Mass. state payroll climbs to almost $7 billion

?The payroll party at UMass continues in full swing,? one observer noted.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/12/28/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/davis_umasslib2_met.jpg Graphic: The state?s highest paid employees

Last year 17 people took home six-figure sums in overtime pay alone, up from 16 the year prior.

Analysis

Trump?s vulgar putdown draws condemnations

With his comments aimed at Africa, Haiti, and El Salvador, President Trump provided strong evidence that his approach to US immigration policy is guided by racist views.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/12/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/AFP_WG17M.jpg Trump lawyer reportedly arranged $130,000 payment to adult film star to keep encounter quiet

The woman, Stephanie Clifford, reportedly signed a nondisclosure agreement in October 2016 after the payment arranged by Michael Cohen.

President Trump spent about three hours at the medical facility in Bethesda, Md., outside Washington, for the Friday afternoon checkup.

Trump gets first medical checkup since becoming president

Dr. Ronny Jackson, in a statement released by the White House, said the examination ??went exceptionally well.?

Representative Darrell Issa, a California Republican, announced in the past week that he would not seek reelection in this year?s House race.

Ground Game

Why it matters that record numbers of GOP House members are retiring

Already, 31 Republicans have decided to either call it quits or run for another office.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/13/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/image1%20(1).jpeg 83-year-old man in critical condition after being struck in Back Bay intersection

A man was hit near Massachusetts Avenue and Newbury Street around 4 p.m., police said.

Boston, MA- January 12, 2018: Ella Bessmer battles with her umbrella while walking on Washington Street in Boston, MA on January 12, 2018. After last week?s winter storm that deluged coastal areas and blasted snow across New England, followed by a regional thaw, Massachusetts residents are preparing for rains Friday and Saturday that are expected to rapidly melt more snow and cause further flooding before a cold front arrives to refreeze everything. (Globe staff photo / Craig F. Walker) section: metro reporter:

Craig F. Walker/globe staff

Wind, rain, warmth on the way, then a flash freeze

Heavy rain, spring-like temperatures, potent winds, and a flash freeze are all in the forecast.

Nestor Ramos

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/12/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/nestormugfull-13185.jpg Welcome to ?Cold Waterworld?

First the blizzard. Then the flu. Now the flooding. At what point does this qualify as a plague?

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/01/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/BEDFORD_20180102_WALSH_INAUGURATION_014.jpg Mayor Walsh seeks a shelter system redesigner

The City of Boston is looking to hire a consultant to help modernize its system for sheltering the homeless population.

Salem,MA-12/1/98- Original document from the Salem witch trial.

Wendy Maeda/globe staff

Salem residents angry over museum?s plan to move historical records

Angry residents say, a plan by the Peabody Essex Museum threatens to cut the city?s link to its proud history.

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

Chris Gasper welcomes Bob Socci, the voice of the New England Patriots.

Follow:   iTunes   |   Stitcher   |   RSS

 

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/10/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/ce68665fd5394a90b673e151e49e3d77-ce68665fd5394a90b673e151e49e3d77-0.jpg Titans were stuck on tarmac in Nashville for three hours

The Titans tried to get out of Tennessee early, but were grounded.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/11/21/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Walker_070717_redline_16372x-9569.jpg Red Line service resumes from Ashmont to JFK/UMass

Passengers on the Ashmont branch of the Red Line were put on shuttle buses Friday night after a power problem had delayed service, the MBTA tweeted.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/12/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/IMG_2361.jpg BPS website foul-up gives parents flawed data

For the past month, the district provided parents with incomplete lists, as well as misleading information about the quality of schools.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/18/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/b575813e-e36b-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e.jpg Chris Matthews apologizes joking about a ?Bill Cosby pill?

MSNBC?s Chris Matthews apologized for joking about a ?Bill Cosby pill? while awaiting an interview with Hillary Clinton two years ago.

Buzzsaw

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/11/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/0d4b5e23-4039-a9b7-88ff-c19091b7a602_MM_708_MY_0411_0604.jpg Before #MeToo, there was ?Mad Men?

No TV series has exposed the insidiousness of sexism in the workplace as brilliantly.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/10/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/lee_010918_mezzzana1_biz.jpg You may love high-end restaurant delivery ? but the chefs kind of hate it

In a competitive dining scene, more upscale restaurants are now offering delivery straight to your door.

Harvard had planned to put solar panels on an auxiliary of the Arnold Arboretum that borders Jamaica Plain.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/File 2014

Harvard at odds with Roslindale neighbors over solar panel proposal

The university had planned to erect a solar panel field on a grassy meadow, but neighbors have embarked on a fierce campaign to halt the development.

In an extraordinary blog post Thursday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a plan to redesign Facebook in ways that will make its users happier, healthier, better human beings.

Tech Lab

How Facebook plans to change your mind

Mark Zuckerberg thinks we need to improve our relationships ? starting online at his social media creation.

BOSTON, MA - 11/09/2017: Boston view water front area aerial (David L Ryan/Globe Staff ) SECTION: TOPIC

Businesses bullish on Boston space

Real estate brokerage NAI Hunneman?s latest report on Boston?s office market indicates that the waves of employer immigration into the city show no sign of abating.

Holbrook Phelan and Neil Mechlin.

Dinner With Cupid

Blind date: ?I was hurt that some guy who didn?t even know me was blowing me off?

Will a seating mix-up at the restaurant derail this date?

Opinion & Ideas

EDITORIAL

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/12/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/903014062.jpg Spineless silence on Trump?s bigoted rant

The Republicans at President Trump?s immigration meeting failed a serious test of character, and they ought to be held accountable too.

Newsletters

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/03/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/Arguable-3887.jpg Arguable

Columnist Jeff Jacoby offers his take on everything from politics to pet peeves to the passions of the day. Sign up today.

Special reports

Abdulkader Hayani put his daughter Ameenah to bed.

The Last Refugee: A three-part series

A series of occasional articles on the Syrian refugee families resettling here, and the local people assisting them.

Breaking News Alerts

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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?

Tell us about wrongdoing that needs to be exposed. Call the Spotlight team: 617-929-7483 or [email protected].

STAT

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/01/12/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/Doctors%20Congrss.jpg Grassroots group tries to get new kind of doctor in the House (and Senate)

The group is putting its support behind candidates with the same qualifications: all women, all Democrats, and all doctors.

Real Estate

My First Home: Brick and mortified

The first house my husband and I bought together was an 1850s money pit on the Cape with a leaky roof and a really unwelcome surprise.