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Axios Boston
Meet the new baby penguin at New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium has a brand new addition: this little rockhopper penguin chick.She hatched June 23.Staff had to help her out of her shell.Current weight: 3 lbs. Which is 17 times more than the 2.8 ounces she weighed at birth.What's next: The chick's name will be revealed in the fall. She could join the other 13 rockhoppers in the penguin exhibit then if she's healthy enough.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Fancy new digs surface in Southie
Seven new apartment buildings are rising over six blocks of former industrial space in South Boston.What's happening: Leasing is open for the first building in the 5-acre Washington Village complex at the corner of Damrell Street and Old Colony Avenue.Dubbed the South Standard, it has 214 rental units, and move-ins are scheduled for the fall.Developer Samuels & Associates is touting the apartments' terraces, walk-in closets and dens that could double as home offices. Photo: Courtesy Samuels & AssociatesStudios will start at $2,780, 1-bedrooms at $3,300, 2-bedrooms at $4,500 and 3-bedrooms at $6,185.What's next: The building will have 20,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Fancy new digs surface in Southie
Seven new apartment buildings are rising over six blocks of former industrial space in South Boston.What's happening: Leasing is open for the first building in the 5-acre Washington Village complex at the corner of Damrell Street and Old Colony Avenue.Dubbed the South Standard, it has 214 rental units, and move-ins are scheduled for the fall.Developer Samuels & Associates is touting the apartments' terraces, walk-in closets and dens that could double as home offices. Photo: Courtesy Samuels & AssociatesStudios will start at $2,780, 1-bedrooms at $3,300, 2-bedrooms at $4,500 and 3-bedrooms at $6,185.What's next: The building will have 20,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Boston's still racist, but it's changing — with Black and brown leaders at the forefront
When U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley took the stage at the NAACP convention last weekend, she said first-time visitors may wonder: "Are there any Black folks in Boston? Let this moment be a resounding and decisive yes."Why it matters: Decades after a federal judge made Boston desegregate schools through busing, and even as the majority-minority city has gained many political and business leaders of color, the Hub remains known as one of the country's most racist cities.Driving the news: NAACP and city leaders tried to counter that narrative during the convention by elevating Black-owned businesses, producing displays of local Black luminaries...
Massachusetts school meals stay free
All Massachusetts public school students will continue to have access to free school meals this year. It's welcome news to some districts that held off on hiring cafeteria workers and ordering food for fear state funding wouldn't come through.Driving the news: Lawmakers on Beacon Hill committed $172 million to continue a pandemic-era program to provide K-12 students with meals free of charge.The budget agreement passed by the House and Senate yesterday came one month late.Why it matters: Students can get up to half of their daily nutrition from school meals, according to advocacy group Project Bread.The group says more needy students will take advantage of free meals if the social stigma around payments and subsidies is removed from students' cafeteria experience.What's next: Gov. Maura Healey is expected to sign the budget into law, which will free up the funds for districts just in time as schools return in the coming weeks.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Boston's large music venues thrive while smaller clubs struggle post-pandemic
Boston's live music scene looks much different than it used to. Bars with stages and smaller clubs hosting local talent used to play side by side with larger venues bringing in national touring acts.But these days those giant concert venues are big business, and the smaller clubs are on the way out.Driving the news: When concerts (and everything else) shut down in 2020, two enormous Boston venues were already in the works and opened just in time last year to capitalize on a post-pandemic live music revival.MGM Music Hall is a monster 5,000-person facility right by Fenway Park.Roadrunner, a new...
Mass. budget includes universal school meals, in-state tuition for immigrants
State lawmakers will vote Monday on a $56 billion budget proposal four weeks after the start of the new fiscal year. Why it matters: Massachusetts will be one of the last states in the nation to enact a fiscal 2024 budget, per the National Conference of State Legislatures. Driving the news: The spending bill is packed with progressive policy riders related to college tuition, school meals and health care, including:🩺 Free community college tuition this fall for nursing students and students ages 25 and up🎓 In-state tuition and state financial aid for undocumented high school graduates🍽 A permanent universal school meals program🏥 A pilot program expanding affordable health care coverage to middle-income residents, which former Gov. Baker vetoed last year.Yes, but: Lawmakers (again) left out funding for the online lottery program.The big picture: The spending bill comes after the state's 2023 tax revenue fell short of projections and amid fears of a recession.Plus: The budget earmarks $50 million to make community college free by 2024, 2.5 times more funding than what Gov. Healey proposed in her inaugural budget bill.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
How much a water view will cost you in Boston
There's nothing better than sitting back and taking in a view of the sea. And if you can find that just by stepping onto your own porch, you've truly got it made.Housing with an ocean view in Boston doesn't come cheap, but here are a few options:The living room windows of this cute one-bedroom condo in Winthrop give you a peek at the bay for $393,000.For $759,000 this five-bed single family in Revere's Beachmont neighborhood could be yours. The deck overlooks Broad Sound.Or blow up your budget to pay more than $6 million for this 2,000-square foot two-bedroom on Fan Pier with amazing views of Boston Harbor.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
How much a water view will cost you in Boston
There's nothing better than sitting back and taking in a view of the sea. And if you can find that just by stepping onto your own porch, you've truly got it made.Housing with an ocean view in Boston doesn't come cheap, but here are a few options:The living room windows of this cute one-bedroom condo in Winthrop give you a peek at the bay for $393,000.For $759,000 this five-bed single family in Revere's Beachmont neighborhood could be yours. The deck overlooks Broad Sound.Or blow up your budget to pay more than $6 million for this 2,000-square foot two-bedroom on Fan Pier with amazing views of Boston Harbor.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Black organizers strategize in Boston ahead of 2024
Boston activists joined Black civic leaders from across the country in Dorchester on Thursday to delve into voter data and compare notes about getting voters to the polls.Driving the news: The bootcamp, part of this week's national NAACP convention, was geared toward the organization's goal to increase 2024 turnout and participation in local government and state legislatures.Thursday's training was one of a handful of events taking place in Boston's majority-minority neighborhoods.Why it matters: Boston isn't grappling with the national trend in Republican states of banning LGBTQ+ or Black history books, but local organizers say the training could bolster efforts to...
