Unaligned N.H. vote a test for Mitt Romney
Two weeks before the New Hampshire primary, the GOP front-runner holds a relatively narrow lead among independents, a critical voting bloc that remains largely undecided.
Bill Greene/Globe Staff
For teens guilty of murder, penalties can vary widely
A review has found no pattern in the prison terms of young killers since the passage of a 1996 Mass. law that requires juvenile ‘‘super predators’’ to be tried in adult court.
G cover
Two cops, two shootouts, one family
When Police Sergeant Joe McCain Jr. had a wild gunfight on the job, it was eerily reminiscent of one his father survived in 1988.
Mary Beth Meehan for The Boston Globe
Conn. casinos brace for new rivals in Mass.
The once invincible gambling tandem of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun — even before the threat of losing customers to Mass. — has struggled with declining revenues and big debts.
Foxborough prepares for heated casino debate
Selectmen say they are prepared for a “robust’’ meeting tonight when they discuss whether the town should entertain a proposal to build a casino across from Gillette Stadium.
Interactive
Biz Quiz 2011
Do you know where Wegman’s opened its first supermarket in Massachusetts? Test your knowledge of the big business stories from the past year.
Jim O’Brien finds calling at Emerson
Coach O’Brien has landed in the cozy confines of Division 3 Emerson College basketball, a huge difference from BC and Ohio State, which is just what O’Brien needed.
“I don’t think we do justice by sentencing someone 16 and under to life without parole, no matter what the circumstances.”
Isaac Borenstein, a retired Superior Court judge
Inside The Boston Globe
Columnists
Metro
Woburn honors slain police officer
About 100 family members, friends, and colleagues gathered last night to honor Officer John “Jack’’ Maguire, who was killed one year ago by a career criminal.
Business
Banks see no big threat in Europe’s woes
Major financial institutions in Mass. are monitoring the spreading debt crisis in Europe and reassuring shareholders that they are well positioned to weather a financial meltdown.
Politics
Anti-Romney sentiment boosts Gingrich in key Ohio region
The former House speaker has moved to the top in recent polling in Ohio, just as Republican presidential candidates prepare for the Jan. 3 caucuses in Iowa.
Nation & World
US cities struggle to control sewer overflows
Thousands of overflows from sewage systems that collect storm water and waste water are believed to occur each year.
Sports
On Football
Patriots adjusted to Dolphins’ blitz
In the second half, the Patriots ran 18 plays with no running backs, and 20 empty sets, spreading the Dolphins out and allowing Tom Brady to get rid of the ball quicker.
Arts
BOOK REVIEW
‘A Safeway in Arizona’ by Tom Zoellner
Zoellner’s genre-defying project, which was completed in less than a year, expands the blame in the Arizona shooting spree where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot.
Lifestyle
Bella English
Home for the holidays
When the college kids flock back to the nest during Christmas break, it’s a big adjustment — for parents.
Opinion
“States that build housing grow jobs, while states that don’t build housing don’t grow.”
Paul McMorrow
Ideas
The practice of sending commercially printed cards soon became wildly popular. It reached the United States in 1875…By 1958, the average US family mailed 100 Christmas cards.
Mark Feeney on the history of Christmas cards