Massachusetts news

• John and Cynthia Fish give $25M for science center at Hobart and William Smith

  20-12-2024 20:40 via bizjournals.com
  John Fish, founder and CEO of Suffolk Construction, and his wife, Cynthia Gelsthorpe Fish, are donating $25 million to the private liberal arts college in upstate New York.
  
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• The party is over: Party City to shutter all stores after nearly 40 years

  20-12-2024 20:22 via bizjournals.com
  The country's largest party supply retailer operates 20 stores in Massachusetts, all of which will close in the coming months, according to media reports.
  
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• Thank You to Our Holiday Decorators!

  20-12-2024 20:21 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Helping to decorate the Hill are local volunteers Jonathan Hoenig with his helper in the cart
  John and Lauren Hennessey
  Helping to decorate the Hill are local volunteers Chris Turner
  David Beardsley and Laura Tomasettiwere just some of the amazing neighbors who came out to decorate for the holidays.
  
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• Cambridge Brewing closes, but the brand will live on. Plus more retail news.

  20-12-2024 19:23 via bizjournals.com
  Friday marked the last day in operation for Cambridge Brewing Co. after 35 years. But the brand will live on after the closure thanks to a deal with a South Boston brewery.
  
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• Big Lots deal falls apart; going-out-of-business sales planned at all locations

  20-12-2024 18:49 via bizjournals.com
  The discount retailer is preparing to close the remainder of its stores, including 17 in Massachusetts, after a planned purchase agreement with an investment firm appeared to fall through.
  
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• 2025 will be a big year for Mural Oncology's drugs in development

  20-12-2024 15:15 via bizjournals.com
  One year after its spinout from Alkermes plc, Mural Oncology is already preparing for major readouts from two late-stage trials of its lead cancer treatment in the first half of next year.
  
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• Boston’s new Museum of Ice Cream is open. Here's a taste.

  20-12-2024 15:01 via bizjournals.com
  It’s not a museum in the sense as Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts or Museum of Science. It's more of a shrine to the cool, sweet dairy treat.
  
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• Boston-based digital fashion archive expands beyond social media

  20-12-2024 12:00 via bizjournals.com
  Riviere Fougy and his team scan and share fashion images from archival books, magazines and other sources, aiming provide high-quality scans of archival fashion material so they don't get lost in time.
  
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• Commentary: Tsunami of healthcare costs is headed for your business

  20-12-2024 11:59 via bizjournals.com
  Over the past decade, private equity firms have spent an astounding $1 trillion gobbling up healthcare systems and hospitals, transforming institutions meant to serve the public into corporate profit centers. The result? For us in Massachusetts, declining patient care as corners are cut, services slashed and safety protocols ignored — all to boost profits.The recent collapse of Steward Health Care is a cautionary tale for Boston business owners, highlighting a deeper is
  
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• Five things: PO Square buildings sell; Vertex drug trial; bank teller charged; and living the pug life

  20-12-2024 11:41 via bizjournals.com
  Good morning, and Happy Friday. This is Managing Editor Don Seiffert filling in to bring you the five things you need to know on this, the 10th-to-last day before the year. Also, for those with school-age kids, the last day of peace and quiet in 2024. Let's make it count.A real estate operatorhas acquired two connected office buildings in downtown Boston for $10.4 million, and is considering a conversion to housing, Greg Ryan reports.The Boston drugmaker announced the results of a mid-stage&hell
  
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• Ropes extends Pru lease in latest big office renewal

  20-12-2024 11:04 via bizjournals.com
  Boston's largest law firm re-upped with its landlord well ahead of time, as its lease was not set to expire until 2030.
  
