Deal ends shutdown, avoids default

Lawmakers on Wednesday narrowly avoided a default on the nation’s debts and halted a 16-day government shutdown that showcased congressional dysfunction.

“We fought the good fight. We just didn’t win,” Speaker John Boehner said.

Kevin Lamarque /REUTERS

“We fought the good fight. We just didn’t win,” Speaker John Boehner said.

House Speaker John Boehner (center) walked to the House floor for a vote. The House passed the bill shortly before 11 p.m.

JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

House Speaker John Boehner (center) walked to the House floor for a vote. The House passed the bill shortly before 11 p.m.

President Obama signed the bill soon after it passed the House.

SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

President Obama signed the bill soon after it passed the House.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the nation “came to the brink of disaster.”

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the nation “came to the brink of disaster.”

The Senate passed the bill, 81 to 18. All 198 House Democrats who supported the bill, along with 87 Republicans.

JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

The Senate passed the bill 81 to 18. Members of the House, some pictured after the vote, passed it 285-184.

Analysis

Relief from debt deal will be short-lived

Tired of the excruciating debate in Washington over the nation’s budget, the debt ceiling, and the deficit? Get used to it.

Almost two-thirds of the faculty and librarians at Westfield State voted no confidence in Evan Dobelle on Wednesday.

Dobelle placed on paid leave; probe set

Westfield State University trustees unanimously voted to place president Evan Dobelle on leave with pay while his spending habits are investigated.

Child obesity rates drop in Mass.

Annual weight and height screenings show that the percentage of students who are overweight or obese dropped to 30.6 percent.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/16/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/remains9.jpg Remains of Korean War casualty come home to Leominster

Private First Class Norman Dufresne returned home to a hero’s welcome Wednesday, 63 years after he left this working-class city and 11 siblings for South Korea.

John Connolly taught for two years at a Jesuit-run school in Lower Manhattan after he graduated from college.

Connolly calls his 3 years as a teacher a vital qualification

Though there’s a grumbling backlash to mayoral candidate John Connolly leaning on his experience, he says it makes him unique.

Boston designated hitter David Ortiz walks off the field after flying out to end the game.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Tigers 7, Red Sox 3

Tigers even ALCS at two games each

The Detroit Tigers built a big lead and held on, defeating the Red Sox to even the series.

Dan Shaughnessy

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/17/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/shaughnessy_20131017.jpg Red Sox’ chances depend on perspective

Wednesday night’s 7-3 loss is a mere speed bump on Boston’s march to the World Series.

Opinion

JOAN VENNOCHI

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/17/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/vennochi-2899.png Why the union-bashing?

High-priced union contracts are easy to criticize, but tax breaks for businesses often don’t get much negative response.

Sports

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Bruins at Panthers | 7:30 p.m. (NESN)

Tim Thomas won a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe, and two Vezinas with the Bruins; he’s 1-2-0 with a 5.05 goals-against  with the Panthers.

Tim Thomas to start in net against Bruins

The real attention will be on whether the Bruins are able to score against Thomas, who led the team to its first Stanley Cup in 39 years.

Nation & World

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Police tried to prevent protesters from attacking the hearse carrying the body of Erich Priebke on Tuesday.

Amid protests, lawyer calls off funeral for Nazi Priebke

Shouting ‘‘murderer’’ and ‘‘executioner,’’ hundreds of people jeered as Erich Priebke’s coffin arrived for the funeral Mass.

Business

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Martha Coakley’s office said the move would ease premiums for some.

Proposed legislation tries to cap flood insurance costs

Under the proposed legislation, lenders wouldn’t be allowed to require homeowners purchase flood insurance for more than their outstanding mortgage balance.