State fails to meet guidelines on lead in homes

Brothers J ose and William Garcia lay on their bed inside their apartment, where paint peels from the walls.

Harrison Hill for The Boston Globe

Massachusetts has yet to tighten its standards, meaning thousands of children in the state may be at greater risk of lead poisoning.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/21/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/1125oped_carroll.jpg Kerry faces tough critics of Iran deal in Senate

As Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Capitol Hill to defend the Iran agreement, criticism has mounted, notably from Senator John McCain.

Many colleges in Boston aren?t paying the amount the city seeks for municipal services

Many colleges missing mark on payments to city

City officials say they hope more schools will comply with the requests going forward.

Besotted chicken owners warned not to get too cozy

The CDC is warning backyard chicken farmers not to kiss or snuggle their birds, but some can?t resist.

E.L. Doctorow, at his office at New York University in 2004.

Mary Altaffer/Associated Press/File

Author E.L. Doctorow dies at 84

Doctorow, who was noted for his historical fiction and innovative narrative techniques, died in Manhattan.

Governor Charlie Baker, left, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, center, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, right.

Shirley Leung

Tax credit deal is just not enough

When state leaders chose between helping working families or pleasing big business, their compromise only postponed hard choices.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/21/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/GetKonnected5[1]-4508--90x90.jpg Boston Harbor advocate Vivien Li to take Pittsburgh post

Li is widely seen as a Boston institution, equally knowledgeable about regulatory minutiae and City Hall politicking.

Make sure windows are well-sealed to keep cool air from leaking out.

Stuck in a home without air conditioning? Here?s how to stay cool

A little savvy about when to open windows and when to keep them closed with curtains drawn goes a long way.

dining out | devra first

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/21/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/devra%20first%20final-3973.jpg Naco Taco: style over substance

The Cambridge restaurant Naco Taco, where Alden & Harlow grads are cooking, has one of the area?s best patios, but the tacos need improvement.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/21/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/BELIEVE_IN_BOSTON-ThomasJSullivan_Memorial-shirt.jpg Teen helps raise money for slain Marine?s family

A teenager from Springfield asked a regional apparel company to help him honor the local Marine who was killed in Chattanooga, Tenn.

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 21: Brian Johnson #61 of the Boston Red Sox throws in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 21, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Astros 8, Red Sox 3

Brian Johnson can?t stop Red Sox? skid in loss to Astros

The rookie lefty went 4? innings in his major league debut, giving up four runs as the Red Sox lost their sixth straight.

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 12: Ben Cherington, general manager of the Boston Red Sox, leaves the field before a game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 12, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

dan shaughnessy

Will the Red Sox brass soon change their tune?

Dan Shaughnessy takes a look at topics ranging from the Red Sox to the recent ESPY awards.

Father frantically chases stolen SUV with 7-year-old daughter inside

A dramatic scene played out on a Worcester street Monday when a man drove off in the SUV while the father went into a convenience store.

The iconic Converse Chuck Taylor debuted nearly a century ago.

Converse updates its Chuck Taylor (after 98 years!)

The updated sneaker, to debut Thursday, will merge the old shoe?s classic exterior with a more modern, cushioned interior.

Roger Goodell says there?s no timeline on Brady decision

The NFL commissioner heard Tom Brady?s appeal of his four-game suspension four weeks ago in New York.

epublican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

John Locher/Associated Press/file

Trump?s feud with GOP escalates

During a S.C. campaign rally, Donald Trump read out a number on stage he said belonged to Senator Lindsey Graham.

A courtroom sketch shows Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev during his sentencing on June 24.

Tsarnaev lawyers don?t oppose motion for access to jury list

The Boston Globe submitted a request for the names of jurors in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Study sheds new light on origin of Native Americans

Harvard research suggests at least two quite distinct ancestries are evident in at least some Native American populations.

The Big Picture

Cuba?s moment of transition

Globe photographer Suzanne Kreiter traveled to Cuba this summer, 21 years after her first journey there, as that nation prepared to reestablish relations with the US.

BetaBoston

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/16/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/wiggs_TripAdvisor_402889.jpg TripAdvisor hopes lavish headquarters boosts hiring

The online travel resource is aiming to compete with tech giants with its bevy of office perks in Needham.

Crux

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/07/21/BostonGlobe.com/Foreign/Images/7b3dd09256314e138c98e7b52f6aacac-7b3dd09256314e138c98e7b52f6aacac-0--90x90.jpg At Vatican, mayors vow to fight climate change, human slavery

Mayors from around the world, including Mayor Walsh, declared that stronger action on climate change is ?a moral imperative.?

The Globe Collection Promo