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• Vizza Prepares to Bid Farewell to the FOPG

  20-12-2024 04:54 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Dan MurphyWhile Friends of the Public Garden President Liz Vizza intends to step away from the organization at the end of the month after a 15-year tenure, the positive influence she has made on Boston’s parks will undoubtedly continue to endure well into the future.Photo Courtesy of The Friends of the Public Garden
  Liz Vizza, outgoing President of
  the Friends of the Public Garden.
  In April of 2009, Vizza, who had previously worked extensively in landscape planning and historic preserva
  
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• Flynn Calls for Cancellation of the White Stadium Proposal

  20-12-2024 04:53 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesAfter months of opposition letters and statements during various levels of city approvals, District 2 Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is calling on the Wu Administration to cancel the planned renovation of White Stadium in Franklin Park due to increasing concerns on fiscal responsibility, as projected costs have reportedly jumped from $50 million to now $91 million so far for the city. These fiscal issues are in addition to previous concerns highlighted by residents – in
  
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• City Hosts Rodent Control Webinar

  20-12-2024 04:53 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Michael Coughlin Jr.Last week, the city hosted a webinar in which representatives from the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) and Waste Reduction team discussed rodent control and how it starts with residents.John Ulrich, the assistant commissioner of environmental services at ISD, initially spoke about what the division does regarding pest management.First, Ulrich explained they use an integrated pest management program to keep populations low and have controls in place to reduce relianc
  
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• Wu Celebrates Hundreds of First-time Homebuyers

  20-12-2024 04:52 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesMayor Michelle Wu today joined the Office of Housing’s Boston Home Center, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), and hundreds of new homeowners to celebrate a milestone in Boston’s efforts to expand homeownership opportunities. In 2024, the Boston Home Center helped 235 households achieve their dream of owning a home. Since the start of Mayor Wu’s administration, the City of Boston has helped 678 residents become homeowners through its homebuying programs. Hom
  
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• How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

  20-12-2024 04:52 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Story by Marianne SalzaThe Grinch relinquished the smidgen of animosity lingering between him and Santa Claus this holiday season to promote his performance in “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” playing at the Boch Center Wang Theatre through December 23.The mostly reformed Grinch has been parading around Boston and surrounding areas, disrupting the peace in Faneuil Hall Marketplace, commandeering the Spirit of Boston vessel, and jumping on luxury hotel b
  
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• Christmas is Fast Approaching, but there’s still time to help those in need

  20-12-2024 04:51 via beaconhilltimes.com
  It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just a week away. We realize that the compressed holiday shopping season has put even more pressure than usual on all of us, but we hope that all of our readers can find the time to remember those in need this holiday season.The stock market may be booming and unemployment may be near an all-time low, but there was the depressing news this past week that homelessness among Americans once again has increased in the past year and millions of American ch
  
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• The Battle of the Bulge started 80 years ago this week

  20-12-2024 04:49 via beaconhilltimes.com
  It was 80 years ago this week that the final big battle of WWII in Western Europe — the Battle of the Bulge — got underway.In brief, the Battle of the Bulge marked a last-ditch counter-offensive by the German Army against the U.S. and its allies as the allies advanced through Belgium and toward Germany. The German attack, which caught the Americans by surprise, earned its name from the “bulge” that the sudden German thrust created in the middle of the American line in the
  
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• Cannabis commission selects new executive director—again

  19-12-2024 00:15 via bizjournals.com
  The state’s cannabis regulatory agency will offer the job to another candidate after its first choice turned down the job.
  
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• MGB's full-year financial loss widens in 2024

  18-12-2024 22:30 via bizjournals.com
  The state's largest health system said it lost money on operations in 2024, and attributed the financial challenges to the continuing capacity crisis across the healthcare system and in academic medical centers.
  
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• Former state treasurer Tim Cahill to lead South Shore chamber

  18-12-2024 20:29 via bizjournals.com
  Former state treasurer Tim Cahill has been named to lead the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, succeeding retiring longtime CEO Peter Forman.
  
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• MIT to start demolishing Kendall Square’s Volpe buildings in early 2025

  18-12-2024 20:23 via bizjournals.com
  The university's real estate arm will transform the 14-acre Volpe site in the heart of Kendall Square into millions of square feet of new lab buildings, housing and more.
  
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• Brown University Health, formerly Lifespan, eyes expansion into Mass. to boost bottom line

  18-12-2024 19:35 via bizjournals.com
  The Rhode Island-based Brown University Health plans to expand the capabilities of two outpatient clinics it purchased from Steward Healthcare in Southeastern Massachusetts as it strives for a 3% operating margin.
  
