Latest news

President Joe Biden waves as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, after returning from a trip to Pennsylvania. (Susan Walsh/AP)

Local Coverage

2 hours ago

Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.

President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia Thursday. The prominent Democratic family has been vocal that they don't see eye to eye politically with Robert Kennedy Jr. Both Democrats and Republicans worry that Kennedy's candidacy...

Subscribe

Worcester Regional Transit Authority extends fare-free buses for another year
Former Mass. lab chief faces sentencing 12 years after fatal meningitis outbreak
Vermont farms are still recovering from flooding as they enter the growing season
Oklahoma man arrested after authorities say he threw a pipe bomb at Satanic Temple in Mass.
Report finds preschool access expanded in Mass. and across country last year
5 things to do this weekend, including a tribute to Major Taylor and a graphic novel festival

U.S. and world news

In this 2008 file photo, Big Bird reads to Connor Scott and Tiffany Jiao during a taping of <em>Sesame Street</em> in New York. (AP)

'Sesame Street' writers authorize a strike if they don't reach a contract...

A "for rent" sign in front of a home in December 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Getty Images)

Housing costs keep inflation stubborn; New report on Maui wildfires released

A father helps his son steady a firearm at the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual convention on May 28, 2022, in Houston, Texas. Exposing children to guns comes with risks, but some firearms enthusiasts say they'd prefer to train kids to use guns responsibly. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Amid concerns about kids and guns, some say training is the answer

A twisting scar left behind after a bullet entered Aaron Hunter's brain on June 22, 2023. After emergency surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, the surgeon warned that the 13-year-old's ability to walk, see and speak could be affected. He spent weeks in the hospital followed by eight months of physical and occupational therapy. (Stephanie Colombini/WUSF)

Guns are killing more U.S. children. Shooting survivors can face lifelong challenges

Moncher Metina outside her house in Limonade, Haiti, on March 17, 2024. (Octavio Jones for NPR)

A portrait of Haitians trying to survive without a government

Some baby boomers would like to downsize from their large homes, but say it doesn't make financial sense. Single-family homes in Dumfries, Va., are seen here last year. (The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Many baby boomers own homes that are too big. Can they be...

More Boston Headlines

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum drives past Sacramento Kings' Davion Mitchell during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Boston. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

The Celtics have dominated the NBA. Only a championship will make season complete

The Celtics know this franchise is judged by championships. And for the buckets of success this year’s team has had, it will mean nothing if it doesn’t end with the...

Local Coverage

Apr 17, 2024

Somerville City Hall (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Somerville homeowners hit with soaring water bills

The city is replacing aging and faulty water meters and sending out bills for underpayments amounting to thousands of dollars in some cases.

Local Coverage

Apr 17, 2024

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) announced late last week it is terminating its $185-million contract for 45 train cars for its commuter railroad.

Union concerned for future of Springfield jobs after Philadelphia cancels train contract

CRRC recently reworked a contract with the MBTA. That project is also years behind schedule and has been beset with vehicle reliability issues.

Local Coverage

Apr 17, 2024

The garment area at Ahead Manufacturing facility in New Bedford. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Newly-arrived migrants, advocates and state leaders push for expedited permission to work

Suzanne Giovanetti, of the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, and WBUR's political correspondent Anthony Brooks join Radio Boston to discuss how the inability of many of migrants to legally...

Radio Boston

15:29Apr 17, 2024

Loss of federally-subsidized internet program will affect hundreds of thousands of Mass. families

Mary Magner, an ACP participant in Brighton, and Virginia Benzan, of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, join Radio Boston to discuss.

Radio Boston

12:47Apr 17, 2024

Lawrence mayor, city council locked in battle over urban renewal plan

Radio Boston details a contentious battle between the mayor and city council of Lawrence over the city's urban renewal plan.

Radio Boston

10:20Apr 17, 2024

A “For Rent” sign outside the front of a house in Cambridge. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

What was the point of Massachusetts' new tax break for renters?

Thanks to an increased deduction included in last year's tax cut package, Massachusetts renters can claim an extra $50 on their tax returns in 2024 and beyond. But some experts...

Local Coverage

Apr 17, 2024

Boston Bruins television play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards, center, holds up a golden stick in honor of his announced retirement, before the Bruins' NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Boston. (Charles Krupa/AP)

Bruins play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards to retire at end of playoffs

Jack Edwards is retiring after 19 years as the Boston Bruins’ play-by-play announcer. Edwards has described the position broadcasting for the Bruins on NESN as his “dream job.” He started...

