2 new names in Suffolk Downs casino picture

Hard Rock International and Rush Street Gaming are emerging as top prospects to join the venture, days after Caesars was jettisoned from the project.

MBCR officials blame the fall in ridership on factors such as a delay in delivery of a new fleet of train cars.

Operator bids for rail contract despite ridership fall

Massachusetts’ commuter rail system has succeeded in improving its service, but is wrestling with another persistent problem: a decline in ridership.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/22/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/job150-8470.jpg Long job search finally ends for one man

After enduring two trying years of unemployment, Roger Ahlfeld got the call — and a job — at last.

Student loan burden is rising for state graduates

The increase in debt imperils not only the borrowers but also the economy, the Mass. higher education commissioner warned lawmakers.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/22/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/menino150-13843.jpg Menino weighs offers from academic world

Mayor Thomas Menino spoke publicly Monday for the first time about his plans after he leaves the job he has occupied for two decades.

Mike Napoli set a team record for strikeouts but he was a major part of the offense.

JARED WICKERHAM/GETTY IMAGES

Despite strikeouts, Red Sox love working the count

The Red Sox, who led the majors in scoring this season, wore down pitchers with long, patient at-bats. Strikeouts were the cost of doing business.

The brains of the sophisticated Copenhagen Wheel are inside a sleek red housing that encircles the hub of a rear bicycle wheel. The 9.5-pound wheel will sell for under $1,000.

Electronic wheel’s brain boasts smartphone savvy

Superpedestrian Inc. has built a smartphone-connected bike wheel that can store energy during a ride and dole it out from an electronic motor.

Kevin Cullen

Speaking for a dead sister

Every five years, three sisters drive out to a parole hearing in Natick and speak for the one sister who can’t speak for herself.

“The website has been too slow, people have been getting stuck during the application process,” President Obama said.

Obama admits frustration with snarled insurance site

The president acknowledged extensive technical failings of a new website through which millions are supposed to sign up for health insurance.

Opinion

PAUL MCMORROW

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/09/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/1220_LOC_CITY_SQUARE_AERIA_3.jpg Worcester’s downtown vision

Worcester is rebuilding a downtown that looks and functions like one, after an experiment in the city’s center that failed.

Metro

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Museums Special

A look at what New England museums have to offer, including high-tech changes at Harvard’s Semitic Museum, directors’ favorites, and odd attractions.