All of the headlines from today's paper.
Friday, December 5, 2025
Today's Headlines

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Page one

K-12

After the MCAS, Mass. looks to use senior projects as a graduation requirement. Here’s what that could look like.

State leaders are working to create new high school standards after voters revoked the MCAS test requirement. Continue reading →

Climate

New England is one of the fastest warming regions in the world, new study finds

A new study finds that New England is among the fastest-warming places on the planet, and the pace of warming and snow loss is picking up. Continue reading →

Immigration

What the data show about the September ICE arrest surge in New England

With more than 1,500 arrests, September marked the second-highest monthly tally in New England since Trump took office for the second time. Continue reading →

Politics

Admiral says there was no ‘kill them all’ order in boat attack, but video alarms lawmakers

Democrats who saw video of the survivors being killed questioned the Trump administration’s rationale and said the incident was deeply concerning. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

In Minneapolis, Somalis say they’ve been targeted since Trump called them ‘garbage’

The usually bustling Karmel Mall, a hub for the city’s Somali residents, is quiet. Signs on the mall’s doors declare, “No ICE enter without court order.” Nearby, a Mexican bakery and a neighboring taqueria are closed. Continue reading →

Politics

Man accused of planting pipe bombs before Jan. 6 insurrection on Capitol charged with explosives offense

The suspect has been charged with the use of an explosive device and more charges are possible as part of the ongoing investigation. Continue reading →

Nation

Doctor who sold ketamine to ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry gets 2 1/2 years in prison

Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett handed down the sentence plus two years of probation to 44-year-old Dr. Salvador Plasencia in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles. Continue reading →

The World

World

Putin maintains hard line in talks as Trump says Moscow is open to a deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin said parts of the US peace plan were unacceptable and Russia would take Ukrainian land through military force or other means in an interview aired Thursday, as Moscow sticks to its demand that Kyiv surrender territory it still holds after nearly four years of fighting. Continue reading →

World

Kenya kept a diplomat in his job despite years of sex abuse accusations

Kenya's government received complaints that a diplomat was sexually abusing women, according to a United Nations official and a labor leader. But officials allowed the diplomat to continue working with migrant women. Continue reading →

World

A heist of snails rocks French village

The family that owns the business believes that the target suggests that whoever did it had an insider’s knowledge of the esoteric escargot industry. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

Editorials

‘Amounting to murder’: US killing of shipwrecked sailors raises urgent questions for Congress

Two people survived the Pentagon’s first strike against drug boats in the Caribbean in September. Clinging to the wreckage, they were no longer a threat. Why were they killed? Continue reading →

OpEds

Why does Beacon Hill continue to dodge an audit?

Voters demanded oversight. They aren’t getting it. Continue reading →

OpEds

A Christmas letter from Trump: Grift, glitter, and garland-level delusion

Holiday greetings from the House of Perpetual Self-Praise. Continue reading →

Metro

Crime & Courts

Boyfriend of Ana Walshe says he grew concerned when she never responded to texts

Ana Walshe was last seen in the early hours of 2023. Prosecutors say her husband, Brian Walshe, murdered her, motivated by problems in their relationship, including the affair she was carrying on. Continue reading →

Massachusetts

Conn. man arrested in South End ‘street takeover’ where Boston police cruiser was set on fire

The 19-year-old will be charged with burning a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of fireworks, disturbing the peace, and conspiracy. Continue reading →

Rhode Island Health

Dr. Ashish Jha to step down as Brown University public health dean

Jha will lead an initiative that aims to bolster the nation’s defenses against emerging pandemic and biological threats. Continue reading →

Sports

Patriots

How important is the No. 1 seed for the Patriots?

The Patriots enter their bye week as the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which could set them up favorably for the playoff run. Continue reading →

Sports

Recent betting scandals have left a cloud of suspicion hanging over sports

Legislators at the State House are considering a bill that, among other sports betting reforms, would ban in-game prop bets. Continue reading →

Celtics

Josh Minott accepts how NBA officials might regard him, so the Celtics forward is careful not to run afoul of them

Minott knows he's not a brand name among his NBA brethren, so he has to be judicious when to lobby Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on a challenge. Continue reading →

Business

Media

Local TV stations are losing viewers. A new ‘survival guide’ urges a digital-first pivot.

The guide from Northeastern urges stations to hire a digital content creator to spearhead digital strategy and coach their peers on how to bring their reporting to audiences online. Continue reading →

Business

Mayor Wu has focused on jobs, not real estate, to grow the city’s economy. It’s paying off.

As unpopular as she has been in parts of the real estate community, Mayor Michelle Wu has endeared herself with another crucial segment: companies hungry for skilled employees. Continue reading →

The Fine Print

Here are 10 things to know before you rent in Massachusetts

The latest version of the state's “Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights” was released by the office of the attorney general. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Steve Cropper, guitarist, songwriter, and a shaper of Memphis soul music, dies

Cropper, was a prodigious guitarist, songwriter, and producer who was a member of Booker T. & the MG’s, and later, the Blues Brothers. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Kai Erikson, sociologist who probed invisible scars of disasters, dies at 94

The Yale sociologist -- and son of famed psychanalyst Erik Erikson -- traveled the world in an effort to understand how disasters inflicted collective trauma on communities. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Trees take center stage in Mount Auburn’s ‘Solstice’ spectacle

The light-and-sound installation at Mount Auburn Cemetery is fast becoming a holiday tradition. Continue reading →

Parenting

Family-friendly holiday events that won’t stress you out

Here are 13 low-stakes-ish holiday events to get you in the holiday spirit. Continue reading →

Music

Boston isn’t mentioned in Spotify Wrapped this year. Here’s why I’m relieved.

If the national music conversation is really this bland this year, please keep us out of it. Continue reading →