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Expect big crowds at Mass. "No Kings" protests

Over 160 "No Kings" protests are scheduled across Massachusetts Saturday.

News

Organizers behind the nationwide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="7c110bfe-5fc6-42de-84b0-f027ab4b95df" data-vars-headline="Expect big crowds at Mass. &quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" target="_self">&quot;No Kings&quot; protests</a> claim more than 160 rallies are scheduled across the Commonwealth tomorrow.Why it matters: Massachusetts is playing a big role in the nationwide mobilization organizers describe as possibly the largest single-day protest in U.S. history.

What's proper doggy bag etiquette? Vote in our poll

Take the poll and let us know what you think.

Spotted in the South End: A full doggy bag sitting on the windshield of a car.Zoom in: We don&#x27;t know if it belonged to the owner of the car, who planned to return and throw it out later, or a stranger using the car as a dumping ground.

A casual fan's guide to the 2026 Red Sox season

The Sox have finished 3rd in the AL East two years in a row.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Red Sox" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/26/a-casual-fans-guide-to-the-2025-red-sox" data-vars-content-id="e135207b-a071-4288-a4c2-574526f8b911" data-vars-headline="A casual fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 Red Sox season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/03/26/a-casual-fans-guide-to-the-2025-red-sox" target="_self">Red Sox</a> kick off their 2026 season Thursday with an emerging superstar and strong pitching they hope will lead to title contention.Why it matters: The Sox have finished third in the AL East two years in a row, and the division again looks to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the best in baseball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48287373/opening-day-2026-mlb-season-preview-rankings-every-team-playoff-odds-world-series-chances#bos" data-vars-content-id="e135207b-a071-4288-a4c2-574526f8b911" data-vars-headline="A casual fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 Red Sox season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48287373/opening-day-2026-mlb-season-preview-rankings-every-team-playoff-odds-world-series-chances#bos" target="_blank">one of the best in baseball</a>.<ul><li>Outdueling the Yankees and American League champion Blue Jays will require big contributions from Boston&#x27;s offseason acquisitions.</li></ul>

Boston cop's shooting charge roils DA race, divides city councilors

Boston cop shooting charge roils DA race, with Rollins, Flaherty and Mullen weighing runs against Hayden — while councilors split on how to frame King's death.

The manslaughter charge filed against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boston Police Officer Nicholas O&#x27;Malley" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/21/metro/officer-arrest-strong-message/" data-vars-content-id="ed38ac76-c5b5-46d8-b8d0-8a959f075308" data-vars-headline="Boston cop&#x27;s shooting charge roils DA race, divides city councilors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/21/metro/officer-arrest-strong-message/" target="_blank">Boston Police Officer Nicholas O&#x27;Malley</a> for the on-duty shooting death of a carjacking suspect has ignited two separate political firestorms.<ul><li>One is directed at Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden for bringing charges, the other inside the Boston City Council chamber.</li></ul>Why it matters: The case has revived longstanding tensions over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="police accountability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/21/database-federal-police-misconduct-trump-deletes" data-vars-content-id="ed38ac76-c5b5-46d8-b8d0-8a959f075308" data-vars-headline="Boston cop&#x27;s shooting charge roils DA race, divides city councilors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/21/database-federal-police-misconduct-trump-deletes" target="_self">police accountability</a> in Boston while scrambling the Suffolk DA race.

No, the MBTA is not expanding the Red Line to Lexington

Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem spent $5K on fake MBTA expansion billboards.

Politics

MBTA riders in Cambridge, Medford and Somerville will be thrilled to find out the T has plans to extend electrified rapid transit well into the suburbs — but not for long. <ul><li>That&#x27;s because the news is an elaborate April Fools&#x27; Day prank put on by a political candidate.</li></ul>

Healey: Trump will target elections

Outlined four specific tactics she says the federal government could use to interfere with voting

Gov. Maura Healey used Saturday&#x27;s &quot;No Kings&quot; rally on Boston Common and a subsequent State House press conference Monday to lay out a warning about President Donald Trump: she believes his administration will attempt to interfere with the 2026 elections.Why it matters: Healey, a former attorney general running for a second term as governor, framed federal election interference as a likely scenario, citing incidents involving a California sheriff and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fulton County, Georgia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/05/fulton-county-election-raid-trump-retribution-georgia-voting" data-vars-content-id="f98be720-7001-469a-84c2-75ec33fac825" data-vars-headline="Healey: Trump will target elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/05/fulton-county-election-raid-trump-retribution-georgia-voting" target="_self">Fulton County, Georgia</a>, as showing an emerging pattern.

World Cup goers will see price hike on Commuter Rail

Acting Transportation Secretary Phil Eng said the prices aren't finalized, but they'll be higher.

Transit

The Commuter Rail will likely charge people far more for train tickets to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/19/boston-world-cup-funds" data-vars-content-id="d6e1f315-e43e-4dfe-a3f1-2194cb3013fe" data-vars-headline="World Cup goers will see price hike on Commuter Rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/19/boston-world-cup-funds" target="_self">World Cup matches</a> in Foxborough this summer, acting transportation secretary Phil Eng confirmed.Why it matters: Transportation officials want World Cup attendees to use public transit to minimize car traffic, but it will cost them.

