The Boston Globe

Heidi Brewster prepared dinner with her 16-year-old daughter, Ali Cajiga, in their South End home. Brewster and her family have cut back on unnecessary spending to prepare for the worst.

With Omicron on the wane, consumers edge back out into the world, but carefully

There’s a growing sense that COVID may finally become endemic like the flu. But the shift in mentality has made people question what a more-normal world means for their wallets.

Boston’s COVID-19 indoor vaccine mandate tightens, while data continues to show virus on the decline

A window in a front hallway in Cambridge is adorned with face masks.

Here’s what to know about the new mask guidance in Mass.

Protesters demonstrate against Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s vaccine mandate for city workers earlier this month.

Appeals court grants injunction against Wu’s workforce vaccination mandate

Mass. reports 1,459 confirmed COVID-19 cases; 90 deaths reported over three days

Doctoral student Catherine Jacob-Dolan talked about her work at the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

An overlooked weapon to fight Omicron: T cells

Several new studies suggest that vaccinated people have strong T cell immunity against the variant, even when antibodies wane.

Beijing Winter Olympics

tara sullivan

There’s no way to spin it: This is a sad day for figure skating

Allowing Kamila Valieva to compete after testing positive means that it's every other skater in the competition who has been cheated.

Even without Kamila Valieva, Russians would be dominating women’s figure skating

Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot of the Beijing Games, can be found at every turn — on merchandise, in the streets, and in the arms of medal winners.

Meet the cute little panda taking over the Olympics

The adorable plush panda mascot is a breakout star of these Olympics, prompting organizers to enact purchasing limits and crack down on counterfeiters.

See more coverage of the Winter Olympics

Biden says US hasn’t verified Russian claim of drawing down troops near Ukraine

President Biden on Tuesday said an invasion of Ukraine remains a distinct possibility.

Backlash emerges over state’s proposal to soften school accountability

Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley called the proposal “accountability lite” and noted the state needs to create a new baseline for student achievement after MCAS performance declined during the pandemic.

Massachusetts surpassed its 2020 emissions goals — but there’s a big asterisk

Massachusetts appears to have cut its 2020 carbon emissions even more than was required by its ambitious climate law, but it’s not clear how much of the decline is attributable to the state’s climate policy, and how much can be attributed to the pandemic.

Harvard professor Danielle Allen to ‘wind down’ gubernatorial campaign

The Democrat boasted a sterling academic resume and had seen some fundraising success.

COVID-19: THE LATEST

Vermont to lift masking advice for highly vaccinated schools

As the spring housing market nears, there’s little to buy around Boston

Sales are down as prices start to level off after 18 torrid months of increases.

Newly appointed Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden will run to permanently succeed Rachael Rollins

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden is announcing plans to seek a full term as the county’s top prosecutor.

An endcap display of marked-down items at the Stop & Shop on 460 Blue Hill Ave. in Dorchester shows discounts on cake frosting, two for $3, and cake mix, four for $5.

What does it say about your neighborhood if the supermarket isn’t so super?

A mother-and-daughter team went comparison-shopping at five Boston-area locations of Stop & Shop to see what grocery store shelves revealed about inequity in America.

A man holding a television remote.

Angry that your cable bill went up again? Here’s how to save.

The costs of Internet service, equipment rentals, fees, and taxes can add up. But you can pay less, while possibly getting more, by taking charge of how live TV gets into your house.

This sturgeon showed up on Revere Beach on Monday.

Strange looking fish washes up on Revere Beach

Erik Haigh lives in Revere and was walking on the beach when he came across the large fish, which was at least 5 feet long and completely out of the water.

Opinion

Matt Hamilton and John Landsteiner of the United States compete against China during the men's curling round-robin session 7, on Feb. 13 in Beijing.

Contemplating curling — and other Winter Olympics observations

It takes all sorts of sports.

Mitch McConnell’s no longer useful idiot

Senate needs to hurry up on Russia sanctions

MARCELA GARCÍA

Taking on the scourge of online Spanish-language misinformation

While Baker stands up to police, Wu surrenders to unions

Dragon Breath ramen from Red White.

Project Takeout

3 places we supported this week

Want to order from local, independent restaurants? Here are some suggestions from Globe staff.

