Choose your location
Axios Boston
In Dunkin' ad, Ben Affleck reacts to 'sad Ben' meme
I did not have Ben Affleck biting into a doughnut necklace the size of his face on my bingo card.But that's just the kind of unhinged energy his latest Dunkin' ad brings.Catch up fast: Dunkin's most famous patron appears in a new commercial with Charli D'Amelio, sipping Dunkin' iced coffee in a recording studio after seeing news reports calling him "bored" at the 2023 Grammys.What's happening: By the looks of it, Affleck is working on some music like a middle-aged man grasping for meaning.He handed someone a demo…on a CD.At one point, he asks D'Amelio, "Who is TikTok?" as she awkwardly looks away.What they're saying: "You're a goofy, middle-aged clumsy white guy with no rhythm and you can't sing on key. You're not coordinated. That means I can't be a pop star?"Yes. That's exactly what that means.Yes, but: Maybe I'm wrong. Affleck did say, "Underestimate Boston at your own peril."Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Red Line closure begins, followed by Orange, Green Line shutdowns
The MBTA's partial shutdown for Red Line passengers north of Park Street begins today, the first of several T closures this month.Why it matters: Thousands of riders rely on the T to get to work and school in Boston and neighboring cities.Catch up fast: The Red Line will be shut down between Alewife and Harvard between today and next Wednesday.After 8:45pm, the Red Line will shut down from Alewife to Park Street over the next 10 days.Shuttle buses will be available for both closures.Plus: The Red Line faces another closure on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 between Harvard and Broadway.Protip:...
Gillette Stadium to host seven World Cup games
Gillette Stadium will host seven matches as part of the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup, FOX announced Sunday.Why it matters: It's the first time Foxborough hosts a men's World Cup game in three decades.Driving the news: Gillette will host five group matches, a knockout stage match and a quarterfinal.Group matches: June 13, June 16, June 19, June 23 and June 26.Round of 32 knockout match: June 23.Quarterfinal: July 9.Zoom out: The tournament involves 104 games in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the first game in Mexico City.MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the final game.The U.S. men's national team plays in Southern California and Seattle.Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that this is Gillette Stadium's first men's World Cup match in three decades, not its first ever.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Three Sundance films to watch
I recently got back from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, and I have some thoughts about the indie films and popcorn flicks to look out for this year.Certainly the most important and thought-provoking movie I saw was "War Game," a documentary about a role-playing exercise focused on how the U.S. might react to a future insurrection within the military.Former U.S. senators, a former governor, retired Pentagon generals and ex-intelligence officers simulated how a hypothetical White House would handle traitors within military ranks the next time Congress certifies election results."Hit Man," directed by Richard Linklater, was a treat with a fresh and creative script.Star Glen Powell, the most punchable face in Hollywood, transforms into one of the most lovable lead characters you'll see this year. It'll be on Netflix soon.In the gut-wrenching documentary category, "Sugarcane" made an impact on me.It tells the story of an indigenous Canadian community struggling to find out what happened at the Catholic boarding school they were forced to send their children to during the 20th century.The shocking evidence of abuse, rape and death strikingly evokes what many American Catholics have been through in Boston and elsewhere.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Newton teacher strike reaches day 10 as City Council steps in
The Newton City Council is calling on the city's public school teachers to accept a new salary contract and return to classrooms after ten days of illegal strikes.Why it matters: Newton students haven't been in school for nearly two weeks, causing strife and frustration for parents no matter their position on the labor dispute.What they're saying: "This strike has to end. We need to get our kids back in the classroom, and we need to do it now," City Council President Marc Laredo announced Tuesday at a briefing on the issue.The council has no direct power over its independently-elected...
Boston's best boys and girls
Last year's most popular names for dogs in Boston were Luna and Charlie.Teddy and Max round out the top three most popular names for male dogs.Milo replaced Finn as the fourth top name in 2022 and Cooper dropped from second place to fifth.The 2023 list for female dogs is nearly identical to 2022's top names.Just like in 2022, Bella, Daisy and Lucy followed Luna in popularity.The only major changes on the female side were that Rosie and Penny overtook Lola, whichwho became the seventh most popular name.Why it matters: The city releases the list of names on dogs' tags every...
