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The Boston Globe

Ruthzee Louijeune becomes Boston City Council president; says she is aiming for less acrimony

Louijeune said she hopes councilors will be able to “disagree ferociously without creating an environment of distrust among colleagues.”

Mass. to expand program that keeps young people out of juvenile justice system
Bristol County and Cape Cod and the Islands will introduce the program in the new year.

Israel is pulling thousands of troops from Gaza in a possible precursor to a scaled-back offensive

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has repeatedly urged Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians, is expected in the region next week.

Israel’s Supreme Court overturns a key component of Netanyahu’s polarizing judicial overhaul

Maxine Yalovitz-Blankenship, an artist and poet who inspired writers, dies at 95
“The dark side is here but the light is with us in color,” Ms. Yalovitz-Blankenship wrote. “Color is the symbol of hope.”

Powerful earthquakes leave at least 30 dead, destroy buildings along Japan’s western coast
Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 temblor slammed the area on Monday afternoon.

Many people in Massachusetts will pay less in taxes in 2024. Here’s a look at new laws this year.

The new year also ushers in a new reality for the state’s lowest paid: They won’t be guaranteed a raise for the first time in years.

It’s been three months since baristas at a Starbucks in Beverly narrowly voted to unionize, hoping for better wages, working conditions, and benefits. Now only four of the 14 employees who cast votes remain at the cafe, said barista Rob Stevens.

Starbucks union fight is grinding down workers at local cafes

A half-dozen local baristas say they are plodding forward with their unionization fight, despite it dragging on without a contract in the 15 Massachusetts union stores.

An almighty comparison from 1970s Boston still resonates with Biden and in the 2024 campaign
One of the president's favorite sayings — “Don't compare me to the almighty. Compare me to the alternative” — defines his political persona and frames his challenge in a likely rematch against Donald Trump.

Biden and Trump are poised for a potential rematch that could shake American politics

State investment this year helped, but didn’t solve, long waiting lists at programs for people with complex disabilities
For those who have returned, day habilitation programs offer much needed care and socialization.

Bailey Zappe strolled into the end zone on a 17-yard scramble against the Bills Sunday.

Patriots need a franchise quarterback because their talent gap is most apparent in the pocket

Bailey Zappe was resilient after throwing three interceptions and he has earned the right to fight for a backup spot next season.

Here’s where the Patriots’ first-round pick stands entering final week of regular season NFL Week 17: The Ravens aren’t just winning games, they’re blowing out good teams

Stuart share podcast

Listen to ‘Murder in Boston’

Presented in association with HBO, “Murder in Boston: The untold story of the Charles and Carol Stuart shooting,” is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Read chapter one of ‘Nightmare in Mission Hill’ Read the full series

Plungers braved the cold water at the annual L Street Brownies cold-water plunge on New Year's Day.

Brrr . . . L Street Brownies welcome 2024 with annual cold-water plunge in South Boston

All told, Monday's plunge drew about 2,500 people, counting swimmers, supporters and spectators, Brownies president Dan Monahan said.

Coach Joe Mazzulla has things working very well with his team as of New Year's Day.

20 things related to the Celtics to watch for in 2024

There will be All-Star selections, an Ime Udoka return to TD Garden, and … could we be witnessing the third 70-win season in NBA history?

“For a lot of people struggling with mental health, we tend not to leave our surroundings,” says Jesse Cody, who completed the "Triple Crown" of long-distance hiking in 2023.

Thru-hiker Jesse Cody is going the distance for mental health

The Cambridge native, founder of the nonprofit Hike the Good Hike, has embraced long-distance hiking as a way to raise money for mental health awareness and to combat his own struggle with depression.

Opinion

It could have been worse

Here are 10 actually good things (according to us) that happened in 2023.

Why Biden should run in 2024

Why Biden shouldn’t run again

In the battle to build more housing, Massachusetts is making gains

IDEAS | ROBERT ZARETSKY

The humanities are in a bind out of Kafka

Beyond the Gilded Gate

The $600,000 problem. Why does it cost so much to build housing in Boston, and what can we do about it?

Many forces drive the housing crisis here, and the sky-high cost of construction is one of the most powerful.

Calculator: How costs affect construction of an apartment building

Explore the project

More recent News

LabCentral, a crucial incubator for local drug discovery, is slated to grow amid industry slowdown
A more diverse cast of entrepreneurs is only one of the changes underway at the Cambridge nonprofit, which has expanded rapidly amid fluctuating vacancy rates and longer stays by belt-tightening biotech companies.

