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Karen Read's murder trial in death of Boston officer ramps up
The murder trial of Karen Read kicked off yesterday, spotlighting a court drama that's become a major local obsession.Why it matters: Public interest in the Read case has grown from a trickle of true crime die-hards to a torrent of mainstream curiosity about what exactly went down the night Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe died in the snow outside a house party in Canton.Catch up quick: Read, O'Keefe's girlfriend, is charged with hitting him with her SUV and leaving him die in January 2022.The intrigue: Read maintains she's been framed. Her defense listed three possible culprits, including the retired Boston...
Screen time: Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri talks tech habits
It was the thought of seeing her daughter and father at the finish line that kept Hellen Obiri going on the Boston Marathon route.She not only finished the race, but came in first in the professional women's division for the second straight year.What she's saying: "Family is the most important thing," Obiri tells Axios.We spoke with Obiri, a Kenyan runner who now lives in Colorado, about her tech habits.Apple or Android: Android, specifically Samsung phones.Obiri does have an iPhone to keep in touch with her team via iMessage.First tap of the day: Whatsapp, other messaging apps.Current earworm: "Shusha Nyavu" by the Msanni Music Group. Obiri doesn't listen to music while running so she can focus on her pace. She listens to music to unwind at home.
The cautious optimism surrounding the Bruins postseason
The Bruins enter the playoffs this weekend, though perhaps with less fanfare than last year. But fans have a reason to be cautious.Why it matters: The Bruins have a chance to redeem themselves after last year's upset knockout from the postseason.Flashback: Everything had fallen into place for the B's in their first year led by Jim Montgomery.The team set new NHL records in 2023 for the most victories (64) and points (135). It had won the Presidents' Trophy.Its stellar season went up in flames in the first round of the playoffs as the team lost to the Florida Panthers. The...
Boston sees largest homicide drop of any major U.S. city
Data: AH Datalytics; Chart: Axios VisualsBoston saw the largest drop in homicides of any major city in the first three months of 2024, according to an analysis by AH Datalytics.But it's not the only major city where homicides have declined.The big picture: This year's violent crime patterns could shed light on whether Boston's drop in homicides is a product of the city's violence prevention measures or part of a national trend.State of play: Boston saw the largest drop in homicides of any major city in AH Datalytics' analysis, an Axios review found.Catch up fast: Boston has only had two homicides...
Boston concerts this week: Bad Bunny, Cypress Hill, Girl In Red, Brothers Osborne, Steve Mason
Bad Bunny hits the TD Garden's stage tomorrow night. Cypress Hill comes to town Thursday and Norwegian star Girl in Red is playing tonight. Norwegian indie-pop singer-songwriter Girl In Red plays at MGM Music Hall. Wednesday. Vermont rockers Sir Chloe come to the Sinclair. Latin pop and hip hop is...
Swiss competitor overcomes crash for Marathon glory
Switzerland's Marcel Hug crashed into a barrier after taking a turn too fast on the Boston Marathon course and still managed to win the men's wheelchair division at the Boston Marathon.It's his seventh win, and he finished two minutes faster than his record time in 2023.Some of the other winners on Marathon Monday:England's Eden Rainbow-Cooper, women's wheelchair divisionEthiopia's Sisay Lemma, men's professional divisionKenya's Hellen Obiri, women's professional division for a second straight yearUSA's Zachary Stinson, men's handcycle division for the third timeUSA's Alicia Dana, women's handcycle division, also for the third time.
The pressure is on for the Celtics as playoffs near
For some, the Celtics' 2023-24 season is just beginning. Why it matters: The Celtics' dominance during the regular season won't mean squat if the team doesn't clinch the championship. Catch up fast: The Celtics have had an impressive run, from its top offensive rating and strong defense to being the...
Your 2024 Boston Marathon cheat sheet
Athletes are already lining up at the starting line in Hopkinton, and chances are you've barely got your Marathon Monday plans worked out. 30,000 athletes will compete in the 128th Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual 26.2-mile race. When does it start: The wheelchair division kicks off the race at...
