The Boston Globe

A photo collage with the year 2022 in large yellow characters. It's set on a backdrop of cutout photos with what appears to be Scotch tape keeping them together. Among the photos: Will Smith hitting Chris Rock at the Oscars, President Biden, Amber Heard in court, Queen Elizabeth, Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, Nancy Pelosi, and Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Dave Barry’s 2022 Year in Review

The best thing we can say about 2022 is: It could have been worse.

The best books of 2022 The 2022 Boston-area restaurant awards The top 10 most-read Globe Magazine features of 2022

✨ Happy Holidays ✨

In Ukraine, Christmas lights defy darkness of war, and children ask for peace
Ukrainian cities decided to be inventive with their Christmas decorations — finding ways to win back the season while not wasting precious electricity or disappointing children as holiday lights blink out during the attacks.

Some Ukrainians move Christmas to detach again from Russia

Becki and Lenny Stratton got dressed for a full day of performing as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. A Christmas blanket adorns their bed and a decorated tree is in each room of their Shelburne home.

For these professional Santas, playing St. Nick is a calling

A photo of Edward K. Chapman of Portland published in 1924 in Maine Central Railroad Magazine.

A century ago, this Santa Claus lookalike from Maine was considered the ‘Christmas Tree King of America’

Dumplings with pork from the Dumpling House in Cambridge.

Some of the best places to get Chinese food around Boston

David and Stephen St. Russell in front of the White House's official Christmas tree that they helped decorate. They were among 150 volunteers chosen to decorate the White House for the holidays.

Decorating the White House, building a brand, and being themselves. Meet the Renovation Husbands.

Bengals 22, Patriots 18

Chad Finn | Unconventional Review

Between the Patriots’ awful start and the terrible ending, Marcus Jones and Kendrick Bourne shined
It was embarrassing how overmatched the Patriots were in the first half Saturday. After the first quarter, the Bengals had 189 total yards to the Patriots’ 10.

Joe Burrow was 40-of-52 passing for 375 yards and 3 TDs, doing most of his damage in the first half.

Christoper L. Gasper

With loss to Joe Burrow and the Bengals, the Patriots were left with visions of what a premium quarterback can provide

Kendrick Bourne scored his first touchdown of the season, which cut the Patriots' deficit to 22-12.

Where has Kendrick Bourne been? It’s a fair question after his performance against Bengals

Bill Belichick was hot at an official late in the fourth quarter, although the review worked out for the Patriots.

Ben Volin | Instant Analysis

It was a nice comeback bid by the Patriots, but this was still an embarrassing performance

A ‘rapidly growing death spiral.’ How our $31.3 trillion national debt is getting even more expensive.

Like a consumer grappling with a massive credit card balance, the federal government is paying more just for the interest on the national debt. Government projections show those interest costs tripling from $399 billion this year to $1.19 trillion in 2032.

They were freed after serving decades in prison. Now, it’s their prosecutors who are facing scrutiny.

A series of recently overturned cases shows how prosecutorial missteps can put the wrong person behind bars. But rarely, if ever, do prosecutors face repercussions for their bad behavior.

‘An impossible dream’: Before flights to Martha’s Vineyard, migrants endured harrowing odyssey
Rafael’s story, told to the Globe in hours of interviews in Spanish, illustrates the hardship many migrants endure to reach the United States and the oftentimes desperate circumstances that compel them to leave their home countries.

Corporate owners have hollowed out the once-formidable Providence Journal
The Journal used to have a dozen reporters in its Warwick bureau alone; now it has barely a dozen reporters total, and its top editor was dismissed in the latest round of layoffs.

Millions in US hunker down from frigid, deadly monster storm
Millions of people hunkered down in a deep freeze overnight and early morning to ride out the frigid storm that has killed at least 18 people across the United States, trapping some residents inside homes with heaping snow drifts and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.

A vehicle bears the brunt of the vicious winter storm that Buffalo is dealing with.

‘You have no idea how bad it is’: Buffalo endures a historic blizzard

A White Christmas for Martha’s Vineyard

People on Martha’s Vineyard woke up to several inches of snow on Christmas due to ocean-effect showers that dropped more than six inches on the island Saturday and will continue falling into Sunday morning, forecasters said.

