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Boston prepares for a major heat wave
Data: National Weather Service; Map: Jared Whalen/AxiosA long-lasting, record-breaking heat wave is enveloping large parts of the country this week, including Massachusetts.Why it matters: Extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer in a typical year.Human-caused climate change is making heat waves more likely, longer lasting and more intense.State of play: Mayor Michelle Wu declared a heat emergency, and a National Weather Service heat advisory takes effect in Boston noon Tuesday until 7pm Friday. Zoom in: The city opened 14 cooling centers at Boston Centers for Youth & Families buildings.The cooling center will ask visitors to sign in with their...
Where things stand in San Francisco's mayoral race
More than a dozen candidates have qualified for the November ballot in a mayoral race that political observers say will be a referendum on incumbent Mayor London Breed's tenure.Why it matters: San Francisco residents will decide either to reelect Breed, who is seeking a second full term, or go in another direction as the city grapples with a drug overdose epidemic, a homelessness crisis and a struggling downtown.What they're saying: Voters will ultimately determine whether the city "should move further to the right" or "take a more progressive approach," longtime political consultant Jim Ross told Axios via email.The candidate who...
This Boston dispensary wants to start deliveries
Rooted In, the Back Bay dispensary, is planning to expand into cannabis delivery services.Why it matters: The Black-owned business sees deliveries as a way to boost business in the winter months, when foot traffic dies down on Newbury.State of play: Rooted In is seeking city approval for a cannabis courier license for the Newbury Street location.The owners need a state license to start deliveries.Brian Keith, co-founder and COO, said customers can expect deliveries to start in late fall.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
This Boston dispensary wants to start deliveries
Rooted In, the Back Bay dispensary, is planning to expand into cannabis delivery services.Why it matters: The Black-owned business sees deliveries as a way to boost business in the winter months, when foot traffic dies down on Newbury.State of play: Rooted In is seeking city approval for a cannabis courier license for the Newbury Street location.The owners need a state license to start deliveries.Brian Keith, co-founder and COO, said customers can expect deliveries to start in late fall.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Things to do around Boston this week
Boston celebrates Juneteenth this Wednesday with parades, marches and free museum programming. Here are some of the best events of the week.Monday 6/17🧘🏾♀️ Find free yoga and high-intensity workouts on the greenway, 5:30pm-7pm.📖 Author Puloma Ghosh discusses her debut collection of short stories, "Mouth," at Harvard Book Store, 7pm.Tuesday 6/18📚 The BPL's South End branch hosts a summer pop-up with free books, drag queen story hour and guests from nonprofit More Than Words, 10am-2pm.Wednesday 6/19🎟 Admission to the MFA, the Gardner Museum and the ICA are free for Juneteenth.The 14th annual Juneteenth Emancipation Observance kicks off with a flag raising...
San Francisco moves to begin installing curbside EV chargers
Curbside electric vehicle chargers are coming to San Francisco, the mayor's office announced Friday, and they could start being installed within the next six months.Why it matters: The chargers are intended to expand the EV infrastructure, making it more convenient and affordable, especially for apartment dwellers who cannot charge their cars at home and must rely on expensive DC fast chargers.San Francisco has set a goal of installing at least 1,700 public chargers by 2030, though some city leaders are aiming higher.How it works: The pilot program for curbside chargers invites providers, which may include companies like Electrify America and...
How Bay Area cities are converting old hotels and schools into housing
The next in-demand apartment could be inside an old Bay Area school, church or hotel.Why it matters: As developers and cities like San Francisco seek to repurpose empty space into much-needed housing, a mix of building types are on the table.State of play: The San Francisco metro area, which includes Oakland and Berkeley, recorded the fourth-highest number of conversions to apartments in 2023 at 552, according to a RentCafe analysis.That's primarily due to the conversion of a former warehouse property in Alameda County, which created 372 new apartments.Other Bay Area cities have also explored their options with the redevelopment of...
