New York mourns deaths of 2 officers

A New York City police officers said a prayer while kneeling in front of small memorial for two police officers who were killed Saturday in New York.

JUSTIN LANE/EPA

Flags across the city flew at half-staff today for the officers, Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40, who were gunned down in their patrol car.

Jeff Prokos went through the process of having a tattoo removed by Rob Harris, who runs Disappearing Inc.

Yvonne Abraham

Erasing regret, one dot at a time

This is where mistakes go to die. Or at least to cease proclaiming themselves publicly.

MBTA driver suspended after alleged confrontation

A veteran bus driver is suspended as officials investigate an alleged altercation between the driver and a passenger.

Wet, blustery Christmas Eve expected

Massachusetts is seeing a few flakes of snow this morning as the region prepares for a wet holiday.

Kevin Cullen

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/11/22/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/cullen_20131122.jpg A prodigal son, back after 23 years

After decades apart, William Wallace Scott Hudson and his family are now reunited, and everyone is grateful.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/21/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/2014-12-21T185723Z_1988028826_TM3EACL12OL01_RTRMADP_3_USA-FLORIDA-POLICE.jpg Florida police officer shot and killed, officials say

A suspect was taken into custody after the early morning shooting, police said.

Rob Gronkowski scored a touchdown to put the Patriots ahead, 7-0, in the first half.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Rob Gronkowski scored a touchdown to put the Patriots ahead, 7-0, in the first half.

Jonas Gray celebrated after scoring a touchdown to put the Patriots ahead in the fourth quarter.

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Jonas Gray celebrated after scoring a touchdown to put the Patriots ahead in the fourth quarter.

Tom Brady raised his arms after Gray's touchdown.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Tom Brady raised his arms after Gray's touchdown.

Tom Brady was sacked shortly before the end of the first half.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Tom Brady was sacked shortly before the end of the first half.

 Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland celebrated his touchdown in the first half.

Bill Kostroun/AP

Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland celebrated his touchdown in the first half.

Jets running back Chris Ivory carried the ball in the first half.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Jets running back Chris Ivory carried the ball in the first half.

Jets' defensive end Sheldon Richardson celebrated his sack of Brady.

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson celebrated his sack of Brady.

Danny Amendola leaped to avoid the Jets' Calvin Pryor in the first quarter.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Danny Amendola leaped to avoid the Jets' Calvin Pryor in the first quarter.

Tom Brady dropped back for a pass in the first half.

Bill Kostroun/AP

Tom Brady dropped back for a pass in the first half.

Vince Wilfork (right) helped take down the Jets' Percy Harvin.

Bill Kostroun/AP

Vince Wilfork (right) helped take down the Jets' Percy Harvin.

Tom Brady was sacked by the Jets' defense in the first half.

Brad Penner/USA TODAY

Tom Brady was sacked by the Jets' defense in the first half.

Jets center Nick Mangold (second from right) wore an NYPD cap during the coin toss.

Julio Cortez/AP

Jets center Nick Mangold (second from right) wore an NYPD cap during the coin toss.

Patriots 17, Jets 16

Patriots survive scare from Jets, clinch playoff bye

Jonas Gray?s fourth-quarter touchdown run lifted the Patriots over their AFC East rivals.

New York Jets kicker Nick Folk (2) watches as New England Patriots' Vince Wilfork (75) celebrates with teammates after Folk missed a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Ben Volin | Instant Analysis

Patriots? offensive line continues to regress in win over Jets

The Patriots? offensive line gave Tom Brady very little time, and the defense was forced to bail out the offense again in Sunday?s win.

With Chris Bosh expected to be sidelined again, the onus will fall upon Dwyane Wade to stablize the struggling Heat.

Celtics at Heat | 6 P.M. (CSN)

New-look Celtics get to face Heat at the right time

Miami could be without a few key contributors, including Chris Bosh, on Sunday in Florida.

Pedestrians walked down Main Street in Stockbridge.

Location, location, location

What is it like to live in Stockbridge?

The Stockbridge of today is more than a quintessential New England village.

Buzzsaw

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/18/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/girls14_60.jpg Ten TV episodes that stood out in 2014

When an episode rewards the scrutiny, it?s a thrill. Here are 10 of Matthew Gilbert?s favorites of the year.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/20/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/bryonhefner[1].jpg PR firm reassigns Rosenberg?s partner to Fla.

Incoming state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg?s partner has been criticized for his social media activity.

Kate Lynde plays with her children Aria, 3, and Coen, 8 months, in the dining room of their Tewksbury home.

Does anyone use their dining room anymore?

Granny would be intrigued to learn that today?s dining rooms often serve as playrooms, nurseries, or home offices.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/21/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/davis_ref10_spts-7776--90x90.jpg School group doesn?t conduct criminal checks on referees

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association lags behind athletic groups in other states in screening officials.

Opinion

DANTE RAMOS

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/19/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/dante_ramos-1175.jpg Rage against the scheduling machine

Relying on faceless algorithms makes it easier for employers to casually jerk workers around.

The Big Picture

Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

2014 Year in Pictures: Part III

Photos from the last four months of 2014 depicting news events and daily life around the world.