it mean you came to Boston for college and have been proudly slurping on iced coffee ever since?How about if you're technically from the South Shore, but, you know, you feel like a real Bostonian after about 15 years on Dot Ave?Can you show your surname on the passenger manifest of the Arbella?Even better, can you curse out a WASP in Wampanoag?A Florida Man with Mass. ties on Reddit recently pleaded his case to be considered a true Masshole. Some of his credentials:His parents are from New Bedford and...
Massachusetts' transportation secretary is stepping down
Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca is stepping down.Why it matters: Fiandaca will become the first official to leave Gov. Maura Healey's cabinet, just over seven months into the job.Driving the news: Fiandaca's last day is Sept. 11, though she will stay on in an advisory role through the end of the year, according to Healey's office.Monica Tibbits-Nutt, the transportation undersecretary and a former MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board member, will fill in as acting transportation secretary.In an internal email provided to Axios, Fiandaca told employees yesterday morning that she had decided to step down, though she did not say...
Despite rising home values, Boston homeowners pay among lowest property taxes
Data: Lincoln Institute of Land Policy; Note: Among the largest cities in each state, as well as Washington, D.C., Aurora, Ill. and Buffalo, N.Y.; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosWhile the overall amount of property taxes Americans paid rose in 2022, effective property tax rates — a homeowner's tax bill as a percentage of a property's value — dropped slightly in large cities last year on average.That's according to a new report from the nonprofit Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence.Driving the news: The effective property tax rate for a median-valued home in Boston was 0.49% in...
Mayor Wu to file ordinance to "empower" police action at Mass. & Cass
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu plans to file an ordinance Monday to "empower" police to remove tents and tarps in the encampment at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.Why it matters: Wu's proposal comes as reports of violence and public drug use at Mass. & Cass have increased.The city has seen more than twice as many weekly EMS calls between May and July than it did in the same time frame last year, CBS Boston reported.Driving the news: Wu told reporters on Friday that the proposal would only let police take down tents if people living there have...
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