State pay increase package in limbo

The raise was put on hold after House leaders found little appetite among the rank-and-file to act on such a politically volatile proposal.

The trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is shown in a courtroom sketch on the first day of jury selection at his trial.

Hundreds get an introduction to Tsarnaev

The judge plans to have 12 jurors and six alternates in place so that the case can begin ?in proper? on Jan. 26.

KEVIN CULLEN

The elephant in the courtroom

The prospect of the death penalty hangs over the Tsarnaev trial as it gets under way.

Boston sues panel to try to halt Everett casino

The city accused the commission of dismissing its complaints about the casino process with a ?mock hearing.?

Kids (and moms) can ride sleds from the 19th century at Old Sturbridge Village.

OSV

Winter activities to get the kids outdoors

Forget the weather. Grab the kids, pull on coats, and check out these family-friendly activities around the region.

for National - 24carter - LOCATION: ARLINGTON, VA DATE: June, 12, 2012 -- Deputy Secretary Defense Ashton Carter in his Pentagon office. (Jay Premack for The Boston Globe)

Defense pick advises careful use of military force

Ashton Carter, a former Harvard scholar and nominee for defense secretary, has said military force works only in narrow instances.

Linda Spears is currently vice president for policy, programs and public affairs at the Child Welfare League of America.

D.C.-based advocate to lead state?s child welfare agency

Linda Spears with take over the Department of Children and Families, which has come under intense criticism in recent years.

Former Boston mayoral candidate John R. Connolly at a meeting with teachers at Bentley Elementary School in Salem.

John Blanding/Globe Staff

A year after mayor?s race, John Connolly has a new campaign

Now recovered from his mayoral loss, Connolly is launching a new campaign to ensure that children can succeed in school.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh pledged in his inaugural address at Boston College?s Conte Forum last year to listen, learn, and lead.

Step by step, Walsh shapes a Year 1 record

Mayor Martin Walsh cites his accomplishments in office, although critics say he has moved slowly.

Tech lovers checked the G Flex2 smartphone, from LG, at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Hiawatha Bray | Tech Lab

CES takes connectivity to another level

This year?s Consumer Electronics Show is rooted in the idea that all the gizmos in our lives should have an Internet address.

Workspace

The coolest seat in the TD Garden

From the driver?s seat in a TD Garden Zamboni, John Rebelo can see Zdeno Chara?s every move carved into the ice.

Pedro Martinez won?t be a unanimous choice for the Hall of Fame, but he is a shoo-in for induction in his first year on the ballot.

The Hall of Fame awaits Pedro Martinez

One of baseball?s greatest pitchers is expected to be informed of his election Tuesday afternoon.

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Baltimore Ravens is unable to make a first quarter catch against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

BEN VOLIN | ON FOOTBALL

Ravens have new personnel but a familiar approach

Baltimore has an aggressive front seven on defense, the long-bombing Joe Flacco, and excellent special teams.

Two iconic Massachusetts shoe brands, New Balance and Saucony, are vying for the soles of 250,000 recruits annually by attempting to create an all-American-made running shoe.

New Balance, Saucony vying for soles of military recruits

After the Pentagon decided recruits? shoes should be made domestically, New Balance and Saucony embarked on a quest to supply them.

Bold Types

Legal Sea Foods at Pru closing for now

Roger Berkowitz is searching for a temporary location in the Prudential Center while a 17-story tower is constructed.

Opinion

Thomas Bach

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/01/05/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/0106bach-1058.jpg A new Olympics

Improvements will be made in the game?s bidding process, access, affordability, and values.

The Big Picture

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Globe photos of the month: December 2014

Photographers captured images of Boston protests and holiday events.