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Healey wants more for MTBA, shelter
After giving lawmakers and the public a glimpse at her plans for new spending in her annual speech last week, Gov. Maura Healey laid out a specific budget proposal yesterday.Healey's plan amounts to $58 billion in spending, about 3% higher than the current fiscal year plan.That's a lower growth rate than any budget proposal in the last five years.What's new: Healey wants to double the amount the state gives directly to the MBTA's day-to-day operations and give another $45 million to support discounts for low-income riders.The state lottery would be able to operate online games under Healey's plan, something lottery...
Gordon Ramsay's pricey burgers in Haymarket
The concept behind Gordon Ramsay Burger in Haymarket is as simple as its name: upscale burgers designed by the hot-headed restaurateur and king of food TV.It's good, but the prices will keep locals away.The flagship Hell's Kitchen burger has mozzarella, roasted jalapeΓ±os and avocado for $19.Other burgers range from $16 to $24.A side of fries will cost another $6. My solo check with no drink was for $26.75.There are shakes, salads and a few other shareables on Ramsay's classic American menu.Of course it was cooked exactly medium rare. We know what happens when Ramsay's cooks screw that up.The bottom line: The prices, touristy clientele and generic setting give Gordon Ramsay Burger all the charm of the airport without being at the airport.Deehan's thought bubble: For a burger in that part of town go to Pauli's in the North End ($7.99) or Saus ($12) on Union Street. For a drink, go across the street to Durty Nelly's (priceless).For a better Ramsay experience β for around the same prices β check out the chef's real restaurant in the Back Bay.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Massachusetts cannabis companies lead fight against prohibition
Massachusetts companies are leading the legal fight to end the national prohibition on cannabis, but the Biden administration stands in their way.Why it matters: Prohibition has left state-regulated cannabis companies shut out from bank loans, federal tax credits and other business opportunities, owners say.Catch up fast: A group of Massachusetts cannabis companies sued the feds in October in Springfield federal court, arguing the national law banning cannabis intrudes on state powers.They're being represented by Boies Schiller, the firm that represented Al Gore in litigation over the 2000 presidential election, the failed blood testing startup Theranos and disgraced film...
Boston area home to 1,800 remaining Jewish Holocaust survivors
The Boston area is home to roughly 1,800 Jewish Holocaust survivors, according to a new demographic study.Why it matters: The world has lost most of its Holocaust survivors by now, mostly due to old age, but the study by the Claims Conference shows how many Jewish survivors remain alive decades later."The data forces us to accept the reality that Holocaust survivors won't be with us forever," says Gideon Taylor, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, which provides aid and services to Jewish Holocaust survivors.By the numbers: There are some 245,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors across 90 countries, ranging in age from 77 to over 100.Half live in Israel, and nearly one-fifth live in North America.The vast majority of the remaining Jewish survivors were children during the Holocaust, per the Claims Conference.What they're saying: "This is our last chance to recognize them, to celebrate them and to learn from them," says Michael Berenbaum, a professor of Jewish Studies at American Jewish University.Of note: The study focuses primarily on Jewish survivors and does not examine survivors who are Romani, disabled, queer or other backgrounds the Nazi regime targeted.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Looking for a Massachusetts Republican in the New Hampshire primary
The two-person race to top the New Hampshire primary between Donald Trump and Nikki Haley has been encouraging for MAGA-leaning Republicans in Massachusetts but deeply disheartening for those in the local GOP who still cling to a more liberal kind of Republicanism.Why it matters: If Donald Trump wins a third New Hampshire primary in a row, it could be the death knell for the style of politics that dominated New England Republicanism in the decades before his arrival in 2016.The days of the "fiscal conservative/social liberal" could be over.Flashback: It wasn't long ago that Republicans in Massachusetts and our neighbors...
