The Boston Globe

Mass. Nurses Association calls on Baker to declare state of emergency as patients overwhelm hospitals

Union President Katie Murphy, a registered nurse, warned in the letter Thursday that the state’s health care system is nearing a breaking point and said Baker should reinstate the provisions of his March 2020 emergency declaration.

Newton native who was living double life when he killed wife in Vermont could be freed soon

On Jan. 12, Gregory Fitzgerald struck a new deal with Vermont prosecutors that reduced his sentence to 35 years to life.

Mitch McConnell responds to uproar over comment about Black voters

“I’ve never been accused of this sort of thing before, and it’s hurtful and offensive,” he said. “And I think some of the critics know it’s totally nonsense.”

THE LATEST COVID-19 NEWS

US judge blocks Biden’s vaccine mandate for federal workers

FBI: Brian Laundrie admitted killing Gabby Petito in notebook

The boyfriend of slain cross-country traveler Gabby Petito admitted killing her in a notebook discovered near his body in a Florida swamp, the FBI announced Friday.

‘Confusing and complicated’ college financial aid game may be changing

Trail Blazers 109, Celtics 105

Jayson Tatum’s 3-point shooting woes continue as Celtics come up short against Trail Blazers

Eighteen-year-old Kaleah Sack (left) laughed as she pulled up a clump of lobsters while fishing with her uncle James Nevin. On each of the traps, a special green tag identified them as belonging to the Indigenous Mi’kmaw people, who insist that a 269-year-old treaty grants them the right to fish when and how they want.

As waters warm and the lobster population booms off Canada, tensions rise between Indigenous and commercial fishermen

The increasing lobster catch in St. Mary’s Bay has raised the stakes for local fishermen, including the Mi’kmaw. As a result, long-simmering tensions between the Mi’kmaw and commercial fishermen, who have lobbied the government to shut down what they consider an illegal fishery, have boiled.

The lobster trap: The plentiful catch that brought wealth to fishing families is at risk, as climate change warms the Gulf of Maine

For some, ‘mild’ illness from Omicron feels like anything but

An unlucky group of COVID-positive people have found that the variant’s “mild” categorization is something of an understatement.

Having trouble ordering free COVID-19 rapid tests? Here’s what to do. Mass. reports 86,450 breakthrough COVID-19 cases, raising total to 6.8 percent of fully vaccinated people

A coronavirus booster being administered this month in Boston. People should continue getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing masks in indoor public spaces, and taking other precautions, even as the Omicron surge declines, experts say.

Here’s why you should take COVID-19 precautions even as Omicron declines

13,935 confirmed cases and 102 deaths. See today’s COVID-19 data from Mass.

Sidle up to the ‘Wee Irish Pub’ — a miniature barroom-on-wheels that can be delivered straight to your door

Two brothers from Reading built a 7-foot-by-17-foot traveling pub that comes complete with a bar, taps, benches, and Irish décor.

Attorney General Maura Healey has taken an office fraught with political land mines and transformed it into something else, branding herself “The People’s Lawyer.”

Can Maura Healey’s opponents make a race out of this?

Healey enters the race as the clear front-runner — indeed, she’s been the Democrats’ best hope of regaining the governor’s office for at least four years.

The 30 best comfort foods you’ll find at Boston area restaurants

When temperatures drop and New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside, we all need something to warm our souls. Here are 30 great comfort foods and where to find them. (You'll be glad you did!)

For small restaurants, Guy Fieri and ‘Triple D’ are ‘the gift that keeps on giving’

USS Constitution's first female commanding officer took command during a change-of-command ceremony on Friday. During the ceremony Commander Billie Farrell (right) relieved Commander John Benda (left) as commanding officer of Old Ironsides. Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, president of the Naval War College looked on.

New commander of USS Constitution to blend old, new in keeping Navy showpiece ship-shape

In chilly ceremony, Billie J. Farrell becomes ship’s first female commander.

Opinion

The ICE facility at the Bristol County sheriff's correctional complex in Dartmouth.

