Thursday, June 17, 2021 View web version
Today's Headlines
Page one

Massachusetts

A lobsterman found himself in a whale’s mouth. Really? Experts agree, it happens

If it sounds like a farfetched fish story, or a ludicrous movie script, Michael Packard and those who know him insist his tale is true. Continue reading →

THE GREAT DIVIDE

Why is Asian American history barely taught in Mass. schools?

Asian Americans and their contributions to US history and culture are largely missing from the nation’s social studies curricula and textbooks. Teachers and scholars say the surge in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic is one consequence of that erasure. Continue reading →

Investigations

Duxbury parents say officials downplayed misconduct claims against now-fired hockey coach

Several local parents say a number of sexual misconduct accusations through the years should’ve sparked more scrutiny of longtime hockey coach John Blake. Continue reading →

NEWS ANALYSIS

Is it time to worry about inflation? Some experts say the rising prices will be short-lived

While economists are becoming more concerned about the potential for prolonged high inflation, many still expect the price spikes are a temporary result of surging consumer spending. Continue reading →

Politics

Biden and Putin express desire for better relations at summit shaped by disputes

A highly anticipated first summit meeting between President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin of Russia ended early on Wednesday and was described by both sides as a series of polite but adamantly stated disagreements about which country is the greater force of global disruption. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

US ends strict Trump-era asylum rules for violence victims

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on Wednesday reversed a Trump-era immigration ruling that made it all but impossible for people to seek asylum in the United States over credible fears of domestic abuse or gang violence Continue reading →

Nation

Southern Baptists vote to debate sex abuse investigation

Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to have a floor debate on a proposed investigation into the denomination’s handling of sexual abuse. Continue reading →

Nation

Democrats, Republicans back away from actions against fiery lawmakers

House Democrats and Republicans backed away Wednesday from a tit-for-tat battle over punishing firebrand lawmakers from the other party, setting aside for now a fight that risked inflicting political damage on each side. Continue reading →

The World

World

With election fraud claims, Peru’s Keiko Fujimori takes a page from the Trump playbook

In the face of a deficit of tens of thousands of votes in a close count following Peru’s June 6 presidential election, Keiko Fujimori, the 46-year-old doyen of a right-wing political dynasty, declined to concede. Instead, she has appeared to a take page from former president Donald Trump’s playbook, levying unsubstantiated accusations of fraud. Continue reading →

World

North Korea is facing a ‘tense’ food shortage

Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, issued a rare warning about a “tense” food situation brought about by extensive flooding, the coronavirus pandemic, and international sanctions, the state news media reported Wednesday. Continue reading →

World

What offenses did Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, commit in Britain? New report forces police to review claims.

British police say they will “review” allegations made in a recent Channel 4 News investigation that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, sexually abused, trafficked, and groomed multiple women and girls in Britain over a period of 10 years. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

OPINION

Bonuses for dishwashers and ice cream scoopers — so why not for the disability workforce?

Governor Charlie Baker should ‘take a look at what these people do . . . come and see, really see, the population being served and how underfunded and understaffed we are.’ Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Who covered up the Boston School Committee texts?

The public had every right to see text messages between school committee members on the night of a controversial exam school vote, but the city withheld them. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Few grasp how slavery united the colonies, sparked the American Revolution

It is unlikely that the War of Independence would have been won without the support of the Southern colonies. Continue reading →

Metro

Health

All aboard: State launches ‘Vax Express’ to expand access to COVID-19 shots

The specially tricked-out commuter train made its first stops today at stations in Boston, and it is scheduled visit five other stations later this week. Continue reading →

Metro

Biden wants to end the death penalty. So why is his Justice Department trying to have Dzhokhar Tsarnaev put to death?

It’s just the latest of several perplexing decisions AG Merrick Garland has taken to support the unjust, or cynical maneuvers of his morally vacant predecessor, Bill Barr. Continue reading →

THE GREAT DIVIDE

Boston School Committee may extend superintendent’s contract by 2 years after giving her high marks on job review

The School Committee selected Jeri Robinson as their new chair following a texting scandal that recently prompted former chair Alexandra Oliver-Dávila and member Lorna Rivera to resign. Continue reading →

Sports

Golf

‘You’re an inspiration.’ The inside story of Seul-Ki Hawley’s historic appearance in the Mass. Open golf tournament

Hawley, of Winchester Country Club, became the first woman to compete in the Mass. Open this week. And she did so while 20 weeks pregnant. Continue reading →

red sox notebook

NESN’s Jerry Remy released from hospital after five-night stay

The longtime Red Sox color commentator was hospitalized Friday after experiencing shortness of breath during broadcast. Continue reading →

red sox 10, braves 8

Christian Arroyo delivers decisive blow with seventh-inning slam in Red Sox comeback win

Christian Arroyo's slam put the Red Sox ahead, 10-7, and punctuated the Red Sox 24th come-from-behind victory of the season and sweep of the Atlanta Braves in a 10-8 win Wednesday night. Continue reading →

Business

Business

Biden gifts Putin a pair of aviator sunglasses made in Massachusetts

The shades were manufactured at Randolph Engineering, a 48-year-old company that has been supplying aviators for fighter pilots in the US military since 1978. Continue reading →

Business

R.I. man among first to get controversial Alzheimer’s drug since its approval

Marc Archambault is well aware of the controversy surrounding Biogen’s new drug for Alzheimer’s disease. Still, he was thrilled on Wednesday at Butler Hospital in Providence to receive one of the first infusions of the drug, Aduhelm, since its June 7 approval. Continue reading →

Business

The state’s second-biggest health insurer has a buzzy new name

Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care merged in January but didn't name the new company they created until Wednesday: Point32Health. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Audrey Cooper, who ‘represented the best of Newton,’ dies at 97

A stalwart of Newton nonprofits, Mrs. Cooper also was a tireless volunteer for Democratic candidates. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Movies

Coolidge Corner Theatre unveils plans for major expansion

Brookline officials are reviewing a proposed expansion of the landmark Art Deco cinema that will add two screens — and over 200 seats — as well as a larger lobby, third-floor community space, and roof deck. Continue reading →

MOVIES

The Brattle to reopen at last on July 2

Donors contributed more than half a million dollars, helping the nonprofit theater to survive the pandemic. Continue reading →

DANCE

The Boston Center for the Arts returns with live dance performances

Victoria L. Awkward and Jenna Pollack will perform at the BCA in June and July Continue reading →