Lagging schools in Mass. take on partners

Boston and three other cities, in an attempt to stave off a state takeover, are turning to nonprofit partners to jump-start flagging overhaul efforts.

System feels strain as a US judgeship sits empty

No judge has been appointed to the seat in Springfield since Judge Michael A. Ponsor stepped down in 2011.

Antonio Stroud posed for promotional photos for the Actors’ Shakespeare Project.

Aram Boghosian for The Globe

Boston man’s life righted by Shakespeare

In Shakespeare and through “Othello,” Antonio Stroud found an answer to the pressures young men like him face.

Elizabeth Grow of Amherst said she was threatened with the loss of her cafeteria job if she stayed home when her daughter, Estella, was sick last year.

Support grows for legislation requiring paid sick leave

A nearly decade-long effort to require Mass. employers to offer paid sick days is gaining momentum as lawmakers pass similar proposals across the US.

Greg Meyer, 1983 Boston Marathon champion, served pasta to Dave Lombardo of Eau Claire, Wis., at the prerace dinner at City Hall on Sunday. Organizers expected up to 15,000 people.

MATTHEW J. LEE/GLOBE STAFF

117th BOSTON MARATHON

Boston Marathon runners put carbs before the course

This year’s pasta dinner for registered runners of the 117th Boston Marathon at City Hall drew thousands.

JULIETTE KAYYEM

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/04/15/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/julietteKayyem_150px-536.jpg Marathon misery

Leeches and frostbite don’t compare to the horrible pain that is the Boston Marathon.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/04/15/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/130411newbalance0041--90x90.jpg 3-D print tech may lead to custom running shoes

If experiments at New Balance are borne out, within a few years customers may be able to go a store to have key portions of a shoe custom-made.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/04/15/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/62039feffc2b4eedae0b45f4dcb5f5ea-62039feffc2b4eedae0b45f4dcb5f5ea-0-3993--90x90.jpg Greg Meyer, Joan Benoit Samuelson recall ’83 marathon

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Boston Marathon victories, Meyer and Samuelson will be on the Hopkinton starting line for the 2013 race.