MARCELA GARCÍA

Follow the money: Sheriffs’ campaign donations get a much-needed look

A report from government watchdog organizations finds that an important share of contributions to sheriffs’ campaigns, including in Mass., are 'ethically conflicted.'

IDEAS | H. LOUISE MESSINGER

I celebrate my transgender son, yet I grieve for his ‘dead name’

IDEAS | MILES HOWARD

Set the underground rivers free

I was arrested under the DOJ’s China Initiative. Congress must investigate the program.

The virtues of not selling out

Winter Arts Guide

Jabari Banks as Will in "Bel Air."

The drama ‘Bel Air’ offers a fresh take on the Fresh Prince

Julia Garner as real-life scam artist Anna Delvey in Netflix's "Inventing Anna."

10 TV shows to watch while we’re waiting out winter

Left: Tompkins Harrison Matteson's “Trial of George Jacobs, Sr. for Witchcraft,” 1855. Right: Jason Garcia's "#7 Victory, 1680–1692," from the “Tewa Tales of Suspense!” series, 2019-20.

PEM breaks down silos between Native American and American art

Director Awoye Timpo (left) leads a rehearsal of the Huntington Theatre Company's "The Bluest Eye" at the Calderwood Pavilion, with actors Hadar Busia-Singleton (center) and Alexandria King.

Huntington’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ tries to capture Toni Morrison’s unerring vision

Jazmine Sullivan.

10 concerts sure to crank up the heat this winter

See more in our full winter arts preview

Project Takeout Illustration

DEVRA FIRST | PROJECT TAKEOUT

We thought we’d be past this by now. We were wrong. Support your local restaurants.

We’re bringing back Project Takeout. Call it Project Take Two.

Browse a map of reader-recommended takeout spots Tell us: Where is your favorite place to order from? 3 places we supported this week Explore the full project

More recent stories

Woman dies after MBTA commuter train strikes vehicle at railroad crossing in Wilmington

A woman in her 60s was driving through the railroad crossing on Middlesex Avenue when the vehicle was struck by the train around 5:55 p.m, MBTA police said.

Nick Alahverdian being held in Scotland ahead of a pre-extradition hearing

He is next due in court on Feb. 10 for a pre-extradition hearing, officials at the Edinburg Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court said.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen master and political reformer, dies at 95

A Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh was one of the world’s most influential Zen masters, spreading messages of mindfulness, compassion and nonviolence.

TELEVISION

Louie Anderson brought poignancy, and memories of his mother, to ‘Baskets’

The comic and actor, who died on Friday, delivered one of the best TV performances of the past 20 years on the oddly sweet FX series.

Stabbing reported at Dorchester school

A stabbing was reported Friday afternoon in Dorchester, authorities said, at a listed address for a Dorchester pilot school serving children in grades 6 through 12.

Dinner with Cupid

Blind date: ‘My mom has tried to set me up on blind dates. That has not quite worked out.’

Will this chess master find his queen?

Into the Red illustration.

Introducing our new climate initiative

To report on the most pressing issue of our time, the Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage.

Explore the new section, 'Into the Red'

Recommended reads

The flame for the 2022 Winter Olympics is on display at the Olympic Tower in Beijing, China.

The Beijing Olympics are complicated and controversial, and that’s before they even begin

China's president has promised a “fantastic, extraordinary, and excellent Games," but not everyone is so sure about that.

Sotomayor blasts Supreme Court over handling of Texas abortion case

Calling it a “disaster for the rule of law,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a blistering dissent on Thursday after the high court rejected the latest request from Texas abortion providers to intervene.

Larry Edelman

State needs to slow down on clawing back unemployment overpayments

The situation is a mess. The number of open overpayments is huge. Hitting the pause button to sort everything out seems like the right thing to do.

PARENTING UNFILTERED

No more sad sandwiches: Where to find kid-friendly takeout

Dial down mealtime stress with roti or Korean corndogs.

video

Culture & Lifestyle

Marjan Kamali of Lexington was one of the local recipients of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship grant for creative writing.