Local Coverage

Apr 17, 2024

Musette Jean-Pierre packs a box of hats to be shipped out on the floor of the garment area at the Ahead Manufacturing facility in New Bedford. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Immigrants want faster permission to work. So do Mass. leaders and businesses

"The people out on the floor are the heart of the operation; without them, we can't get our product out the door," Ahead's Tracy Silvia said. "They don't deserve the...

Local Coverage

06:48Apr 17, 2024

Boston City Council weighs potential for a rat-focused city department

Last week, the Boston City Council met to discuss one of the top, pressing issues facing our city: The rat population causing a nuisance to residents citywide.

The Common

13:00Apr 17, 2024

Radio Boston

More

Straightening a highway and creating a neighborhood in Allston

Christian MilNeil of StreetsBlogMass and Kate Dineen of the nonprofit A Better City join Radio Boston to discuss the Allston Multimodal Project, which recently received...

Radio Boston

12:24Apr 16, 2024

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Markey supports aid for Israel while calling for deescalation in war with Hamas

Radio Boston

22:59Apr 16, 2024

How Greater Boston is working to root out rats

Radio Boston gets to the bottom of Greater Boston's rat problem and learns about solutions for rooting out rodents.

Radio Boston

11:50Apr 16, 2024

The Boston Marathon's first wave of non-elite runners start the race in Hopkinton. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Why 4 runners are taking on the Boston Marathon for the first time

Radio Boston

19:36Apr 15, 2024

More Boston Headlines

Here are the 2024 graduation speakers appearing at Mass. colleges

Universities across Massachusetts will welcome many impressive luminaries to speak during this commencement season. From Governor Gov. Maura Healey to award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, graduates of 2024 will receive their...

Education

Apr 16, 2024

A house for sale, in North Andover, Massachusetts. in 2017. (Elise Amendola/AP)

New data show Mass. home prices keep rising as inventory remains low

The median sale price for a single-family home in Massachusetts climbed to $609,900 last month, about 9% higher than the same time last year, according to new data from the...

Local Coverage

Apr 16, 2024

A bin of just caught lobster at Fisherman’s View Seafood Market in Sandwich. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

New Englanders, with their love of seafood, may be at higher risk for PFAS exposure

The study's author said the results make a case for setting PFAS limits on seafood, not to stop eating seafood.

Local Coverage

Apr 16, 2024

Buoys made from mycelium. (Courtesy of Nantucket’s Natural Resources Dept.)

Why Nantucket is testing out mushroom-based buoys

Nantucket's Natural Resources Department plans to put 135 new “MycoBuoys” — made from mushrooms — along shellfish spat lines this summer. Tara Riley, the town's shellfish and aquatic resources manager,...

Local Coverage

Apr 16, 2024

Lawrence City Councilor Jeovanny Rodriguez recently visited the Merrimack Paper mill site. (Simón Rios/WBUR)

Urban renewal battle in Lawrence pits mayor against city council

Officials are locked in fight over who has the power to transfer city-owned properties. It could be up to a judge to decide who's right.

Local Coverage

04:53Apr 16, 2024

Boston Marathon men's division winner Sisay Lemma, of Ethiopia, and women's division winner Hellen Obiri, of Kenya hold up the trophy at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024. (Charles Krupa/AP)

The winners in the 2024 Boston Marathon

Hug finished in 1 hour, 15 minutes, 33 seconds, breaking his previous course record to win his 14th straight major marathon and his 24th overall. Britain's Eden Rainbow-Cooper won the...

Local Coverage

Apr 15, 2024

Runners cross the start line in the rolling start to the 125th Boston Marathon. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Boston Marathon start times and how to track your runner

The Boston Marathon starting heats are staggered, kicking off with the elite runners and then moving into the qualified racers and then those raising money for charity. Here's the schedule...

Local Coverage

Apr 15, 2024

David French, of Denver, Colorado, receives his medal after finishing the Boston Marathon. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Here's what's happened at the 128th Boston Marathon

It's Marathon Monday, and tens of thousands of runners will make their way along the historic 26.2-mile race route. We'll provide live updates throughout the day, including details on how...

Local Coverage

06:00Apr 15, 2024

Runners in the rolling start for all participants cross the start line in the 125th Boston Marathon. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

What to expect at the 128th Boston Marathon

WBUR's Alex Ashlock talks about the runners to watch and other key details spectators should keep in mind ahead of the marathon Monday.

Local Coverage

05:26Apr 14, 2024

A walkway in Martin's Park overlooking Fort Point Channel is decorated with Boston Marathon blue and yellow, and peace signs in honor of Martin Richard. (Sharon Brody/WBUR)

Visiting Martin's Park and remembering the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombings

On a mild, sunny afternoon earlier this month, grown-ups and children in the playground shared their thoughts about Martin's Park with WBUR's Weekend Edition for this audio postcard.

Local Coverage

04:05Apr 13, 2024