Assault charges erased by veterans? ?Valor Act?

Denise Bastos?s boyfriend was charged with assaulting and choking her last summer, but the state?s Valor Act allowed him to have the charges dismissed because he is a veteran.

Lane Turner/Globe Staff

The act, intended to help veterans, got a New Bedford man cleared on charges of strangling and assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

Carolyn Van Houten/Washington Post

news analysis

Year 1 of Trump was a blur of noise and news

The 45th president has dominated the national conversation more than any other, perhaps even more than Lincoln and FDR.

Marisa Mauro packed up a box of butter at the historic Bragg Farm.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

This Vermont farm?s cream rises to the top

Bragg Farm?s Marisa Mauro is making the best butter you?ve ever tasted.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/lee_122917_snowfeatures2_met.jpg Bitterly cold temperatures are set to continue

The high temperature may get into the teens in some places today, but lows tonight are likely to be below zero with the windchill.

First Night 2018

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Tlumacki_firstnighticesculptures_metro548.jpg Cold temperatures prompt changes to First Night

Some events are set to go on as planned beginning at noon, although the 6 p.m. parade and 7 p.m. fireworks are canceled.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/31/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/141231_firstnight_405a.jpg Amid bitter cold, First Night cancels parade, early fireworks

The midnight fireworks, which will ring in 2018, are still on ? for now.

Bob Badger (left) and Matt Palmer worked on ice sculptures in Copley Square.

A frigid First Night celebration works well for Boston ice sculptor

Steve Rose has carved, chopped, and chiseled ice into detailed sculptures for all but one of the last 30 years of Boston?s outdoor New Year?s celebration.

Multiple sheriff?s deputies are wounded after being called to scene south of Denver

A number of deputies were wounded after being called to the scene of a domestic disturbance in suburban Denver, authorities said.

4 arrested after kidnapping, rape in Auburn

Krystal Lugo, 23; Christopher Lugo, 19; Yuleny Ortiz, 19; and Yariel Torres-Abee, 22, have all pleaded not guilty. They are being held without bail.

Wire photos | illustration by Greg Klee/Globe Staff

Globe Magazine

Dave Barry?s year in review: Yeah, that really happened

Think 2016 was bad? Well, 2017 was surreal, alarming, scandalous, profane, and let?s not forget covfefe. And probably better than 2018 will be.

Fed up with these words? So are we. Here?s this year?s banned words list.

It includes ?unpack,? ?impactful,? ?nothingburger,? ?gig economy,? and yes, ?fake news.?

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/27/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/TopImage_ScreenCapture.jpg Dr. Phil: A rescuer, or a reckless showman?

Experts and former guests say the show has put at risk the health of some of the people it purports to help.

Jets at Patriots | 1 p.m. (CBS)

live updates

James Harrison is active as Patriots play for top seed

A win over the Jets at frigid Gillette Stadium will guarantee home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the Patriots.

Patriots make it fashionable to brave the elements

Coach Bill Belichick and center David Andrews were seen going sleeveless prior to Sunday?s game in extremely cold conditions.

Foxborough MA 12/24/17 New England Patriots Tom Brady on the field before they play the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) topic reporter:

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

BEN VOLIN I ON FOOTBALL

Is there something wrong with Tom Brady?

In four games in December, Brady has more interceptions than touchdowns (5-4) and a passer rating of 81.5.

TARA SULLIVAN

/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/Tara_Sullivan%20(2).tif James Harrison made a business decision in joining Patriots

Loyalty is never a two-way street, not in the business of sports.

Starts & Stops

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/05/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/RinaldiConstruction04.jpg Forest Hills road project sees yet another delay

The project that replaced the Casey Overpass with a surface road network is already a year behind schedule.

Ground Game

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Rex_Senate_Banking_Housing_and_Urba_9246949K.jpg In New England in 2017, the Trump effect was far-reaching

For some local politicians, Donald Trump?s presidency created opportunities they might not otherwise have.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/12-30-17_FanueilHall_09.jpg Renovations will close Faneuil Hall until the spring

The adjacent marketplace and its many shops will remain open, though.

BOB RYAN

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/bob_ryan-15404.jpg As the calendar flips to 2018, let?s examine the state of Boston?s teams

We won?t gloat over the 10 championships this century.

OBITUARY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Barres_02_JMM-1806051.jpg Ben Barres was a groundbreaker in many ways

Dr. Barres, who transitioned from female to male, became a unique and important advocate for female scientists.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/de35576fd35d4914a402291fe0be2b8b-de35576fd35d4914a402291fe0be2b8b-0.jpg Australian diplomat?s tip a factor in FBI?s Russia probe

And it all came about after a night of heavy drinking at an upscale London bar.

GARY WASHBURN I SUNDAY BASKETBALL NOTES

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/86b72485f10046628ed13b76b4a0cff7-86b72485f10046628ed13b76b4a0cff7-0.jpg Which players might be available to the Celtics?

Because of Gordon Hayward?s injury, the Celtics received an $8.4 million disabled player exception.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/30/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/seal.jpg ?Houston,? we have a seal on Route 6A . . .

A baby seal was spotted on busy Route 6A in Yarmouth, waddling east toward Dennis, police say.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/WebGraphics/Sports/BostonGlobe.com/2016/01/20moresports/seasonticket_90.jpg The Season Ticket podcast

NFL reporter Ben Volin joins host Chris Gasper to dive into the major storylines ahead of the last Patriots game of the regular season.

Follow:   iTunes   |   Stitcher   |   RSS

 

Opinion & Ideas

Ideas | David Scharfenberg

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/899154988.jpg You?re probably a jerk. We all are

We all have an angel on one shoulder, and we only pretend we?re in charge.

Newsletters

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/19/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/gronk.jpg Breaking sports alerts

Gronk is catching, Kyrie is soaring, Pastrnak is scoring ? and maybe the Sox are dealing? Don?t miss any of the action. Sign up today.

Special reports

Magazine | A nonfiction novella

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/11/01/BostonGlobe.com/Magazine/Images/muck1105altimage-2940[1].jpg He put BSO on the map ? then landed in a world of trouble

One hundred years ago, one of the world?s top conductors was ensnared in a scandal involving patriotism and sex. It almost toppled Boston?s famed orchestra.

Breaking News Alerts

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/10/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/DKu5zGDUEAI5bSf.jpg Sign up for breaking news alerts from the Globe

Get the latest news ? from weather to Trump to local happenings ? delivered via Facebook messenger.

Confidential tips

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/05/22/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/spotlight.jpg Have an investigative news tip?

Do you know about wrongdoing that needs to be exposed? Call the Globe Spotlight team: 617-929-7483 or [email protected].

STAT

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/GettyImages-80133516-1024x576.jpg Stem cells for heart failure? Buyer be wary

A study of 30 clinics paints a dismal and worrisome picture of this unregulated industry.

Real Estate

What is it like to live in Marlborough?

Amy Sinni, resident and mom, really appreciates the city?s diversity. Read more about this community and others at realestate.boston.com.