Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Jessica Burton

Senior City Editor

Jess is based in Boston, MA and when she isn’t creating content, you’ll find her at one of the local breweries, walking her dogs on the Esplanade, or attending a concert. After graduating from the University of Florida, she moved to Columbia, SC where she worked at various nonprofit organizations + was a City Editor for COLAtoday before relocating to launch BOStoday in 2021.

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Food
Local chef to compete on “Top Chef” in March
Watch Valentine Howell Jr. turn up the heat when the newest season premieres on Wednesday, March 20 at 9 p.m.
February 13, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A bookshelf next to a window at Beacon Hill Bookstore.
Small Business
3 new bookstores in Boston
The city is all booked up — read up on three new bookshops in the works for Beacon Hill, Davis Square, and Dorchester.
February 9, 2024
 · 
Jessica Burton
Fenway Park sign on a sunny day.
Culture
Red Sox to play ball with new Netflix series
Two upcoming projects are in the works for the popular streaming service. Here’s what you need to know.
February 7, 2024
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Jessica Burton
BOS-MBTA-busses-2024
City
Free bus fare program expanded to 2026
The City of Boston will expand the free fare program creating an estimated savings of $6+ million for Bostonians.
February 7, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Cask'n Flagon sign in Boston
Play
19 sports bars around Boston
Looking for the best places to watch the most exciting sports games of the season? We’ve got you covered.
February 6, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A box of paczki from DJ's Market
Culture
Place your paczki orders at DJ’s Market
If you’re looking for paczki’s around Boston head to the Dorchester market.
February 5, 2024
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Jessica Burton
The entrance to the Africa Meeting House on the cobblestone sidewalk.
Culture
Black History Month events in Boston
Book up your February calendar with events from the City of Boston, Boston Public Library, and a film series to honor Black History Month.
February 5, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A spring time view of the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary with pink and purple wildflowers.
Culture
Meet the Official Groundhog of Massachusetts
Move over Phil — Ms. G is ready to make her annual predictions.
February 1, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Quincy Market in downtown Boston on a sunny day.
City
New owners for Faneuil Hall Marketplace
A real estate group now has the keys to the historic downtown property.
January 30, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A snow covered park in the North-End.
Culture
ICYMI: January 2024 crossword puzzle
Test your knowledge on local news and happenings from the past month with this crossword puzzle.
January 30, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Three Photo Of The Year Contest Finalists.
Culture
See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
Find out which stunning snap was the favorite among BOStoday readers.
January 29, 2024
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Emily Shea-Owen
Street view of the storefront for Savenors Market in Cambridge.
Culture
Max cancels show about Julia Child
The TV show following the story of the French Chef has been canceled after two seasons.
January 26, 2024
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Jessica Burton
IMG_5239
Events
2024 Lunar New Year Celebrations
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at one of these seven events around Boston.
January 25, 2024
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Jessica Burton
The Massachusetts State. House- on a sunny day in Boston.
City
Budget breakdown for the Bay State
Here’s a by the numbers breakdown of how Gov. Healey plans to spend the FY25 budget totaling $58 billion.
January 24, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A plate of food topped with leafy greens from Comfort Kitchen
Culture
James Beard Award announces the 2024 semifinalists
Boston turned up the heat this year with one Best New Restaurant nomination, two Outstanding Wine Program nominations, and seven Best Chef: Northeast nods.
January 24, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Emerald Necklace Conservancy sign and an orange tree work ahead sign.
City
🌳 Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s tree-mendous project
A team of tree experts will care for 500+ trees throughout Olmsted Park, beginning the second seven-year tree pruning cycle across the entire Emerald Necklace park system.
January 18, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A rendering of the upgraded Boston Public Library Faneuil Branch
City
Boston Public Library Faneuil Branch $14 million glow up
The Faneuil Branch of the Boston Public Library will reopen to the public on Thursday, Jan. 25 in Oak Square.
January 16, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A pop-up sauna on wheels pulled up to the Rowes Wharf Plaza
Culture
Warm up at these pop-up saunas in Boston
Consider this your sign to book a sauna session or cold plunge in the city.
January 16, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Bronze sculpture on Boston Common
Events
Things to do on MLK Day in Boston
Celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 12, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Three drinks in the Seaport Mocktail Crawl.
Food
Sip for a cause in the Seaport
The Seaport neighborhood has created a cocktail + mocktail crawl to support Boston-based nonprofit 826.
January 12, 2024
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Jessica Burton
The lobby of the Boston Children's Musuem
City
Is Boston the best place to raise a family?
With multiple programs and initiatives, the City of Boston sounds like a great place to grow up. What do you think?
January 10, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A table with three dishes from Makaroni Pastaria at High Street Place.
Food
Fuel up on pasta at High Street Place
Delicious Italian eats like Bolognese Linguine, Sausage Orecchiette and Spicy Seafood Tagliatelle await at the new addition Makaroni Pastaria.
January 10, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Start your summer reading with a trip to Brattle Book Shop. | Photo by @despenawrites
Culture
📚 Meet the newest pop-up bookshop
The new women and disability-owned pop-up Read My Lips Boston has planned three events to shop with fellow book lovers.
January 8, 2024
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Jessica Burton
BOS-Lineup-Food-Hall-Ariana-2024
Culture
Line Up food hall opening in downtown Boston
The new food hall will be serving up delicious eats from Michelin-starred chef John Fraser.
January 8, 2024
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Jessica Burton
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City
❄️ Winter weather updates in Boston
As the city prepares for the potential of the first snowfall of the season, here are a few things to keep mind.
January 4, 2024
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Jessica Burton
Sample a "Nongroni" this Dry January | @madreosteria_milton
Food
Local mocktails + non-alcoholic drinks in Boston
🍹 Whether you’re sober curious or just prefer a spirit-free sip, here’s a round up of 28 local restaurants and bar shaking up mocktails to try.
January 4, 2024
 · 
Jessica Burton
A display with a yellow robot dog spot
City
Artificial Intelligence trends for 2024
There is a lot of buzz about AI these days — here are a few updates about how our community is working to develop the future of AI.
January 2, 2024
 · 
Jessica Burton
"Seaport" sign in front of buildings
Real Estate
The Zodiac signs as Boston neighborhoods
💫 Find out which local neighborhood you belong in, according to the stars.
January 1, 2024
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Jessica Burton
A crowd in winter clothes gathers in front of a stage with a sign that reads "First Night Boston"
Events
🎆 Party like it’s 2024
From a Willy Wonka celebration to a Decades Dance Battle, there is a New Year’s Eve celebration for everyone to help ring in 2024.
December 21, 2023
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Jessica Burton
New art sculpture at Downtown Crossing
Culture
New sculptures coming to Downtown Boston
A whale of a new sculpture stroll is coming to Downtown Crossing through March.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Jessica Burton
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