Pop culture, nerdiness and cosplay center stage at Fan Expo Boston
Boston's a pretty nerdy town most of the time, but this weekend, it's going to get extremely geeky.Why it matters: Fan Expo Boston — New England's biggest comic book, sci-fi and cosplay festival — promises pop culture immersion, numerous vendors and plenty of genre celebrities.Mads Mikkelsen, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rosario Dawson and Marisa Tomei are among those expected at the Hynes Convention Center.Marvel will have a big presence this year, with "Spider-Man's" Tomei, "Daredevil's" Vincent D'Onofrio and "Guardians of the Galaxy's" Sean Gunn all booked for meet-and-greet appearances.'90s nerds can check out "Saved by the Bell's" Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Mario Lopez.Star...
The real price of a better MBTA
The state can either commit more money to the struggling MBTA before year's end or risk the agency's momentum in hiring and fixing unsafe routes, according to a new study of the T's dire finances.Why it matters: The MBTA's subway, streetcars, buses and commuter trains are the engine that propels Boston's workforce, the anchor of the entire New England economy — and the agency is headed for a fiscal collapse, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.The T needs over $700 million in the 2026 fiscal year to balance its budget and maintain current service levels, the MTF's report says.State of...
Mass. close to last state to ban "revenge porn"
Massachusetts likely won't be the very last state to ban "revenge porn," the sharing of explicit images without the subject's consent.Why it matters: It's taken lawmakers nearly seven years to strike a deal, but Democratic negotiators agreed Tuesday on a bill that would set up punishments for threatening to circulate private, explicit images to coerce or extort the subject.Stunning stat: 48 states currently ban revenge porn.South Carolina is the only other holdout.What they're saying: For survivors, "coercive and abusive control is a form of domestic violence that can be as insidious and harmful as acts of physical violence and should be treated that way under the law," Sen. John Keenan said in a statement.Between the lines: Senate negotiators had hoped to include language in the bill defining other types of verbal and non-physical abuse as "coercive control," but it was left out of the final product that will likely pass the chambers this week.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
6 SF weekend ideas
It's almost time for the weekend. Here are some ideas to get those brain juices flowing.Thursday🎭 Check out the Drag Me Downtown pop-up drag show with performances by Tito Soto and Amoura Teese.5-7pm at Pabu IzakayaFriday🎥 Catch a flick at Sundown Cinema's screening of "Bullitt" in the Presidio.6-10pm at the Civil War Parade GroundSaturday🎠 Head over to the Fillmore for a Juneteenth block party and carnival rides.The eight-block party will feature pony rides, games, music, food trucks and more. 💃 Get your groove on at Salsa in the Streets in the Mission.In front of Tacolicious on Valencia Street from 5-8pm🎉 Hit up the 70th anniversary of the North Beach Festival, featuring arts and crafts vendors, food, beer gardens, live music and more.11am-7pm; Saturday and Sunday on Columbus and Grant AvenuesSunday🎼 Take your pops to Golden Gate Park for a special Father's Day and Juneteenth symphony. 1pm at the Music ConcourseGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios San Francisco.
"Dogs first" Bark Air coming to the Bay
The boutique "dogs first" airline, Bark Air, is coming to the Bay Area.Why it matters: At a time when many dog owners are seeking full rights for their pets as family members, airlines are cracking down on their rules for emotional support animals.Driving the news: On Wednesday, Bark Air added seven new domestic and international routes, including between San Jose (SJC) and Westchester County, New York (HPN), and between SJC and Chicago (MDW).Bark Air, which had its first flight last month, is a new service from a 12-year-old public company called Bark that also sells dog food and toys, subscription...
Pandas in SF: Mayor London Breed approved to solicit $25 million in donations
Mayor London Breed has gotten approval from city officials to move ahead with her plan to seek philanthropic funds to pay for San Francisco's new giant panda enclosure.Why it matters: The move, which Breed says will ensure it's not funded by taxpayers' money, comes as the San Francisco Zoo faces increasing scrutiny over its ability to properly care for the pandas.Driving the news: The Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 Tuesday to approve a resolution allowing the city to solicit private donations to cover costs for a panda enclosure and other zoo upgrades.Breed has set a $25 million fundraising goal and...
Massachusetts is capping family shelter stays. Here’s what to know
Massachusetts plans to start sending notices next month to unhoused families that their time in shelter is running out.Why it matters: It’s state officials’ latest attempt to manage the shelter crisis, brought on by rising homelessness locally and an influx of migrants.Here's the latest:What’s the limit?State lawmakers and Healey administration officials are capping emergency family shelter stays at nine months, with some exceptions.The clock starts ticking once families enter shelter.The time waitlisted families spend in overflow shelters doesn’t count.When do families start leaving?The first families being transitioned out must leave by Sept. 29, administration officials say.There are some 4,000 families...