Browse a map of reader-recommended takeout spots Explore the full project

More recent stories

A Maine Department of Transportation hard hat was found in a fjord in Norway, thousands of miles from home

Could it have been from Maine, the province in France, Sigbjørn Eide wondered? It seemed like a long way for a helmet to travel on the tide. Little did he know.

Jury rejects Sarah Palin’s libel claim against NY Times

A judge had already declared that if the jury sided with Palin, he would set aside its verdict on the grounds that she hadn’t proven the paper acted maliciously, something required in libel suits involving public figures.

‘I live here now’: More than 100 were stranded for 7 hours on Amtrak Acela train in Queens

Amtrak Acela Train 2151 stopped just outside the mouth of a tunnel in Queens at 8:37 a.m. and did not get moving again until 3:20 p.m., leaving the 106 passengers on board frustrated with the mounting delays.

US could see a century’s worth of sea rise in just 30 years

The seas lapping against America’s coastlines are rising ever faster and will be 10 to 12 inches higher by the year 2050, with major Eastern cities hit regularly with costly floods even on sunny days, a government report says.

Sex abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew settled, lawyers say

A tentative settlement has been reached in a lawsuit accusing Prince Andrew of sexually abusing Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 years old, according to a court filing Tuesday.

Gunmaker Remington to pay $73m in settlement with Sandy Hook families

The families and a survivor of the shooting sued Remington in 2015, saying the company should have never sold such a dangerous weapon to the public.

Recommended reads

Shane Matlock is the owner of Burgundian in Attleboro and is suing Eastern Standard Provisions over a Belgian waffle recipe. Matlock picked up waffle dishes at the kitchen counter for customers.

Waffle war: Attleboro restaurant sues Garrett Harker’s Eastern Standard Provisions over recipe

The Burgundian restaurant, Eastern Standard Provisions, and restauranteur Garrett Harker are in a tussle over Belgian Liège waffles that appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things list.

Senate narrowly confirms President Biden’s pick to lead the FDA

The 50-46 vote means Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist and prominent medical researcher, will again lead the powerful regulatory agency, which he briefly headed during the end of President Barack Obama’s administration.

THE GREAT DIVIDE

Boston School Committee begins work in search for new superintendent

The School Committee must also work out details of a severance package for Brenda Cassellius, eight months after voting to extend her contract until 2024.

Police removed 600-plus names from a Boston gang database. For some councilors, it’s not enough.

More than 3,000 people are still listed in the controversial database, in which Black and Latinx Boston residents are disproportionately represented.

video

Culture & Lifestyle

Jake Blount, now based in Providence, was awarded the 2020 Steve Martin Banjo Prize.

Jake Blount is bringing old-time music to new audiences

Portuguese-Style Rice With Kale and Plum Tomatoes.

Cooking | Magazine

Recipes: Sturdy and sweet, kale amps up the flavor and texture of 3 dishes

Vintage Lee grew up in Roxbury and she'd like to give back.

Roxbury rapper Vintage Lee considers the possibilities, for herself and her community

Zendaya as Rue in season 2, episode 6 of "Euphoria."

Season 2, episode 6 of ‘Euphoria’ was all about forgiveness. Here are some noteworthy moments.

Special Projects

Into the Red illustration.

Into the Red: How the Globe will cover climate change

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

Under the wheel

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

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

Members of the Ukrainian State Border Guard patrol along the border fence at the border crossing between Ukraine and Belarus on Feb. 13 in Vilcha, Ukraine.

Senate needs to hurry up on Russia sanctions

A social media post falsely claiming to show Jill Biden with Fidel Castro is displayed on a smartphone in Weston, Fla., on Oct. 15, 2020. Misinformation proliferates first online and is often shared on WhatsApp, which is particularly popular among Latino immigrants.

MARCELA GARCÍA

Taking on the scourge of online Spanish-language misinformation

Governor Charlie Baker and Mayor Michelle Wu

While Baker stands up to police, Wu surrenders to unions

Members of the New York City Police Department carry flags, including one with the rainbow colors, during New York's Gay Pride Parade, June 30, 2013, in New York.