Massachusetts union membership is declining
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Note: Values are not seasonally adjusted; Chart: Axios VisualsThe share of Massachusetts workers who are members of a union has fallen over the last decade, though not as drastically as the rest of the country.Driving the news: 10% of the national workforce was part of a union in 2023, down from 10.1% in 2022 and a high of 20.1% in 1983, the first year the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported comparable figures.14.4 million workers were union members in 2023, up from 14.3 million in 2022 — but the percentage fell because the workforce grew at...
Massachusetts union membership is declining
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Note: Values are not seasonally adjusted; Chart: Axios VisualsThe share of Massachusetts workers who are members of a union has fallen over the last decade, though not as drastically as the rest of the country.Driving the news: 10% of the national workforce was part of a union in 2023, down from 10.1% in 2022 and a high of 20.1% in 1983, the first year the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported comparable figures.14.4 million workers were union members in 2023, up from 14.3 million in 2022 — but the percentage fell because the workforce grew at...
Things to do in Boston this week
Monday, 2/5🎷 Jazz artist Ken Schaphorst kicks off Regattabar's new monthly big band series with his own big band, 7:30pm-9:30pm.Price: $25.📖 Author Diana Khoi Nguyen and Cindy Juyoung Ok talk about their new collections of poetry at Harvard Book Store.Tuesday, 2/6📖 Author Daniel Mason appears at WBUR's City Space to discuss his book, "North Woods," which examines a New England home through the lives of those who inhabit it across centuries.Price: $15; $5 for students.📖 Entrepreneurial strategist Malia C. Lazu discusses her new book "From Intention To Impact: A Practical Guide To Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion" at the BPL.🎨 The...
Exclusive: First look at the WNDR Museum in Boston
Crews are putting the finishing touches on the WNDR Museum before it opens Thursday in Downtown Crossing.Axios got the first full tour of the Boston museum yesterday.Why it matters: WNDR brings colorful, perception-bending, interactive art into the 17,000-square-foot space — a starkly different experience than the average art museum tour.What's happening: Boston is the WNDR Museum's latest city, following openings in Chicago and San Diego.A third location in Seattle closed in December, eight months after opening.Like the other locations, the Boston outpost will host yoga classes, food pop-ups and a poet in residence, says Brian Haines, WNDR's chief experience officer.Zoom...
Boston to send some opioid settlement funds to grieving families
Boston public health officials plan to give a portion of the city's opioid settlement money to families who have lost loved ones to overdoses as early as this summer.Why it matters: Boston lost 352 people to opioid overdoses in 2022, the highest number in Massachusetts that year.Overdoses disproportionately affect Back and Latino residents compared to their white counterparts.What's happening: Boston plans to allot $250,000 annually to the Family Overdose Support Fund, following several community meetings.The rest of the funds Boston gets annually will go toward housing for people struggling with substance use disorder, opioid prevention and grants for community groups...
Perry Farrell and Porno for Pyros come to town
Kalamazoo, Michigan bluegrass jam band Greensky Bluegrass, Korean singer Car, The Garden, and EDM veteran DJ Shadow are coming to Boston over the next week.WednesdayLyn Lapid plays at Brighton Music Hall.FridayGreensky Bluegrass comes to MGM Music Hall at Fenway.Lucius plays at House of Blues.Car, The Garden, which is one person, brings his South Korean singing to Crystal Ballroom.SaturdayMac Saturn is at The Sinclair.TuesdayCountry music singer Jaime Wyatt plays at The Sinclair.EDM OG DJ Shadow comes to the Royale.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
The best Boston-area cafes to work from
Sometimes a change of scenery helps boost productivity, so here are the best Boston-area coffee shops to work from.Why it matters: Remote and hybrid work enables us to be in community with our neighbors and friends when we need a break from the work-from-home office.Be smart: A few tips if you're going to hang around a local cafe or eatery for a few hours.Support local businesses! Buy their food, and tip well.Don't hog all the table space.Don't overstay your welcome. If they're closing or facing a rush of customers, it might be time to head out.Of note: We rated these...
