Nation

Official: Shooter said he hated work years before killing 9

A gunman who killed nine people at a California rail yard where he worked appeared to target some of the victims, a sheriff told The Associated Press on Thursday, while a Biden administration official said the shooter spoke of hating his workplace when customs officers detained him after a 2016 trip to the Philippines. Continue reading →

Nation

Murder, manslaughter charges filed against three Tacoma, Wash., officers in Black man’s death

Manuel Ellis, 33, died on March 3, 2020 — Tasered, handcuffed, and hogtied, with his face covered by a hood. Continue reading →

Nation

White House to propose $6 trillion budget plan as administration seeks to reshape economy, safety net

The budget contains no new major policies from the White House and instead reflects the plans the White house has already introduced, including a $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal, a $1.8 trillion education and families plan, and $1.5 trillion in proposed discretionary spending. Continue reading →

World

UN rights chief: Israeli strikes in Gaza may be war crimes

The top United Nations human rights body on Thursday passed a resolution aimed to intensify scrutiny of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, after the UN rights chief said Israeli forces may have committed war crimes and faulted the militant group Hamas for violations of international law in their 11-day war this month. Continue reading →

World

In Rwanda, Macron tries to reset relations with Africa

After nearly three decades of recriminations over France’s role in Rwanda’s genocide of 1994, the leaders of the two countries on Thursday stood side by side in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, declaring a new chapter in their relations. Continue reading →

World

Births of Tasmanian devils are a milestone after 3,000 years

About 3,000 years after Tasmanian devils were wiped out on the Australian mainland, seven babies were born earlier this month on the continent in their natural terrain. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Massachusetts needs to apply the right-to-know concept to firearms produced in state

Current federal reporting standards are too vague to be useful. Continue reading →

OPINION

What America owes the survivors and descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre

Reparations are still owed to survivors, descendants, and the community of a neighborhood destroyed by a white mob 100 years ago. Continue reading →

OPINION

On Nobel adjacency

I can see Bill Gates, like Philip Roth, becoming Nobel-adjacent, always the groomsman, never the groom. Continue reading →

Metro

‘I hope you never forget’: Ceremony honors bereaved military families ahead of Memorial Day

Thursday morning’s ceremony came a day after fully vaccinated volunteers, primarily first responders and health care workers, worked for over 10 hours to plant more than 37,000 flags comprising the display. Continue reading →

K-12

COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in Mass. schools this fall, in-person learning to be required, state says

School districts will not be allowed to offer remote learning as a standard learning model, according to the new guidance released Thursday from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Continue reading →

Metro

Of complicit bishops and compassionate priests

Richard Lavigne, the pedophile priest who murdered Springfield altar boy Danny Croteau in 1972, was enabled, coddled, and protected by successive bishops, including some who abused children just as he did. Some good priests who stood up to them were punished. Continue reading →

Red Sox

How Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock is making necessary adjustments to hitters

Whitlock saw his early-season brilliance end May 2, then he allowed three runs (two earned) to the Tigers in his next appearance. Continue reading →

On Football

Mac Jones is the Patriots’ future, but Cam Newton is still their leader

Bill Belichick loves Newton’s work ethic and energy, and noted Newton has been a full participant throughout the voluntary offseason program. Continue reading →

bruins

Scouting the Bruins-Islanders playoff matchup: Five reasons New York will give Boston trouble in Round 2

“We’re going to have a big challenge with the Boston Bruins," said Islanders coach Barry Trotz. "They’re playing very, very well." Continue reading →

Business

Meet the local woman who set off a #MeToo movement in the beer industry

Brienne Allan of Notch Brewing has become a key voice in an industry that has long struggled to welcome people who are not white men. Continue reading →

THE FINE PRINT

The state will not explain a mysterious ‘‘system processing error” at the DUA

In each of its last eight weekly reports on unemployment claims, the state Department of Unemployment Assistance has cautioned that the figures are “estimated” values, and corrected values will eventually be provided. The department won't say what that means, continuing its long-standing practice of refusing to answer questions about its operations. Continue reading →

Business

US jobless claims fall to 406,000, a new pandemic low

Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that applications declined 38,000 from 444,000 a week earlier. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Playwright and performer Robbie McCauley, whose work confronted race and gender, dies at 78

Ms. McCauley's work includes “Sugar,” about her experience with diabetes, and “Sally’s Rape,” about a slave owner's assault of her great-great-grandmother. Continue reading →

Obituaries

‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ illustrator Lois Ehlert dies at 86

Lois Ehlert, whose cut-and-paste shapes and vibrant hues in books including “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” put her among the most popular illustrators of books for preschoolers of the late 20th century, has died. She was 86. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Italy’s Carla Fracci, La Scala prima ballerina, dies at 84

An Italian cultural icon, Carla Fracci was the daughter of a tram driver who had a “fairytale rise” to a La Scala prima ballerina renowned for romantic roles alongside such greats as Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Continue reading →

MUSIC

Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby top BET Award nominations

Drake and Cardi B are the second-most nominated acts, scoring five bids each. The show will air live on June 27. Continue reading →

REST ASSURED

In praise of strategically placed benches and low walls

I’m in training for a future full of ocean cruise adventures, so I walk a lot. And as an octogenarian, I’ve grown to appreciate a good place to rest. Continue reading →

ART

At Mass MoCA, James Turrell lights up his biggest Skyspace yet

Thirty-five years in the making, the artist's giant installation opens Saturday at Mass MoCA. Continue reading →