All of the headlines from today's paper.
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Today's Headlines
Page one

Health

Dropping masks could have an unintended side effect: the return of sniffles and stomach bugs

As mask recommendations are loosened in Massachusetts and other parts of the country, doctors expect to see a resurgence of non-COVID infections this spring such as the common cold and flus. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Lauren Sampson, ‘bright light’ of Boston’s civil rights lawyers, dies at 30

"She was absolutely brilliant," a friend said of Ms. Sampson, who vigorously defended marginalized communities. Continue reading →

INTO THE RED

Facing climate and social justice crises, older people are getting back into the protest battle

A new movement called Third Act aims to mobilize Americans over 60 — mostly baby boomers and the so-called silent generation that preceded the boomers — as advocates on the issues of climate and voting rights. Continue reading →

Media

GBH’s Jonathan Abbott to step down as CEO at the end of the year

During his 15 years in the top job, Abbott has guided the public media pioneer’s shift to digital platforms, expanded local news, and boosted its endowment by 800 percent. Continue reading →

Nation

Texas governor directs state agencies to investigate some transgender medical treatments as ‘child abuse’

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott this week directed state agencies to conduct “prompt and thorough” investigations into the use of gender-affirming care for transgender children, a move that follows an opinion from the state attorney general that such treatments are a form of “child abuse.” Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

Two prosecutors leading N.Y. Trump inquiry resign

Their resignations came amid a monthlong pause in their presentation of evidence to a grand jury, according to people with knowledge of the matter, throwing the future of the high-stakes inquiry into serious doubt. Continue reading →

Nation

Georgia marks Ahmaud Arbery Day, 2 years after murder

State lawmakers recognized the day of the Black man's death as an annual feature earlier in February; the inaugural Ahmaud Arbery Day comes after the conviction of the three white men responsible for his killing. Continue reading →

Nation

Judge seals juror names in trial of three officers over Floyd killing

US District Judge Paul Magnuson said in his order that the court assured prospective jurors for the trial of J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao that their personal information would be kept confidential. Continue reading →

The World

World

Climate forecasters warn of a ‘global wildfire crisis’

A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.” Continue reading →

World

New Zealand protest, an echo of Canada’s, digs in and turns ugly

The antigovernment protests that jolted Canada have been quashed. But 9,000 miles away, in the capital of another Western democracy largely unaccustomed to violent tears in the social fabric, an occupation on the grounds of Parliament has entrenched itself and turned increasingly ominous. Continue reading →

World

How China under Xi Jinping is turning away from the world

The miracle of modern China was built on global connections, a belief that sending young people, companies, and future leaders to soak up the outside world was the route from impoverishment to power. Now, emboldened by its transformation, the country is shunning the influences and ideas that nourished its rise. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

OPINION

Reform Boston’s gang database, don’t dismantle it

On an annual basis, gang violence generates about half of the homicides in Boston, and gang members are involved in roughly two-thirds of nonfatal shootings. Most of the violence is due to a small number of individuals, typically gang members. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Paul Farmer, relentless champion of global health, showed us how to fight inequities

Partners in Health is a testament to the tremendous global impact that a man with a grand vision, unrelenting drive, and the right support, can make. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Ukraine crisis presents clash of cultures, identity, and politics

Putin’s current idea of warfare is clever, because it so mirrors a term sportswriters often use: death by a thousand paper cuts. Continue reading →

Metro

Politics

As first popularly elected Black senator, Edward Brooke defied political odds

His historic win, the first African American popularly elected to US Senate and the first elected since Reconstruction, resonated across the world. Brooke, a Republican, established himself as a civil rights champion and pioneer. Continue reading →

Crime & Courts

Woman in East Boston assault that was called a hate crime gets probation, drawing criticism

At issue is a Feb. 15, 2020, incident where a mother and daughter were attacked in East Boston while speaking Spanish and allegedly told, “This is America” and “Go back to your [expletive] country.” Continue reading →

Metro

A moment of peril, in Ukraine and here

Members of an American political party support a murderous dictator who just invaded a province of democratic Ukraine, and who has made it clear he won’t stop there. Continue reading →

Sports

christopher l. gasper

These Celtics are definitely an improved team, but they are not title contenders

Reeling off regular-season wins is one thing; building a team that can withstand the rigors of the playoffs is quite another. Continue reading →

ben volin | on football

Steelers and Roger Goodell made sure Brian Flores didn’t get the Kaepernick treatment

Flores's hiring as a Steelers assistant made perfect sense, and it confirms that he will not be treated as an NFL outcast. Continue reading →

Tara Sullivan

Phil Mickelson took his shot with an apology, and he wound up way out of bounds

In his lengthy explanation Tuesday, Mickelson depicted himself as part victim, part martyr, part hero, and part sinner. Continue reading →

Business

Business

Rosemarie Sansone, downtown Boston’s biggest cheerleader, dies at age 77

Rosemarie Sansone died Monday, less than a week after retiring from her job as CEO of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District. Continue reading →

Biotech

Intellia leases space for 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in former Waltham BSC

Biotech companies have long considered Massachusetts a global hub for drug research, and increasingly, they are choosing to make their products here, too. Continue reading →

TALKING POINTS

State offers a new round of pandemic relief grants

Stories you may have missed from the world of business. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Lauren Sampson, ‘bright light’ of Boston’s civil rights lawyers, dies at 30

"She was absolutely brilliant," a friend said of Ms. Sampson, who vigorously defended marginalized communities. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Gary Brooker, 76, frontman of rock band Procol Harum

"Whiter Shade of Pale" topped the UK album chart for six weeks, was a top 10 hit in the United States, and in 2018 was one of six singles inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

STAGE REVIEW

‘What the Constitution Means to Me’ is an exhilarating discourse on our imperfect union

Heidi Schreck's play, in a touring production at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, vividly explores the joy and heartbreak that come with loving the ideas at the heart of this country. Continue reading →

MOVIES

1916 silent film ‘Snow White’ screens with live music in Somerville

Somerville Theatre screens the version that Walt Disney saw as a teen, with harp and viola providing the score. Continue reading →

Dance

Jeffrey Cirio returns to Boston Ballet

The talented principal dancer left for American Ballet Theatre in 2015, and will rejoin Boston Ballet full time next season. Continue reading →