NEW ENGLAND LITERARY NEWS

A powerful story collection on life as a young man of color; authors receive creative writing grants

From left to right, top to bottom: Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Avril Lavigne, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Venus of EARTHGANG, and Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett of Metallica.

Boston Calling announces 2022 lineup with headliners Foo Fighters, the Strokes, Metallica

Cheeseburger pizza from Ernesto's in Somerville.

PARENTING UNFILTERED

No more sad sandwiches: Where to find kid-friendly takeout

Kacey Musgraves performs Jan. 27 at TD Garden.

Things to do around Boston this weekend and beyond

Special Projects

Under the wheel

This is the story of Anthony Pledger and his mother, of Anthony’s lives and deaths, of Anthony and me.

Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, then president of Brigham Health, brought a Boston delegation in April 2018 to celebrate the opening of the Boao Evergrande International Hospital in China, constructed in a new medical tourism hub.

Spotlight team report

How Brigham Health helped create a Chinese hospital for elites — and almost nobody came

In a deal worth millions with Chinese developer Evergrande, a Harvard teaching hospital risked its reputation on what would become a near-empty shell.

Jeneé Osterheldt

A Beautiful Resistance

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

‘On the Street’: The changing face of Greater Boston neighborhoods

The changing face of Greater Boston neighborhoods.

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Opinion, ideas, and commentary

Body cameras are becoming common in municipal police departments. Massachusetts should adopt their use by officers in the state prison system.

Body cameras not just for cops any more

Amanda Nguyen, founder and CEO of Rise.

Legislature must fully protect survivors of sexual assault

The Unity flag waves in the wind above Boston City Hall Plaza next to an American flag and a Massachusetts state flag on June 5, 2020.

Kimberly Atkins Stohr

A high court loss for Boston could come at a high price — unless it acts fast

A face mask on a statue of Andrew Dickson White, cofounder of Cornell University, on Jan. 14. The university moved final exams online in December, and students will attend classes virtually from Jan. 24 through Feb. 4.

IDEAS | Beth Humberd, Carlo Dallapiccola, Scott Latham, and Adrian Staub

College COVID restrictions have become overkill

André Leon Talley went from the Jim Crow South to the front rows of Paris couture. He died on Tuesday at age 73.

André Leon Talley’s inspiring belief in belonging

The Muddy River as it emerges beneath Perkins Street from its source in Jamaica Pond.

IDEAS | MILES HOWARD

Set the underground rivers free

Metro

Coronavirus Live Updates

US judge blocks Biden’s vaccine mandate for federal workers

The latest news and guidance on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in New England and beyond.

New commander of USS Constitution to blend old, new in keeping Navy showpiece ship-shape

In chilly ceremony, Billie J. Farrell becomes ship’s first female commander.

Newton native who was living double life when he killed wife in Vermont could be freed soon

On Jan. 12, Gregory Fitzgerald struck a new deal with Vermont prosecutors that reduced his sentence to 35 years to life.

‘Confusing and complicated’ college financial aid game may be changing

“We have a system of pricing in higher education that is so confusing and complicated that it turns people off,” said Phillip Levine, a Wellesley College economics professor and expert in higher education finance.

Sports

Even with the stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the floor, the Celtics have been unable to come up with key baskets when they need them most, as was the case during Friday's 109-105 loss to Portland in TD Garden.

gary washburn | TRAIL BLAZERS 109, CELTICS 105

Celtics still haven’t figured out how to beat a zone which only adds to a frustrating season

The 109-105 loss is a microcosm of what has been an infuriating season for a franchise that’s been mired in mediocrity for nearly two years.

Burke's Ramsay Checo (right) guards Woburn's Michael Chiodo during a nonleague game, Burke's first game action since December.

FRIDAY'S BOYS' BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

After lengthy layoff, Burke boys’ basketball returns to court with victory at Woburn

In the first game since Boston Public Schools went on pause Dec. 23 because of rising COVID numbers, sophomore Ramsey Checo (17 points) led the Bulldogs.

