Real estate market is perking up

The region’s spring housing market has blossomed earlier and more vibrantly this year, fed by pent-up demand and newfound optimism among buyers, specialists say.

http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/03/24/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Advance/Images/24mattapanro--90x90.jpg Mattapan jurors recount discord

Two jurors in the Mattapan quadruple slaying trial described a strange, tense scene during deliberations, where a lone holdout refused to convict Dwayne Moore of the murders.

Ex-probation chief, 2 aides indicted in hiring scandal

US Attorney Carmen Ortiz announced indictments against John J. O’Brien and two former lieutenants, contending that they ran the state agency like a criminal enterprise.

Neal Hamberg

1 dead, 2 arrested in Malden

Police arrested two men and killed a third suspect after a Saugus bank robbery. They combed part of Malden for a possible fourth suspect.

Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff

Doctors see ‘cinnamon challenge’ as recipe for disaster

The “cinnamon challenge’’ may sound like silly fun, but health professionals are warning parents that the practice can cause health problems including respiratory distress and choking.

President of Dartmouth picked to head World Bank

Political and public health leaders praised President Obama’s nomination of Jim Yong Kim, the Dartmouth College president and pioneer in global health, to lead the World Bank.

Program helps adults with developmental disabilities

The Self-Advocacy Leadership Series, of Bridgewater, helps young adults with developmental disabilities build social skills and confidence.

The mistake was due to an unspecified “programming error,” CVS Caremark, pharmacy benefits manager for the Tufts Medicare Preferred Plan, said in a statement.

CVS Caremark letters sent in error

Personal and medical information about Tufts Health Plan members were mistakenly included in letters CVS Caremark sent to about 3,500 members of the health plan.

“The yelling was so loud that jurors in another room heard us. I couldn’t believe what was going on.’’

A juror from the Mattapan murder trial  

Globe Insiders

Video

http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/03/02/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Images/lennyclarke copy-018--90x90.jpg Globe Talk: Boston, a Comedy Capital

Watch the video of this Globe Talk event, featuring local comedians Dave Russo, Anthony Scibelli, Tony V, Jimmy Tingle, and Lenny Clarke sharing stories about the Boston comedy scene. Laughs guaranteed. (Editor’s note: This video contains strong language.)

Inside The Boston Globe

STAGES

In Chelsea, women playwrights have a voice
The Boston Museum has suggested a newmuseum along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.

Developers offer 4 proposals on Greenway site

10 secrets to a deep home cleaning this spring
The Celtics players gathered around an injured Mickael Pietrus in the first half of their game against the 76ers.

76ers 99, Celtics 86

Mickael Pietrus injured in Celtics defeat
Not so sleepy, Portland, Maine, is known for a buzzing dining scene, and notables include Fore Street and its lobster.

Exclusive Sunday Preview | Globe Magazine

4 budget vacation ideas in New England
Brad Robbins of Boston leaned his legs against an elm tree in Boston Common while using his cellphone on the first day of spring.

Photos

Globe photos of the week
‘‘The Hunger Games’’ stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, who is chosen to represent her district in nationally televised killing games.

Movie Review

‘The Hunger Games’ hits the mark

Exclusive Sunday Preview | Ideas

Does financial aid make college more expensive?

The winter that wasn’t

Long-stalled lab building underway in Longwood
Bobby Jenks’ mugshot

Bobby Jenks faces DUI charge

Red Line celebrates 100th anniversary

Metro

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US Senator Scott Brown and his sister Lee Ann Riley on Friday discussed growing up in an abusive environment.

Brown and sister share story of abuse

Senator Scott Brown and his sister, Leeann Riley, toured a shelter for victims and met with advocates about the federal Violence Against Women Act on Friday.

Business

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Second-hand specialist plans expansion in Mass.

Winmark Corp. says the high number of families with young children and large student population in Massachusetts make it a prime market for second-hand merchandise.

Columnists

Christopher L. Gasper

Power struggle may weaken Red Sox

Bob Ryan

Jim Boeheim always has Syracuse ready

BOSTON CAPITAL

Bay State Banner publisher’s two hats in bank-church dispute

LAWRENCE HARMON

The case for orphanages

bob ryan

For Wisconsin, depth leads to despair

SCOT LEHIGH

The economy, generically oversimplified

Brian McGrory

A mystery on the side
Roger Goodell suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for one year.

Bob Ryan

Roger Goodell sends big message in punishments

Yvonne Abraham

Mass. lawmakers should pass sick-leave bill

Juliette Kayyem

Under melting ice, a jackpot
US Senator Scott Brown appeared at the annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on Sunday.

Joan Vennochi

Old-school Dems have their guy: Scott Brown

Joanna Weiss

Still waiting for a heroine of confidence

Nation & World

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Updated UN report reveals more rights abuses in Syria

A UN inquiry commission offered new details of the Syria conflict, including the uprooting of extended clans and villages forced to flee into neighboring countries by armed forces.

Politics

Political Notebook

Mitt Romney is “finally a real front-runner,’’ said Haley Barbour, who said he voted for former US House speaker Newt Gingrich in his state’s primary, where Rick Santorum won.

Mitt Romney can unite party, Haley Barbour contends

Romney is likely to overcome resistance within his party in the next month and rally the GOP to his presidential candidacy, said Haley Barbour, a former RNC chairman.

Sports

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Tommy Cross is leading BC’s success

Finally healthy, defenseman Tommy Cross has turned in his best season at Boston College as a senior, and will anchor the Eagles into today’s NCAA Northeast Regional semifinal.

Arts

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BOOK REVIEW

‘Mudwoman’ by Joyce Carol Oates

The psychological horror tale about a disintegrating university president falls flat.

Lifestyle

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99 BOTTLES

3 new Belgian-style beers from tiny Boston-area brewers

All the cool kids in Boston are making Belgians.

Magazine

The cover for the March 18 2012 issue

Grover Norquist: Emperor of no
The cover for the March 11 2012 issue

Stoughton’s Lori McKenna is writing her heart out
The cover for the March 4 2012 issue

Putting college degrees to work
The cover for the February 26 2012 issue

24 hours in Kendall Square

Opinion

“In a world of virtual communications, some wonder whether cities have much of a future. Builders with money to spend are betting just the opposite. I’m with them.”

Tom Keane 

Ideas

“If the Solutrean hypothesis becomes widely accepted, it would mean that the sea played a central part in human expansion. And in the matter of ‘who came first,’ it would mean that all the Americas have a new origin story to contend with.”

Gareth Cook