Man shot and killed in Dorchester, police say

Michael Collins Jr. 18, of Dorchester, was shot late Friday night in the area of Franklin Hill Avenue and Shandon Road, Boston police said.

During a Hanukkah candle lighting, Shahar Ziv held his daughter Isabelle Ziz, and his wife Dr .Loren Rabinowitz held daughter Madeline Ziv . Loren's parents are Dr. Janina Galler and her husband Dr. Burton Rabinowitz.

What does Hanukkah mean in a season of rising antisemitism?

Among those gathering to light candles this week are many who would not be here were it not for their parents’ or grandparents’ miraculous escapes from the Holocaust.

The Sox have said they’re open to considering moving Kiké Hernández back to the middle infield. He spent much of last season in outfield.

Massachusetts’ ‘millionaires tax’ is impacting how agents negotiate with the Red Sox

This offseason, agents say they’ve been factoring the millionaire’s tax into the calculus when contemplating offers — putting Massachusetts into a class like New York and California.

Carlos Correa’s stunning about-face shows an agreement is a start, but a signed contract is the real deal

Jayson Tatum has shot 7 for 25 from beyond the arc in his past three games but says he's looking for other ways to score.

24celtics

GARY WASHBURN | ON BASKETBALL

Although both teams have fallen off of late, Celtics-Bucks on Christmas is still a big deal

The East's top two teams will be featured in the NBA's prized 5 p.m. slot in holiday play. "I never take that for granted and I’m looking forward to it,” said Jayson Tatum.

Opinion

Isabella Dume, 3, admired herself in the reflection of a Christmas ball hung from a tree outside of Faneuil Hall Marketplace during the lighting ceremony on Nov. 22.

Counting our thanks on Christmas Day

Joyous would be putting it too strongly. But this year did bring some encouraging news.

The Ebenezer Scrooge nobody knows

IRS failed Americans with lack of presidential tax return audits

The DOJ’s criminal investigation of Jan. 6 should carefully scrutinize Trump’s rogue lawyers

Living without compromise, dying in their truth

Now that Ramses Ja and Q Ward own the White Lives Matter trademark, what do these long-time social justice supporters plan to do with the power that comes with ownership?

The Emancipator

What’s next for the White Lives Matter trademark?

Now that podcasters Ramses Ja and Q Ward own the White Lives Matter trademark, what do these long-time social justice supporters plan to do with the power that comes with ownership?

High Med. Low

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Special reports

Boston, MA—12/14/2022 - Commuters wait for the T to arrive at Ruggles Station. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Boston doesn’t work if the T doesn’t work

Members of the 2001 Patriots team that won the franchise’s first title.

Darkness on the edge of the Patriots dynasty

The 2022 Top Places to Work in Massachusetts

More recent News

One person dead, 4 taken to the hospital after Roxbury fire early on Christmas Eve
Firefighters responded to a residence on Warren Street early Saturday morning and found flames burning on the second and third stories. One person perished in the fire and two others were rescued, officials said.

SNAP ‘skimming’ victims to get stolen benefits reimbursed
The omnibus spending bill passed by Congress this week includes $153 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits program and would require states to replace stolen food-stamp funds to low-income households whose benefits were stolen.

‘I was just blown away’: State report shows climate change will take massive toll on Mass. without urgent action
Massachusetts summers could eventually feel like Georgia’s, rain could flood bus routes, and asthma could become far more common.

Spikes in COVID and influenza prompt a push for post-holiday masking in BPS
A letter sent to families said school and city health leaders were discussing a masking mandate for the first two weeks of school after the break.

Plymouth County prosecutor charged in case of alleged domestic assault
Assistant District Attorney Kathleen C. Flannery was arraigned Nov. 28 on charges of assault and battery on a household or family member and two counts of assault and battery on a police officer.

LOVE LETTERS

I was sending him monthly updates about my life
“Ultimately the days turned to months and I never heard back.”

