The Boston Globe

BREAKING

Biden to direct states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines by May 1

The White House said that President Biden will outline a plan in a speech to nation Thursday to get US “closer to normal” by July Fourth and that he will direct states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines by May 1.

After signing $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, Biden plans to address nation

President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law the $1.9 trillion relief package that he says will help the U.S. defeat the virus and nurse the economy back to health.

Analysis: Three things to watch during President Biden’s primetime address on COVID $1,400 individual checks may arrive soon, White House says

A year later, what do we know about the origins of the coronavirus?

An upcoming report may soon shed light on the origins of the coronavirus that has wreaked havoc across the world, killing more than 2.6 million people, including around 530,000 in the United States.

Video: The week that changed our world One year later: The last photos you took on your phone before COVID changed everything

Study concludes: Little difference in COVID-19 positivity rates between schools practicing 3 or 6 feet of social distancing

A newly published study examining Massachusetts schools found no significant differences in the rates of COVID-19 cases between 3 feet and 6 feet of social distancing, a finding that could open the door for more students to return to classrooms.

In remarks to city watchdog, Janey says, ‘I am living proof that Boston is a city of possibilities’

Kim Janey, who is poised to become the city’s first Black and first female mayor, emphasized the importance of an equitable recovery from the public health crisis during a 20-minute speech.

In stinging rebuke, Baker administration denies teachers’ request that they receive vaccinations at their schools

The Baker administration blasted a request from teacher unions that educators be allowed to receive vaccines in schools, criticizing the proposal as unfair to older Massachusetts residents who are struggling to schedule an appointment.

Little difference in COVID-19 positivity rates between schools practicing 3 or 6 feet of distancing, study says ‘Do the math’: Read the full statement from the Baker administration criticizing teachers’ vaccination proposal

Teachers unions respond to Baker statement, arguing he mischaracterized their proposal

Massachusetts’ largest teaches unions on Thursday hit back at Governor Charlie Baker after his administration issued a blistering statement accusing the union of seeking to take vaccines from vulnerable Massachusetts residents.

Mass. COVID-19 vaccine rollout 'squanders' millions of dollars, local leaders say All 40,000 new Mass. vaccine appointments filled in hours; Baker defends rollout

1,589 confirmed cases, 42 deaths, and 64,475 vaccinations: See today’s new COVID-19 data from Mass.

The state said 25,901 people were estimated to have active cases of the potentially deadly virus, and 680 confirmed coronavirus patients were in the hospital.

What to know about the state’s new preregistration system for COVID-19 vaccine appointments The latest COVID-19 numbers from Massachusetts Mass. reports 377 new coronavirus cases among public school students, 146 among school staff members Charts: Who has been vaccinated in Massachusetts, and how many doses has the state received?

These 19 Massachusetts communities are at high risk for COVID-19

Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts

See COVID-19 vaccine news, resources, and guidance

People age 16 and older with underlying health conditions, residents age 60 to 64 now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in R.I.

Mild, not wild: A subdued weekend nightlife, driven by young people, slowly returns to some restaurants

Worries persist about the safety of indoor dining. Still, a subdued, pandemic-style nightlife scene fueled by young people is helping some restaurants, and their staffs, stay afloat.

These patios are open for springtime gatherings

If the warm weather has you longing for an al fresco meal, rejoice: Plenty of restaurants have maintained patios all year long or are reintroducing them for springtime.

After a year of COVID delays, the Langham Boston will return in grand style this summer

Boston, other cities break temperature records

The first day of spring is more than a week away, but Southern New England saw a tantalizing tease of warmer days ahead Thursday, as temperature records were broken in Boston, Worcester, and Providence.

Memo to outraged local sports fans: We still have it pretty good here

It's understandable why some fans might have a sense of championship entitlement, but please relax and try to enjoy the journey.

Prince William defends UK royal family against racism claims

Prince William Thursday defended Britain’s royal family against accusations of racism made by his brother Prince Harry and sister-in-law Meghan, saying the royals are “very much not a racist family.”

Meghan and Harry spark anger, soul-searching in UK media

Opinion

Like Hillary Clinton, Meghan Markle has become a Rorschach test

As with those famous inkblots, how we see the Duchess of Sussex reveals less about her and far more about us.