Passing the Equality Act will ensure LGBTQ civil rights

Thomas Koonce speaking at his commutation hearing before the Governor's Council on Jan. 26.

Thomas Koonce and William Allen have earned their redemption. Others deserve a second chance.

IDEAS | ELIZABETH SVOBODA

Loving sports can make you a better person

Metro

How did State House politics coalesce around driver’s licenses for people without legal immigration status? Start with the cops.

For the first time, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate and vote on a bill Wednesday that would allow residents without legal immigration status to get driver’s licenses. The measure’s expected passage comes both as the body has shifted leftward, and the legislation has been tightened to draw more support from conservative members — and from law enforcement.

Assembly votes for final House, Senate, congressional maps

Redistricting legislation approved despite objections to section allowing party leaders to replace district committee members who make endorsements.

THE GREAT DIVIDE

Backlash emerges over state’s proposal to soften school accountability

Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley called the proposal “accountability lite” and noted the state needs to create a new baseline for student achievement after MCAS performance declined during the pandemic.

P.J. O’Rourke, outspoken political satirist, dies at 74

The satirist, political commentator, and bestselling author was known for a range of books and for his appearances on the NPR show “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me.”

Sports

Novak Djokovic is still smarting about being deported last month from Australia.

Novak Djokovic would skip French Open, Wimbledon rather than get vaccinated

The 20-time Grand Slam champion said he is still not vaccinated, and is prepared to sacrifice titles to stay that way.

Notre Dame Academy-Hingham's Alexandra Prudente competed in last year's Division 2 girls' tennis state championship match. While team tournaments will be part of the postseason this spring, there will be no individual statewide competition.

MIAA SPORT COMMITTEES

MIAA individual tennis tournaments will not return in 2022

Issues of qualifying standards, seedings and locations to meet the MIAA tournament management committee's standards proved to be too difficult to overcome.

Freshman Sarah Powers of Lynnfield scored five goals in two games for the Peabody girls' hockey co-op team.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' HOCKEY | PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

EMass girls’ hockey: Lynnfield’s Sarah Powers headlines Players of the Week

The freshman for the Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading co-op scored twice against Newburyport and added her first career hat trick vs. Marblehead.

Jozy Altidore sees reunion with Revolution’s Bruce Arena as the perfect move for him

john powers | on the olympics

Even without Kamila Valieva, Russians would be dominating women’s figure skating

college basketball

New book says Mike Krzyzewski talked Harvard coach Tommy Amaker out of succeeding him at Duke

Business

With Omicron on the wane, consumers edge back out into the world, but carefully

There’s a growing sense that COVID may finally become endemic like the flu. But the shift in mentality has made people question what a more-normal world means for their wallets.

An overlooked weapon to fight Omicron: T cells

Several new studies suggest that vaccinated people have strong T cell immunity against the variant, even when antibodies wane.

Senate confirms Califf as FDA chief in tight vote

Akamai adds cloud-computing platform with $900 million acquisition of Linode

STAT

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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

A copy of the discarded note the author found.

I found a love note meant for someone else

A photo illustration of smoke coming from a gas stove.

There’s an invisible air quality threat lurking inside our homes

I caught COVID from my boyfriend’s sister. And now she’s mad at me!

Mustard-Braised Chicken With
Tarragon served on egg noodles.

Recipes: A Valentine’s Day menu with French inspiration

metro

Baker dons a mask at a briefing earlier this month.

Mass. loosens recommendation on indoor masking

Vermont to lift masking advice for highly vaccinated schools

Harvard professor Danielle Allen to ‘wind down’ gubernatorial campaign

sports

Kamila Valieva is in first place after Tuesday's women's short program.

There’s no way to spin it: This is a sad day for figure skating

2022 Winter Olympics: See tonight’s primetime schedule

The US women’s hockey team is one win away from gold. See the schedule here.

business

This home was found up for sale in Newton last month.

As the spring housing market nears, there’s little to buy around Boston

Companies revert to more normal operations as COVID wanes

Angry that your cable bill went up again? Here’s how to save.

politics

President Joe Biden.

