All of the headlines from today's paper.
Friday, January 2, 2026
Today's Headlines
Page one

Spotlight

A ‘black box’: Mass. prosecutors rarely prevent police informant abuse. They often enable it.

Other gatekeepers also consistently fail to hold police accountable. Continue reading →

Vermont

‘Walking the walk’: Why a Vermont man made the ultimate sacrifice in Ukraine

Andrew Mario of Brattleboro is believed to be the first Vermonter to die in the war with Russia. Continue reading →

Patriots

Serious off-the-field allegations now hang over what was a feel-good season for the Patriots

Two star players have been accused of violence against women just as the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach. Continue reading →

World

About 40 people dead and 115 injured in fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year’s celebration

A fire ripped through a bar at a Swiss Alpine resort during a new year's celebration early Thursday. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

Mamdani takes reins of New York City after historic election win

Zohran Mamdani took office as New York City’s 112th mayor at the stroke of midnight, marking the culmination of his improbable, historic rise to power over the past year. Continue reading →

Politics

Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into steep insurance hikes

Enhanced tax credits that have helped Americans offset the cost of Affordable Care Act health insurance for the last four years expired overnight. Continue reading →

Nation

Minnesota families are rattled by threat to cut federal aid for child care

Day-care center owners said that they could go out of business in a matter of weeks. Parents said they feared the move could force them to quit jobs or put off studies so that they could care for their children. Continue reading →

The World

World

At least 6 reported killed during widening protests in Iran sparked by ailing economy

Protests over Iran's struggling economy have spread into rural areas, with the first fatalities reported among security forces and protesters. Continue reading →

World

Coast Guard searches for survivors after more boat strikes

It was the fourth known instance of people surviving, at least initially, one of the 35 military strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. Continue reading →

World

Russia asks United States to stop pursuit of fleeing oil tanker

Russia’s request that the United States stop chasing the vessel could add a new wrinkle to the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and heighten tensions between the two nations over Venezuela. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

Letters

For Trump and his supporters, Harvard represents the liberal elite

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump frequently appealed to working-class voters by portraying the liberal elite class as looking down on them. Continue reading →

Letters

Trump brings offshore wind projects to a screeching halt

Putting 4,000 Massachusetts workers’ jobs at risk to dismantle renewable projects during the winter holidays is a Scrooge move of epic proportions. Continue reading →

Editorials

Let’s lower barriers to LGBTQ fertility treatments

Insurance rules can treat same-sex and opposite-sex couples differently. Continue reading →

Metro

Rhode Island Crime

Brown University to increase surveillance cameras after deadly campus shooting

“We will build a stronger, sophisticated and more resilient model of campus safety — together," wrote Brown's incoming vice president of public safety, Colonel Hugh T. Clements Jr., in a letter to the Brown community. Continue reading →

Massachusetts

No easy polar plunge this year. Swimmers in Boston met with snow and severe wind chills for New Year’s ocean dip.

Temperatures Thursday during the swim were around 25 degrees with wind chills making it feel like the single digits. Continue reading →

Politics

From cannabis cafes to data privacy, here are seven laws going into effect in Massachusetts in the new year

2026 will see new laws governing cannabis cafes, the operation of boats, and much more. Continue reading →

Sports

Patriots

These are areas of concern the Patriots will need to address before the NFL playoffs

Weaknesses in run defense, red-zone offense and special teams kick coverage will need improvement before postseason. Continue reading →

Patriots

Big money on line for regular-season finale with Patriots close to cashing in on individual contract incentives

Asked if he takes potential incentives into consideration, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel prioritized winning games over reaching specific statistics. Continue reading →

Bruins

Sitting down with Bruins GM Don Sweeney, who discusses his Olympic duties, the NHL season, and coach Marco Sturm

Sweeney has had a jam-packed schedule as he scouted and evaluated players for the Olympics and the Bruins. Continue reading →

Business

Retail

Market Basket trial sheds new light on Demoulas family feud over wealth distribution

Litigation has simmered behind closed doors in Massachusetts probate court over the inheritance for the next Demoulas generation, the four siblings’ 14 children. Continue reading →

Finance

Here’s what eight Mass. financial experts say you should put on your New Year’s resolutions list

In 2026, many Americans are setting out to improve their finances. Here are some tips to help you along the way. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Melanie Watson Bernhardt, ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ actress, dies at 57

Melanie Watson Bernhardt, the trailblazing actress who played Kathy Gordon for four episodes on the 1980s sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" and became one of the first disabled performers on screen, died Friday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was 57. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Mohammad Bakri, 72, outspoken Palestinian actor and director, dies

His harrowing documentary "Jenin, Jenin," about a 2002 battle between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants, was banned by the Israeli authorities and led to years of legal battles. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Louis V. Gerstner, who revived a faltering IBM in the ’90s, dies at 83

Louis V. Gerstner Jr., an outsider who became the leader of IBM when that giant computer company was in a tailspin, and who engineered a remarkable revival of its fortunes in the 1990s, died Saturday in Jupiter, Florida. He was 83. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Travel

These 3 New England destinations rank among top 10 nationwide for snow lovers, per USA Today

The locations were chosen for their snowy outdoor activities and for their cozy feel off the slopes. Continue reading →

Lifestyle

Ever been a third wheel? How did you feel about the experience?

Couples, how often do you invite a single friend to hang out? Continue reading →

Music

What do teens in Palestine, Lebanon, and Ukraine have in common? Music — and this Needham nonprofit.

Through Peace Tracks, students from countries such as Ukraine, Palestine, and Lebanon virtually write and record music together, learning empathy and compassion in the process. Continue reading →