Saturday, January 15, 2022 View web version
Today's Headlines
Page one

Health

Hospitals postponing thousands of surgeries amid onslaught of COVID and other patients

The situation is so bad that it’s forcing hospital administrators to make heartbreaking choices to limit all but the most urgent surgeries and procedures. Continue reading →

Metro

Why so many empty shelves at your local supermarket? It’s complicated.

Grocery stores across the United States are seeing empty shelves that once held products ranging from bread to produce to meat, as a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant adds another layer of complication to a system already strained by supply chain issues and worker shortages. Continue reading →

Climate

Federal regulators to consider whether to shut down Weymouth gas compressor

Democrats now have a majority of the five seats on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which gives hope to the station’s opponents. Continue reading →

COLUMN

The Rhode Island con artist who faked his own death is finally getting his wish: He’s newsworthy now

All Nicholas Alahverdian ever wanted was to be newsworthy. He pursued that dream relentlessly over most of the last two decades, building relationships with reporters and politicians in Rhode Island by sharing tales of torture that he endured as a kid lost in the child welfare system. Now all of it is unraveling. Continue reading →

Lifestyle

Got inner critics? Bill Belichick can help.

The next time I’m called to answer for my sins as a mom and as a person, I’m going to channel the Patriots coach’s gruff manner. Please join me at today’s fantasy press conference, going on inside my head… Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

Goodbye ‘godsend’: expiration of child tax credits hits home

With child tax credits expiring Friday, struggling US families stare down rising food and gas prices with brittle budgets, now deprived of the financial safety net Biden's coronavirus relief package provided. Continue reading →

Nation

GOP House member will not seek another term

A roundup of national political news. Continue reading →

Nation

Analysis: Biden overshoots on what’s possible in divided DC

Biden’s argument — that his five decades in Washington uniquely positioned him to deliver on an immensely ambitious agenda — was at risk of crumbling this week. Continue reading →

The World

World

Russia arrests 14 members of REvil ransomware gang that cost global companies millions

Russia’s domestic security agency on Friday arrested 14 alleged members of the REvil ransomware gang and announced that it had eliminated the group at the request of Washington. Continue reading →

World

UK leader’s office apologizes for party before royal funeral

Boris Johnson’s office on Friday apologized to the royal family for holding staff parties in Downing Street on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral last year — the latest in a string of allegedly lockdown-breaching gatherings that are threatening to topple the British prime minister. Continue reading →

World

North Korea defies UN, tests missiles in response to US sanctions

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles Friday, its third missile test this month. This was just hours after it warned of “stronger and certain reaction” if the United States helped impose more sanctions on the North in response to its recent series of missile tests. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

EDITORIAL

Workers who braved darkest days of COVID-19 deserve extra pay

The federal government gave states money for hazard pay; now Governor Charlie Baker and the Legislature owe the public a plan for spending Massachusetts’ share. Continue reading →

OPINION

Boston was right to refuse to fly Christian flag

As a Jewish legal advocate and a Baptist minister, we support the arguments of Boston in this critical First Amendment case that Supreme Court justices will hear on Jan. 18. Continue reading →

LETTERS

The Bay State — a mecca? Or a place to put in your rearview mirror?

Jeff Jacoby's "Bye-bye, Bay State" column set off wide-ranging debate among print and online readers. Continue reading →

Metro

Metro

Why so many empty shelves at your local supermarket? It’s complicated.

Grocery stores across the United States are seeing empty shelves that once held products ranging from bread to produce to meat, as a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant adds another layer of complication to a system already strained by supply chain issues and worker shortages. Continue reading →

Metro

New DA Hayden says his history will guide him in role

“This is home for me,” Hayden said this week as he settled into his office. “I’ve been a public servant all my life. My heart never strayed far from here, really.” Continue reading →

Politics

Wrentham Republican said to be mulling race for governor

Chris Doughty, a businessman and investor, is seriously considering a run for Massachusetts governor, according to three people who’ve spoken with him. Continue reading →

Sports

christopher l. gasper

Win or lose in Buffalo, this season is already a success for the Patriots

The Patriots are ahead of schedule in their post-Tom Brady reset and already have returned to NFL relevance. Continue reading →

Tara Sullivan

Mac Jones isn’t the typical rookie quarterback tossed into the playoff cauldron

Postseason play is notoriously tough on rookies QBs, but Jones has a Patriots support system loaded with experience and veteran leadership. Continue reading →

Celtics Notebook

Celtics guard Marcus Smart, who has a thigh injury, placed in COVID protocol

Smart joins a full list of Celtics who have been placed in protocol the past few weeks. Continue reading →

Business

Business

Lawmakers propose changes in stalled right-to-repair law

The law requires carmakers to provide consumers and independent mechanics with wireless access to diagnostic data generated by most new cars. Enforcement has already been delayed a year, and pending legislation would give carmakers three more model years to comply. Continue reading →

Business

Lawsuit seeks breaks on South Station ad rates because of massive construction project

A lawsuit argues that South Station management should reduce advertising rates for signage because of ongoing construction at the station. Continue reading →

Business

BPDA approves part of Government Center Garage overhaul to be used as lab space

A private firm pounces on a city fixture to construct lab space again as the Boston Planning & Development Agency approved a project that would restructure the Government Center Garage into a life science building Thursday. Continue reading →

Obituaries
Arts & Lifestyle

CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK

Glimpsing what a new era at the BSO might bring

Thursday’s concert in Symphony Hall included an American premiere — and food for thought about how the orchestra must expand its artistic vision not only in the Berkshires but right here at home. Continue reading →

Names

‘Morbid’ hosts talk ‘Cinema Macabre,’ true crime, and Massachusetts’ ‘spooky horror’ history

Podcasters Ashleigh “Ash” Kelley and Alaina Urquhart are teaming up with digital experience makers Moment House for an interactive ticketed virtual event where they will broadcast live from the supposedly haunted Queset House in Easton. Continue reading →

TV CRITIC'S CORNER

A film, and a filmmaker, transformed in ‘A Reckoning in Boston’

On Monday at 10 p.m. on GBH 2, the film will have its PBS premiere as part of the “Independent Lens” series. Continue reading →