Biden says US hasn’t verified Russian claim of drawing down troops near Ukraine

Jury rejects Sarah Palin’s libel claim against NY Times

Manchin says he won’t support another Supreme Court nominee if vacancy were to occur weeks before 2024 election

Nation

The defense has prepared to argue that former Minneapolis Police officer Tou Thao and his fellow colleagues at the time did not have sufficient law enforcement training and were told to disobey their superior officer, Derek Chauvin.

Former officer said he thought colleagues cared for Floyd’s health

P.J. O’Rourke, outspoken political satirist, dies at 74

Vermont to lift masking advice for highly vaccinated schools

World

Protesters from the "Freedom Convoy" in front of Parliament Hill during a demonstration in Ottawa, Ontario.

Ottawa’s police chief resigns amid truck protest in Canada

Russia shows some troops leaving near Ukraine, seeks talks

Serbia: Protesters block roads near Statehood Day ceremony

opinion

An aerial view of morning traffic on I-93 northbound at Dorchester coming into Boston during rush hour, November 2019.

A choice between a return to work and the climate

Despite Randolph Bromery’s accomplishments, work still remains for UMass and the geosciences

Ending legacy admissions will not address the problem of financial need

lifestyle

Kids won’t listen? Science says music might help.

COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy may protect babies after birth, study suggests

Simone Biles engaged to Jonathan Owens on Valentine’s Day

food & dining

Fabrizia Spirits Limoncello.

A zest for limoncello and other Italian inspired treats

Counter Culture Coffee hosts pop-up coffee shops

GBH’s ‘Roadfood’ highlights the Portuguese culture of New Bedford and Fall River in upcoming episode

travel

Hadar Busia-Singleton in Brazil.

Hadar Busia-Singleton on fresh pasta, her Nintendo Switch, and memories of Miffy

Historic Harris Hill Ski Jump celebrates 100 years with a winter carnival

A portable cinema, an Empire State proposal, and two weekends of live dance

Arts

Ms. Herrera, shown in 2009, painted abstract geometric shapes in Paris and New York all but unnoticed for most of her long life.

Carmen Herrera, Cuban-born artist who won fame at 89, dies at 106

‘Frida,’ the latest immersive show to land in Boston, is a spectacle — but is it art?

Remembering Todd McKie, a painter known for his bright palette, dark humor, and friendship

Books

‘Moon Witch, Spider King’ turns African fantasy on its head

She follows her hunches for what to read next

The creation and the critique in ‘Pure Colour’

Movies

From left to right, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes.

Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, and Wanda Sykes tapped to host the Oscars

Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes to host Oscars, reports say

Two documentaries offer powerful profiles of Black resistance

Television

Von Miller and the Rams were victorious on Sunday night.

Rams’ Super Bowl win hauls in largest viewing audience since Patriots beat Falcons in 2017

Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, and Wanda Sykes tapped to host the Oscars

Season 2, episode 6 of ‘Euphoria’ was all about forgiveness. Here are some noteworthy moments.

music

Mr. McDonald, performing with Foreigner at Comiskey Park in Chicago in 1978.

Ian McDonald, of the bands King Crimson and Foreigner, dies at 75

Jake Blount is bringing old-time music to new audiences

Violinist Randall Goosby brings top-tier talents to Boston

Theater/Dance

Loretta Greco was formerly artistic director of San Francisco's Magic Theatre.

Loretta Greco named artistic director at the Huntington Theatre Company

Marianna Bassham’s brilliant disguises in ‘People, Places & Things’

Elma Lewis brought Boston’s thriving Black arts scene to the national stage

globe local

Damages to the roof and solar panels at Bradford & Bigelow, a printing company on Perkins Way, are estimated at $2 million to $4 million, officials said.

3-alarm fire damages roof, solar panels at Newburyport printing company

Dracut police ask public to help identify 2 suspects in $12k robbery case

Surveillance video shows BU professor climbing T stairs moments before his fatal fall

Obituaries

Mr. O'Rourke, shown in 2004, wrote “Parliament of Whores: A Lone Humorist Attempts to Explain the Entire U.S. Government.”

P.J. O’Rourke, outspoken political satirist, dies at 74

Ian McDonald, of the bands King Crimson and Foreigner, dies at 75

Carmen Herrera, Cuban-born artist who won fame at 89, dies at 106