Richie Neal celebrates Democrats’ big win on relief bill

Kimberly Atkins

There is no God-given right to discriminate against LGBTQ people

IDEAS | ANDY ROSEN

The next pandemic challenge: Reacquainting ourselves with everyday risks

Jim Stergios and Christopher Anderson

A wealth tax, a SCOTUS case, and a likely Mass. exodus

New Netflix series next month to look at 1990 Gardner art heist

It is the world’s most infamous art theft, an unsolved mystery that over the past three decades has inspired articles, newscasts, books, documentaries, podcasts, even art projects.

For bands and venues, it will be another unrecognizable St. Patrick’s Day

Even many people who depend on St. Patrick’s Day business each year say it feels too soon to plan anything resembling their usual festivities.

Prosecutors say Ghislaine Maxwell should remain jailed while awaiting trial in New York City

Federal prosecutors say Ghislaine Maxwell should remain jailed while awaiting trial for allegedly helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually assault three teenaged girls even though she has offered to post $28.5 million in bonds and renounce both her British and French citizenships.

Analysis: Governor McKee makes few waves with first budget, but big changes are expected

McKee’s straightforward budget proposal comes with no glitzy or glamorous new programs, but holds over most of the signature initiatives established by former Governor Gina Raimondo

Cuomo groping allegation reported to police

A lawyer for Governor Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that she reported a groping allegation made against him to police after the woman involved declined to press charges herself.

Kiké Hernández wants to be the Red Sox’ leadoff hitter, but is he selective enough?

Like all hitters, he sees pronounced disparities in his performance when he swings at pitches in the strike zone compared with when he chases offerings outside of it.

Looking at the Patriots’ key free agents, and if they’ll be re-signed

Linchpins like Joe Thuney and Lawrence Guy could walk. Is it worth re-signing Cam Newton? And what about special teams? Let's take a player-by-player look.

State trooper suspended without pay after service weapon stolen in Rhode Island

A Massachusetts State Police trooper whose service weapon was stolen in Rhode Island has been suspended without pay over the matter since September, and disciplinary proceedings remain pending, his agency confirmed Thursday.

Recommended reads

HIAWATHA BRAY | TECH LAB

Been vaccinated? You may have to prove it

While such vaccination passports could help businesses quickly and safely reopen and jump-start tourism and travel worldwide, a proliferation of them could itself become a problem.

Globe Magazine

Quilters are weaving personal histories of the Black experience: ‘We’re a people with a lot of stories to tell’

The Sisters in Stitches Joined By The Cloth and other guilds imbue history, culture, and social justice into their art.

They met at Fenway in 1967, got engaged there in 1971, and returned to the ballpark to get the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021

Fenway Park has always been a special place for Donna and Thomas Wall.

metro

COVID-19 vaccine information for every city and town in Rhode Island

Some towns are already vaccinating all residents over the age of 18. Here's what you need to know about how the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going in your city or town.

In remarks to city watchdog, Janey says, ‘I am living proof that Boston is a city of possibilities’

KEVIN CULLEN

The George Bailey of Brookline is a 77-year-old grandmother named Gloria

Sports

High school football

For quarterbacks, there’s no masking the challenge of calling out signals while wearing a face covering

Milton QB Chase Vaughan called masks a necessary “annoyance,“ but added, “I’m just grateful to have a season, and if that means wearing a mask, so be it.“

bruins notebook

Bruins’ fourth line has not been chipping in with much

Red Sox

Kiké Hernández wants to be the Red Sox’ leadoff hitter, but is he selective enough?

business

For bands and venues, it will be another unrecognizable St. Patrick’s Day

Even many people who depend on St. Patrick’s Day business each year say it feels too soon to plan anything resembling their usual festivities.

GE will build giant wind turbine blades in northeast England

GE’s credit-market giant caps decade-long descent into obscurity

politics

Biden to direct states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines by May 1

The White House said that President Biden will outline a plan in a speech to nation Thursday to get US “closer to normal” by July Fourth and that he will direct states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines by May 1.

Analysis

Three things to watch during President Biden’s primetime address on COVID

House passes bills to expand and strengthen gun background checks

lifestyle

IN THE FAMILY WAY

Our kids were sent home from school a year ago this week. What have we learned?

