For five years, a girl in limbo, while the state fumbled for answers

In a child protection system mandated to watch for every red flag, how did a little girl get so lost?

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/27/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/BLS03.jpg Black enrollment at Boston Latin falls sharply

Boston?s most prestigious school is nearly half white ? in a district where 74 percent of students are black or Latino.

KEVIN CULLEN

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/30/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/cullen%20(2)-2113.jpg With MS-13, history is repeating itself

The localities where the gang?s presence is strongest are the places the Mafia once established itself.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/30/BostonGlobe.com/ReceivedContent/Images/CristoferPerezdelaCruz.jpg After a perilous journey north, teen died at gang?s hands

Cristofer Perez de la Cruz?s life in the US, which came to an end Jan. 10, was brief and dangerous.

The Patriots have a tough decision ahead on linebacker and defensive captain Jerod Mayo, who is due a $4 million roster bonus March 9.

BEN VOLIN | SUNDAY FOOTBALL NOTES

Patriots have several important dates this offseason

Free agency, the NFL Draft, and Deflategate ? the Story That Just Won?t Die ? are among the storylines to be aware of in the coming weeks.

CHRISTOPHER L. GASPER

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/30/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/Gasper-9074.jpg It?s still hard to believe Patriots? season is over

A week after the loss in the AFC Championship game, the wound remains fresh.

Julia Kanno (right) quietly had some tests done before surprising Christine Tierney with her offer.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Parent offers Cambridge educator a gift like no other

Julia Kanno wants to donate a kidney to Christine Tierney, who has a life-threatening inherited disorder.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/31/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/200_becca_pizzi.jpg A marathon accomplishment for Belmont woman

Becca Pizzi, a single mother who works two jobs, is the first American to run seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents.

Hillary Clinton?s campaign is projecting confidence, with a 3 percent lead in Iowa, based on an average of recent polls.

Jim Bourg/Reuters

Ever-cautious Hillary Clinton counting on a win in Iowa

Whether Clinton beats Bernie Sanders on Monday will depend on convincing voters she can deliver on the promises she?s making.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/30/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/507593388.jpg Centrist voters dismayed by the upheaval in Iowa

Said one voter in rural Iowa: ?Everything is so hysterical now. I just hope it mellows out.?

Suffolk University president Margaret McKenna says she won?t resign. She said she?s ?committed to the school? and planning to stay.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/File 2015

Suffolk trustees criticize president on spending, style

School trustees said Margaret McKenna made unauthorized expenditures and hires and has an ?abrasive? manner.

winter arts guide

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/image0-extralarge_1447274396069.jpg Lake Street Dive offers meatier sound on new album

Signed to a major label and headed toward a House of Blues date in March, Boston favorite Lake Street Dive is getting used to the notion of success.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/31/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/05136268.jpg ?Spotlight? wins best ensemble at SAG Awards

The film focuses on the Globe?s award-winning investigation of pedophile priests in the Catholic Church.

Ground Game

Ground Game

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/28/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/29IOWA_LEDEgraphicWEB-10463-U621947540376EZD--90x90@BostonGlobe.com.jpg Four things to watch in the Iowa caucuses and later

The state?s results can yield clues on how a candidate might be able to perform in other states later on the calendar.

The Big Picture

Felipe Dana/Associated Press

Zika virus spreading in Latin America

The virus has spread rapidly, transforming from a little-known ailment to an international public health concern.

Globe investigations

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/18/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/spotlight150x150-165.jpg Globe investigations and Spotlight reports

A look at high-impact investigations from The Boston Globe, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning report on abuse in the Catholic Church.

BetaBoston

betaboston

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/28/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/2016-01-28/Boston-Parking-Tickets.jpg Boston changes app for parking tickets

Drivers in Boston are getting a new way to settle their parking tickets with a smartphone.

The story behind 'Spotlight'

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/18/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/spotlight-9497.jpg Boston Globe coverage and the movie ?Spotlight?

?Spotlight? is based on the stories and the reporters behind the investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

Crux

Crux

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/01/26/BostonGlobe.com/Foreign/Images/c675252f9ab64e12b3eb396d87272d2c.jpg Pope Francis meets Iranian leader to discuss Middle East

The meeting marked the first time ranian President Hassan Rouhani has visited the West since a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran last year.

The Globe Collection Promo