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Boston Logan Airport joins TSA facial recognition pilot
Logan is one of 16 airports across the country involved in a TSA pilot that uses facial recognition, AP reports.How it works: Travelers put their driver's license into a slot that reads the card — or place a passport against the glass on a reader.Then they look at a camera on a screen the size of an iPad, which captures their image and compares it to the ID.The screen flashes "Photo Complete" and the person walks through — without having to hand over their identification to the TSA officer sitting behind the screen.Of note: A TSA officer is still there and signs off on the screening.Zoom in: Logan has two facial recognition units in Terminal A. One is in a TSA PreCheck lane, and the other is in a standard lane, TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez says.It’s unclear how long the pilot will run. The agency will base that decision on the outcome of several assessments, Velez says.The other airports are Atlanta, BWI, DCA, Denver, Detroit, DFW, Las Vegas, LAX, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Jose, and Gulfport-Biloxi and Jackson in Mississippi.The new kiosks aren't at every checkpoint.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Pet Pick: Justin the one-eyed shorthair
Perpetual wink. Photo: MSPCAThis domestic shorthair goes by Justin, and that's about all the MSPCA knows about this mysterious feline character.One-year-old Justin doesn't let his one eye stop him from being playful. And we think it gives him a certain allure.He's waiting on the Cape for adoption, so check him out at the MSPCA site.
Feds hit Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins with ethics violations
The must-read in the Massachusetts political world today is the list of ethics violations U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins allegedly committed during her 16 months as the region's top federal prosecutor.Why it matters: Two bombshell reports revealed how Rollins allegedly used her position to influence an election, participate in a Democratic fundraiser and score free Celtics tickets.The scrutiny is leading her to resign.Driving the news: Rollins leaked information to influence the election of her replacement as Suffolk County D.A. and lied to investigators about it, according to the Department of Justice Inspector General's office.The IG found that Rollins assisted Ricardo Arroyo's...
Boston Logan Airport joins TSA facial recognition pilot
Logan is one of 16 airports across the country involved in a TSA pilot that uses facial recognition, AP reports.How it works: Travelers put their driver's license into a slot that reads the card — or place a passport against the glass on a reader.Then they look at a camera on a screen the size of an iPad, which captures their image and compares it to the ID.The screen flashes "Photo Complete" and the person walks through — without having to hand over their identification to the TSA officer sitting behind the screen.Of note: A TSA officer is still there and signs off on the screening.Zoom in: Logan has two facial recognition units in Terminal A. One is in a TSA PreCheck lane, and the other is in a standard lane, TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez says.It’s unclear how long the pilot will run. The agency will base that decision on the outcome of several assessments, Velez says.The other airports are Atlanta, BWI, DCA, Denver, Detroit, DFW, Las Vegas, LAX, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Jose, and Gulfport-Biloxi and Jackson in Mississippi.The new kiosks aren't at every checkpoint.
Spill of the Hill: Spilka, DiZoglio clash over Legislature audit
A political feud between Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka and Auditor Diana DiZoglio is spilling out of the hallways of Beacon Hill into public view.What’s happening: DiZoglio told Axios that Spilka and Senate leaders have "made it very clear" they're using the Legislature's control over the state budget to retaliate against the auditor's office for attempting to look into the House and Senate books.The feud between DiZoglio, one of the state's top elected Democrats, and her former Senate colleagues, could involve taxpayer funds.Why it matters: It's a rare example of a spotlight being shown on turmoil within the ranks of...
Spill of the Hill: Spilka, DiZoglio clash over Legislature audit
A political feud between Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka and Auditor Diana DiZoglio is spilling out of the hallways of Beacon Hill into public view.What’s happening: DiZoglio told Axios that Spilka and Senate leaders have "made it very clear" they're using the Legislature's control over the state budget to retaliate against the auditor's office for attempting to look into the House and Senate books.The feud between DiZoglio, one of the state's top elected Democrats, and her former Senate colleagues, could involve taxpayer funds.Why it matters: It's a rare example of a spotlight being shown on turmoil within the ranks of...
What $1,500 in rent gets you in Boston versus other big cities
With Massachusetts housing costs making us one of the "most moved-from states," it's always enlightening to take a look at greener, or at least cheaper, pastures to see what other metro areas pay for apartments.What's happening: Real estate blog Zumper put together a list of what $1,500 in rent gets across various cities, and Boston did not fare well, unless you're on the agoraphobic side.The best Zumper could find was a tiny studio apartment in East Boston.Listed among this spot's high points: hardwood floors, updated kitchen and bathroom, and "fresh paint throughout."Meanwhile, in Chicago, you can get a "stunning loft in the West Loop." In Denver, $1,500 will nab a luxury one-bedroom on Capitol Hill with a roof patio.And don't even look at cities like Atlanta or Columbus, where $1,500 a month means an entire three-bedroom house.Another review from Rent Cafe found that the average $1,500, 243-square-foot Manhattan studio can fit snugly inside the bedroom of one of Wichita's $1,500, 1,460-square-foot monster apartments.