New secondhand women’s clothing website in R.I. directs 85 percent of sales to nonprofits
Amy Hebb is the founder of Second Serve Resale, a new platform that sells secondhand clothing and the majority of the proceeds help others.

TV CRITIC'S CORNER

‘Only Murders in the Building’ and ‘Yellowstone’: a moveable feast?
Reruns of both series are now airing on network TV while new episodes appear on streaming platforms.

South Korean opposition leader is stabbed in the neck by a knife-wielding man
South Korean emergency officials say opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been attacked and injured by an unidentified man during a visit to the southeastern city of Busan.

‘This is the year of the girls!’ Three baby girls born at midnight at Boston hospitals are the first of the New Year

‘This is the year of the girls!’ Three baby girls born at midnight at Boston hospitals are the first of the New Year

MICHIGAN 27, ALABAMA 20 (OT)

Michigan stops Alabama in overtime to earn College Football Playoff title berth
The Wolverines had lost their last two CFP semifinals, but they won in overtime against Alabama after scoring a tying touchdown late in regulation.

Globe Santa

Half a century of remembering Globe Santa
Joseph A. Milano, president of Boston’s Union Oyster House, has many titles and many interests, but an initiative that’s particularly close to his heart is Globe Santa.

Donate to Globe Santa

Globe Santa is a program of the Boston Globe Foundation and exists solely to deliver joy to children.

Recommended reads

Dave Barry’s 2023 year in review

What can we say about the year that was? Not even AI could have made it up.

Want your New Year’s resolution to stick? Experts share their tips.

Northeastern scientists build AI that can predict a person’s life (and death)
According to a peer-reviewed paper published last week, “Life2vec” can accurately assess whether a person is extroverted, whether they are likely to emigrate, and even approximately how long they will live.

Spotlight follow-up

Thousands of Mass. children diagnosed with autism are becoming adults. Many families find the state unprepared to help.
A record number of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities turn 22 years old this year and qualify for adult services with the Department of Developmental Services.

A Harvard student sleuth cracks the code on the hidden lives of Louisa May Alcott and other notable women
Louisa May Alcott's unpublished version of Jules Verne’s “Michael Strogoff” has been all but forgotten in the nearly 150 years since she composed it. But a few years ago, a Harvard doctoral candidate stumbled across the play at the Houghton Library.

Culture & Lifestyle

Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki as Charles and Diana in "The Crown."

Dominic West of ‘The Crown’ speaks of falling-out between him and Prince Harry

10 artists we can’t wait to hear in 2024

Madonna opened the North American leg of her tour at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 13. After postponing Boston dates last summer due to an illness, she'll be at TD Garden Jan. 8-9.

Mark your calendars, music fans: It’s going to be a packed year of concerts, films, and festivals

Steve McQueen's "Lynching Tree," a lightbox-mounted photograph at the Gardner Museum. The piece will be installed in its Fenway Gallery Jan. 20.

At the Gardner, Steve McQueen calls forth a living reminder of slavery with ‘Lynching Tree’

Special Projects

Photo Illustration

Boston thrives off the dreams of young people. But can they make it here?

Baby boomers and Gen Xers benefited from economic conditions that do not exist for millennials. And by many measures, the path ahead for Gen Z is even more fraught.

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

With the MBTA engulfed by issues, everyday riders are feeling the pain.

Brittany Tee, Soomaiiah Quraiishi, and Reina Morales Rojas are among thousands of people thought to be missing from Massachusetts.

How the missing become the uncounted

Inside the government’s flawed approach to finding missing persons.

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.

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Opinion, ideas, and commentary

The Rev. Maksym Padlewski led the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kherson, Ukraine.

Americans must pressure Congress to approve support for Ukraine

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the Kirya military base, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defence, in Tel Aviv on Dec. 24, 2023.

Netanyahu should resign

Commander, US President Biden's dog, sitting on the Truman Balcony at the White House in Washington, DC, on Sept. 30.

MARCELA GARCÍA

The most important dog stories of 2023

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu after Sununu's endorsement of Haley during a town hall event at McIntyre Ski Area on Dec. 12, in Manchester, N.H.

Nikki Haley, a she-wolf in moderate’s clothing. But Trump is worse.

A home under construction in Loudonville, N.Y.

IDEAS | SAMUEL SANDERS

What if NIMBYs got paid to become YIMBYs?

When accidents happen: True stories from an ICU

Ernesto Barbieri and Jess Ruliffson

When accidents happen: True stories from an ICU nurse

Metro

Ruthzee Louijeune becomes Boston City Council president; says she is aiming for less acrimony

Louijeune said she hopes councilors will be able to “disagree ferociously without creating an environment of distrust among colleagues.”

