Fourth of July

A cloudy July 4, with a chance of passing showers

Low pressure south of New England will keep skies mostly cloudy, with a chance of passing sprinkles in Boston.

 Megan Schinker, 13, of Stow, Ohio sprawled out to secure her spot at the front of the hatch shell on the Charles River Esplanade for tonight's Fourth of July festivities in Boston.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Early birds stake out spots on the Esplanade

Fourth-goers arrived early to snag prime spots at Saturday night?s 42nd Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/06/30/BostonGlobe.com/BCOM/Images/Lee_fireworks1_met.jpg What?s open, closed on Fourth of July

Find out what stores are open and the operating times of the T.

Your guide to Boston?s July 4 fireworks

Keith Lockhart will celebrate his 20th year as conductor of the Pops at the 42d Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/03/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/04newtonneedham03.jpg Business policies giving Needham an edge over Newton

Newton has been on the wrong end of a number of relocations lately, and business leaders say that?s not a coincidence.

?We want to be as transparent as we possibly can,? said Police Commissioner William Evans.

Scott Eisen for The Boston Globe/File

Boston police to step up antibias measures

The move comes after a report said the department had disproportionately observed, interrogated, or searched black residents.

Five armed robberies in 45 minutes in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge

Police are investigating whether the robberies that occurred early Friday morning are related, authorities said.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/06/25/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/27remedialpic02.jpg For many, remedial math not a solution

Of those who take remedial courses, only 1 in 5 goes on to complete a college-level math class and many never earn degrees.

Sarah Norris, in a Craigville Beach parking lot, said she thought smoking was ?frowned upon,? rather than prohibited.

Julia Cumes for the Boston Globe

Cape towns ban beach smoking

Eight of Cape Cod?s 15 towns have banned smoking on the beach in response to complaints about fumes and litter.

With the Mass. Pike already prone to backups, critics of hosting the Olympics say VIP trav-el lanes would only make things worse, But Boston 2024 says it can limit serious conflicts.

Fast lanes for athletes, VIPs part of Olympic plan

The IOC urges host cities to implement the fast lanes so athletes, media, and sponsors can count on reliable journey times.

Suffolk University will make improvements to East Boston Memorial Park that will also benefit East Boston High School.

Suffolk University sports teams to use East Boston park

A shared-use deal for East Boston Memorial Park gives the school its first consistent athletics facility since its founding in 1906.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/04/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/clinton150-8899.jpg From Clinton, a multi-generational message in N.H.

Hillary Clinton kicked off her holiday weekend by speaking about her mother and granddaughter at Dartmouth College.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/04/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/christie2-8897.jpg In N.H., Christie says he?s ?Telling It Like It Is?

Chris Christie is treating his campaign like a season of ?The Bachelorette?: trying to win over voters with charm and personal rapport.

The governor?s announcement in February of a panel to overhaul the MBTA has led to disagreements with unions.

john tlumacki/globe staff/File

Democrats now cast wary eye on Baker

Charlie Baker, a Republican elected governor by appealing to Democrats, has demonstrated how difficult it is to please everyone.

Adam Hodges-Leclaire onboard the frigate Hermione.

Living his dream aboard 18th-century replica ship

Adam Hodges-Leclaire, who dresses in historically accurate clothing, is the only American aboard a replica of Lafayette?s frigate for its commemorative Atlantic crossing.

Boston, MA - 07/03/15 - (7th inning) Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis (11) and Houston Astros first baseman Chris Carter (23) scored to give the Astros a 7-5 lead in the top of the seventh inning which ended the night for Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes. The Boston Red Sox take on the Houston Astros in Game 1 of a three game series at Fenway Park. - (Barry Chin/Globe Staff), Section: Sports, Reporter: Julian Benbow, Topic: 04Red Sox-Astros, LOID: 8.1.1821041706.

Astros 12, Red Sox 8

Red Sox decisions fizzle in 10-inning loss to Astros

With the bullpen taxed, Red Sox Triple-A call-up Noe Ramirez was hammered by the Astros.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/03/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/479077844.jpg Puerto Rico?s debt crisis in danger of crushing economy

After nearly a decade of recession, Puerto Rico?s government says it cannot pay its $73 billion debt much longer.

Ground Game

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/01/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/2015-07-01T011327Z_1151802888_GF10000145120_RTRMADP_3_USA-ELECTION-TRUMP.jpg N.H. thinks Donald Trump is for real

Whether Trump is serious about running for president or just serious about publicity, his sudden support is hard to ignore.

Opinion

The Declaration of Independence

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/03/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/declaration200-1253.jpg ?All men are created equal?

Read the document that changed the course of human history.

The Big Picture

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Globe photos of the month, June 2015

Here?s a look at some of the best images taken by Globe photographers last month.