A blue wave would bury the Mass. GOP deeper

A blue wave won't shake up Beacon Hill, but it could leave Massachusetts Republicans with even less leverage.

If there&#x27;s a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blue wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" data-vars-content-id="ce5dbc4f-fe5b-4b23-bad0-2fedf6d47fc8" data-vars-headline="A blue wave would bury the Mass. GOP deeper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" target="_self">blue wave</a>&quot; of Democratic success at the polls this fall, it won&#x27;t mean much for the leaders who already run Beacon Hill, but it could bury the opposition party even deeper.Why it matters: Republicans currently hold about 15 percent of seats across the House and Senate. It&#x27;s a small but not inconsequential presence that assures at least some open debate and public votes.<ul><li>Republicans have seen their numbers dwindle when Democrats win big.</li></ul>

Massachusetts pours nearly $86 million into World Cup prep

The state is using a mix of federal grants and state funding for World Cup preparations.

Massachusetts officials and organizers are pouring nearly $86 million into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup preparations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/11/world-cup-boston-foxborough-funding-dispute" data-vars-content-id="09150db7-d7a8-4e7d-a014-802f19436ad5" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts pours nearly $86 million into World Cup prep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/11/world-cup-boston-foxborough-funding-dispute" target="_self">World Cup preparations</a>.Why it matters: Public safety officials and event organizers are bolstering safety and health resources to manage the crowds coming in for the seven matches set for Gillette Stadium.

Boston's noncitizen voting push faces Beacon Hill roadblock

The Legislature's aversion to the issue dates back to the 19th century

As Boston leaders weigh letting noncitizens vote in local elections, the idea was effectively killed by a panel of Massachusetts Democrats last week.Why it matters: Beacon Hill&#x27;s aversion to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2018/07/09/boston-non-citizens-vote-immigrants-local-elections" data-vars-content-id="d2a8c29d-6ee6-43eb-84ef-31479c41e5c2" data-vars-headline="Boston&#x27;s noncitizen voting push faces Beacon Hill roadblock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2018/07/09/boston-non-citizens-vote-immigrants-local-elections" target="_self">the issue</a> dates back to the 19th century, when Massachusetts first imposed a literacy test to keep foreigners from casting ballots.

AI-generated attack ads are already slopping up Mass. races

AI attack ads are already showing up in Massachusetts races — and the 2026 cycle is just getting started.

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/ai-biggest-threats-2028-election" data-vars-content-id="5ae6c8eb-8ab5-4404-af1a-e50396c6af3a" data-vars-headline="AI-generated attack ads are already slopping up Mass. races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/ai-biggest-threats-2028-election" target="_self">Artificial intelligence</a> is becoming an active political weapon in Massachusetts.Why it matters: Two recent cases show that candidates are willing to use the technology as lawmakers struggle to regulate it.

Boston gets $46.6 million for FIFA World Cup preparations

The funds help shore up World Cup preparations in Boston and Foxborough.

Boston has secured nearly $47 million in federal funds for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/team-usa-world-cup-kits-unveiled" data-vars-content-id="777fdb45-cebd-4384-bf30-f56222e0cb79" data-vars-headline="Boston gets $46.6 million for FIFA World Cup preparations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/team-usa-world-cup-kits-unveiled" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a>.The big picture: Boston is among 11 U.S. cities that received $625 million in federal funding to support public safety and operational investments for the international tournament.

Mass. House to advance bill preserving due process for local immigrants

House leaders said they expect a vote on the bill in the next few weeks.

Immigration

Massachusetts House lawmakers plan to advance a bill Friday that would limit how police forces, jails and state agencies work with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/ice-immigrant-detention-warehouses-spending" data-vars-content-id="46bf6208-3510-40f3-8026-58bbbfb216dd" data-vars-headline="Mass. House to advance bill preserving due process for local immigrants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/ice-immigrant-detention-warehouses-spending" target="_self">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a>.The big picture: Massachusetts Democrats are trying to preserve the state&#x27;s due process protections for all residents, regardless of immigration status or criminal history. <ul><li>That would defy the Trump administration&#x27;s nationwide efforts to limit due process rights and other protections to citizens.</li></ul>

SJC sends bar advocate pay issue back to Beacon Hill

CPCS wants to hike bar advocates' pay to recruit more lawyers to represent indigent defendants.

The fight for increased <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attorney pay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/30/lawmakers-deal-bar-advocates-pay" data-vars-content-id="e68330db-3fe7-4cfc-8084-5b883bb798d0" data-vars-headline="SJC sends bar advocate pay issue back to Beacon Hill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/07/30/lawmakers-deal-bar-advocates-pay" target="_self">attorney pay</a> on Beacon Hill may not be over.The big picture: The Legislature allocated millions of dollars last year for the Committee for Public Counsel Services to hire more public defenders and raise wages for volunteer lawyers, known as bar advocates.

Politics 🇺🇸

No, the MBTA is not expanding the Red Line to Lexington

Healey: Trump will target elections

World Cup goers will see price hike on Commuter Rail

A blue wave would bury the Mass. GOP deeper

Massachusetts pours nearly $86 million into World Cup prep