Nation

The FBI deployed surveillance teams inside Portland protests

The breadth of FBI involvement in Portland and other cities where federal teams were deployed at street protests became a point of concern for some within the bureau. Continue reading →

Politics

In milestone deal, Proud Boy pleads guilty in Capitol riot

A New York man pleaded guilty Wednesday to storming the US Capitol with fellow members of the far-right Proud Boys, a milestone in the Justice Department’s prosecution of extremists who joined the Jan. 6 insurrection. Continue reading →

Nation

FDA clears Pfizer’s COVID pills for high-risk patients 12 and older

The drug is authorized for COVID patients age 12 and older who are vulnerable to becoming severely ill because they are older or have medical conditions such as obesity or diabetes. Continue reading →

World

South Africa’s case drop may show Omicron peak has passed

South Africa’s noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases in recent days may signal that the country’s dramatic Omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say. Continue reading →

World

US eases some restrictions on aid for Afghanistan

The Biden administration Wednesday took steps to make it easier for humanitarian aid to reach Afghanistan as the combination of the pandemic, a severe drought, and a cash shortage have left the country’s fragile economy on the brink of collapse. Continue reading →

World

A dinosaur embryo, exceptionally preserved in an egg about to hatch, reveals links to birds

In one of the most well-preserved dinosaur embryos ever found, a baby dinosaur curled its back and tucked its head in a position that is similar to modern birds before they hatch, a discovery that scientists say could shed new light on how dinosaurs developed in their early stages. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Health care for formerly incarcerated people helps everyone

The Medicaid Reentry Act, a lesser-known provision of the Build Back Better bill, is a step in the right direction but not enough. Congress now has a chance to improve it. Continue reading →

LETTERS

One by one, those in Jan. 6 throng are going to prison, and Trump remains free

Robert S. Palmer has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for doing what he thought at the time was patriotic and right: supporting a president who stated frequently and forcefully that the 2020 election had been 'stolen,' and that this injustice was a threat to our nation and must be stopped. Continue reading →

LETTERS

We’re facing a halting return to the workplace

One reader poses a question about the necessity to return to in-person work at all and another raises concerns about the challenges of unpaid caregivers. Continue reading →

Metro

‘We have the tools to turn the tide’: While COVID cases soar in Massachusetts, new Omicron data offers promise

Doctors in the state say the current surge has pushed hospitals and health systems to a “crisis point.” Continue reading →

Metro

Even at a dark time, there’s plenty to give us hope

I reached out to some of my favorite thinkers, some of them inveterate optimists, to ask what gives them hope. They offered plenty of good cheer, some finding it in the unlikeliest of places. Continue reading →

Politics

In radio appearance, Wu discloses racist pushback to vaccination mandate, COVID-19 policy

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Wednesday spoke of a racist response that she has received in the aftermath of a proof-of-vaccination mandate for some indoor spaces. Continue reading →

Patriots

Matthew Judon has starred for the Patriots this season, and has had fun doing it

The linebacker approaches every task — setting the edge, shedding blockers, rushing the quarterback, even speaking with reporters — with enthusiasm. Continue reading →

Celtics 111, Cavaliers 101

Jaylen Brown helps shorthanded Celtics overpower the Cavaliers

Brown led the way for the Celtics with 34 points on 12-for-22 shooting, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range, in a 111-101 victory over the Cavaliers. Continue reading →

Bruins

With Beijing withdrawal, Olympic debuts for some Bruins will have to wait as rosters get shuffled

Bruins team president Cam Neely said that there are six to eight dates available at TD Garden in February that the Bruins could use to make up postponed games. Continue reading →

Business

Biden and Democrats scramble to salvage social, climate package

President Biden, along with progressive and moderate Democrats, appears determined to return to the negotiating table with Senator Joe Manchin, the holdout Democrat who effectively tanked the party’s signature $2 trillion domestic policy initiative. Continue reading →

INNOVATION BEAT

Can this app help solve COVID burnout?

Waltham-based ConnectRN, which helps nurses pick up shifts and commiserate with other health care workers through its app, feels it can give nurses control of their lives again. Continue reading →

Business

White House will freeze federal student loan repayments until May 1

President Biden, citing the pandemic, said Wednesday that his administration had extended a moratorium on student loan repayments by 90 days, continuing a relief measure that began nearly two years ago under the Trump administration. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Chuck Hunt, the state’s first ‘first husband,’ remembered for his ‘kindness toward the least powerful’

The husband of former acting governor Jane Swift, Mr. Hunt “was our friend, but he was also who we aspired to be,” said a friend since childhood in Williamstown. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Sally Ann Howes, star of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ dies at 91

Sally Ann Howes, an English-born grande dame of American and British musical comedy who captivated children as Truly Scrumptious in the 1968 film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” featuring a magic jalopy that floats and flies into fantasy adventures, died Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She was 91. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Roman Kaplan, restaurateur and host for Soviet exiles, dies at 83

From the time it opened in 1986, the Samovar, Mr. Kaplan's restaurant, was less a restaurant than a civilization in exile, a refuge for writers, artists, musicians, dancers, and poets who, like Mr. Kaplan himself, had either fled from or been banished by the Soviet Union. Continue reading →

STAGE REVIEW

‘Fiddler on the Roof’ still strikes a powerful chord

If you feel comfortable seeing a live performance indoors — and of course that’s a big if at this precarious moment — “Fiddler” might be exactly the kind of spirit-lifter you need. Continue reading →

Names

‘Crying happy tears’: Chyrstyn Fentroy promoted to principal dancer at Boston Ballet

Boston Ballet announced Wednesday the promotion of Chyrstyn Fentroy to principal dancer. Fentroy joined Boston Ballet as an artist of the company in 2017, was promoted to second soloist in 2018, and to soloist in 2019. Continue reading →

Books

In a new book about Woody Guthrie, his daughter tells his story through what he left behind

Nora Guthrie Continue reading →