Brrr . . . L Street Brownies welcome 2024 with annual cold-water plunge in South Boston

All told, Monday's plunge drew about 2,500 people, counting swimmers, supporters and spectators, Brownies president Dan Monahan said.

Maxine Yalovitz-Blankenship, an artist and poet who inspired writers, dies at 95

“The dark side is here but the light is with us in color,” Ms. Yalovitz-Blankenship wrote. “Color is the symbol of hope.”

Mass. to expand program that keeps young people out of juvenile justice system

Bristol County and Cape Cod and the Islands will introduce the program in the new year.

Sports

Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord made 35 saves to post the first shutout in the Winter Classic.

NHL: Kraken 3, Golden Knights 0

North Andover’s Joey Daccord posts second shutout as Kraken topple Golden Knights at Winter Classic

Daccord skated in a circle with his goalie stick in the air and the home fans chanting his name in unison.

Ashley McGuire of Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) ran into defensive pressure from Braintree's Claire Joyce.

HS GIRLS' HOCKEY: NDA (HINGHAM) 3, BRAINTREE 0

Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) solved Braintree goalie Eva Surette to capture the third annual Tenney Cup

Six days after getting shut out by Surette, the fourth-ranked Cougars (5-1-1) got goals from Sarah White, Emily Couglin, and Caroline Hartnett.

Owner David Tepper has had a rough year with his Panthers floundering and his temper boiling over.

NFL aware of video showing Panthers owner David Tepper throwing a drink at Jaguars fans

Neither the NFL nor the Jaguars had any comment Monday.

MICHIGAN 27, ALABAMA 20 (OT)

Michigan stops Alabama in overtime to earn College Football Playoff title berth

Professional spring football has a new outlet: the United Football League

HS BOYS' BASKETBALL: PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

EMass boys’ basketball: Catalysts in Commonwealth title, North Andover’s Cam Bethel, Zach Wolinski headline Players of the Week

Business

Bangladesh court sentences Nobel laureate Yunus to 6 months in jail. He denies violating labor laws.

Muhammad Yunus, who pioneered the use of microcredit to help impoverished people, said he would appeal.

LabCentral, a crucial incubator for local drug discovery, is slated to grow amid industry slowdown

A more diverse cast of entrepreneurs is only one of the changes underway at the Cambridge nonprofit, which has expanded rapidly amid fluctuating vacancy rates and longer stays by belt-tightening biotech companies.

As new president of the Ad Club, Barb Reilly aims to balance old and new

Starbucks union fight is grinding down workers at local cafes

magazine

Dave Barry’s 2023 year in review

WBZ TV's news team of the 1980s and '90s.

The 1980s dream team that made WBZ news must-see TV in New England

Miss Conduct’s four tips for a happier new year in 2024

The writer’s neighbor Mona Kluz (front left) celebrates a birthday at one of the dance parties.

New Year’s Eve will be our street’s 1,386th dance party. Here’s why we celebrate.

metro

Former President Donald Trump appears during a campaign rally in Durham, N.H. on Dec. 16, 2023.

Haley, DeSantis pledge to pardon Trump if he’s convicted

Sununu urges Christie to drop out ahead of N.H. primary

Dry and seasonable weather will kick off the new year

sports

Coach Denis Tobin has undefeated Catholic Memorial ranked No. 1 in the Globe Top 20.

EMass boys’ basketball: Catholic Memorial moves into top spot as Needham tumbles from its perch

Joe Chatman is making quick work of filling big shoes as he replaces Sean Ryan as Burke boys’ basketball coach

20 things related to the Celtics to watch for in 2024

business

Amy Hebb (left), the founder of Second Serve Resale, and partner/board member Susan DeMovick, pose for a photo in the storage space for the nonprofit web based resale shop in Westerly, Rhode Island.

New secondhand women’s clothing website in R.I. directs 85 percent of sales to nonprofits

Ukraine Defies Russia With Large Exports Via Black Sea Corridor

DOJ Rejects Trump’s Immunity Argument for 2020 Election Actions

politics

President Biden, left, and former president Donald Trump.

Biden and Trump are poised for a potential rematch that could shake American politics

An almighty comparison from 1970s Boston still resonates with Biden and in the 2024 campaign

More Americans think foreign policy should be a top US priority for 2024, an AP-NORC poll finds

Nation

Duane "Keffe D" Davis arrives in Clark County District Court, Nov. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas.

