All of the headlines from today's paper.
Monday, February 5, 2024
Today's Headlines

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Page one

Health

‘It’s inexcusable’: As overdose deaths mount, millions in opioid settlement funds go unspent in Massachusetts

Less than 5 percent of the money paid to cities and towns has been deployed to combat the epidemic. Continue reading →

K-12

‘What damage has been done?’ After strike’s end, Newton grapples with how to heal community rifts

Monday will be a first day of school unlike any other in the city’s history, as nearly 12,000 public school students return to their classrooms following the state’s longest teachers strike in decades. Continue reading →

Politics

‘Outrageous.’ Healey wants to let police training chief earn $150,000 salary while drawing taxpayer-funded pension

Governor Maura Healey’s proposal has raised alarms with the state’s inspector general and officials in Methuen. Continue reading →

Business

Massachusetts companies are suing the US government over marijuana prohibition. Could they win?

By suing the US Justice Department, four cannabis entrepreneurs are seeking no less than to overturn America’s prohibition on cannabis, which began in 1937. Continue reading →

World

US targets Iran-backed groups for third straight day in Middle East

The United States said Sunday that it had destroyed an anti-ship cruise missile belonging to the Houthi militia in Yemen, which had vowed to respond to earlier strikes by the US and its allies. Continue reading →

The Nation

Politics

Senators release a border and Ukraine deal but the House speaker declares it ‘dead on arrival’

Senators on Sunday released a highly anticipated $118 billion package that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies. Continue reading →

Nation

Second atmospheric river in days blows into California, knocking out power and flooding roads

Wind gusts along the Northern California coast reached a top speed of 88 miles per hour, officials said — the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane. Continue reading →

Nation

Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped 50 years ago. Now she’s famous for her dogs.

Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped 50 years ago. Now she’s famous for her dogs. Continue reading →

The World

World

‘They come in waves’: Ukraine goes on defense against a relentless foe

As the war enters its third year, Ukrainians find themselves outmanned and outgunned. Continue reading →

World

Pakistan’s military has swayed many elections. Now it’s going full tilt.

The current crackdown has been more visible than those in previous years, analysts say, making this week's vote among the least credible in Pakistan’s 76-year history. Continue reading →

World

El Salvador votes in presidential election that the ‘world’s coolest dictator’ has clear path to win

Salvadorans are headed out to vote in a presidential and legislative election that’s largely about the tradeoff between security and democracy. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

OPINION

Vocational-technical school admissions should be based on lottery

A return to the lottery system would ensure equal access to voc-tech education. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

When the barbed wire comes down at Concord prison, the possibilities are endless

But with a housing crisis on the doorstep, it shouldn’t take decades to come up with a reuse plan. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Harvard alumni seeking change — and leadership seats at university

The hurdle of more than 3,000 signatures in so short a time is a formidable obstacle to any alum’s gaining ballot access for a seat on the Board of Overseers. Continue reading →

Metro

K-12

Newton teachers ratify new contract following 15-day strike

The Newton teachers’ union voted Sunday night to ratify a new contract with the School Committee following the state’s longest teachers strike in three decades. Continue reading →

Money, Power, Inequality

Marvin E. Gilmore Jr. reflects on his legacy fighting for the Black community

The spirited 99-year-old cofounded the first Black-owned bank in Massachusetts in the late 1960s. Continue reading →

Higher Education

Two business leaders joining Harvard’s powerful oversight board, school says

The Harvard Corporation tapped Kenneth Frazier, a former chief executive of pharmaceutical giant Merck, and Joseph Bae, co-CEO of KKR, one of the world’s biggest investment firms, to join its ranks. Continue reading →

Sports

on hockey

With trade deadline looming, Bruins have a choice to make on pending free agent Jake DeBrusk

With less than five weeks to go until the NHL’s March 8 trade deadline, the question is, will the 27-year-old winger be going somewhere else? Continue reading →

World Cup

2026 World Cup: Gillette Stadium to host quarterfinal, seven games in total

Only four sites across the three co-hosting countries will see more games than Boston/Foxborough. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Continue reading →

Tara Sullivan

Shame on Roger Goodell for being ignorant or uninformed — or both — about concussed NFL players

The NFL commissioner continues to downplay what is obvious to anyone who has ever watched the game: Head injuries happen as part of football, and sadly, for some players, they trigger lifelong complications. Continue reading →

Business

Business

Massachusetts companies are suing the US government over marijuana prohibition. Could they win?

By suing the US Justice Department, four cannabis entrepreneurs are seeking no less than to overturn America’s prohibition on cannabis, which began in 1937. Continue reading →

Housing

Massachusetts is attempting to dig out of a massive housing crisis. The state’s top lawyer wants to help.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office is in the process of creating a Housing Affordability Unit that will work on issues at the heart of Massachusetts’ housing crisis, such as local land-use battles and Fair Housing laws. Continue reading →

Tech Lab

Apple’s Vision Pro is the most awe-inspiring tech toy in years

During an all-too-brief demo at an Apple store on Boylston Street in Boston, the biggest problem that cropped up was the price: $3,500. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Larry Kessler, whose HIV/AIDS activism changed policy and saved lives, dies at 81

“The important thing is to be available to the people who need me most,” Mr. Kessler said of his tireless work on behalf of those living with HIV/AIDS and others marginalized by society. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Joe Madison, radio host and civil rights activist, dies at 74

An influential talk radio host with a rumbling musical baritone, Joe Madison interviewed Barack Obama in the Oval Office and numerous other political leaders in his Washington, D.C., studio, urging them to take action on civil and human rights issues. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Wayne Kramer, influential MC5 guitarist, dies at 75

Wayne Kramer, whose explosive guitar playing with the influential Detroit band the MC5 in the late 1960s and early 1970s helped to set the template for punk rock, died Friday. He was 75. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Music

Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’ wins album of the year, breaking Grammys record

Victoria Monét was awarded best new artist while Miley Cyrus took record of the year honors for "Flowers." Continue reading →

MUSIC REVIEW

Burt Bacharach here, Kate Bush there: Cécile McLorin Salvant makes classic songs her own at Sanders Theatre

Friday's night's show confirmed Salvant's genius at inhabiting and bringing fresh perspective to songs. Continue reading →

Arts

Barry Keoghan hits the dance floor as Hasty Pudding’s 2024 Man of the Year

The "Saltburn" star was in Cambridge Friday night to receive his golden pudding pot from the Harvard theatrical group. Continue reading →