The Boston Globe

What happens after Omicron? Some experts predict a lull but say the virus could have more tricks up its sleeve

The surge fueled by the Omicron variant will likely fade in the weeks ahead in the United States, experts say, and encouraging case declines have already emerged in Massachusetts and other states in the Northeast. The question is, what comes next?

COVID-19 cases have peaked in Massachusetts

Data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health show the seven-day average of new cases is now 30 percent lower than the Jan. 11 peak.

Nearly half of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Massachusetts are ‘incidental’ cases, new state data show

Meat Loaf, ‘Bat out of Hell’ rock superstar, dies at 74

Meat Loaf, the heavyweight rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album, died Thursday, according to a family statement posted on his official Facebook page.

THE LATEST COVID-19 NEWS

Coronavirus levels in Boston-area waste water continue to plunge

3:34 a.m.
China mandates 3-day Olympic torch relay amid virus concerns
12:47 a.m.
Preteens may be vaxed without parents under California bill
12:46 a.m.
Austria takes big step toward COVID vaccine mandate for adults

President Biden left a meeting with Senate Democrats last week.

The Senate failed to pass voting rights legislation. Where does that leave Democrats?

Massachusetts Representative Katherine Clark and other Democrats are trying to regroup, with an eye to the midterms.

Larry Edelman

State needs to slow down on clawing back unemployment overpayments

Employers are urging a compromise solution on $2.7 billion in overpayment to hundreds of thousands of laid-off workers in Massachusetts.

KEVIN CULLEN

The guilty, the innocent, and government secrecy

Hiding behind privacy laws, at this point, is more than pointless; it endangers the next kid who needs government intervention to save them from their own flesh and blood.

Charlie McAvoy celebrated after scoring a power-play goal with 45 seconds remaining, breaking a 3-3 tie and leading to a Bruins win over the Capitals.

Bruins 4, Capitals 3

Bruins beat Capitals on Charlie McAvoy’s goal with 45 seconds left

David Pastrnak scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season for the Bruins.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe, Vermont.

This Vermont town was named among the best places to travel in February

Conde Nast Traveler released a list of the best places to travel in February, and amid the idyllic images of sunny Costa Rica and palm-fringed California lies one New England destination.

The kitchen island offers seating for four.

Home of the Week: For $1.45m, a condo in a former Suffolk Univ. building

The 62-unit condo building is just steps from the State House.

Into the Red illustration.

Introducing our new climate initiative

To report on the most pressing issue of our time, the Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage.

Explore the new section, 'Into the Red' Sign up for email updates Share your ideas with our climate team

Opinion

Gang Chen, a mechanical engineering professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was under investigation by the Department of Justice under its China Initiative. On Thursday, the government acknowledged in US District Court in Boston that it could not prove the charges against him, and said dismissing his case would be “in the interests of justice.”

I was arrested under the DOJ’s China Initiative. Congress must investigate the program.

On Thursday, the government acknowledged that it could not prove its charges against me, and said dismissing my case would be ‘in the interests of justice.’

Body cameras not just for cops any more

IDEAS | MILES HOWARD

Set the underground rivers free

Legislature must fully protect survivors of sexual assault

The virtues of not selling out

Project Takeout Illustration

DEVRA FIRST | PROJECT TAKEOUT

We thought we’d be past this by now. We were wrong. Support your local restaurants.

We’re bringing back Project Takeout. Call it Project Take Two.

Browse a map of reader-recommended takeout spots Tell us: Where is your favorite place to order from? 3 places we supported this week Explore the full project

More recent stories

Federal regulators allow Weymouth compressor station to continue operating

The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said regulators “likely erred” in allowing the station to be built so close to a residential area, and though they could not shut it down, he hoped this would be a “turning point” so that “history does not repeat itself.”

Rhode Island con artist Nicholas Alahverdian under arrest in Scotland, faces extradition

A month after being located in a Scotland hospital, Nicholas Alahverdian — also known as Nicholas Rossi, Arthur Knight, and a variety of other names — is heading to court.

Mother of slain Lynn man shocked to learn Adam Montgomery is a suspect in her son’s killing

Adam Montgomery is jailed on child abuse charges and eyed in the disappearance of his 7-year-old daughter Harmony.

Mitch McConnell says Black people vote at similar rates to ‘Americans’

The Senate minority leader's comment implied that Black voters are somehow not American and underscored the concerns of voting rights advocates that Republicans in state legislatures across the country are explicitly seeking to disenfranchise Black voters.