Boston this weekend: Barbie beach party, Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival and more
If you need an excuse to log off early, this weekend’s calendar is packed with things to do in the Boston area. 🏖️ Revere Beach has transformed into a sand-studded art museum as the sand sculpting festival returns Friday.The festival runs until Sunday night featuring fireworks, a performance from the Blue Man Group and all the street food your heart desires.🎶 DJ Jazzy Jeff is headlining the NAACP’s Hub Block Party Friday at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.The free party’s from 5:30pm-9pm.The Hub will be open to the public during the convention, which runs until Aug. 1.👙 M Street Beach will transform into a pink paradise Saturday for a Barbie Beach Party.It’s free, but RSVPs are encouraged.Dress code: Pink, obviously.🇵🇷 The 57th annual Puerto Rican Festival kicks off Saturday morning at City Hall Plaza and culminates with a Sunday parade at noon.The festival runs 10am-2pm both days.Pro tip: Grab a beef pastelillo if you spot some.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Boston this weekend: Barbie beach party, Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival and more
If you need an excuse to log off early, this weekend’s calendar is packed with things to do in the Boston area. 🏖️ Revere Beach has transformed into a sand-studded art museum as the sand sculpting festival returns Friday.The festival runs until Sunday night featuring fireworks, a performance from the Blue Man Group and all the street food your heart desires.🎶 DJ Jazzy Jeff is headlining the NAACP’s Hub Block Party Friday at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.The free party’s from 5:30pm-9pm.The Hub will be open to the public during the convention, which runs until Aug. 1.👙 M Street Beach will transform into a pink paradise Saturday for a Barbie Beach Party.It’s free, but RSVPs are encouraged.Dress code: Pink, obviously.🇵🇷 The 57th annual Puerto Rican Festival kicks off Saturday morning at City Hall Plaza and culminates with a Sunday parade at noon.The festival runs 10am-2pm both days.Pro tip: Grab a beef pastelillo if you spot some.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Beloved Boston beach, gym reopening in time for heat wave
As temperatures rise over 90°F, Boston residents can get some relief at the recently reopened L Street Bathhouse and beach.Driving the news: The Boston Centers for Youth & Families' Curley Community Center — affectionately called "the L" — had been closed since March 2020.The city's $31.2 million renovation delayed the grand reopening until this month.Why it matters: The gym, community center and guarded stretch of beach offer residents a cheap way to work out and cool off.Membership to the city-owned center is open to anyone and free for July and August. A new fitness studio room with a view. Photo:...
Boston braces for extreme temperatures as heat wave rolls in
It’s going to feel like 100 degrees in Boston Thursday and Friday as a heat wave that's broiled the South expands into the Northeast.Driving the news: Mayor Wu issued a heat emergency for both days. The city is currently under a heat advisory through Sunday.State of play: Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 90s Thursday and Friday. The heat and high humidity could cause heat-related illnesses, per the National Weather Service.Zoom out: Late July is typically one of the hottest periods of the year, but Boston summers have become hotter over the past 50 years.The heat wave comes as multiple regions worldwide experience extreme heat events tied to climate change.Flashback: During last year’s heat wave, Boston EMS saw a 15-20% increase in daily 911 calls, according to the mayor’s office.Details: 15 Boston Centers for Youth & Families community centers will serve as cooling centers 9am-5pm Thursday and Friday.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Spotlighting Boston's Black neighborhoods as NAACP Convention kicks off
When the 114th NAACP Convention kicks off this week in Boston, it's expected to draw more than 7,000 attendees and generate $12.5 million for the local economy.But most programming will be in the predominantly white Seaport neighborhood — where the city's major events often are.Why it matters: Locals tell Axios it's important for attendees to see Boston's majority-Black neighborhoods too, to highlight the city's crucial role in the Civil Rights movement and spotlight a diverse set of businesses and landmarks that tourists rarely see.Driving the news: Boston's NAACP chapter — the organization's first chartered branch — is hosting a tour...
Massachusetts officials swamped by passport requests
Congressional staffers are scrambling to save family vacations, destination weddings and more as desperate constituents flood the Massachusetts delegation with pleas for help in dealing with unprecedented passport delays.Why it matters: Many U.S. Senate and House offices that typically help a couple dozen Americans expedite passports each year have juggled hundreds to thousands of cases this year — and appeals have soared in the summer travel season, writes Axios' Stef W. Kight.Zoom in: Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-Mass.) office has seen passport cases up over 400% compared to last year, a spokesperson told Axios.Sen. Ed Markey's (D-Mass.) office said requests have...
Elite colleges favor students from ultra rich families
A new study suggests elite colleges have prioritized accepting applicants from ultra wealthy families.Why it matters: While the Supreme Court struck down race-based admissions, colleges can still give preference to applicants based on legacy status or other factors.Driving the news: The Opportunity Insights study by a team of Harvard researchers shows that children from families in the top 1% were 34% more likely to be admitted to elite schools than the average applicant.Wealthy applicants tended to have higher SAT scores and applied at a higher rate, but the study shows they were still overrepresented in the admitted students pool.The New York Times first reported on the findings.Between the lines: Lower-income students with high test scores were also given some preference, suggesting middle-income students are being left out.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
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