Google classroom, meltdowns, inertia. All bad. But for parents, a year of firsts also offered lessons that should last.

TABLES

These patios are open for springtime gatherings

FAMILY

Irish, officially

arts

TV CRITIC'S CORNER

Waiting to see if ‘The One’ is a good match for me

The new, eight-episode British series on Netflix is a near-future story in which a woman heads up a dating company that searches DNA samples to create perfect, genetic-based romantic matches.

BOOKS

Amazon is everywhere — and in ‘Fullfillment’ Alec McGillis looks at how much it has cost us

BOOKS

The making of a classic American film in ‘Shooting Midnight Cowboy’

rhode island

RI NEWS

Meet Susan McKee, the new first lady of Rhode Island

A lifelong educator, she’ll continue to teach part time while working on initiatives for the state.

COVID-19 vaccine information for every city and town in Rhode Island

RI NEWS

Analysis: Governor McKee makes few waves with first budget, but big changes are expected

Newton

Special Projects

PROJECT TAKEOUT | DEVRA FIRST

Project takeout: Get takeout. Save restaurants you love.

Ordering dinner will help small local businesses survive the pandemic. But that’s just the start.

See the full project

On the Street

In tackling the pandemic, Chelsea finds new strength

Brockton offers a gateway to a new generation

This time, Quincy Center’s revival looks legit

See more from our business series ‘On the Street’: The changing face of Greater Boston neighborhoods

More

Jeneé Osterheldt

A Beautiful Resistance

Black joy, Black lives, as celebrated by culture columnist Jeneé Osterheldt.

Boston Globe launches ‘Fresh Start’ initiative: People can apply to have past coverage about them reviewed

Similar to “right to forget” programs that have cropped up across the country, the undertaking is meant to address the lasting impact that stories about past embarrassments, mistakes, or minor crimes, forever online, can have on a person’s life.

Globe Spotlight Investigation

Last Words: Is death the great equalizer?

Quite the contrary, a Spotlight investigation shows. Death exposes in high relief the layers of inequities, in race and income, care and opportunity, that shape life down to its final hours. It is a truth the pandemic has only underscored — one hard to see, because it is so much easier to look away.

Comfort Zone

Are you doing too much? Let the Dutch introduce you to the art of ‘niksen’

Nothing is good. These books about "niksen" – the art of doing nothing – help you get there.

A JP resident and her punk rock aerobics star in Green Day’s new music video

The band's "Here Comes the Shock" is set to Hilken Mancini's homemade video of moves like the "Iggy punch" and "whack jacks."

Aoife O’Donovan can’t wait for ‘the sweat of performance’

The singer/songwriter will appear Friday with Chris Thile in a Celebrity Series of Boston streaming concert.

In Gloucester, a place to remember lost lives and ‘a year from hell’

The Cape Ann Museum COVID-19 Memorial opens Wednesday with an online ceremony. The public can visit in person through Sunday.

‘Against all odds,’ Peabody Essex show leads to discovery of second Jacob Lawrence painting

The piece was hanging all these years in a nurse's apartment on the Upper West Side.

Passim’s Matt Smith brings his love of local music to the airwaves

The new host of WMVY's "Local Music Café" is excited to showcase New England artists.

Opinion, ideas, and commentary

Raise the curtain, light the lights — and keep ’em lit

IDEAS | TONNY ONYULO

Elephant poachers become the animals’ protectors

Boston’s in a strange place these days — limbo

Sharon E. Burke

Biden’s America first policy

Jim Stergios and Christopher Anderson

A wealth tax, a SCOTUS case, and a likely Mass. exodus

IDEAS | ANDY ROSEN

The next pandemic challenge: Reacquainting ourselves with everyday risks

STAT

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Subscribe to STAT Plus

The Road Ahead: Charting the pandemic over the next 12 months — and beyond

In this project, STAT describes 30 key moments, possible turning points that could steer the pandemic onto a different course or barometers for how the virus is reshaping our lives.

From a small N.C. town to big-city hospitals, how software infuses racism into U.S. health care

The racial bias can produce huge differences in assessing patients’ need for special care to manage conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or depression, a STAT investigation found.