Bloody details in new Karen Read documents
Karen Read's face was smeared with blood from attempting to resuscitate her boyfriend when police first encountered her in the snow the morning after the fatal incident in Canton that Read will face trial for next week. Why it matters: That's according to newly released court documents about the discovery...
More Mass. babies being born to moms in their 30s
Data: CDC Wonder; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals68% of Massachusetts babies born in 2023 had birth mothers in their 30s and older, while 30% of babies were born to mothers over 35, according to provisional CDC data.Why it matters: In the last few years, age 35 has gone from the start of "geriatric pregnancy," to potentially a maternal-age sweet spot.By the numbers: Today, 31.53 is the average age of a woman giving birth in Massachusetts, the second highest in the country next to Washington, D.C.Regions with higher income and education levels "are correlated with increased advanced maternal age," partly because women there are deliberately delaying pregnancy for economic reasons, says Jane van Dis, OB-GYN and assistant professor at the University of Rochester.The intrigue: 35-year-olds received more prenatal monitoring and had a small decrease in prenatal mortality compared even to those a few months younger, according to a 2021 JAMA Health Forum study.And some research suggests that being 35+ and pregnant could lead to better brainpower after menopause and a smaller gender wage gap.
Mass. House Dems warm to more tax dollars for the MBTA
House Democrats finally want to crack open the money spigot to float the beleaguered MBTA, with Speaker Ron Mariano calling for a record $555 million increase in the transit agency's state funding.Why it matters: This is the first time in years Democrats in charge of spending on Beacon Hill have proactively sought greater funding for the T.For years, former Gov. Charlie Baker's administration assured lawmakers the T could, and should, get by on its own revenue and limited additional funding.Much of the tax revenue brought in by the new income surtax must be dedicated to transportation. That gives lawmakers more...
Feds could help fund Massachusetts' health care pilot for middle-income earners
Massachusetts' request for some $2 billion in federal Medicaid funding could help sustain the state's new health care subsidies for middle-income earners.The big picture: Declining revenues, increased migrant shelter costs and rate hikes are straining state budgets.The current fiscal picture could prompt lawmakers to rethink progressive subsidy programs like the ConnectorCare pilot.Catch up fast: Massachusetts' two-year pilot, which took effect Jan. 1, expands subsidized health care to residents who earn up to 500% of the federal poverty line, up from 300%.ConnectorCare helps locals who make too much or otherwise don't qualify for Medicare and Medicaid and can't get employer-based insurance.Lawmakers...
Idiot’s guide to the Red Sox's 2024 season
The Red Sox play their home opener Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles, last year's AL East champions.Why it matters: The Sox must prove whether early season wins on the West Coast will set the tone for this season or if the team is again doomed to fall to the bottom of the AL East.State of play: Boston is 7-3 after winning two of the three last games against the Los Angeles Angels.They owe their victories in large part to their starting pitchers with Tanner Houck pitching six scoreless innings in Anaheim on Sunday. Today's game starts at 2:10pm.Between the...
Boston concerts this week: Nicki Minaj, Dan + Shay, Berhana
Nicki Minaj is closing out her two-night stint in Boston tomorrow.Pop duo Dan + Shay follow her at the TD Garden Saturday.For a smaller show, check out Atlanta's Berhana at the Sinclair.TuesdaySarah And The Sundays are at the Sinclair.WednesdayNicki Minaj plays the second of her two Boston shows on her Pink Friday 2 world tour at TD Garden.Folk metal powerhouses Korpiklaani come to Brighton Music Hall.Connor Price is at the Paradise.The New Mastersounds play at the Sinclair.ThursdayJhariah's slogan is "no genre, all drama, so I'm not going to tell you what he'll sound like at Crystal Ballroom.Lany plays at MGM Music Hall at Fenway.Lee Fields & Monophonics are at the Paradise.FridayBenson Boone plays at House of Blues.Mini Beast comes to The Rockwell.SaturdayPop duo Dan + Shay are next up at the TD Garden.Movements plays at Roadrunner.Smallpools & Grayscale are on the bill at the Paradise.MondayAtlanta singer-songwriter Berhana performs at the Sinclair.John R. Miller & The Deslondes is at Brighton Music Hall.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Boston concerts this week: Nicki Minaj, Dan + Shay, Berhana
