Longform
The Purpling of Massachusetts
In many ways, Daniele Lantagne of Somerville just might be the platonic ideal of a Massachusetts progressive. A Tufts University professor of community health, Lantagne’s […]
Pushing 40, Step by (Anxiety- and Dread-Inducing) Step
My running sneakers are slapping the sidewalk, and “Hangin’ Tough” is pumping through my Apple earbuds. It’s not one of my favorite New Kids on […]
The Last Days of Professor Donovan
It was like a voice from the grave. Members of the jury in the trial of John Donovan—Boston’s notorious former tech guru turned convicted liar—watched […]
Is Downtown Boston Looking Up?
Building Blocks Trading Spaces Coming Soon The 21st-century history of downtown Boston can be neatly divided into two epochs: Before COVID and After COVID. In […]
Why the Name “Beantown” Has to Go
As a proud Bostonian who cares deeply about our city’s future and its reputation, I’ve given a lot of thought to the moniker “Beantown.” When, […]
My Round with Jack Nicholson at Brookline’s Country Club
There are few things in life I remember as vividly as the day Jack Nicholson took his shirt off in the middle of a golf […]
Rise of the Cape Cod Vampire
The year was 1969 and Provincetown’s hippie scene was in full swing. Long-haired teenagers roamed the streets, strumming guitars and preaching peace and love. Tony […]
It’s Not All about the Shoes
This is something of a strange question, so please bear with me, I tell Matt O’Toole, Reebok’s fit, athletic-looking president. An affable Midwest native with […]
The Forgotten Legacy of Boston’s Historic Black Graveyard
Entering the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground for the first time was an experience I’ll never forget. I walked up Snow Hill Street to the entrance […]
What’s the Future of Galas in Boston?
Everyone probably remembers what they were doing when the pandemic started. For me, it was business as usual as Boston’s gala circuit began ramping up […]
The Siege of I-95
It was 10 minutes past 1 a.m. on a rainy summer night in 2021 when Massachusetts State Police Trooper Ryan Casey saw a black Ford […]
When Did Boston Become a Doodle Town?
What kind of dog is it? Caribbean reef walker. Puzzled look. It’s the official dog of Antigua. Still puzzled, but now there’s intrigue. See his […]
Let’s (Not) Talk About Sex
On a frigid January night, a group gathered on Zoom for a teacher-training seminar on Worcester Public Schools’ brand-new K–12 comprehensive sex education curriculum. Ziray […]
If Somerville Doesn’t Look Good, He Doesn’t Look Good
The walls of the London hotel room felt like they were closing in around Elan Sassoon. Out of nowhere, shooting pains reverberated through his chest. […]
When Route 1 Ruled the Earth
I’m lying naked on my back on a wet-towel-draped wooden bench. At around 200 degrees, the air is so hot I worry I might pass […]