Jayson Tatum (center), flanked by Robert Williams (left) and Jaylen Brown, was 0 for 6 on 3-pointers Friday night.

Trail Blazers 109, Celtics 105

Jayson Tatum’s 3-point shooting woes continue as Celtics come up short against Trail Blazers

Tatum, extended his streak of missed 3-pointers to 20, but led the Celtics with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.

MSTCA DIVISION 3 RELAYS

Successful first run sparks Burlington girls to first place at Reggie Lewis Center

Celtics notebook

Because of lockout, some NBA players came to Portland State’s practices and as a student, Ime Udoka took advantage

Top-ranked Nelly Korda birdies her way to one-shot lead in LPGA tournament

Business

McKee allows nursing homes to bypass minimum staffing requirements

The Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act was signed into law by McKee in May 2021. Now, the governor says, critical staff shortages justify a moratorium on enforcement of the law and its financial penalties.

Larry Edelman | The 2-minute drill

Mass. employers added 222,000 jobs last year

The local labor market ended the year on an upbeat note, data released Friday show, but a sharp decline in the jobless rate was skewed by statistical revisions.

Tell us: Share your memories of the Floating Hospital for Children, now known as Tufts Children’s Hospital

IBM sells some Watson Health assets for more than $1 billion

STAT

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Subscribe to STAT Plus

‘Health equity tourists’: How white scholars are colonizing research on health disparities

A STAT investigation shows that researchers with little or no background or training in health equity research are rushing in to scoop up grants and publish papers.

Winter is coming, again: What to expect from Covid-19 as the season looms

STAT spoke with infectious disease experts and others about what to expect from Covid-19 as the seasons change.

DISTANCED: Pandemic stories of Black life in the rural South

Photographer Bethany Mollenkof spent six months documenting the impact of Covid-19 on residents of rural Black communities in the South.

Groundbreaking arm amputation surgery makes a ‘phantom’ hand seem real

The procedure aims to restore proprioception, the ability to sense where our limbs are in space and how fast and forcefully they’re moving.

magazine

The 30 best comfort foods you’ll find at Boston area restaurants

For small restaurants, Guy Fieri and ‘Triple D’ are ‘the gift that keeps on giving’

The power of having a great role model, whether you’re 9 or 99

My husband gave me a present and I gave it away

metro

Steps were missing on a staircase leading to the JFK/UMass MBTA station in September.

Suffolk DA will not bring criminal charges in BU professor’s death at JFK/UMass station

Can Maura Healey’s opponents make a race out of this?

Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen master and political reformer, dies at 95

sports

Mass-Lowell forward Denise Solis (25) is averaging 10 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the River Hawks while making strides as a nursing student.

Denise Solis holding down front line for UMass Lowell on the basketball court and in the nursing program

Giants name Joe Schoen of Bills as their new GM

Longtime St. John’s Prep wrestling coach Manny Costa is No. 1 to reach 800 career victories

business

Nathan Smith of Beverly tested positive for COVID-19 more than 20 days ago, but he still experiences fatigue, sinus symptoms, and gastrointestinal issues.

For some, ‘mild’ illness from Omicron feels like anything but

A professor said her students think average Americans make six figures. That’s a long way off.

Peloton considers layoffs but denies report it will pause production

politics

In this April 13, 2021 file photo, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients removed a face mask as he prepared to speak at a press briefing at the White House in Washington.

White House official says US is moving toward a time when ‘COVID won’t be a constant crisis’

House panel obtains Trump records after Supreme Court ruling

Jan. 6 panel and state officials seek answers on fake Trump electors

Nation

New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell spoke to members of the media at Harlem Hospital on Jan. 21, 2022 in New York City.

NYPD officer fatally shot in Harlem, officials say; 2nd is critical

US judge blocks Biden’s vaccine mandate for federal workers

White House official says US is moving toward a time when ‘COVID won’t be a constant crisis’

World

An official of the Kurdish-led forces said seven of their own were killed in the skirmishes against Islamic State; pictured here, SDF fighters look over an IS gunman's corpse.