Nicki Minaj is closing out her two-night stint in Boston tomorrow.Pop duo Dan + Shay follow her at the TD Garden Saturday.For a smaller show, check out Atlanta's Berhana at the Sinclair.TuesdaySarah And The Sundays are at the Sinclair.WednesdayNicki Minaj plays the second of her two Boston shows on her Pink Friday 2 world tour at TD Garden.Folk metal powerhouses Korpiklaani come to Brighton Music Hall.Connor Price is at the Paradise.The New Mastersounds play at the Sinclair.ThursdayJhariah's slogan is "no genre, all drama, so I'm not going to tell you what he'll sound like at Crystal Ballroom.Lany plays at MGM Music Hall at Fenway.Lee Fields & Monophonics are at the Paradise.FridayBenson Boone plays at House of Blues.Mini Beast comes to The Rockwell.SaturdayPop duo Dan + Shay are next up at the TD Garden.Movements plays at Roadrunner.Smallpools & Grayscale are on the bill at the Paradise.MondayAtlanta singer-songwriter Berhana performs at the Sinclair.John R. Miller & The Deslondes is at Brighton Music Hall.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Getting to the Krafts' planned Everett soccer stadium
As lawmakers consider allowing the New England Revolution to build a new soccer stadium in Everett, across the Mystic River from Charlestown, one key issue is vexing officials: how to get 25,000 fans in and out of a congested area.Why it matters: To get to a stadium along the Mystic via the MBTA, soccer fans and concert-goers would have to cross the Alford Street bridge that connects Everett to Sullivan Square in Charlestown.What's new: Many of the concerns aired by City of Boston officials at a State House hearing this week were about transportation and the stadium's impact on neighboring...
How visible the eclipse will be in Boston
Most of New England is outside the area where the total eclipse will be visible Monday afternoon, but Bostonians can still catch a glimpse of the sun peeking out from behind the moon.The forecast calls for sunny skies Monday, according to the National Weather Service.Massachusetts won't see a complete blackout, but up to 90% of the sun will be covered here.The partial eclipse starts around 2pm and will last 2.5 hours.Don't forget your eclipse glasses!Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Why Boston homeowners looking to sell should wait for May
Greater Boston homes listed in late May could make $23,600 more, per a new Zillow report.Why it matters: Sellers need all the cash they can get to make their next move more palatable.The big picture: May has long been the best month to list your house in the U.S. But in 2023, sellers made the highest profits in the first two weeks of June, a Zillow study shows.This shift is largely due to mortgage rates, which cooled slightly in June and brought some buyers off the sidelines.May was still the top month around Boston, with listings in early June making $16,900 more than average and late June bringing in $20,800 more.The other side: Buyers, if you want to avoid peak pricing, consider shopping outside of the spring and summer months.What's next: Interest rate cuts aren't expected anytime soon, but if those rates do fall in 2024, we may have a second spring market.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Arlington allows landlords to enforce pets bans
Arlington's Select Board rejected a proposed bylaw that would have required landlords to allow pets in rented dwellings.Why it matters: Had the board and town meeting approved the bylaw, renters in Arlington would have been able to adopt a furry friend — even if their landlord won't allow it.Zoom in: Animal welfare organizations supported the measure, saying it would cut down on the difficulty pet owners have finding a place to rent.There would have been some exceptions to the new rule, but even so, some landlords were miffed at how the bylaw would cut back on their rights as owners.Send us your pet pics, wild animal sightings and anything else animal-related.You might get a shoutout in the newsletter.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
Mass. pardons all misdemeanor pot convictions
Gov. Maura Healey has pardoned potentially hundreds of thousands of people with misdemeanor simple marijuana possession convictions on their records.Why it matters: Healey's mass pardon is the widest act of clemency for drug offenders any governor has performed following President Joe Biden's call for mass state-level pardons last year.What they're saying: "Thousands of Massachusetts residents will now see their records cleared of this charge, which will help lower the barriers they face when seeking housing, education or a job," Healey said in a statement.The latest: The Governor's Council, an eight-member panel that vets judicial appointments and pardons, approved Healey's plan...
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