Despite looming tax base worries, Moody’s affirms Boston’s strong credit rating

The major credit rating agency affirmed this week that Boston’s finances remain in great shape — at least for now. 5:15 p.m.

Employees at Alabama Mercedes plants vote 56 percent against union, slowing UAW effort in South

Workers at two Mercedes-Benz factories near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, voted overwhelmingly against joining the United Auto Workers, a setback in the union’s drive to organize plants in the historically nonunion South. 3:53 p.m.

Meet Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton, which now owns Putnam Investments

With the economy and markets in flux, Johnson is wary of inflation but bullish on Bitcoin and Putnam's future in Boston. 2:42 p.m.

Larry Edelman

Massachusetts employers cut jobs for a second straight month in April

The state shed 500 jobs last month, following a drop of 4,100 jobs in March. It was the first back-to-back employment loss since the start of the pandemic. 1:06 p.m.

‘I literally cried:’ Annual overdoses in Mass. fell for first time in four years, CDC says

Massachusetts saw 2,373 confirmed overdose deaths throughout 2023, compared to 2,647 confirmed overdoses in 2022. 12:21 p.m.

For $35,000, you could own the Boston area’s last remaining typewriter shop

Tom Furrier, the longtime proprietor and master repairman of Cambridge Typewriter in Arlington, is in search of a new owner as he prepares to retire. 12:14 p.m.

RI BUSINESS

Could cannabis stores open on Federal Hill or the East Side of Providence?

Providence may dramatically expand which areas of the city could be host to a pot shop. 6:00 a.m.

HIGH & DRY

A decade ago, Boston tried and failed to fix its broken liquor license system. Will this time be different?

Neighborhoods still languish in the wake of a 2014 bill that created licenses for the city. Now there’s a new push to solve the enduring problem of who is given the privilege of serving alcohol — and where. 5:37 a.m.

TALKING POINTS

J. Jill approves first quarterly dividend

Stories you may have missed from the world of business. 8:22 p.m.

Cape Cod Hospital to pay $24.4 million following DOJ investigation into Medicare billing practices

The investigation found that cardiac surgeons at the hospital did not sufficiently document patient evaluations for transcatheter aortic valve replacements required for Medicare reimbursement. 5:51 p.m.

Biden seeks to bolster solar manufacturers with tax and trade moves

The measures, announced on Thursday, include expanded tariffs, tax policy guidance that could heighten demand for some US-made solar equipment, and promises of heightened vigilance for signs of unfair trade. 5:37 p.m.

Steward outlines plan to offload hospitals in legal filing

If Judge Christopher Lopez approves the company’s motion, bids for Steward’s Massachusetts hospitals would be due June 24 and sale hearings would be held July 2. 3:29 p.m.

HOUSING

Charts: R.I. has second slowest rate of housing growth in the US

The overwhelming majority of the housing stock in New England was build prior to 1939, and Rhode Island and Massachusetts have the oldest units in the area. 3:26 p.m.

Justice Department formally moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in historic shift

A proposed rule sent to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledges it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation's most dangerous drugs. 2:23 p.m.