Covid-19’s wintry mix: Dry indoor air helps the virus spread

The worry is not just that people might mingle more closely inside, but that the air they breathe will make the virus more dangerous.

In the Covid-19 death of a hospital food worker, a microcosm of the pandemic

The hospital's first employee to die of Covid-19 was a kitchen worker named Marie Deus — and her illness sparked a question. Why weren't bedside clinicians getting sick at the highest rates?

magazine

Chaplains and the rise of on-demand spiritual support

Eight great places for bird-watching in New England

‘A shortcut to mindfulness’: Finding a way back to the great outdoors

A plant lover's guide to 16 gorgeous gardens and arboretums

sports

On eve of Hockey East playoffs, BC men believe they have met ‘the challenge’

EMass high school football: 22 Players to Watch in Fall II season

For high school football players, a return to the game is a return to ‘normal’

metro

Analysis: Governor McKee makes few waves with first budget, but big changes are expected

Mass. reports 377 new coronavirus cases among public school students, 146 among school staff members

Teachers unions respond to Baker statement, arguing he mischaracterized their proposal

Nation

Biden to direct states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines by May 1

Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts

Chauvin will now face a third-degree murder charge in Floyd trial

World

Still recovering, Japan marks 10 years since tsunami that killed 18,000

Prince William defends UK royal family against racism claims

Russia says it is slowing access to Twitter

politics

Watch live: Biden signs the American Rescue Plan into law

Cuomo impeachment talk grows in New York Legislature

Representative Jared Golden of Maine is lone Democrat to vote down COVID-19 bill

business

Unemployment claims fall, fueling economic hope

Mild, not wild: A subdued weekend nightlife, driven by young people, slowly returns to some restaurants

More table games now allowed at Encore, MGM Springfield casinos

lifestyle

After a year of COVID delays, the Langham Boston will return in grand style this summer

For artist Monika Bravo, commission for East Boston police station was ‘fate’

Crowds gather in South End to watch George Clooney film ‘The Tender Bar’

marijuana

Mexico set to legalize marijuana, becoming world’s largest market

A guide to the Rhode Island Senate’s plan to legalize cannabis

Buying legal marijuana is more convenient than ever. Good luck finding somewhere to legally use it

opinion

Richie Neal celebrates Democrats’ big win on relief bill

There is no God-given right to discriminate against LGBTQ people

Like Hillary Clinton, Meghan Markle has become a Rorschach test

food & dining

These patios are open for springtime gatherings

Here’s where you can find the best slices in New England, according to all those ‘best pizza’ lists

They’re back: Boston-area restaurants are reopening

travel

After a year of COVID delays, the Langham Boston will return in grand style this summer

These new (and newly remodeled) Boston hotels offer a safe escape from the same four walls

Take a DIY cider tour of Vermont

Books

Amazon is everywhere — and in ‘Fullfillment’ Alec McGillis looks at how much it has cost us

The making of a classic American film in ‘Shooting Midnight Cowboy’

Remembering the victims in ‘Last Call Killer’

Movies

Doc Talk: The Irish famine remembered; black holes investigated; Truth or Consequences (the town, that is) examined

New Netflix series next month to look at 1990 Gardner art heist

‘The Father’: Anthony Hopkins confronts the dying of the light

Television

Waiting to see if ‘The One’ is a good match for me

Standout originals give Apple TV+ its strength

Celebrating the epic and influential ‘Game of Thrones’

music

Esther Nelson announces her finale as Boston Lyric Opera director

Aoife O’Donovan can’t wait for ‘the sweat of performance’

Lake Street Dive’s grown-up pop waxes and wanes on ‘Obviously’

Theater/Dance

In ‘A Brimful of Asha’ and ‘The Pink Unicorn,’ mothers grapple with the independence and identities of their children

ART’s ‘The Conjurors’ Club’ brings magic and illusion into your home, ‘secret package’ and all

Nonprofit will operate and program planned 300-seat theater in Kendall Square

globe local

Newton to decide two City Council races in Tuesday special election

Record-breaking warmth possible in the upcoming week

A lost year, chronicled through art

Obituaries

Norm Sherry, Dodgers teammate of Sandy Koufax, dies at 89

Charles Hill, detective who found ‘The Scream,’ dies at 73

Allan McDonald dies at 83; Tried to stop the Challenger launch