State education chief backs hybrid test for students

Mitchell Chester recommended adopting a hybrid version of the MCAS test rather than replacing it with the new PARCC test.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/12/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/tlumacki_educationsecretary_metro740.jpg In Dorchester, US education chief touts Mass. schools

US Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Mass. was a model for other states that have made lasting improvements.

Meehan inaugurated as 27th UMass president

The affordability of UMass will likely be one theme that dominates Martin Meehan?s tenure.

Stat

Harvard Medical School dean to step down

Jeffrey Flier?s plan to resign prompts the question: Will the 233-year-old school get its first female dean?

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/12/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/13mothers01.jpg Mothers of children lost to street violence convene in Boston

A group of about 150 people are gathering in Boston to try to stop the bloodshed that caused their families so much pain.

Lebanese security personnel and citizens gathered at the scene of a twin suicide bombing that rocked a busy shopping street in an area called Burj al-Barajneh.

STR/AFP/Getty Images

Twin suicide blasts in Beirut?s Shi?ite suburb kill dozens

The attack wounded scores more in one of the deadliest attacks in years, a Lebanese official said.

Activist once held in isolation in Iran speaks out

Sarah Shourd recalls the anguish and the anxiety of the 410 days she spent in isolation in a tiny prison cell in Iran.

Body in Plymouth identified as missing Malden teen

A man whose body washed ashore on Plymouth?s Saquish Beach has been identified as a Malden teen, who has been missing since Oct. 17.

Sponsored by Suffolk University

Police body cameras aren't the only fix

Suffolk Professor Brenda Bond goes door-to-door in Lowell to learn how law enforcement can better relationships with communities.

This content was produced by Boston Globe Media in collaboration with the advertiser. The news and editorial departments of The Boston Globe had no role in its production or display.

After pulling bogus votes, T announces paint survey winner

The MBTA says it removed dubious votes to arrive at a true count ? and the winning paint schemes for new Red, Orange, and Green line cars.

Students at Boston College gathered during a solidarity demonstration on the school's campus on Thursday.

Local students show solidarity with Missouri protesters

Hundreds of Boston-area college students walked out of classes Thursday in support of black students at the University of Missouri.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/12/BostonGlobe.com/BCOM/Images/8367d6d4-3d56-4808-b2eb-270e1eaf3faa%20-%20Copy-5818.jpg University of Missouri names senior black administrator interim president

Michael Middleton, 68, will lead the four-campus university system until a permanent replacement is found.

Evan Horowitz

Is time running out on daily fantasy sports?

It basically boils down to this: You can risk money on games of skill, not games of chance.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/10/07/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/chin100715PHHMauraHealey_met2.jpg New laws may be needed for fantasy sports, Mass. AG says

Maura Healey said her review of the industry won?t be influenced by N.Y.?s move against DraftKings and FanDuel.

13fallout -- Fans of

Richie Branson

MLB cries foul over ?Fallout 4? Ortiz jersey

An independent developer this week created a modification for the video game ?Fallout 4? that lets players fight mutants in a David Ortiz jersey.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/09/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/Copy%20of%208efab0ef2cd848759a06d56be5e1c255-8efab0ef2cd848759a06d56be5e1c255-0.jpg Governor Baker looks for more power over state GOP

Seeking to assert control as a presidential election nears, Baker has started backing candidates for the state GOP committee.

Starbucks has touted their new holiday cup design as a ?canvas with which to create your own story.?

Have Starbucks? holiday cups ever said ?Merry Christmas??

Starbucks has seen social media backlash after a brouhaha involving an evangelical disparaging the minimalist holiday cup design.

CHAD FINN | SPORTS MEDIA

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/12/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/97c7bbbe0f114e9ebbb92ac9afc6687d-97c7bbbe0f114e9ebbb92ac9afc6687d-0-8582--90x90.jpg Jeff Van Gundy is a blunt force as an analyst

The ESPN commentator?s remarks about Dallas fans and Greg Hardy were right on target.

Foxborough , MA - 11-8-15 - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the red zone against the Washington Redskins during third quarter action at Gillette Stadium. Globe staff / Matthew J. Lee

Alex Speier

Patriots? offensive efficiency is staggering

The Patriots have scored on a whopping 57.5 percent of all their drives this year.

Guide to the Giants | Patriots at Giants, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/12/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/da6e7f17af6740ef8c2f0cd9df106753-da6e7f17af6740ef8c2f0cd9df106753-0.jpg Giants can score on Patriots, but defense another story

The real saving grace for the NFC East-leading Giants has been takeaways, a category in which they lead the NFL.

The Big Picture

Matt Rourke/Assoicated Press

Across the US, honoring veterans

Patriotic ceremonies and parades were prevalent nationwide on Veterans Day.

BetaBoston

Innovation Economy

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/12/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/got150-5219.jpg Grasshopper shows the benefits of growing slowly

Grasshopper was never bathed in the same glory as today?s unicorns, but it still made its founders incredibly wealthy.

Crux

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/11/BostonGlobe.com/Foreign/Images/05020537.jpg Vatican puts 2 reporters under investigation in leaks probe

The leaked documents revealed waste, greed, and mismanagement at the highest levels of the Catholic Church hierarchy.