McConnell backs effort to overhaul electoral vote count law

After Jan. 6, Sean Hannity advised Trump: ‘No more stolen election talk’

Documents disclosed Thursday showed in vivid detail just how closely Sean Hannity had worked with White House aides in a fervent, if brief, effort to persuade Donald Trump to abandon his false claims about voter fraud after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Jan. 6 committee requests interview with Ivanka Trump

‘Education is the ladder to success’: Pine Manor’s merger with BC yields new institute serving underrepresented students

Boston College will soon offer a two-year associate’s degree program and free summer academy through a new institute formed as part of its integration agreement with Pine Manor College.

THE GREAT DIVIDE ⟶

See the latest from our education team focused on race, class, and opportunity in schools.

RHODE ISLAND ⟶

See the latest from Globe Rhode Island.

NEWTON ⟶

See the Globe’s expanded Newton coverage in partnership with Boston University.

Recommended reads

Attorney General Maura Healey spoke to her supporters and the media on Thursday morning in Boston.

Maura Healey launches campaign for governor, promising to ‘continue with what’s working and fix what’s not’

The Democrat framed herself as an experienced public servant prepared to extend her purview from legal issues to kitchen-table ones, and get the Massachusetts economy “back on track.” Though she has built a reputation as a progressive, Healey resisted such labels, instead striking a moderate tone.

Everett Schools superintendent accuses mayor of racism and sexism

Priya Tahiliani has accused Mayor Carlo DeMaria of subjecting her to “blatant and overt acts of discrimination and retaliation” because she is an Indian-American woman who has hired administrative leaders who are not white.

Tufts Medical Center will close its pediatric hospital after more than a century of treating sick kids

The organization said it will refer children who need hospitalization to Boston Children’s Hospital, its longtime competitor and the dominant pediatric hospital in the state.

A Boston moms group met for a primal scream. Here’s what happened.

With Omicron picking off day care and playdates and sanity, it’s especially hard to be the parent of a young child right now. Cue the primal screams.

video

Culture & Lifestyle

Kacey Musgraves performs Jan. 27 at TD Garden.

Things to do around Boston this weekend and beyond

Introducing "National Plan for Vacation Day: The Game." (The game you didn't want to play.)

CHRISTOPHER MUTHER

Welcome to the game you didn’t want to play: Roll the dice and hope COVID doesn’t ruin your vacation (again)

Visitors at a preview of "Frida: Immersive Dream" at the Germania Club Building in Chicago.

‘Frida: Immersive Dream’ heading to Boston next month

A bottle of Ostreida vodka with oysters from Matunuck Oyster Farm in Rhode Island.

Here’s how a boutique distillery in Rhode Island is making the country’s first oyster-distilled vodka

Special Projects

Under the wheel

This is the story of Anthony Pledger and his mother, of Anthony’s lives and deaths, of Anthony and me.

Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, then president of Brigham Health, brought a Boston delegation in April 2018 to celebrate the opening of the Boao Evergrande International Hospital in China, constructed in a new medical tourism hub.

Spotlight team report

How Brigham Health helped create a Chinese hospital for elites — and almost nobody came

In a deal worth millions with Chinese developer Evergrande, a Harvard teaching hospital risked its reputation on what would become a near-empty shell.

Jeneé Osterheldt

A Beautiful Resistance

Black joy, Black lives, as celebrated by culture columnist Jeneé Osterheldt.

‘On the Street’: The changing face of Greater Boston neighborhoods

The changing face of Greater Boston neighborhoods.

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Opinion, ideas, and commentary

The Unity flag waves in the wind above Boston City Hall Plaza next to an American flag and a Massachusetts state flag on June 5, 2020.

Kimberly Atkins Stohr

A high court loss for Boston could come at a high price — unless it acts fast

A face mask on a statue of Andrew Dickson White, cofounder of Cornell University, on Jan. 14. The university moved final exams online in December, and students will attend classes virtually from Jan. 24 through Feb. 4.

IDEAS | Beth Humberd, Carlo Dallapiccola, Scott Latham, and Adrian Staub

College COVID restrictions have become overkill

André Leon Talley went from the Jim Crow South to the front rows of Paris couture. He died on Tuesday at age 73.

André Leon Talley’s inspiring belief in belonging

Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Jan. 16, in Colleyville, Texas, where a gunman took four people hostage. All four people escaped; the gunman died.

Samantha Joseph

Protecting our right to pray safely

A homemade worry doll.

