HUB-WIDE—Find out where buyers in other locales stand against us: "Home buyers in Greater Boston should expect to pay about 22 percent of their income, or $1,380 a month, on mortgage payments. That share is down from the pre-bubble years of 1985 to 2000, but still higher than the national average of 15.1 percent." [Globe] __SOUTH BOSTON—It's apparently the high rents and the low mortgage rates: "Jay Rooney of William Raveis Realty has 50 buyers interested in 11 market-rate condos at Seaport Crossing in South Boston that aren't on the market yet, and says he will sell out the building in Continue reading >>>

NEWTON, MA - Denver-based yoga company CorePower Yoga will open its 3rd studio in the greater Boston area on Friday, April 4. This marks the 95th studio opening nationwide for CorePower Yoga. Located in the lively Newton Corner, just off the 1-90 Turnpike, the Newton Studio will offer a variety of yoga class styles for all levels, including CorePower Yoga's dynamic heated power yoga in beginner to advanced formats, Yoga Sculpt and Hot Power Fusion. In addition to classes, Newton will offer Yoga Teacher Training, as well as Lifestyle Programs such as boot camps and wellness cleanses to provide Continue reading >>>

Well the answer can be found in three words: Crazy low rates. The Fed's multitrillion-dollar monetary manipulations have acted as one huge home-buyer subsidy program, keeping mortgage rates at rock bottom levels in the 3s and 4s never seen before. That's just half or even just a third of the mortgage rates buyers were stuck with back in the 80s and 90s. Yet freakishly low interest rates are an unstable foundation for housing affordability. In fact, the Fed has been steadily scaling back on on the monthly, multibillion-dollar purchases that have kept rates so low. As the Fed steps back Continue reading >>>

BOSTON — Massachusetts treasurer and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steven Grossman asked business leaders Thursday to throw their financial clout behind a universal prekindergarten program for all children in the state. In a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Grossman called for creation of a public-private partnership that would provide the resources to place some 30,000 children into early education programs who are now on state waiting lists, including many from low-income families. Under such an arrangement, the private sector would typically Continue reading >>>

In the beginning, there were selfies. And they trended. But then Ellen said, let Me gather Meryl and Angie and Brad and Julia, and take a selfie that will break Twitter.

And the Professional Photographers saw a photo op, and they said, let Us take a picture of this selfie-groupie in progress. And it was a step-back shot that showed Bradley with His arm extended taking the selfie with Ellen’s white phone, and the Beautiful People of the Earth squeezing in.

And the meta-selfie was Created.

As Greater Boston approaches the first anniversary of the Marathon bombings, what lessons can be gleaned to help municipalities better prepare for crises? This is the question at the core of a new report we’ve released today. Our goal was to explore what went well in the post-attack emergency response and, perhaps more importantly, to make recommendations in order to help Boston and other cities better prepare for complex emergency events. Continue reading below Beyond preventing the Marathon attacks in the first place, our region is far better protected from the threat of disaster and Continue reading >>>

The state gambling commission will undertake a nearly month-long process to determine how much influence the City of Boston will have over two casino proposals on the city’s border, potentially pushing the award of the Greater Boston resort casino license to August or later. “We are bending over backwards to give the city a fair opportunity -- a very fair opportunity -- to make its case,” said commission chairman Stephen Crosby, who noted the commission had wanted to make the award in May or June. “A big price is being paid by a lot of people.” Continue reading below At stake is Continue reading >>>

The state gambling commission will undertake a nearly month-long process to determine how much influence the City of Boston will have over two casino proposals on the city’s border, potentially pushing the award of the Greater Boston resort casino license to August or later. “We are bending over backwards to give the city a fair opportunity—a very fair opportunity— to make its case,” said commission chairman Stephen Crosby, who noted the commission had wanted to make the award in May or June. “A big price is being paid by a lot of people.” At stake is whether Boston qualifies Continue reading >>>

State House News Service BOSTON -- Treasurer Steven Grossman, a Democratic candidate for governor, described his vision for a system of "trickle-up economics" that included promises, if he is elected governor, to launch a universal pre-kindergarten program in Massachusetts and put high-speed Internet connections in every classroom. Grossman delivered a campaign speech Thursday morning at the Boston Harbor Hotel to business leaders from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, challenging them to partner with him to achieve his goals, which include raising the minimum wage and guaranteeing Continue reading >>>

By Joshua Miller, Globe Staff State Treasurer Steven Grossman this morning reiterated his support for a higher minimum wage, earned sick time, and universal pre-kindergarten, proposals that have been centerpieces of his campaign for governor. Staking out liberal ground in front of a business audience, the Democrat repeatedly struck a tone of economic populism in his speech before the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. “To those who have been living in despair for decades, without hope or economic opportunity,� he said at the swanky Boston Harbor Hotel, “I pledge that Continue reading >>>