celtics 96, pistons 85

Celtics get first win of season in home opener

Celtics captain Paul Pierce had 12 points in 22 minutes tonight.

jim davis/globe staff

Paul Pierce returned to the court and the Celtics got their first victory of the year against the Detroit Pistons at the TD Garden.

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What New Year’s resolutions say about us

We’re often not so great at following through on our resolutions. But, according to some philosophers and psychologists, that doesn’t make them any less fascinating — in fact, they provide real insight into who we are.

Romney tops latest Iowa poll

Mitt Romney garnered 23 percent of likely Iowa voters in an NBC News-Marist poll released today.

Peabody, Mass. -12/30/11 - Funeral services were held for Peabody firefighter James M. Rice at St. John The Baptist Church, as hundreds of firefighters from all over came to pay respect. During the funeral service, a Massachusetts State Trooper kept a funeral program with Rice's photo in the inside of his hat he held. Globe staff photo by John Tlumacki (metro)

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Thousands mourn fallen firefighter in Peabody

Firefighter James M. Rice today was eulogized by his father, who said that he and his family have a “giant hole in their hearts.”

Mass. confirms first human case of rabies in 75 years

A Barnstable County man is in critical condition after contracting rabies, likely after being exposed to a bat in his home, officials said.

“Part of my happiness about how it’s going in the first week is we hoped it would go this well and that’s one of the reasons we’re back playing this soon.”

Wyc Grousbeck,  Celtics owner

Business

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LL Bean boot gets a kick from retro trend

The familiar duck boot with leather uppers and rubber soles has become something of a fashion statement due to its newfound popularity on college campuses.

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Sports

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Wes Welker

Patriots have no peers in YAC

The Patriots lead the NFL in yards after catch with 2,483. With one game remaining, that is the highest YAC total for a season since the statistic was first tracked in 1992.

Movies

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NEW YEAR’S EVE: MOVIES

Take in a film before the fireworks

If high-decibel parties, chilly strolls, or waiting around for the midnight hour to strike are not your idea of a memorable New Year’s Eve, there’s always the movies.