Globe Santa

Globe Santa’s turn to say thank you
Thank you for making the holiday brighter for all

Read the latest stories Make a donation. Make a difference.

Best of the Arts 2022

The 50 best albums of the year

Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise in "Top Gun: Maverick" from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. (Paramount Pictures)

10 great movie performances to mark 2022

The 10 best TV shows of 2022

Recommended reads

What is happening to the Red Sox is a direct result of ownership decisions made late in the 2019 season. That’s when they decided to put the bottom line above winning.

Dan Shaughnessy

Don’t blame Chaim Bloom. It’s ownership that did this to the Red Sox, and other thoughts

Chaim Bloom is having a horrible offseason, but he’s not the sole reason the Red Sox are bad. They seem content to be bad.

Wellesley woman dies from flu complications: ‘A one-in-a-million case’
Price Meropol McMahon, 36, died Tuesday after her health rapidly declined. Her death certificate lists the shocking reason: complications from the flu. McMahon's brothers say she had no history of health issues.

How a surprise storm knocked out our power and sparked a friendship with neighbors
I knocked on their door. “Everything OK?” I asked, knowing it wasn’t.

When the union comes to a coffee shop near you
The closure of Darwin’s amid union activity highlights the often fraught relationship in independent cafes, when workers and owners stand side-by-side all day.

video

Culture & Lifestyle

David Coffee (left) as Ebenezer Scrooge and Russell Garrett as Bob Cratchit in North Shore Music Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol."

Things to do around Boston this weekend and beyond

Need a nostalgia fix this weekend? Hit up Christmas classics with this list of streamable films and specials, including "Elf" starring Will Ferrell.

8 holiday classics to stream all weekend long

Readers offer their choices for the best books of 2022

Sheng Wang's "Sweet and Juicy" Netflix special is Josh Gondelman and Jaylene Tran's top pick.

The stand-up specials that were these nine comedians’ favorites in 2022

Special Projects

Two Weeks in America

Two Weeks in America

We sent a dozen journalists on the road across this complex country. They found it’s better than you think.

Top Spots to Live in Greater Boston in 2022

A guide to 36 Greater Boston communities where demand — and prices — are surging.

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

Ever sensitive to charges of liberal bias, The Boston Globe asked me to look into Roger Stone’s sighting to see whether all the lattes could have blinded them to such an incredible story.

Gene Weingarten

About that portal to Hell hovering over the White House

A titmouse on the author's journal.

IDEAS | JENNIFER NASH

A flock of birds gripped my hand — and pulled me back into the fight against climate change

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Dec. 21.

Christmas in Kyiv: Keeping hope alive

The report from the House Ways & Means Committee, regarding the IRS and former president Donald Trump's tax returns.

James McHugh and Dennis Aftergut

Does releasing Trump’s tax returns risk more harm than good?

Remembering trans lives taken in 2022

IDEAS | ADRIANA BARTON

The ‘Mozart effect’ is bunk. But your brain on music is still a wondrous thing.

Metro

‘An impossible dream’: Before flights to Martha’s Vineyard, migrants endured harrowing odyssey

Rafael’s story, told to the Globe in hours of interviews in Spanish, illustrates the hardship many migrants endure to reach the United States and the oftentimes desperate circumstances that compel them to leave their home countries.

One person dead, 4 taken to the hospital after Roxbury fire early on Christmas Eve

Firefighters responded to a residence on Warren Street early Saturday morning and found flames burning on the second and third stories. One person perished in the fire and two others were rescued, officials said.

Power restored to most of Mass. after storm, but challenges remain

By Saturday evening, fewer than 4,000 customers were without power, down from as many as 70,000 at the height of the storm.

Across Boston, Christmas Eve marks a tradition of giving, service

A number of events across the city Saturday were aimed at giving back to the community during a year where many families across the Commonwealth felt the squeeze of rising costs due to inflation.

Sports

Marcus Jones stood out in many ways Saturday, including this 69-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Chad Finn | Unconventional Review

Between the Patriots’ awful start and the terrible ending, Marcus Jones and Kendrick Bourne shined

It was embarrassing how overmatched the Patriots were in the first half Saturday. After the first quarter, the Bengals had 189 total yards to the Patriots’ 10.

