Panel opposes Partners expansion on South Shore

A state watchdog agency is expected to advise against Partners HealthCare’s aggressive plan to take over South Shore Hospital and a nearby doctors group.

Boston Capital

Time to say ‘no’ to Partners Healthcare

A few people have a chance to throw a net over current expansion plans at Partners, and that’s exactly what they should do.

“As I look back on my years here, I’m leaving a much better department than when I found it. And I’m proud of that,” said departing Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick J. Fraser Jr.

Fraser resigning as Boston’s fire commissioner

For seven years, Roderick Fraser Jr., who is resigning in January, battled union leaders and led reforms of a fractious fire force.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/17/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/menino150-7193.jpg Mayor Menino set to get behind the wheel again

With two decades of city-provided rides coming to an end, Thomas Menino is turning his focus to 21st-century driving.

Judge rules against NSA phone call monitoring

A federal judge ruled that the program that is systematically keeping records of all Americans’ phone calls probably violates the Constitution.

South Boston residents came up with some creative ways to defend their parking spots after Saturday’s snow storm, even though the city had not declared an official snow emergency.

JESSICA RINALDI FOR THE GLOBE

In Southie, no storm too small for parking savers

Residents defended their parking spots after Saturday’s snow storm, even though the city had not declared an official snow emergency.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/17/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/soap150-7186.jpg Antibacterial products get FDA safety challenge

The FDA demanded that manufacturers prove that their germ-fighting chemicals were safe and more effective than soap and water.

Tom Brady is accustomed to feeling the heat late in games — the Patriots are 7-4 in games decided by 8 points or fewer.

Christopher L. Gasper

Patriots’ margin for error is razor thin

The Patriots don’t have enough of their impact players to pull away, so they’re just going to have to keep pulling out close games.

A Globe Santa event at Legacy Place in Dedham included former New England Patriots kicker John Smith, who said hello to young fans Serena Kapur (left) and Amia Kapur.

Globe Santa

Mom fighting to provide warm home, Christmas joy

Many of the parents who write to Globe Santa are stretching every dollar to avoid homelessness or hunger.

Opinion

TOM KEANE

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/16/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/1217oped_keane2.jpg The telephone regulation game

Rules and regulations are adopted with the best of intentions, but the real world is so complex that perverse consequences can result.

Sports

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celtics 101, timberwolves 97

After a missed 3-pointer by the Timberwolves, Jared Sullinger drilled a 3-pointer with 2:22 left, giving the Celtics a 95-92 lead.

In rematch, Celtics ease past Timberwolves

The team proved that there’s a mile-wide gap between the Celtics that were blown out a month ago by the Timberwolves and the Celtics of now.