Meet Me at the Altar, Morat and more Boston concerts this week
Neo-punks Meet Me at the Altar are bringing some much-needed light and levity to a cold Boston music scene this week.Latin pop group Morat is in town.And some old-school acts like Rick Springfield, Richard Marx and Juliana Hatfield will also take the stage.WednesdayExperimental pop act L'Rain plays at The Sinclair.Sloppy Philly soul rockers G. Love & Special Sauce will be at City Winery.Lowertown's lo-fi electronica comes to the Crystal Ballroom.ThursdayLocal indie rockers Hush Club are at Brighton Music Hall.FridayColombian Latin pop rock group Morat comes to Agganis Arena supporting their album Si Ayer Fuera Hoy.Folk duo The Milk Carton Kids play at Paradise Rock Club.Old school emo from Hot Rod Circuit will be at The Sinclair.SaturdayTwo pop icons from the '80s - Rick Springfield & Richard Marx are playing together at the Shubert Theater.Indie rock singer-songwriter Torres is at The Sinclair.Bikethrasher, Miracle Blood, Neck Dive are the local bands on the bill at Faces.Jelly, Brother Guy, Nikita play The Middle East.SundayNew-school pop punks Meet Me at The Altar plays at Paradise Rock Club. Check our their single "Say It (to My Face.)"MondayDuxbury's favorite sweetheart Juliana Hatfield plays a hometown show at City Winery.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
'Westworld' showing, D&D, Jazz Night: Things to do in Boston this week
Monday β 1/29π¦ͺ $1 oysters do still exist, at least at Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar on Mondays.Loco's special runs every Mondayπ§ Trident is hosting Dungeons and Dragons 6pm-9pm at Trident Booksellers & Cafe, organized by Fight The Exposition.Open to all experience levels.Price: $22. RSVP encouraged.π Author Wayne Miller discusses his book, "Burn Boston Burn: The Largest Arson Case in the History of the Country" at 6pm at the Boston Public Library's Codman Square branch.Miller's book examines the series of arson fires in the 1980s that shook the city.Tuesday β 1/30π Journalist Rachel Swarns discusses her new book, "The 272,"...
Massachusetts' archaic anti-LGBTQ+ laws under scrutiny
The Dobbs ruling fallout continues: The landmark case has reinvigorated interest in a decades-old bill to wipe archaic Massachusetts laws from the books β specifically laws targeting LGBTQ+ people.Why it matters: Multiple versions of this bill have fallen flat in the legislature over the years, but the latest version has garnered interest after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas suggested revisiting the rights to same-sex marriage, contraception and private sexual acts, lawmakers say.Driving the news: The Massachusetts Senate last week unanimously passed the bill, which would remove outdated laws against "sodomy," "night walking" and "unnatural acts."The Senate added an amendment nixing...
Trump, Haley rally ahead of New Hampshire GOP primary
The two leading Republican candidates in tomorrow's New Hampshire primary used the last weekend before the big day to tie up their voters, while another big name dropped out of the race.Why it matters: Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is the only major candidate still competing against former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination. She needs a strong showing in New Hampshire or Trump will have the nomination all but wrapped up.What they're saying: Haley used a rally in Keene to criticize Trump's mental fitness for office and also ding President Biden."When you're dealing with the pressures of a...
Mass shootings were up in Massachusetts last year
Data: Gun Violence Archive; Note: Mass shootings are defined as instances of at least four victims killed or injured by gunfire, not including a shooter. Data is as of Jan. 4, 2023 ; Chart: Axios VisualsThere were seven mass shootings in Massachusetts in 2023, making last year one of the deadlier years of the last decade.Zoom in: At least 34 people were killed or injured in mass shootings in Massachusetts last year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.This has gone up from recent years, with 3 mass shootings in 2022 and 4 in 2021.2020 saw eight mass shootings.The organization defines...
Things to do in Boston this week
Tuesday, 1/23π Elizabeth Gonzalez James, author of "Mona at Sea" discusses her new novel "The Bullet Swallower," a modern western revenge tale, at Harvard Book Store at 7pm.π€ The Painted Burro in Somerville is hosting the ultimate battle: Girl band vs. boy band karaoke. Think Destiny's child vs. NSYNC, Fifth Harmony vs. One Direction and more.Event starts at 9pm.No cover. 21+ only.Wednesday, 1/24Bring your '80s look to Puritan & Co. in Cambridge Wednesday for the "Risky Fizzness" champagne party at 6pm.Includes 40 bottles of champagne and sparkling wine, '80s music and snacks.Price: $75+.Lamplighter Brewing Co. is hosting a beer and...
These Boston-area real estate projects open in 2024
The rising materials costs and labor shortages haven't stopped Boston-area development projects entirely.Why it matters: These projects stand to bring more commercial and residential space into Boston's real estate market.But office and condo sales remain down, and prices for luxury condos and other residential units haven't cooled.Here's what's moving forward in 2024:Suffolk DownsThe team redeveloping Suffolk Downs plans to open its first residential building this summer.The "Amaya" building has 475 apartments β studios, one- and two-bedroom units β near the Beachmont Station in Revere.What's next: It's a major milestone for the former racetrack site, but the developer is still working...