Comic Josh Gondelman's guide to Boston comedy, roast beef and not being a Masshole
Comedian Josh Gondelman has carved out a niche in the world of stand-up as the king of the nice guys, a genuine and big-hearted millennial who's also hilarious.He'll play two shows at Off Cabot in Beverley Friday and Saturday. The Stoneham native talked to Axios recently about how to see good comedy in Boston, which taco places he visits when he's home and how he grew up here without becoming a jaded Masshole.The interview has been edited for brevity.Are people from around the country shocked that you grew up in the Boston suburbs but don't act or talk like Bill...
Comic Josh Gondelman's guide to Boston comedy, roast beef and not being a Masshole
Comedian Josh Gondelman has carved out a niche in the world of stand-up as the king of the nice guys, a genuine and big-hearted millennial who's also hilarious.He'll play two shows at Off Cabot in Beverley Friday and Saturday. The Stoneham native talked to Axios recently about how to see good comedy in Boston, which taco places he visits when he's home and how he grew up here without becoming a jaded Masshole.The interview has been edited for brevity.Are people from around the country shocked that you grew up in the Boston suburbs but don't act or talk like Bill...
Boston's unsung heroes
Heroes walk among us. Of course there are the medical professionals, first responders, dedicated teachers and others who have made impacts the last few years.Then there are the unsung heroes. The everyday locals who exemplified Boston and what it means to live here.It's time to acknowledge a few of the characters who made up the fabric of Massachusetts culture in 2023.For every Ben, Matt, Mark or Mindy, there are less notable Bostonians who fly their freak flag just as high.The top of the 2023 class has to be Slide Cop, who showed the world just how viral flinging yourself down...
Boston's unsung heroes
Heroes walk among us. Of course there are the medical professionals, first responders, dedicated teachers and others who have made impacts the last few years.Then there are the unsung heroes. The everyday locals who exemplified Boston and what it means to live here.It's time to acknowledge a few of the characters who made up the fabric of Massachusetts culture in 2023.For every Ben, Matt, Mark or Mindy, there are less notable Bostonians who fly their freak flag just as high.The top of the 2023 class has to be Slide Cop, who showed the world just how viral flinging yourself down...
Boston-area restaurants' Valentine's Day meals
It's not too late to get that Valentine's Day reservation.Here are some recommendations for those of you unsure where to look.LoLa 42 in the Seaport has a Valentine's Day menu with grilled strip steak and seared scallops, banana butter cake and a small plate of toro crispy rice with avocado mousse, truffle ponzu and caviar.Plus: The "heartburn" cocktail includes Reposado tequila, guava, lime and togarashi.Henrietta's Table in Harvard Square is serving a special supper, 5pm-9pm.Includes baked, stuffed lobster, Island Creek oysters and a warm fallen chocolate soufflé cake with ice cream.Vela Seaport's prix fixe Valentine's Day menu will be available...
Boston-area restaurants' Valentine's Day meals
It's not too late to get that Valentine's Day reservation.Here are some recommendations for those of you unsure where to look.LoLa 42 in the Seaport has a Valentine's Day menu with grilled strip steak and seared scallops, banana butter cake and a small plate of toro crispy rice with avocado mousse, truffle ponzu and caviar.Plus: The "heartburn" cocktail includes Reposado tequila, guava, lime and togarashi.Henrietta's Table in Harvard Square is serving a special supper, 5pm-9pm.Includes baked, stuffed lobster, Island Creek oysters and a warm fallen chocolate soufflé cake with ice cream.Vela Seaport's prix fixe Valentine's Day menu will be available...
Oldest Mass. prison to shut down
The oldest prison in Massachusetts will close because the number of prisoners in the state is declining.What's happening: The Department of Correction will shut down the 146-year-old MCI-Concord by the summer.DOC staff and prisoners will be transferred to other facilities.The prison is currently at 50% capacityWhy it matters: The prison population has fallen by nearly half over the last ten years, from over 11,000 in 2013 to just over 6,000 last year.The old prison campus off Rt. 111 in west Concord is outdated and costly to operate.MCI-Cedar Junction was closed last year for similar reasons.DOC still operates correctional institutions in Framingham, Norfolk and Shirley, with other facilities in Gardner, Bridgewater, Lancaster and other sites around the state.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Axios Boston
1K+
Posts
8M+
Views
Axios Boston is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.