US Attorney Rollins to step down amid ethics probe
US Attorney Rachael Rollins plans to step down this week amid a Department of Justice ethics probe, her attorney says.Driving the news: Rollins, the first Black woman to lead the district, will send President Biden her resignation letter by the end of the day Friday, her attorney said in a statement to Axios.The DOJ investigation results haven’t been released, but Rollins has faced scrutiny over her appearance last year at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser featuring first lady Jill Biden. The Hatch Act limits political activity for certain federal employees.Why it matters: The Boston native’s resignation cuts short her...
Allergy season has gotten longer in Boston
Data: Climate Central; Chart: Alice Feng/AxiosAllergy season in the Boston area increased by 13 days on average between 1970 and 2021, per an analysis from Climate Central, a nonprofit climate news organization.That's based on the number of days between the last freeze each spring and the first freeze each fall — essentially, the annual window during which seasonal allergy sufferers are most likely to rely on their antihistamine of choice to get by each day.The big picture: Allergy season increased by 15 days on average between 1970 and 2021 across about 200 U.S. cities.Why it matters: The lengthening allergy season...
Healey taps Edward Augustus for housing chief
Former state senator and Worcester city manager Edward Augustus will lead Gov. Healey's efforts to lower housing costs.Driving the news: Healey’s appointment, which was first reported by State House News Service, means Augustus will be the first secretary to focus exclusively on housing in over 30 years, since previous secretaries were also in charge of economic development.Why it matters: Healey ran on pocketbook issues like the cost of living and the housing crunch.Any solutions Beacon Hill can provide to address some of the highest housing costs in the country will need to be designed and implemented by Augustus and the...
Dozens of comics will perform at Boston Comedy Festival
The Boston Comedy Festival kicks off tonight with three shows featuring nearly 30 comics at City Winery in the West End and more to come through Saturday evening.Details: Dozens of comics will perform at the fest, including Steve Sweeney on Thursday, Emo Philips and Raanan Hershberg Friday, and Brian Kiley, Ron Bennington, Joe List, Sonja Morgan and Shane Mauss on Saturday.Tickets are available through the venues.Why it matters: Boston has continued to be a hot territory for comedians since its heyday in the 1980s.The annual festival is one of the biggest gatherings of comedians and fans in New England.Details: The Boston Comedy Festival All-Stars is an elimination-style tournament for up-and-coming comics running throughout the week as part of the festival.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Dozens of comics will perform at Boston Comedy Festival
The Boston Comedy Festival kicks off tonight with three shows featuring nearly 30 comics at City Winery in the West End and more to come through Saturday evening.Details: Dozens of comics will perform at the fest, including Steve Sweeney on Thursday, Emo Philips and Raanan Hershberg Friday, and Brian Kiley, Ron Bennington, Joe List, Sonja Morgan and Shane Mauss on Saturday.Tickets are available through the venues.Why it matters: Boston has continued to be a hot territory for comedians since its heyday in the 1980s.The annual festival is one of the biggest gatherings of comedians and fans in New England.Details: The Boston Comedy Festival All-Stars is an elimination-style tournament for up-and-coming comics running throughout the week as part of the festival.
The Barking Crab will host “The Little Mermaid" drag show this month
If you want to be where the gays are, The Barking Crab will have a full lineup of gorgeous, talented performers paying tribute to Disney’s live action “The Little Mermaid.”What’s happening: The Barking Crab is hosting “The Little Mermaid Drag Show Extravaganza” on Wednesday, May 24, with Boston’s own Kori King playing Ariel.Other Boston drag icons include Kris Knievel and Karisma Geneva Jackson- Tae, who is playing Ursula.Provincetown's Abby Cummings will also perform.Details: The extravaganza starts at 8pm. You must be 21+ to attend.Tickets: $25 on Eventbrite. Dinglehoppers not included.Steph’s thought bubble: I saw Kori King perform at drug brunch last month, and she did not disappoint.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
One of Brookline's hottest restaurants pays tribute to nomadic shepherds
Brookline’s hottest Greek restaurant, Bar Vlaha, is booked out for roughly two months, but you can still grab a seat at the bar if you time it right.The intrigue: Bar Vlaha pays homage to the Vlach people, a nomadic group of shepherds. The restaurant cooks using charcoal and offers "the warmth of old-world hospitality to bring the roots of Greek culture to Brookline,” its website says.Don’t expect seafood here. Think juicy lamb and pork chops, hearty salads and boozy Greek coffee.What to do: Bar Vlaha opens at 5pm every day. Pop in sometime within the first hour for a spot...