The $160 million Polar Park opened in May 2021.

SPORTS BUSINESS

The company that built Polar Park must pay $1.9 million for not giving enough work to women- and minority-owned businesses

When Gilbane/Hunt submitted its bid for the role of construction manager in 2019 it promised to give 20% of the work to women- and minority-owned businesses.

Dak Prescott (right) celebrated his first 300-yard passing game of the season.

COWBOYS 40, EAGLES 34

Cowboys survive Eagles comeback attempt to keep NFC East title hopes alive

The NFL-leading Eagles (13-2) had their five game winning streak snapped and missed a chance to clinch the NFC’s top seed in a matchup of playoff-bound division rivals.

Jim McBride | Between the hash marks

Rhamondre Stevenson was ‘trying to make something happen’ when he fumbled away a shot at victory

Ben Volin | Instant Analysis

It was a nice comeback bid by the Patriots, but this was still an embarrassing performance

Ahead of playing the Vikings, Giants players were in Mall of America during fatal shooting

Business

Millions in US hunker down from frigid, deadly monster storm

Millions of people hunkered down in a deep freeze overnight and early morning to ride out the frigid storm that has killed at least 18 people across the United States, trapping some residents inside homes with heaping snow drifts and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.

SPORTS BUSINESS

The company that built Polar Park must pay $1.9 million for not giving enough work to women- and minority-owned businesses

When Gilbane/Hunt submitted its bid for the role of construction manager in 2019 it promised to give 20% of the work to women- and minority-owned businesses.

Caroline Ellison says she, Bankman-Fried agreed to mislead FTX lenders

IRS delays $600 tax reporting rule for Venmo, Etsy sellers

magazine

Warren Seavey (left) and some of the World War II veterans he admitted to Harvard Law.

A Harvard Law professor broke the rules to let in WWII vets. They made ‘the best class there ever was.’

We take foster kids from their parents. Then we wonder what’s wrong with them.

Foxborough, MA - 11/17/2022: New England Patriots player Devin McCourty (cq) photographed for The Bostonians of the Year issue of the magazine..(Jonathan Wiggs /Globe Staff)

Bostonian of the Year: Honorable Mention

Patriot Devin McCourty’s on-field performance is matched only by his generosity

This week's daters: Lewis and Claire

Dinner with Cupid

Blind date: ‘I have a gluten allergy, which I know can be annoying when going out to eat’

metro

The ominbus spending bill passed by Congress this week includes $153 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits program, or SNAP, and would require states to replace stolen food-stamp funds to low-income households

SNAP ‘skimming’ victims to get stolen benefits reimbursed

‘You have no idea how bad it is’: Buffalo endures a historic blizzard

What does Hanukkah mean in a season of rising antisemitism?

sports

Joe Burrow was 40-of-52 passing for 375 yards and 3 TDs, doing most of his damage in the first half.

With loss to Joe Burrow and the Bengals, the Patriots were left with visions of what a premium quarterback can provide

How it happened: New England scored 18 unanswered points, but couldn’t finish out the rally. See the reaction.

Although both teams have fallen off of late, Celtics-Bucks on Christmas is still a big deal

business

The Bulfinch Cos. Inc. plans to develop a 465,000-square-foot lab and office project at the former Muzi Ford dealership in Needham.

Lab project on Muzi Ford site in Needham gets green light

Funding bill targets online sites amid retail theft concerns

TrillFit is shuttering its brick-and-mortar studio in Mission Hill

politics

A clock showing the national debt in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 4.

A ‘rapidly growing death spiral.’ How our $31.3 trillion national debt is getting even more expensive.

After Jan. 6: Congress born of chaos ends in achievement

House passes $1.7 trillion spending bill with Ukraine aid, disaster relief

Nation

Gamaliel Vega tries to dig out his car on Lafayette Avenue after he got stuck in a snowdrift about a block from home while trying to help rescue his cousin, who had lost power and heat with a baby at home across town during a blizzard in Buffalo, N.Y., on Dec. 24.

