Listen to this article 4 min
Here are today's Five Things You Need to Know in Boston business news, including Nantucket businesses eyeing the mainland, Apple Inc.'s Back Bay property purchase, Biogen and Evolv layoffs and two signs of spring.
Good morning, Boston, and Happy Friday! Here are the five things you need to know in local business news to start your workday.
Gov. Maura Healey sounded a warning to business leaders yesterday, Greg Ryan reports: President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on Canadian, Mexican and Chinese goods would be “terrible for the Massachusetts economy,” including efforts to build more housing.
Now that cannabis businesses on Nantucket can transport products across the water, two dispensaries are planning their growth strategies, Isabel Hart reports.
Apple Inc. has purchased its Back Bay store property, in one of Boston’s priciest real estate deals in recent years, Greg Ryan reports.
Do you like Five Things? Make sure to subscribe — free — to our Morning Edition emails so you have it in your inbox each day.
Hannah Green reports that Biogen Inc. is making cuts to research areas as the Cambridge company focuses its resources on “external opportunities.”
The tech company that last year parted ways with top members of its executive suite and other employees after conducting its own revenue investigation is now laying people off, Lucy Maffei reports.
What else you need to know
By the numbers
Sporting news
The iconic Beanpot hockey tournament has already wrapped up for the women’s teams — whose games sold over 11,000 tickets, more than any prior year — and the puck drops for the men’s teams starting Monday, Feb. 3. (Check out these BBJ photos)
New England Business Report
Listen this Sunday to the New England Business Report, when I discuss the news of the week with Kim Carrigan and Joe Shortsleeve. Tune in at 8 a.m. on WRKO-AM 680 or listen here.
What’s going on?
Do you solemnly swear you’re up to no good? Then check out Harry Potter Trivia Night today at 5 p.m. at Boston Public Market.
Today in history
On this day in 1776, young Boston bookseller Col. Henry Knox pulled off a daring plan: He led a small group of men, British cannons and 60 tons of artillery on a 300-mile journey from Fort Ticonderoga in New York State to Cambridge. (Six weeks later, those gun batteries would be maneuvered up Dorchester Heights, prompting a major British evacuation.) (MassMoments.org)
Birds to watch for
MassWildlife is asking the public to watch for and report on bird deaths to monitor possible outbreaks of bird flu: “We are particularly interested in sick/dead seabirds washing up along coastal areas,” officials told MassLive.com.
What’s good on WERS-FM
Close to Me, by The Cure
What I’m reading
The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane
What I’m watching
What We Do In The Shadows, Season 6, on Hulu
Much-needed signs of spring
It’s Friday, and I have some good news for you: Signs of spring are here! What am I talking about? Tickets for the Red Sox home opener and games through May 25 went on sale yesterday. The Sox throw the first pitch of the 2025 season in Texas on March 27, and the team’s home opener at Fenway Park is Friday, April 4 (against the St. Louis Cardinals).
More evidence of spring (don’t look at the thermometer — the temperature outside refuses to cooperate) can be seen every morning and evening: By this time next week, the sun will be rising before 7 a.m. again. Even better? The sky is still light at 5 p.m. — and after next week, the sun will still be up when the 5 p.m. whistle blows.
Can I get a “huzzah”?
We may not be ready for daffodils and outdoor dining anytime soon, but let’s take the wins where we find them, right?
PARTING SHOT
In lieu of actual flowers, here’s a time lapse of daffodils blooming that I hope makes you feel a little closer to spring.
Subscribe to the Morning Edition or Afternoon Edition for the business news you need to know, all free.
Year-over-year change
Innovators in Healthcare
Join the Boston Business Journal for our Innovators in Healthcare program!
2025 Best Places to Work
Best People + Best Place = Best Results. The Best Places to Work program recognizes the best workplace cultures in Massachusetts.
© 2025 American City Business Journals. All rights reserved. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated August 13, 2024) and Privacy Policy (updated December 17, 2024). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of American City Business Journals.