IDEAS | JULIAN FRIEDLAND

Another thing to worry about

Kareem Farah, who founded the Modern Classrooms Project, in his classroom in Washington, D.C., in 2017.

IDEAS | THOMAS ARNETT

A better way to do online learning

Metro

Coronavirus Live Updates

Coronavirus levels in Boston-area waste water continue to plunge

The latest news and guidance on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in New England and beyond.

Walsh says he is not running for Mass. governor: ‘It was an honor to be mentioned’

US Labor Secretary Martin J. Walsh said he will not be joining the race for governor of Massachusetts in an interview on CNN Thursday night.

COVID-19 cases have peaked in Massachusetts

Data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health show the seven-day average of new cases is now 30 percent lower than the Jan. 11 peak.

Unionized employees, community members voice concerns over Lifespan-Care New England hospital merger

Attorney General Peter Neronha has until March 16 to either approve, deny, or approve the merger with stipulations.

Sports

MLBPA chief Tony Clark and commissioner Rob Manfred are presiding over an eventful labor situation.

MLB players and owners set for meeting in New York City on Monday

It would mark their first in-person meeting since Dec. 1

Senior Jaeden Greenleaf now stands alone in record book at Cape Cod Academy with 2,001 career points -- and counting.

THURSDAY'S SCHOOLS ROUNDUP

Jaeden Greenleaf eclipses 2,000 career points for Cape Cod Academy boys’ basketball in home win over Dennis-Yarmouth

Greenleaf made history on his final bucket of the night — a deep 3-pointer launched 4 feet behind the arc —to raise his career total to 2,001 midway through the fourth quarter.

Charlie McAvoy celebrated after scoring a power-play goal with 45 seconds remaining, breaking a 3-3 tie and leading to a Bruins win over the Capitals.

Bruins 4, Capitals 3

Bruins beat Capitals on Charlie McAvoy’s goal with 45 seconds left

David Pastrnak scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season for the Bruins.

Triston Casas headlines Red Sox prospects invited to Fort Myers for Winter Warmup

Gaby Lopez takes one-shot lead with a 67 in first round of LPGA’s season opener

Hornets guard Terry Rozier shows Celtics what got away

Business

After Jan. 6, Sean Hannity advised Trump: ‘No more stolen election talk’

Documents disclosed Thursday showed in vivid detail just how closely Sean Hannity had worked with White House aides in a fervent, if brief, effort to persuade Donald Trump to abandon his false claims about voter fraud after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

State needs to slow down on clawing back unemployment overpayments

Employers are urging a compromise solution on $2.7 billion in overpayment to hundreds of thousands of laid-off workers in Massachusetts.

Unionized employees, community members voice concerns over Lifespan-Care New England hospital merger

Amazon to open clothing store in California mall

STAT

Listen to our "First Opinion" podcast

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Listen to our "Readout LOUD" podcast

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Subscribe to STAT Plus

‘Health equity tourists’: How white scholars are colonizing research on health disparities

A STAT investigation shows that researchers with little or no background or training in health equity research are rushing in to scoop up grants and publish papers.

Winter is coming, again: What to expect from Covid-19 as the season looms

STAT spoke with infectious disease experts and others about what to expect from Covid-19 as the seasons change.

DISTANCED: Pandemic stories of Black life in the rural South

Photographer Bethany Mollenkof spent six months documenting the impact of Covid-19 on residents of rural Black communities in the South.

Groundbreaking arm amputation surgery makes a ‘phantom’ hand seem real

The procedure aims to restore proprioception, the ability to sense where our limbs are in space and how fast and forcefully they’re moving.

magazine

Three of us are crushing on the same girl. It’s getting weird.

My husband gave me a present and I gave it away

The power of having a great role model, whether you’re 9 or 99

Steamed Fish With Ginger and Shiitake Mushrooms

Recipes: Four ways to use ginger with fish, beef, pork, and chicken

metro

Attorney General Maura Healey spoke to her supporters and the media on Thursday morning in Boston.

Maura Healey launches campaign for governor, promising to ‘continue with what’s working and fix what’s not’

Lifespan making plans for having to deny or withdraw advanced care

Tufts Medical Center will close its pediatric hospital after more than a century of treating sick kids

sports

49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has two sacks in three career games against the Packers.