Downtown SF's vacant storefront program is back
A plan to provide rent-free, previously vacant storefronts to businesses to create pop-ups has led to seven businesses signing long-term leases. A recent expansion of the program hopes to continue that trend.Why it matters: San Francisco's downtown core has been one of the slowest to recover in comparison to other major cities.City officials and local organizations have tried to reverse that trend by bringing small businesses to vacant storefronts, facilitating live events like Downtown First Thursdays, working to redesign the iconic Powell Street and more.Driving the news: The mayor's office and the nonprofit SF New Deal this week announced three...
Bay Area counties aren't adequately prepared for climate disasters, study finds
California is the worst state for climate disasters, with several Bay Area counties ranking high in lack of preparedness, a recent study finds.Why it matters: We're heading into wildfire season after a period of historic winter flooding, and the rise of weather-related power outages and climate impacts have become a major point of concern for people buying homes in California.Driving the news: Several Bay Area counties made the top 50 least-prepared places, according to homeowners insurance resource ClaimGuide's risk assessment of over 3,000 U.S. counties.San Francisco came in at 35th, with a $306 million expected annual loss to natural disasters.Alameda...
In Boston, foundation for late filmmaker Ash Christian launches
Actress Missi Pyle joined filmmakers in the Seaport last night for a soft launch of the Ash Christian Film Foundation.The foundation honors Christian, a filmmaker who died in 2020.The Alamo Drafthouse screened "Hurricane Bianca" last night, which stars drag queen Bianca Del Rio and features SNL alum Rachel Dratch.Pyle and Matt Kugelman, the film's director and Christian's friend, shared their memories of Christian before the film aired.What they're saying: "When I was around him, I felt whole. I felt happy," Pyle said.Zoom in: Christian produced "Fat Girls," "Hurricane Bianca" and other films, starting from age 20, per the foundation website.He was based in Dallas and New York, but he served as a member of the Provincetown Film Society's advisory board.Christian died in his sleep in August 2020. He was 35.What's next: The foundation plans to launch two residencies, funding and mentorship opportunities for queer and trans filmmakers later this year, said Jeff Peters, owner of East End Books and a foundation board member.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
In Boston, foundation for late filmmaker Ash Christian launches
Actress Missi Pyle joined filmmakers in the Seaport last night for a soft launch of the Ash Christian Film Foundation.The foundation honors Christian, a filmmaker who died in 2020.The Alamo Drafthouse screened "Hurricane Bianca" last night, which stars drag queen Bianca Del Rio and features SNL alum Rachel Dratch.Pyle and Matt Kugelman, the film's director and Christian's friend, shared their memories of Christian before the film aired.What they're saying: "When I was around him, I felt whole. I felt happy," Pyle said.Zoom in: Christian produced "Fat Girls," "Hurricane Bianca" and other films, starting from age 20, per the foundation website.He was based in Dallas and New York, but he served as a member of the Provincetown Film Society's advisory board.Christian died in his sleep in August 2020. He was 35.What's next: The foundation plans to launch two residencies, funding and mentorship opportunities for queer and trans filmmakers later this year, said Jeff Peters, owner of East End Books and a foundation board member.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
These Boston museums are free on Juneteenth
Boston is home to various art and history museums, but a family or group outing to one can easily cost upwards of $100.The solution: Free entry days. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, MFA and ICA are free next Wednesday for Juneteenth.Explore some art and storytelling in honor of the holiday, which commemorates the ending of slavery in the U.S.🖼 The Gardner opens the Jordan Garden to the public 12pm-4pm.It's hosting a film screening of "BLACK. Narratives in Boston Black Queer and Trans History."Amanda Shea, the Boston Music Awards Spoken Artist of the Year, was the executive producer.Film begins at 2pm, followed by a Q&A at 3pm.🧶 The Gardner also hosts a community quilt-making event in honor of the AIDs Quilt, 11am-4pm.Materials provided🎷 The ICA will host a Juneteenth celebration with the Jazz Urbane Cafe, 12pm-4pm.Advance timed tickets are required for gallery visits. Tickets go live at 10am next Tuesday.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
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