Boston Globe Today | December 19, 2023

WATCH: Tuesday's episode. Segments include: Celebrating 50 years of Holiday Pops, Bradley Cooper's ‘Maestro’ explores Leonard Bernstein's love for Tanglewood. Watch →

2023 was quite the year in politics

WATCH: Washington bureau chief Jackie Kucinich says it was a 'hot political mess.' She breaks down the events that shaped our year. Watch →

How many cancer hospital beds do Mass. hospitals need?

WATCH: Is it possible to build too many? Medical reporter Jessica Bartlett explains the not-so-obvious answer. Watch →

Nation

Immigration and declines in death cause uptick in US population growth this year

The vast majority of growth, 87 percent, came from the South, a region the Census Bureau defines as stretching from Texas to Maryland and Delaware. Continue reading →

Nation

Drought-prone California OKs new rules for turning waste water directly into drinking water

It’s a big step for a state that has struggled for decades to secure reliable sources of drinking water for its more than 39 million residents. Continue reading →

Nation

El Paso County sues Texas in a bid to block new migrant arrest law

Civil and immigrant rights groups and Democratic officials said the law, which allows local and state police to arrest undocumented migrants, violated the Constitution and invited racial profiling of Hispanic citizens in Texas. Continue reading →

World

Israeli airstrikes kill dozens across central and southern Gaza

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israeli forces were entering Hamas’s tunnel network in northern Gaza as part of a “final clearing” of militants from the region. Continue reading →

World

Israelis abandon political left over security concerns after Oct. 7

In the wellspring of sadness, anger, and fear that has gripped Israel since that day, a consensus has emerged that Israel needs to take a harder line with the Palestinians and embrace an even more militarized state. Continue reading →

World

UK offers a big financial package if Northern Ireland politicians revive their suspended government

The semi-autonomous government has been on ice for almost two years since the DUP, the main British unionist party, walked out to protest post-Brexit trade rules. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Mifepristone challenge is about more than abortion access — it’s about keeping ideological interests out of fact-based decision making

This case will show the nation and the world what this Supreme Court is really made of. Continue reading →

OPINION

Why the phrase ‘women and children’ is bad for gender equality

The phrase seldom conveys the actual scope of victims during a time of war or natural disaster, nor does it adequately account for the contributions and agency of women in those conditions. Continue reading →

OPINION

At this year’s holiday table, heated debates will be on the menu

Even before the news cycle was akin to walking barefoot across shards of glass, holiday gatherings with family could be fraught. Continue reading →

Metro

Power restored for some, while areas of New England hit hard by Monday storm brace for lengthy recovery

National Grid warned that restoring power to some communities could take days. Continue reading →

Religion

Cardinal O’Malley says Pope Francis allowing priests to bless same-sex couples shows ‘love and care’ for all in the church

The leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston on Tuesday praised Pope Francis for formally allowing priests to bless same-sex couples but stressed that the announcement does not mean the pontiff is backing LGBTQ+ marriages. Continue reading →

Somerville

Somerville City Council unanimously approves home rule petition for local rent stabilization

Efforts to slow rent increases in Somerville took a step forward last week after the City Council unanimously backed sending a proposed rent stabilization home rule petition to the state Legislature. Continue reading →

bruins notebook

Bruins showing confidence in Johnny Beecher, but rookie knows he can be better

One of the key cogs in the league’s best penalty-killing corps, Beecher is also the anchor and pacesetter for the fourth line and has worked with multiple wing combinations. Continue reading →

Sports Business

A regional sports network group went bankrupt. MLB teams depend on those revenues. Here’s what’s at stake.

More than a third of MLB teams aren't as lucky as the Red Sox, whose games air on locally owned NESN. Continue reading →

PATRIOTS

Bill Belichick is the Patriots’ star attraction, which makes their record much less surprising

The Patriots' post-Brady approach is a case study in putting too much emphasis on coaching and not enough on talent. Continue reading →

Housing

Interest rates bog down Greater Boston housing market, with no sign of relief

In November, potential homebuyers and sellers continued to balk at prohibitive home prices and stubbornly high mortgage rates. Continue reading →

Trendlines

‘Tis the season to get fired

Corporate Scrooges often wait until November or December to slash jobs. But the outlook for the job market is mostly sunny. Continue reading →

talking points

Massachusetts’ population is growing again

Stories you may have missed from the world of business. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Richard Hunt, sculptor who transformed public spaces, dies at 88

His towering metalwork became a mainstay of American public art over his 70-year career. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Marisa Pavan, Oscar-nominated actress in ‘The Rose Tattoo,’ dies at 91

A leading lady of 1950s Hollywood, Marisa Pavan, rose to prominence on the heels of her twin sister, the actress and singer Pier Angeli, and received an Oscar nomination for playing Anna Magnani's sensitive young daughter in "The Rose Tattoo." Continue reading →

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FOOD

Sheryl Julian’s favorite Globe recipes of 2023

Of the many dishes published in the Food section this year, some are so good and so intriguing we want to make them again and again. Continue reading →

TONY'S TIPS

Want to give a unique food gift this holiday? It’s a date.

For decades, Boston wholesalers sold beautiful trays of the specialty fruit, wrapped in luxurious gold and silver paper, alongside nuts and other dried goodies. Over the years, the tradition has waned. Is a comeback ahead? Continue reading →

FOOD

Cow. Almond. Hemp. Oat. Flaxseed. Pea, even! With so many different milks available, which should you choose?

The refrigerated milk case in the supermarket used to be simple and straightforward, but those days are over. Here's a look at what's available and what to consider when choosing which kind to consume. Continue reading →