Five things you need to know today, Woodstock, zoo photos and games people play (even me)
1. Boston's only direct flight to Hawaii is discontinued
Hawaiian Airlines is suspending its direct flight from Boston to Honolulu starting in November, Isabel Hart reports.
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2. Former Bridj CEO to take AI aviation company public via SPAC
Matt George, whose defunct-and-resurrected bus startup once dreamed of driverless vehicles, is now behind a company is building AI software to assist aircraft pilots — and it's planning to go public via a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, Lucia Maffei reports.
3. Mismanagement, inequities found at cannabis commission
An audit of the state's cannabis regulatory agency found that mismanagement and a lack of internal controls at the commission resulted in violations of state regulations and procedural inequities, Isabel Hart reports.
Sponsor this page! Want your brand aligned with the 5 Things You Need to Know? Contact Jill Cohen for more information and sponsorship opportunities.
4. Fired Market Basket execs ordered to stay away from stores
Grant Welker reports that a Middlesex Superior Court judge issued an injunction on Thursday against two fired Market Basket employees, ordering them to stay away from the grocery chain's properties.
5. Lilly's latest billion-dollar-plus obesity deal
The latest obesity bet from Eli Lilly and Co. involves a Boston biotech based out of the pharma giant's new Fort Point R&D center, Hannah Green reports.
What else you need to know
On the radio
This morning at 6:45 or 8:45 on GBH Radio's "Morning Edition" listen for Jess Aloe's report, the "Boston Business Journal Minute," a quick highlight of the week's top stories. Not near the radio? Listen here.
What's going on?
The BBJ's first-ever 'Summer Soiree at the Zoo' event was a smash hit. Check out the photos.
Today in history
On August 15, 1969, the Woodstock Festival kicked off at Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, New York. (On This Day In Music) (Scroll down for an AI-assisted walk down Memory Lane.)
What's good on WERS-FM
Dancing Barefoot, by Patti Smith Group
What I'm watching
The Goes Wrong Show, on Prime
Games people play (even me)
Happy Friday, everyone! I'm getting ready for a quick trip to Nashville to visit my son, but don't worry — I'll be back here in this space first thing Monday morning! Meanwhile, since I'll be spending some time with my son and future daughter-in-law and my wife, I am already preparing for the board games they will want to play. All of them are board-game lovers. I, on the other hand, am not a board-game lover.
Whenever my son would come home from college, my family would make me play Settlers of Catan. I can tolerate that game. The one board game I do enjoy playing is called Wingspan, which I've mentioned in this space before, and which I recommend to people who like board games or who like birds but not to people who like neither board games nor birds.
Are there other board games I'd try? That's a good question. The New York Times recently mentioned a game I'd consider — called Ticket to Ride — but only because it wrote specifically that Ticket to Ride is a board game for people who don't like board games. It's like they know me. According to the Times, it's simple to learn, quick to master and 'strategically plentiful.' The point of the game? Players race to position colorful trains along routes across North America — from Boston to New York, Omaha to Denver, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, etc. Seems simple and doesn't take hours to complete.
I haven't played it yet, but if it's as good as the Times says it is, I would be open to giving it a try. As you think about what to do in your summer house these last few weeks before school starts again, maybe it's a game for you and your family too.
PARTING SHOT
Classic photos from Woodstock, taken by Henry Diltz were brought to life using AI:
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Largest Business Advocacy Organizations in Massachusetts
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1
Union of Concerned Scientists
2
2
MassBio
3
4
Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association View this list
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Five things you need to know today, Woodstock, zoo photos and games people play (even me)
Good morning, Boston. Happy National Relaxation Day. Don't forget to nominate someone for the BBJ's Power 50 — nominations close on Sunday. Here are the five things you need to know in local business news to start your last day of the workweek. 1. Boston's only direct flight to Hawaii is discontinued Hawaiian Airlines is suspending its direct flight from Boston to Honolulu starting in November, Isabel Hart reports. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events 2. Former Bridj CEO to take AI aviation company public via SPAC Matt George, whose defunct-and-resurrected bus startup once dreamed of driverless vehicles, is now behind a company is building AI software to assist aircraft pilots — and it's planning to go public via a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, Lucia Maffei reports. 3. Mismanagement, inequities found at cannabis commission An audit of the state's cannabis regulatory agency found that mismanagement and a lack of internal controls at the commission resulted in violations of state regulations and procedural inequities, Isabel Hart reports. Sponsor this page! Want your brand aligned with the 5 Things You Need to Know? Contact Jill Cohen for more information and sponsorship opportunities. 4. Fired Market Basket execs ordered to stay away from stores Grant Welker reports that a Middlesex Superior Court judge issued an injunction on Thursday against two fired Market Basket employees, ordering them to stay away from the grocery chain's properties. 5. Lilly's latest billion-dollar-plus obesity deal The latest obesity bet from Eli Lilly and Co. involves a Boston biotech based out of the pharma giant's new Fort Point R&D center, Hannah Green reports. What else you need to know On the radio This morning at 6:45 or 8:45 on GBH Radio's "Morning Edition" listen for Jess Aloe's report, the "Boston Business Journal Minute," a quick highlight of the week's top stories. Not near the radio? Listen here. What's going on? The BBJ's first-ever 'Summer Soiree at the Zoo' event was a smash hit. Check out the photos. Today in history On August 15, 1969, the Woodstock Festival kicked off at Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, New York. (On This Day In Music) (Scroll down for an AI-assisted walk down Memory Lane.) What's good on WERS-FM Dancing Barefoot, by Patti Smith Group What I'm watching The Goes Wrong Show, on Prime Games people play (even me) Happy Friday, everyone! I'm getting ready for a quick trip to Nashville to visit my son, but don't worry — I'll be back here in this space first thing Monday morning! Meanwhile, since I'll be spending some time with my son and future daughter-in-law and my wife, I am already preparing for the board games they will want to play. All of them are board-game lovers. I, on the other hand, am not a board-game lover. Whenever my son would come home from college, my family would make me play Settlers of Catan. I can tolerate that game. The one board game I do enjoy playing is called Wingspan, which I've mentioned in this space before, and which I recommend to people who like board games or who like birds but not to people who like neither board games nor birds. Are there other board games I'd try? That's a good question. The New York Times recently mentioned a game I'd consider — called Ticket to Ride — but only because it wrote specifically that Ticket to Ride is a board game for people who don't like board games. It's like they know me. According to the Times, it's simple to learn, quick to master and 'strategically plentiful.' The point of the game? Players race to position colorful trains along routes across North America — from Boston to New York, Omaha to Denver, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, etc. Seems simple and doesn't take hours to complete. I haven't played it yet, but if it's as good as the Times says it is, I would be open to giving it a try. As you think about what to do in your summer house these last few weeks before school starts again, maybe it's a game for you and your family too. PARTING SHOT Classic photos from Woodstock, taken by Henry Diltz were brought to life using AI: Subscribe to the Morning Edition or Afternoon Edition for the business news you need to know, all free. Largest Business Advocacy Organizations in Massachusetts Total revenue Rank Prior Rank Organization/Prior rank (*unranked in 2024)/ 1 1 Union of Concerned Scientists 2 2 MassBio 3 4 Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association View this list