The Barking Crab will host “The Little Mermaid" drag show this month
If you want to be where the gays are, The Barking Crab will have a full lineup of gorgeous, talented performers paying tribute to Disney’s live action “The Little Mermaid.”What’s happening: The Barking Crab is hosting “The Little Mermaid Drag Show Extravaganza” on Wednesday, May 24, with Boston’s own Kori King playing Ariel.Other Boston drag icons include Kris Knievel and Karisma Geneva Jackson- Tae, who is playing Ursula.Provincetown's Abby Cummings will also perform.Details: The extravaganza starts at 8pm. You must be 21+ to attend.Tickets: $25 on Eventbrite. Dinglehoppers not included.Steph’s thought bubble: I saw Kori King perform at drug brunch last month, and she did not disappoint.
One of Brookline's hottest restaurants pays tribute to nomadic shepherds
Brookline’s hottest Greek restaurant, Bar Vlaha, is booked out for roughly two months, but you can still grab a seat at the bar if you time it right.The intrigue: Bar Vlaha pays homage to the Vlach people, a nomadic group of shepherds. The restaurant cooks using charcoal and offers "the warmth of old-world hospitality to bring the roots of Greek culture to Brookline,” its website says.Don’t expect seafood here. Think juicy lamb and pork chops, hearty salads and boozy Greek coffee.What to do: Bar Vlaha opens at 5pm every day. Pop in sometime within the first hour for a spot...
The Taylor Swift economy comes to town
Taylor Swift could be a boon for business when she rolls through Massachusetts this weekend.The big picture: The pop star's Eras Tour — which is breaking attendance records and poised to be one of the highest-grossing tours ever — is fueling an entire Taylor Swift economy, Axios’ Erica Pandey reports.The Swift’s influence and impact extends beyond ticket and merch sales.Zoom in: The hotels around the stadium at Patriots Place are completely booked up and Airbnb rentals are going for over $1,000 a night for one-bedroom apartments or studios anywhere near Foxborough.Bars and restaurants in the Boston area are getting in...
Flexcar opens new digs and a pickup facility in Auburn
Flexcar, the Seaport-based subscription car company, is expanding into Central Massachusetts.Driving the news: Flexcar is announcing today its new office and pick-up location in Auburn.The new office will be home to 300 Flexcars.The intrigue: Flexcar offers long-term car rentals — an alternative to car ownership — with monthly payments that cover insurance and maintenance.Flexcar is also announcing new monthly plans that cover roadside inspection, titles, inspections and other perks.Why Auburn? Chief Marketing Officer Corey Lewis tells Axios the company has seen “good traction in the Boston area” and sought to expand into a second Massachusetts metro area.“Moving into Central Mass, right outside of Worcester, was a natural choice,” he says.Of note: The Auburn location will employ nine people, but the company plans to double its staff in the next year. The company currently employs some 100 people statewide.
Depressing Zillows: Boston studio apartment edition
Living alone in Boston on a budget can be nearly impossible, but there are some options, namely, studio apartments tucked into the corners, basements and attic eaves of the city’s older buildings.The Back Bay has a few available studios here and there for under $2k a month, including this 400-square-foot cutey with a separate kitchen for $1,700.For the trust-funders willing to pay $1,900 for the same neighborhood, here's an economical fourth-floor walkup in a Back Bay brownstone.Around the same monthly price ($1,850) gets you a top-floor space with high ceilings and a full bathtub right on Charles Street in Beacon Hill.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Depressing Zillows: Boston studio apartment edition
Living alone in Boston on a budget can be nearly impossible, but there are some options, namely, studio apartments tucked into the corners, basements and attic eaves of the city’s older buildings.The Back Bay has a few available studios here and there for under $2k a month, including this 400-square-foot cutey with a separate kitchen for $1,700.For the trust-funders willing to pay $1,900 for the same neighborhood, here's an economical fourth-floor walkup in a Back Bay brownstone.Around the same monthly price ($1,850) gets you a top-floor space with high ceilings and a full bathtub right on Charles Street in Beacon Hill.
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