"Cheers" writer settles debate over Boston bar's fate in "Frasier" universe
Even though the bar where everybody knows your name doesn't appear in the "Frasier" reboot series, "Cheers" is very much still open in the show's version of Boston, according to one of the show's original writers.On his "Hollywood and Levine" podcast, writer, director and producer Ken Levine wondered how the more mature Dr. Crane could skip popping into the place he treated like his second home.What they're saying: "Sam's still there, and Norm is still there, and Cliff, maybe Woody," Levine said, confirming that, at least in the mind of one writer, the bar's still patronized by its regulars.Why it...
Things to do in Boston this week
Tuesday and Wednesday β 1/16-17π₯ See "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Extended Edition" on the big screen at the Alamo Drafthouse in the Seaport.The extended middle chapter of the famous trilogy is so good it needs two colons. The 3 hour, 42 minute masterpiece is showing today (2:45pm) and tomorrow (2:50pm.)Thursday β 1/18π¬ NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce discusses her book "Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life" at Harvard Book Store at 7pm."Past Lives", Celine Song's film about childhood friends reuniting in New York is one of the tensest modern romances you'll see this...
Maura Healey's big pitch: Housing, education, MBTA
Maura Healey is one year into her term as governor and less than two years away from a reelection campaign.To convince voters she's moving the state in the right direction, Healey will need power brokers in the Legislature to get on board with her plans to build more homes, spend more on education and save the MBTA.Healey has to find a way to pay for it or her Democratic allies in the House and Senate will quickly become obstacles.Why it matters: The state's first elected female governor used her annual address β the State of the Commonwealth β to ask...
Jerod Mayo's in charge as Patriots head coach
New England Patriots nation was reintroduced to its new head coach yesterday when owner Robert Kraft presented Jerod Mayo to the press in Foxborough.Why it matters: Mayo couldn't have been clearer when he told reporters "I'm not trying to be Bill."Bill Belichick led the team for 24 years until departing after a disastrous last season.What they're saying: "I am a huge believer in just developing people, whether it is on the football field, whether it is off the football field, in the media world, in business. My calling is to be a teacher and develop people," Mayo said in his...
"RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Plane Jane talks tech habits
Boston's Plane Jane has the makings of the next villain on RuPaul's Drag Race after coming out on top last week.But get to know her, and you'll see she's just a "silly trashy bimbo" (her words).What she's saying: "Take everything I say with a grain of salt because this is all on television."This is all drag. We're having fun."At the end of the day, regardless of the fun shade β¦ I am there and all of the girls are there to support one another when it really fβking counts β and that is when the queer community is under attack."Axios...
"RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Plane Jane talks tech habits
Boston's Plane Jane has the makings of the next villain on RuPaul's Drag Race after coming out on top last week.But get to know her, and you'll see she's just a "silly trashy bimbo" (her words).What she's saying: "Take everything I say with a grain of salt because this is all on television."This is all drag. We're having fun."At the end of the day, regardless of the fun shade β¦ I am there and all of the girls are there to support one another when it really fβking counts β and that is when the queer community is under attack."Axios...
Massachusetts' 'use yah blinkah' highway signs banned by feds
Friends, carpoolers and road ragers, we gather here not to curse out the feds, but to mourn the highway signs they're killing.Catch up fast: The U.S. Federal Highway Administration's war on fun, once waged against New Jersey, has spread nationwide. The electronic highway messages that brought some levity during traffic jams will be phased out by 2026 under new federal rules.That includes the "use yah blinkahs" signs that debuted in 2014, and the "stay classy, Massachusetts" signs that went live later.Why it matters: To know Bay State drivers is to love them in spite of their terrible, aggressive driving.They don't call us Massholes for nothing.Zoom in: The highway administration wants messages that are "simple, direct, brief, legible and clear" β¦ and devoid of humor.Really. The administration's new manual cautions against signs that are "intended to be humorous" or have pop culture references lest they be misunderstood by most drivers.Yes, but: Just about everyone in Massachusetts knows what a "blinker" is.Some even heed the signs' warnings.Steph's thought bubble: To the state workers behind those signs, thank you for making us laugh while we try to survive the MassPike and I-93.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Mass. rolls out financial aid for undocumented students
Undocumented college students in Massachusetts can now apply for financial aid through a new state program.Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 11,000 undocumented college students who until now have been shut out of financial aid because of their immigration status.What's happening: Education officials released the state's own financial aid form, the MASFA, so undocumented students can get help covering the costs of a community college or public university for the 2023-24 school year.Applicants have until June 1 to fill out the form, though the state recommends submitting it by May 1, especially for those seeking retroactive aid for the fall.Another form will go out for students seeking aid for the next school year.What they're saying: "This is an opportunity to remove what we know is a significant barrier for historically underrepresented students of higher education," state education secretary Patrick Tutwiler tells Axios.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
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