Thursday, December 17, 2020 View web version
Today's Headlines
Page one

Metro

Health officials prepare for a new challenge — snow

As the season's first major snow storm blanketed the region early Thursday, health officials prepared for the first weather-related challenge to the state’s COVID-19 testing system, which largely relies on a web of tented outdoor sites that will likely be shut down in high winds and heavy snowfall. Continue reading →

Health

Vaccinations boost spirits at hospitals throughout Mass.

The massive task of obtaining, storing, and administering the vaccine could not have come at a more difficult time, just as a second surge of COVID-19 is accelerating and straining hospitals. But for the very same reason, it could not have come at a better time, providing a figurative shot in the arm along with the real one. Continue reading →

Business

Delivery delays try the patience of consumers used to near-instant gratification

As the holiday shopping season escalates, COVID-19 slows the process of getting goods from factories to warehouses to doorsteps. Continue reading →

Business

City of Boston is working with architectural firm to rethink Copley Square

The Walsh administration is embarking on a possible makeover for Copley Square, one of the city’s most recognizable and popular public spaces, and is soliciting ideas that range from modest upgrades to a major redesign, with a goal to begin renovations in 2022. Continue reading →

Politics

House Speaker Robert DeLeo rumored to be stepping down, ending 12-year reign

Beacon Hill sprang into a frenzy over speculation that House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo was preparing to leave his post to accept a teaching job at Northeastern University — except, that is, for DeLeo himself, whose office offered a carefully worded denial. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

Staring down deadline, Congress nears $900 billion stimulus deal

After months of stalemate, congressional leaders were on the verge Wednesday of cementing a roughly $900 billion stimulus deal to deliver emergency aid to individuals and companies devastated by the toll of the worsening pandemic, racing to finish the details and stave off a government shutdown Friday. Continue reading →

Nation

Mar-a-Lago neighbors tell Trump to spend his post-presidency days elsewhere

A demand letter may force Palm Beach to publicly address whether President Trump can make Mar-a-Lago his legal residence and home, as he has been expected to do, after he leaves the White House. Continue reading →

NATIONAL NOTEBOOK

First problems in distribution of Pfizer vaccine involved it being too cold, not cold enough

Four delivery trays of the Pfizer-BioNTech SE vaccine were pulled back from delivery to California and Alabama this week and sent back to the company because they were colder than anticipated. Continue reading →

The World

World

French court finds 14 people guilty of aiding Charlie Hebdo and anti-Semitic attacks

A French court on Wednesday found all 14 defendants guilty of aiding in the terrorist attacks that killed 17 people in January 2015, including 10 people at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Continue reading →

World

Air pollution listed as cause of 9-year-old’s death

A British coroner ruled Wednesday that excessive air pollution from traffic fumes contributed to the death of a 9-year-old girl who died of a fatal asthma attack. The girl is believed to be the first person in the U.K. to have air pollution listed as the cause of death on their death certificate. Continue reading →

World

Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout draws wary, mixed response

While excitement and enthusiasm greeted the Western-developed coronavirus vaccine when it was rolled out, the Russian-made version has received a mixed response, with reports of empty Moscow clinics that offered the shot to health care workers and teachers — the first members of the public designated to receive it. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

OPINION

A cult expert’s advice for celebrating with politically divided family over the holidays

All of us who love America need to make an effort to reconnect and rebuild our faith and trust in one another. Continue reading →

OPINION

What’s more sexist than the coverage of Melania Trump?

Sexist coverage of America’s first ladies is the rule, not the exception. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Let public health expertise guide school reopenings

As long as schools are taking adequate safety precautions, superintendents should continue steadily reopening school systems. Continue reading →

Metro

Metro

Health officials prepare for a new challenge — snow

As the season's first major snow storm blanketed the region early Thursday, health officials prepared for the first weather-related challenge to the state’s COVID-19 testing system, which largely relies on a web of tented outdoor sites that will likely be shut down in high winds and heavy snowfall. Continue reading →

Metro

Health officials prepare for a new challenge — snow

As the season's first major snow storm blanketed the region early Thursday, health officials prepared for the first weather-related challenge to the state’s COVID-19 testing system, which largely relies on a web of tented outdoor sites that will likely be shut down in high winds and heavy snowfall. Continue reading →

Health

Vaccinations boost spirits at hospitals throughout Mass.

The massive task of obtaining, storing, and administering the vaccine could not have come at a more difficult time, just as a second surge of COVID-19 is accelerating and straining hospitals. But for the very same reason, it could not have come at a better time, providing a figurative shot in the arm along with the real one. Continue reading →

Sports

Patriots

Patriots hopeful about Julian Edelman’s status after WR returns to practice

Edelman, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 30, could be in uniform this weekend vs. the Dolphins. Continue reading →

Ben Volin | ON FOOTBALL

Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa has impressive tools, but still plays like a rookie

Bill Belichick has won 11 straight games against rookie quarterbacks, and as good as the Alabama product has been, he has some tendencies that could prove trouble for Miami on Sunday. Continue reading →

sports business

Boston-based Major League Lacrosse merging with Premier Lacrosse League; Cannons to rebrand

The Boston Cannons will become the Cannons Lacrosse Club. They're the only MLL team to be folded into the merged leagues. Continue reading →

Business

Business

Delivery delays try the patience of consumers used to near-instant gratification

As the holiday shopping season escalates, COVID-19 slows the process of getting goods from factories to warehouses to doorsteps. Continue reading →

Business

City of Boston is working with architectural firm to rethink Copley Square

The Walsh administration is embarking on a possible makeover for Copley Square, one of the city’s most recognizable and popular public spaces, and is soliciting ideas that range from modest upgrades to a major redesign, with a goal to begin renovations in 2022. Continue reading →

Business

Delivery delays try the patience of consumers used to near-instant gratification

As the holiday shopping season escalates, COVID-19 slows the process of getting goods from factories to warehouses to doorsteps. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Bruce Seals, former ABA/NBA pro and longtime Dorchester icon, dies at 67

Mr. Seals, a New Orleans native who played pro ball in Utah and Seattle, came to the Boston area in 1990 and never left, spending three decades at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Dorchester. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Lifestyle

It’ll still be a (matzo) ball

You can still go to this Jewish singles event – virtually. Continue reading →

Lifestyle

These thoughtful, last-minute gifts arrive in an instant, no mailing required

And many benefit local businesses, to boot. Continue reading →

Movies

This time, Ken Burns is the subject of a documentary

Rhode Island filmmaker Dante Bellini turned the camera on the New England documentarian for “Ken Burns: Here & There,” now airing nationally on PBS. Continue reading →