All of the headlines from today's paper.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Today's Headlines

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Page one

Politics

‘They’re operating like bullies’: As ICE appearances increase across Mass., local communities amp up resistance

Massachusetts residents are increasingly pushing back on federal immigration officials' efforts to detain and deport immigrants under the Trump administration. Continue reading →

Retail

Macy’s is closing 150 stores nationwide. Downtown Boston’s may survive, thanks to the data center upstairs.

A 1990s real estate deal helped make the downtown block more about computing power than clothing sales. Continue reading →

Health

Congress’s budget aims to target Medicaid fraud. In Massachusetts, the reality is more complicated.

While health care experts in Massachusetts say Medicaid fraud does exist, they add that doing more to identify such waste is unlikely to achieve big savings. Continue reading →

Politics

Healey used ‘unlawful’ no-bid contracts as migrant and homeless families surged into emergency shelter system, audit charges

In a scathing 74-page report, state Auditor Diana DiZoglio's office said that state officials relied excessively on no-bid deals, unnecessarily driving up costs. Continue reading →

Politics

New Trump vaccine policy limits access to COVID shots for healthy adults and children

The upcoming changes raise questions about people who may still want a fall COVID-19 shot but don’t clearly fall into one of the categories. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

Republican plan to tax elite colleges could hit in unexpected places

The stated aim of the tax, according to the proposal, is to ensure elite schools in the country “can no longer abuse generous benefits provided through the tax code.” But the plan would envelop other institutions as well, including some in rural parts of Republican states. Continue reading →

Politics

Trump on Capitol Hill implores divided Republicans to unify behind his big tax cuts bill

President Trump warned Republicans not to touch Medicaid with cuts and told New York lawmakers to end their fight for a bigger local tax deduction, reversing his own campaign promise. Continue reading →

Politics

Mass. judge rules US must keep control of migrants sent to South Sudan in case removals were unlawful

The judge also ordered an emergency hearing for Wednesday after attorneys for migrants said that up to a dozen people from several countries, including Myanmar and Vietnam, may have been sent to Africa earlier Tuesday. Continue reading →

The World

World

US says it wants trade, not aid, in Africa. Cuts threaten both.

The threats to close or broadly defund development organizations imperil US influence in the growing continent, officials say. Continue reading →

World

UK suspends free trade talks with Israel and announces sanctions over West Bank settlers

The moves came as international pressure mounts on Israel following a nearly three-month blockade of supplies into Gaza that led to famine warnings. Continue reading →

World

The personal secretary and adviser to Mexico City’s mayor are shot dead

Officials called the attack the worst against public officials in the capital in recent years. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

Editorials

State health plan shortfall points to challenge of expensive weight loss drugs

Group Insurance Commission will limit GLP-1 coverage. Continue reading →

Columns

Trump has lots to say about Biden’s health. His own? Not so much.

The public deserves to know more about the president’s health. Continue reading →

Columns

An ugly tax in a ‘beautiful bill’

By targeting remittances, the GOP will only encourage more undocumented immigration. Continue reading →

Metro

Transportation

MBTA board approves ‘nuts and bolts’ capital budget, leaving billions in critical projects unfunded

On Tuesday, the T’s board of directors approved a $9.8 billion, five-year budget for construction projects, while also leaving more than $12.4 billion in needs without funding. Continue reading →

Massachusetts

Protesters call for affordable housing: ‘We need the state to act’

The Boston demonstration was part of a national day of protest calling for housing stability. Rallies were scheduled in nearly 20 cities nationwide. Continue reading →

K-12

Mass. education board approves vocational school lottery admissions, temporary graduation requirements

The vocational school decision follows years of criticism from advocates who argue the schools’ selective admissions processes lock many marginalized students out of the schools. Continue reading →

Sports

Bruins

With Bruins rebuilding, team president Cam Neely felt it was important to have GM Don Sweeney locked up with extension

It's a busy offseason for Sweeney. The Bruins are searching for a new coach and hold the No. 7 pick in the draft, and free agency opens July 1. Continue reading →

Patriots

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, suddenly a veteran for the young Patriots, shines in OTA session in Foxborough

The 22-year-old cornerback had two of the four interceptions thrown by quarterback Drake Maye. Continue reading →

Red Sox

Why now is not the time for red-hot Rafael Devers to be learning a new position

Red-hot Rafael Devers can't be expected to bail out Craig Breslow for not having a Plan B for Triston Casas at first base. Continue reading →

Business

Business

Bakery prevails in free-speech dispute with N.H. town over pastry mural

“I’m thrilled that the students’ artwork can remain up, I’m thrilled that my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” bakery owner Sean Young said. Continue reading →

Housing

The typical home in Greater Boston last month cost nearly $1 million

The median-priced single-family home in Greater Boston sold for $990,000 in April, a new record high, according to figures out Tuesday from the Greater Boston Association of Realtors. Continue reading →

Business

Google unveils AI chatbot, signaling a new era for search

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

Obituaries

Obituaries

Alla Osipenko, prima ballerina who chafed at Soviet grip, dies at 92

Explore the life of Alla Osipenko, a favorite partner of Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev. The acclaimed Soviet-era ballerina defied the Kremlin's rules and inspired generations with her artistry. Continue reading →

Obituaries

George Wendt, who played a beloved barfly on ‘Cheers’ and found another home onstage, has died

Wendt played Norm on the hit 1980s TV comedy “Cheers” and later crafted a stage career that took him to Broadway in “Art,” “Hairspray,” and “Elf.” Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Visual Arts

On the sunny side with artist Andy Li

His project for the Boston Public Art Triennial exults in the small but mighty triumphs of the everyday. Continue reading →

Music

Bear McCreary talks Slash, squeezeboxes, and ‘The Singularity’

The TV and film composer comes to Somerville with a seven-piece band. Continue reading →

Food & Dining

A mother-son team spice up Boston Public Market with mole and tamales

Mr. Tamole launched this month with Andres Medina Carreto and his mom, Margarita, at the helm. Continue reading →