Mass. ranks low in children’s welfare

The state’s overall performance adds up to one of the worst in the nation, according to two watchdog groups.

Hotel rooms already scarce for Boston Marathon

A flood of enthusiasts are descending on the city, including some 4,500 runners prevented from finishing last year.

At the Heritage on the Garden building, Hermès is tripling the size of its store and expanding into a second floor.

Lane Turner/Globe Staff

Luxury businesses find fertile ground in Boston

The growth mirrors the surge of wealth that has flooded Boston in recent years.

Makers of the portable Ostrich Pillow say it lets users “take a comfortable power nap in the office, traveling, or wherever you want.”

Corporate world finds value in the nap

New tech gadgets are coming out as the nap itself is enjoying a new appreciation by professionals and amateurs alike.

Allen St. Pierre, executive director of NORML, seeks marijuana legalization.

Pete Marovich for the Boston Globe

Marijuana backers hit a political chord

Lawmakers are hoping to harness the new energy behind legalization, an issue that had been on the fringe of US politics.

Missouri All-American Michael Sam could become the first publicly gay player in NFL.

NFL draft prospect Michael Sam says he’s gay

The star Missouri defensive lineman set himself on a path to become the first publicly gay player in the NFL.

Fitness

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/02/10/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/hockey150-5550.jpg US women’s hockey team took to off-ice training

Tucked away in a nondescript industrial park in Woburn is a facility that might hold the formula to achieving Olympic glory in Sochi.

“Halfpipe carries a bit more weight because it’s a defending situation,” snowboarder Shaun White said in a press conference.

Shaun White is chasing history in halfpipe

White will have a shot at becoming the first American male to win gold in three straight Winter Games.

Opinion

opinion | Mike Ross

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/25/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/C58C5781.jpg Facebook meets boot camp

In the November Project, social media has brought together a face-to-face community.

Sports

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Mavericks 102, Celtics 91

Rajon Rondo came close to a triple-double (15 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds) but the Celtics fell short vs. Dallas.

Celtics misfire in loss to Mavericks

One of their poorest shooting efforts all season led to a 24-point deficit that the Celtics couldn’t overcome in a 102-91 loss.