Kurdish-led forces repel Islamic State prison assault; dozens dead

Stakes rise over Ukraine, US will reply to Russian demands

4 dead and 7 missing after migrant boat sinks off Tunisia coast

opinion

A face mask on a statue of Andrew Dickson White, cofounder of Cornell University, on Jan. 14. The university moved final exams online in December, and students will attend classes virtually from Jan. 24 through Feb. 4.

College COVID restrictions have become overkill

André Leon Talley’s inspiring belief in belonging

A high court loss for Boston could come at a high price — unless it acts fast

lifestyle

Love Letters

My husband wants an apology from my mom

No joke: Comics Colin Jost, Pete Davidson buy Staten Island Ferry boat

Home design: Turning a bland Mission Hill bedroom into a refuge

food & dining

For small restaurants, Guy Fieri and ‘Triple D’ are ‘the gift that keeps on giving’

The 30 best comfort foods you’ll find at Boston area restaurants

Eleven Madison Park and Per Se alums will open Twelve in Portland over Memorial Day weekend

travel

The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe, Vermont.

This Vermont town was named among the best places to travel in February

Help! My Expedia tour credit is about to expire

A romantic weekend in Portsmouth

Arts

Joseph Mallord William Turner, "Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On)," 1840, oil on canvas. (Henry Lillie Pierce Fund/Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). The painting will feature in the March exhibition "Turner's Modern World) at the MFA.

10 museum must-sees that will banish the winter blahs

‘Vernacular Glamour’ excavates the material world

‘The Embrace,’ Boston’s long-awaited tribute to the Kings, will be unveiled on MLK Day 2023

Books

New novel ‘Devil House’ looks at our true crime obsessions

Jabari Asim: an ‘eclectic, voracious’ reader

Science, fiction, and fantasy blend in ‘A Snake Falls to Earth’

Movies

Health care activist Ady Barkan, shown during his arrest at a Capitol Hill protest in 2017.

Doc Talk: An incurable optimist, a fleeing fugitive, and an undaunted soul

Death becomes him

The Danish documentary ‘Flee’ is the latest reminder that animation doesn’t have to be just for children

Television

Louie Anderson won an Emmy for his work as Christine in "Baskets."

Louie Anderson brought poignancy, and memories of his mother, to ‘Baskets’

First look at Elle Fanning as Michelle Carter in Hulu’s ‘The Girl from Plainville’

10 TV shows to watch while we’re waiting out winter

music

Elim Chan conducts BSO and pianist Igor Levit on Jan. 20, 2022.

Conductor Elim Chan, pianist Igor Levit offer familiar comforts and new delights at the BSO

Boston Calling announces 2022 lineup with headliners Foo Fighters, the Strokes, Metallica

For the War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel, a return to a place he once called home

Theater/Dance

Director Awoye Timpo (left) leads a rehearsal of the Huntington Theatre Company's "The Bluest Eye" at the Calderwood Pavilion, with actors Hadar Busia-Singleton (center) and Alexandria King.

In ‘The Bluest Eye’ at the Huntington, the challenge of capturing Toni Morrison’s unerring vision

Dramas, musicals, and a trio of blue men: 10 shows for theatergoers this winter

See dancers from all over New England during a weekend of Boston performances

globe local

Cal Ramsdell of Randolph views "Flower Blooming in The Heaven 2021" by Emi Fujita and Emiko Makino at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton.

What to do in this bleak midwinter: How about visiting a museum?

Should Massachusetts guarantee anyone serving a life sentence the chance for parole?

Wouldn’t it be nice? Fifty-four years after we married, it still is.

Obituaries

Thich Nhat Hanh at the Tu Hieu Temple in Hue, Vietnam, in 2019.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen master and political reformer, dies at 95

Louie Anderson, Emmy-winning comedian, has died

Meat Loaf, ‘Bat Out of Hell’ rock superstar, dies at 74