49ers hopeful to have Nick Bosa for playoff game against Packers

With time dwindling in snail-paced negotiations, players seek to make MLB a counteroffer in resumption of talks

Capitals provide a measuring stick for Bruins

business

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts CEO Andrew Dreyfus (center) will step down at the end of 2022.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. CEO Andrew Dreyfus to step down

Bank of Russia seeks to outlaw mining and trading of crypto

US jobless claims rise to 286,000, highest since October

politics

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) walked to the Senate subway at the US Capitol in Washington on Jan. 19, 2022.

McConnell backs effort to overhaul electoral vote count law

After Jan. 6, Sean Hannity advised Trump: ‘No more stolen election talk’

The Senate failed to pass voting rights legislation. Where does that leave Democrats?

Nation

The singer born Marvin Lee Aday died Thursday, according to a family statement posted on his official Facebook page.

Meat Loaf, ‘Bat out of Hell’ rock superstar, dies at 74

Coronavirus levels in Boston-area waste water continue to plunge

McConnell backs effort to overhaul electoral vote count law

World

A member of Ukraine's military walked along a trench on the front line of Zolote, in eastern Ukraine on Monday.

Biden strengthens his words on Ukraine after flustering European partners

Benedict under fire for work on abuse cases as archbishop

UN approves Israeli measure to condemn Holocaust denial

opinion

The Unity flag waves in the wind above Boston City Hall Plaza next to an American flag and a Massachusetts state flag on June 5, 2020.

A high court loss for Boston could come at a high price — unless it acts fast

Putting the squeeze on the Biden agenda

Protecting our right to pray safely

lifestyle

Twelve chef Colin Wyatt comes from Manhattan's lauded Eleven Madison Park.

Eleven Madison Park and Per Se alums will open Twelve in Portland over Memorial Day weekend

This Vermont town was named among the best places to travel in February

Help! My Expedia tour credit is about to expire

food & dining

Twelve chef Colin Wyatt comes from Manhattan's lauded Eleven Madison Park.

Eleven Madison Park and Per Se alums will open Twelve in Portland over Memorial Day weekend

This Vermont town was named among the best places to travel in February

Mike & Patty’s famous breakfast sandwiches are now at Flourhouse, their little Newton outpost

travel

The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe, Vermont.

This Vermont town was named among the best places to travel in February

Help! My Expedia tour credit is about to expire

A romantic weekend in Portsmouth

Arts

Maria Yolanda Liebana’s mixed-media collage “Victorious.”

‘Vernacular Glamour’ excavates the material world

‘The Embrace,’ Boston’s long-awaited tribute to the Kings, will be unveiled on MLK Day 2023

At the MFA, a sleeping giant awakens

Books

New novel ‘Devil House’ looks at our true crime obsessions

Jabari Asim: an ‘eclectic, voracious’ reader

Science, fiction, and fantasy blend in ‘A Snake Falls to Earth’

Movies

Health care activist Ady Barkan, shown during his arrest at a Capitol Hill protest in 2017.

Doc Talk: An incurable optimist, a fleeing fugitive, and an undaunted soul

Death becomes him

The Danish documentary ‘Flee’ is the latest reminder that animation doesn’t have to be just for children

Television

Jason Bateman and Laura Linney in "Ozark."

Final season of ‘Ozark’ gets underway Friday

Have an old Colonial on the South Shore in need of renovation? HGTV is casting for a new season

In HBO’s ‘The Gilded Age,’ old money vs. new money makes for a richly rewarding drama

music

Tanglewood plans to offer a full-length, full-scale season of programming for the first time since before the pandemic.

Sound the cannons, light up the fireworks: Tanglewood is back!

Rage Against the Machine backs out of Boston Calling 2022

Garth Brooks to perform at Gillette Stadium for the first time

Theater/Dance

Adam Pascal and Olivia Valli in "Pretty Woman: The Musical."

‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ is pretty ordinary

Tig Notaro is back on tour, and it’s not the end of the road after all

Lasting lessons in Lyric Stage’s ‘Mr. Parent’

globe local

Cal Ramsdell of Randolph views "Flower Blooming in The Heaven 2021" by Emi Fujita and Emiko Makino at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton.

What to do in this bleak midwinter: How about visiting a museum?

Should Massachusetts guarantee anyone serving a life sentence the chance for parole?

Wouldn’t it be nice? Fifty-four years after we married, it still is.

Obituaries

Mr. Kruger's screen presence had significance beyond the box office. He would play an important role in soothing the anti-German feelings that had spread during the war.

Hardy Kruger, German-born Hollywood star, is dead at 93

Sara McLanahan, who studied single motherhood, dies at 81

Ray McNamara, firefighter who survived an explosion to inspire others, dies at 79