Access, limits on criminal records in Mass.

The state’s new online system for criminal background checks provides easier access for employers, but limit their searches of criminal history to 10 years back.

Blue Cross plan targets abuse of painkillers

Blue Cross Blue Shield is launching a policy to curb abuse by significantly limiting the amount of pain medication most patients can receive without prior approval from the insurer.

Claire McCaskill is an incumbent in Missouri.

Female candidates key to Democratic Senate

From Mass. to Hawaii, Democrats are leaning heavily on their party’s women to retain control of the Senate, which they now control by a razor-thin margin.

New Yorkers open their wallets for Brown

Senator Scott Brown collected more itemized campaign donations from New York City than from any other city in America during the first three months of this year, an analysis shows.

Most of the employees at FreeCause, a Boston technology company, wear headphones at work.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Firms debate headphone use at the office

There is a growing debate on whether plugging in to your own personal soundtrack increases workplace productivity or undermines communication.

Bob Ryan

Right from start, Celtics could do no wrong

When you make 33 of your first 49 shots, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to win the game, and that’s what the Celtics did in Game 4 against the Hawks.

Web app Giza 3D offers virtual tour of Pyramids

Giza 3D, a free interactive Web app being launched Tuesday, will offer the virtual explorer an animated passage through millennia-old tunnels and tombs.

City Council questions cost of school plan

The Boston City Council is questioning the swelling costs of a School Department plan that calls for relocating or expanding several popular schools and opening two new ones.

G cover

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/05/07/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/memorylosscover copy--90x90.jpg Delving into female memory loss

New research is showing that although memory does decline during the early part of menopause, it bounces back later in most women.

Sports

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Game 4: Celtics 101, Hawks 79

Both Paul Pierce and the crowd were pumped after Rajon Rondo hit a fourth quarter shot.

Celtics push Hawks to the brink

Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and the Celtics had a breakout performance, crushing the Hawks 101-79 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Metro

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A walker dressed as the 1950s TV character Gumby was among the thousands who  trekked 20 miles to raise funds in the 44th annual Walk for Hunger in Boston Sunday.

Project Bread looking to do more with aid

As more than 43,000 participants raised $3.6 million at Sunday’s Walk for Hunger, which is put on by Project Bread, the nonprofit is planning to go beyond handouts.

Politics

Political Notebook

Senator Brown relies on a recent study by Congressional Quarterly when making his bipartisanship claims.

In tight votes, Senator Brown often loyal to party

A study published by a progressive advocacy group makes the case that GOP Senator Scott Brown has failed to reach across the aisle at key moments.

Business

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Device may help forecast outbreaks of red tide

A device lowered last week into the waters off Portsmouth, N.H., will sample marine organisms to measure toxic red tide cells over the next 45 days.

Health and wellness

Daily Dose

Donors can now announce status on Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg announced on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that Facebook users would be able to update their status to announce that they were willing to donate their organs.