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• HarborOne Bank CFO joins BankFive in Fall River

  18-12-2024 19:27 via bizjournals.com
  After serving as CFO, treasurer and executive vice president at HarborOne's holding company, she joins BankFive in a similar role.
  
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• Editorial: Check out Boston's downtown. It's bouncing back.

  18-12-2024 19:24 via bizjournals.com
  For all the angst over recent reports of crime in downtown Boston, one trend has been overlooked: the city’s stunning success in bringing back foot traffic since the Covid-induced shutdowns.
  
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• Gates Foundation to invest up to $50M in Somerville biotech’s sickle-cell medicines

  18-12-2024 12:30 via bizjournals.com
  Two Massachusetts companies already won approval for ex-vivo gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease. But, patients receiving these treatments have to undergo high-dose chemotherapy. A Somerville biotech thinks its in-vivo genetic medicines could avoid these challenges.
  
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• Five things: Commercial fusion, 'bubble butt syndrome' and the best year for music

  18-12-2024 11:41 via bizjournals.com
  Good morning, Boston, and RIP, Frank Bellotti. Here are the five things you need to know in local business news to start your busy Wednesday.With financial backing from a partnership of three community development nonprofits, a new supermarket has opened in New Bedford that promises to bring dozens of jobs to that city, William Hall reports.For decades, scientists have chased the limitless zero-carbon energy promised by fusion. Now, Greg Ryan reports, Devens-based Commonwealth Fusion System
  
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• New Balance, 3D printer team up to help an aquarium's turtle

  18-12-2024 11:02 via bizjournals.com
  A Somerville tech company is teaming up with New Balance and others to help an aquarium's floating turtle. Here's how they're doing it.
  
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• Ocean State Job Lot buys Massachusetts shopping plaza

  16-12-2024 20:56 via bizjournals.com
  OSJL plans to repurpose a former Christmas Tree Shops.
  
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• Corporate volunteers help food bank meet demand

  16-12-2024 19:12 via bizjournals.com
  Cost of living, rising food expenses and the end of pandemic-related aid programs have made affording groceries a far bigger problem for many in the Boston area. The Greater Food Bank is responding with the help of a growing number of volunteers.
  
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• After losing AstraZeneca collab, Boston biotech opts for reverse merger

  16-12-2024 18:29 via bizjournals.com
  After losing a major partnership last year, the Boston biotech Pieris Pharmaceutical has been searching for a path forward. The biotech has since found a way out through a recently completed reverse merger.
  
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• Berkshire Bank parent plans to buy Brookline Bank, affiliates in $1.1B deal

  16-12-2024 15:25 via bizjournals.com
  Berkshire said it will raise capital for the transaction by issuing $100 million of common stock.
  
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• Boston nonprofit gets $13.5M from NOAA for new bluetech accelerator

  16-12-2024 12:00 via bizjournals.com
  VentureWell's new Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program will support ocean-based climate resilience and ocean enterprise innovations.
  
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• Five things: Editas cuts, CVS shares, Moderna's name and the best birthday gift ever

  16-12-2024 11:34 via bizjournals.com
  Good morning, Boston. Here are the five things you need to know in local business news to start your  busy workday.Hannah Green reports that Moderna Inc. is expected to become the latest in a growing list of Massachusetts companies to prominently showcase their logos atop their office building. Green also reports that big changes — including major layoffs — are coming to Editas Medicine Inc., as the biotech lays off 180 people, or 65% of its employees.The parent companies o
  
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• Here's how Trump might affect the Mass. construction industry

  16-12-2024 11:28 via bizjournals.com
  
  In an interview, Construction Industries of Massachusetts' executive director Jeff Mahoney touched on the incoming federal administration, as well as funding obstacles and the priorities for 2025.
  
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• Russ Wilcox, founder of E Ink, sets new goal: A better air-conditioner

  16-12-2024 11:00 via bizjournals.com
  The Boston serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist has found his next challenge: low-energy dehumidification.
  
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• Flour Bakery’s new ‘historic’ location, plus more retail news

  16-12-2024 11:00 via bizjournals.com
  Flour Bakery + Cafe will soon open its 10th location, and its seventh in Boston. Here's more on that, and other Boston-area retail and restaurant news.
  