Millions in US hunker down from frigid, deadly monster storm

18 die as monster storm brings rain, snow, and cold across US

Winter storm batters US power, snarling Christmas travel

World

Antony Blinken on Dec. 22.

3 NGOs suspend work in Afghanistan after Taliban bar women

Some Ukrainians move Christmas to detach again from Russia

In Ukraine, Christmas lights defy darkness of war, and children ask for peace

opinion

The report from the House Ways & Means Committee, regarding the IRS and former president Donald Trump's tax returns.

Does releasing Trump’s tax returns risk more harm than good?

Christmas in Kyiv: Keeping hope alive

Remembering trans lives taken in 2022

lifestyle

Need a nostalgia fix this weekend? Hit up Christmas classics with this list of streamable films and specials, including "Elf" starring Will Ferrell.

8 holiday classics to stream all weekend long

Decorating the White House, building a brand, and being themselves. Meet the Renovation Husbands.

I was sending him monthly updates about my life

food & dining

Dumplings with pork from the Dumpling House in Cambridge.

Some of the best places to get Chinese food around Boston

Customers, baristas poured one out for Darwin’s as Cambridge coffee shop chain closed for good

A bustling, all-day brasserie in the heart of Kendall Square

travel

This picture taken on November 12, 2022, shows the passengers of The Majestic Princess cruise ship preparing to depart for Melbourne from the International Terminal on Circular Quay in Sydney. The Majestic Princess docked in Sydney with more than 800 COVID-19-positive passengers onboard, reports said.

Boarding denied on cruise because of positive COVID test

Go easy on your wallet in the Big Easy

A Newport update, festive party package, and portable back and neck care

Arts

Pelle Cass, HU Pole Vault (first version), 2019/2022. Inkjet print on heavy matte rag paper.

Bodies of work at the deCordova’s ‘New Formations’

At the Clark, ‘On the Horizon’ and through the haze

Wendy Artin’s ‘Flesh and Stone’ breathes new life into sculptures

Books

Readers offer their choices for the best books of 2022

Douglas Brinkley’s ‘Silent Spring Revolution’ details the impact of activists and presidents from JFK to Nixon on environmental protection policy

National Book Award-winning poet John Keene intentionally seeks out challenges in his reading

Movies

Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Gwenn) greets Susan (a young Natalie Wood) in a scene from the 1947 film "Miracle on 34th Street."

‘Miracle on 34th Street’: A Christmas classic turns 75

Same script, different cast: ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’

"Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody" filming at Gillette Stadium

Television

Patti LuPone in "Hollywood," one of many television shows in which she has appeared.

Patti LuPone joins cast of ‘WandaVision’ spinoff

Jeff Garlin to join cast of Mindy Kaling’s ‘Never Have I Ever’

In sibling dramas, everything is relative

music

"A Christmas Celtic Sojourn" at Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, on Dec. 18, 2022.

20 years in, ‘Christmas Celtic Sojourn’ is beautiful and bittersweet

Elon Musk has been silent since his poll. But Snoop Dogg hasn’t.

Shirley Watts, widow of drummer Charlie Watts, dies at 84

Theater/Dance

From left: Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, composer Jeanine Tesori, and "Kimberly Akimbo" director Jessica Stone at the Booth Theatre in New York, where the musical is being staged.

Southie native David Lindsay-Abaire has fashioned a ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ that sings

A ‘Solstice Celebration’ for everyone

In ART’s ‘Life of Pi,’ a tiger burns brightest

globe local

Northeast Dental Assisting teacher Erin Selvitella and senior Sebastian Cadavid, of Saugus, who was recognized for performing CPR in the community.

Northeast Metro Tech senior named a Heartsaver Hero for saving a woman’s life

Making spirits bright for the homeless

The Argument: Should Massachusetts lift its ban on Sunday hunting?

Obituaries

An undated photo provided by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility shows Sister Patricia Daly, a Dominican nun, at one of the organization’s conferences in 2015.

Sister Patricia Daly, 66, dies; took on corporate giants on social justice

Thom Bell, an architect of 1970s Philadelphia soul, dies

Charlene Mitchell, 92, dies; first Black woman to run for president