Ex-gang leader makes his bid in Las Vegas court for house arrest before trial in Tupac Shakur case

Train derails and catches fire near San Francisco, causing minor injuries and service disruptions

NJ mayor says buses of migrants bound for NY are being dropped off at NJ train stations

World

A building falls on the ground following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Powerful earthquakes leave at least 30 dead, destroy buildings along Japan’s western coast

Israel is pulling thousands of troops from Gaza in a possible precursor to a scaled-back offensive

Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty to sedition and collusion charges

opinion

The original manuscript for the 1843 Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol," at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York in 2009.

Digging ‘A Christmas Carol’ out from the lumps of coal heaped on it

When ‘Daddy’ was seen ‘kissing Santa Claus’

Best of 2023: A year in review from Globe Opinion

lifestyle

“For a lot of people struggling with mental health, we tend not to leave our surroundings,” says Jesse Cody, who completed the "Triple Crown" of long-distance hiking in 2023.

Thru-hiker Jesse Cody is going the distance for mental health

She hung my ornament

The most-read Love Letters of 2023

food & dining

A plated dinner on the deck of Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

This Rhode Island restaurant serves up one of the best dishes in the country, according to NYT

Stoughton pizza shop to close its doors after 68 years

Tree House Brewing owners deny allegations of wrongdoing in ongoing lawsuit

travel

Take the kids? Children love to be outdoors learning to cross country ski.

Where to go cross-country skiing in New England with kids

The untold stories behind some of our travel writer’s favorite moments of 2023

Alligators and crabs in paradise

Arts

Sarah Goodridge, “Rose Prentice” (1771-1852), circa 1837-38. Watercolor on ivory. Yale University Art Gallery, Partial gift of Caroline A. Phillips and purchased with the John Hill Morgan, b.a. 1893, ll.b. 1896, hon. 1929, Fund.

With antique portraits of Black Americans, Mickalene Thomas assembles a powerful chorus

At the Gardner, Steve McQueen calls forth a living reminder of slavery with ‘Lynching Tree’

No, the revolution wasn’t televised, but it was photographed

Books

Former president Barack Obama spoke at a rally on Nov. 2, 2020, at Turner Field in Atlanta. Obama recently released his annual list of favorite movies and books.

Barack Obama’s 2023 list of favorite films includes two made in Mass.

Author readings around Boston through Jan. 6

Life at a 254-mile remove gives astronauts, and readers, a rare perspective of the planet in ‘Orbital’

Movies

Former president Barack Obama spoke at a rally on Nov. 2, 2020, at Turner Field in Atlanta. Obama recently released his annual list of favorite movies and books.

Barack Obama’s 2023 list of favorite films includes two made in Mass.

The unparalleled reign of Latifah, hip-hop’s one and only Queen

Finding a different sort of narrative for narrative filmmakers

Television

Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin in "Only Murders in the Building," the Hulu murder-mystery comedy that begins airing on ABC on Tuesday.

‘Only Murders in the Building’ and ‘Yellowstone’: a moveable feast?

Dominic West of ‘The Crown’ speaks of falling-out between him and Prince Harry

Mayim Bialik’s abrupt ‘Jeopardy!’ exit caught Ken Jennings by surprise

music

Madonna opened the North American leg of her tour at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 13. After postponing Boston dates last summer due to an illness, she'll be at TD Garden Jan. 8-9.

Mark your calendars, music fans: It’s going to be a packed year of concerts, films, and festivals

10 artists we can’t wait to hear in 2024

Winter warmth awaits, courtesy of a cornucopia of upcoming classical concerts

Theater/Dance

Lenny Clarke (right) and Tony V. will share a New Year's Eve bill at Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus.

12 New Year’s Eve comedy shows for a last laugh at 2023

Though the pandemic subsided, ImprovBoston never recovered

A ‘Die Hard’ diehard creates ‘Yippee Ki Yay,’ and the Huntington gets in on the action

Health

A CVS pharmacy in Miami.

CVS to launch new pharmacy reimbursement model aimed at simplifying drug pricing

Many Americans ration insulin to save money. One nonprofit is trying to make the life-saving drug more affordable.

In R.I., there’s a lack of dentists caring for patients with special needs. This program is trying to change that.

Obituaries

Artist and poet Maxine Yalovitz-Blankenship in her studio.

Maxine Yalovitz-Blankenship, an artist and poet who inspired writers, dies at 95

Doris Yaffe, who gave Boston fashion an activist edge, dies at 94

NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough, a 3-time Cup champion in the 1970s, dies at 84