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• Cambridge drugmaker wins city approval to put its sign above the treeline

  15-12-2024 23:03 via bizjournals.com
  The well-known vaccine-maker was approved for a sign that's larger than 60 square feet, and higher than 20 feet up the side of the building, which is the limit for that zoning district.
  
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• Worm-inspired AI startup hits $1B valuation with new fundraise

  13-12-2024 20:46 via bizjournals.com
  At an exclusive MIT event, Liquid AI debuted its first products built on its Liquid Foundation Models in October. Two months later, the MIT computer science and artificial intelligence laboratory spin-out is looking to scale its product after raising $250 million in venture capital.
  
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• Iconic Fort Point building gets city board’s OK to go residential

  13-12-2024 20:46 via bizjournals.com
  Another proposed conversion, this one office-to-lab in part of a tower near South Station, also got the green light at the board's monthly meeting.
  
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• CVS stock tumbles to 11-year low amid industry turmoil

  13-12-2024 19:37 via bizjournals.com
  The healthcare behemoth has been struggling on multiple fronts.
  
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• Fresh Market opens two new stores in Massachusetts

  13-12-2024 19:26 via bizjournals.com
  The North Carolina-based grocer announced this week the opening of two stores in Massachusetts, both in the eastern part of the state
  
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• For $6.2M, this SoWa condo offers 18-foot ceilings and Back Bay views

  13-12-2024 18:46 via bizjournals.com
  This luxury condo in the South End also has a wraparound deck and a $60,000 Krieger front door that weighs 500 pounds.
  
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• Bank of America branch in Roslindale snapped up by housing developer

  13-12-2024 17:42 via bizjournals.com
  
  The acquisition comes as the city moves to rezone Roslindale Square as part of a new initiative from Mayor Michelle Wu.
  
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• Gene-editing pioneer Editas lays off more than half its employees

  13-12-2024 17:16 via bizjournals.com
  
  The Cambridge biotech, the first gene editing company to go public eight years ago, is laying off 180 workers as it focuses strictly on in-vivo, or inside the patient, gene editing.
  
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• Northeastern students are runners-up in global AWS hackathon

  13-12-2024 15:49 via bizjournals.com
  A team of four Northeastern students took second prize in a global competition with over 3,000 participants.
  
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• Five things: Hotel unions, hospital costs, Newbury St. shopping, and life after iRobot

  13-12-2024 11:34 via bizjournals.com
  Good morning, Boston. It’s Friday the 13th. But it’s also National Hot Cocoa Day. Here’s hoping you have good luck and hot, sweet drinks — not to mention the five things you need to know to start your morning right.The National Labor Relations Board ruled that the operator of the Seaport Hotel Boston (which is owned by the parent company of Fidelity Investments) violated labor laws by refusing to negotiate with the hotel workers union, Don Seiffert reports.Isabel Har
  
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• Snowball effect: Holiday markets keep winter retail sales warm

  13-12-2024 11:05 via bizjournals.com
  Holiday markets serve many functions for retailers, from boosting winter traffic to providing a stepping-stone to a brick-and-mortar store for small businesses.
  
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• Olde Towne Carolers Kick-Off The Holiday Season

  12-12-2024 03:24 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Joanas Rimkunas, Olivia deGeofroy and Alexandra Dietrich from Olde
  Towne Carolers are shown on Mount Vernon Street Sunday performing
  some favorite Christmas Carols for residents and tourists.
  
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• West End Museum Celebrates Neighborhood Benefactors at Honoree Night

  12-12-2024 03:21 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Dan MurphyTwo longtime community leaders, Duane Lucia and Louise Thomas, along with the husband-and-wife architectural team of Benjamin Ascher and Yenna Chan, were feted at The West End Museum’s annual Honoree Night on Friday, Dec. 6, at the museum.Lucia first got involved with the West End Civic Association (WECA) shortly after relocating to the West End from the North End in 1989. His work with WECA led to Lucia to The West End Museum, which had recently installed its ‘Last Tene
  
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