Monday, April 19, 2021 View web version
Today's Headlines
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COVID-19 Vaccines

The White House is speeding up its vaccination drive and pressuring states to follow its lead

Biden administration officials have been steadily boosting their direct supplies of vaccine to residents in Massachusetts and elsewhere through mass vaccination sites, retail pharmacies, and community health centers. Continue reading →

Metro

Massachusetts is almost halfway to the governor’s vaccination goal. But a big challenge lies ahead

State officials will face their biggest test yet, starting Monday, when about 1.7 million more residents ages 16 through 54 become eligible for shots as the COVID-19 vaccination drive enters its fifth month and its most pivotal phase. Continue reading →

Coronavirus

National milestone reached, with half of US adults having received at least one COVID-19 shot

Half of all adults in the United States have received at least one COVID-19 shot, the government announced Sunday, marking another milestone in the nation’s largest-ever vaccination campaign but leaving more work to do to persuade skeptical Americans to roll up their sleeves. Continue reading →

Business

‘There will be extraordinary spending’: Retailers anticipate a post-pandemic consumption boom

The big question for many retailers is whether they can correctly predict what consumers will flock to next, and then keep enough inventory in stock during a period of supply-chain disruption. Continue reading →

Politics

Should DiMasi, and other federal felons, face a ban on lobbying Beacon Hill? The SJC will decide

The question could be precedent-setting, and has been at the center of a two-plus-year legal battle between Secretary of State William Galvin and former Mass. House speaker Salvatore DiMasi. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

FedEx shooter legally bought guns used in shooting, police say

The former employee who shot and killed eight people at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis legally bought the two rifles used in the attack despite red flag laws designed to prevent such purchases, police said. Continue reading →

Nation

On infrastructure, lofty ideas are colliding with congressional reality

As President Biden and Democratic lawmakers begin assembling a massive jobs and infrastructure bill they hope will echo the New Deal, they are quickly finding that their ambitions are colliding with the reality of precisely how to do it. Continue reading →

Nation

Congress faces renewed pressure on gun control after Indiana’s red-flag law did not thwart FedEx shooter

The renewed momentum for gun-control legislation after House action in March comes as authorities in Indiana said they do not know what broke down in the existing process that’s meant to prevent the bloodshed that took place. Continue reading →

The World

World

Despite tensions, US and China agree to work together on climate change

The United States and China have said they will fight climate change “with the seriousness and urgency that it demands” by stepping up efforts to reduce carbon emissions, a rare demonstration of cooperation amid escalating tensions over a raft of other issues. Continue reading →

World

Kremlin critic Navalny’s daughter pleads for her imprisoned father be allowed to see his doctor amid mounting health concerns

“Allow a doctor to see my dad.” The plea, tweeted Saturday by Alexei Navalny’s daughter, came amid a global wave of dismay over Russian authorities’ refusal to let President Vladimir Putin’s leading critic see his physician as his condition has reportedly worsened. Continue reading →

World

Sinn Fein leader apologizes for 1979 killing of Prince Philip’s uncle

Lord Mountbatten, a celebrated commander during World War II who later served as the last viceroy of India, was killed after a bomb exploded on his fishing boat off the coast of Ireland. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

OPINION

The ‘super wicked problem’ of climate change is our Earthshot

We must find affordable, equitable ways to bring every aspect of the global economy to net-zero carbon no later than 2050. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Biden must be blunt with Israel about the Iran deal

The United States can’t be drawn into a military conflict when a diplomatic solution is possible. Continue reading →

OPINION

It’s not too late to make a difference on the climate crisis

We can act now with proven tools to cut greenhouse gas emissions and store vastly more carbon in plants and the earth. Continue reading →

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Metro

Metro

Massachusetts is almost halfway to the governor’s vaccination goal. But a big challenge lies ahead

State officials will face their biggest test yet, starting Monday, when about 1.7 million more residents ages 16 through 54 become eligible for shots as the COVID-19 vaccination drive enters its fifth month and its most pivotal phase. Continue reading →

Education

Massachusetts, other states need to increase spending for preschools, report says

Massachusetts preschool enrollment increased by fewer than 300 children in 2019-2020, as the pandemic shifted those programs to remote learning in the middle of the school year, according to a national report that found most states don’t provide enough funding to support all-day pre-kindergarten for all children. Continue reading →

THE GREAT DIVIDE

Mass. education commissioner recommends vocational school admissions changes to boost fairness

Massachusetts’ education commissioner, Jeff Riley, has proposed changes to vocational-technical school admissions aimed at giving disadvantaged students a better shot at attending the coveted schools. Continue reading →

Sports

bruins 6, capitals 3

In a scuffle with Capitals, Bruins extend winning streak to four games

Three unanswered goals from the Bruins in the second period gave them the edge. Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Brad Marchand scored two goals apiece. Continue reading →

Game 1 - White Sox 3, Red Sox 2 | Game 2 - White Sox 5, Red Sox 1

Offense hits snag as Red Sox swept in doubleheader against White Sox

Boston managed only four hits off former prospect Michael Kopech and the Chicago bullpen in Game 2, while Tanner Houck’s solid start in the opener was not enough. Continue reading →

Sports

Liverpool among elite European soccer clubs planning to form ‘Super League’

The Boston-owned Liverpool Football Club joined 11 other European powerhouse soccer clubs. UEFA and FIFA have condemned the league's formation. Continue reading →

Business

Business

‘There will be extraordinary spending’: Retailers anticipate a post-pandemic consumption boom

The big question for many retailers is whether they can correctly predict what consumers will flock to next, and then keep enough inventory in stock during a period of supply-chain disruption. Continue reading →

Business

Needham officials hope to block Amazon facility from prominent Route 128 site

“That’s really the gateway to Needham,” said Greg Reibman, president of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber. “You want something aspirational to appear in that spot, not a big warehouse with trucks coming in at all hours of the day.” Continue reading →

Business

Approaching Boston from the west will never be the same: Long-planned Fenway Center’s about to rise

The Fenway Center project will put a two-acre deck, followed by a 350-foot tower, above the Massachusetts Turnpike between Brookline Avenue and Beacon Street. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Alma Wahlberg, mother of Mark, Donnie Wahlberg, dies at 78

Alma Wahlberg, the mother of entertainers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and a regular on their reality series “Wahlburgers,” has died, her sons said on social media Sunday. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Penelope Laingen, who united nation with yellow ribbons during Iran hostage crisis, dies at 89

As the wife of a US diplomat, Penelope Laingen had trekked to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Malta, loyally serving alongside her husband in the long tradition of Foreign Service families. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Donald Junkins, poet who led UMass Amherst creative writing program, dies at 89

A poet who published more than 20 books, Mr. Junkins formerly directed the MFA program at UMass Amherst. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

COMMUNITY

Take a free Bluebike to your COVID-19 vaccine appointment

The complimentary trips will be available in Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Newton, Revere, Somerville, and Watertown. Continue reading →

FAMILY

Eight Earth Day events for the whole family

From your backyard to your favorite trail, enjoy these virtual (or socially distanced) events that make you proud to be an earthling. Continue reading →

Names

How houseplant propagation kept some Bostonians well-rooted through the pandemic

Enthusiasts regularly trade clippings and solicit gardening advice on Facebook groups like Boston Plant Swap. Instagram accounts devoted to succulent propagation have picked up thousands of followers, and “plantfluencers” are finding fertile ground on TikTok for doling out gardening advice. Continue reading →