Alex and Ani sees its charm wearing thin

Alex and Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian and former chief executive Giovanni Feroce presided over a period of tremendous growth. The company now has 46 stores, including one on Newbury Street (above). Rafaelian?s real estate holdings include Belcourt Castle in Newport.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

The R.I. jewelry retailer has expanded rapidly, but acrimonious executive exits and a party incident have hurt its New Age vibe.

Builders miss city diversity targets

Most developers failed to meet goals for hiring Boston residents and women for construction jobs ? including the city itself.

Samuel Stanford at his arraignment in Somerville District Court.

Ex-officer charged in Somerville police break-in

Samuel Stanford allegedly took a colleague?s gun from department headquarters less than two weeks after his termination.

Would Harvard plaza renovation threaten Square culture?

The fight about renovations to Harvard?s Smith Campus Center and Forbes Plaza is over public space, landscaping ? and the soul of Harvard Square.

The Confederate flag was erected about five years ago by a 1969 Walpole High graduate whose property abuts Turco Field.

Walpole to block Confederate flag over high school field

However, the school board stopped short of renaming its athletic teams ? the Rebels ? voting to instead ?rebrand? the name.

300,000 in Mass. to see health policy rates rise 6 percent

Health insurers will boost rates for small businesses and individuals, a troubling sign that costs are once again accelerating.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/27/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/b238f8ea7356412cb1089a9ea06b112c-b238f8ea7356412cb1089a9ea06b112c-0[1]-8766--90x90.jpg Opposing views given of alleged rape at St. Paul?s

Jurors met for several hours following closing arguments Thursday, but did not reach a verdict.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/27/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/7cd580447c07493495d7ead2f554271a-7cd580447c07493495d7ead2f554271a-0.jpg Virginia shooter had become increasingly volatile

Vester Flanagan picked fights with co-workers and strangers over seemingly mundane incidents or perceived slights.

Woman sues Sox owner after 2014 foul ball injury

A Brookline woman who was struck by a foul ball at Fenway Park in June 2014 is suing the team?s principal owner.

All instruments made at Burkart?s plant in Sharon,
like these piccolos (left), are hand made and use precious metals  such as silver, gold, or platinum.
The company
is owned by Lilian Burkhart and her husband, James Phelan. Silvane DePaula (bottom) is one of the firm?s 26 employees.

suzanne kreiter/ globe staff

Boston area is host to a cluster of high-end flute makers

A plethora of companies outside Boston have made Mass. a boutique center for professional musicians and students.

Pittsfield VT-Globe Staff Photo by Stan Grossfeld- New Life Hiking Spa guests on an intermediate trail. One of 21 different hikes they offer.

At Vermont wellness spa, their advice is ?take a hike?

?We give them the basics: good food, good hiking, and they feel better for coming,? said the founder of the New Life Hiking Spa.

Love, politics, and a tale of two struggling cities

A common dedication to public service and belief in their ability to make change led to romance between the mayor and the councilor.

CHAD FINN | SPORTS MEDIA

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/26/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/186640611-13948-7337%20-%20Copy.jpg NESN owes us an explanation on Don Orsillo termination

Fans and media continue to be perplexed, but so far the reaction from the station has been silence.

Boston Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park in Boston Saturday, Aug. 16, 2015.(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Torey Lovullo has become Red Sox? steady hand

Lovullo?s experiences as a journeyman major leaguer give him perspective as he seeks out a full-time managerial position.

Rendering of proposed Copley Place Towers. A view from Copley Square. (Elkus Manfredi Architects)

Rendering by Christian Phillips

The lowdown on 5 condo towers coming to Boston

A look at high-rise projects being developed from Copley Square to Government Center and down to the TD Garden.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participated in the first Republican presidential debate in Cleveland earlier this month.

Protest planned for Trump event at Boch?s house

Fed up with Donald Trump?s stance on abortion and his statements about women, advocates are planning to rally in Norwood.

BetaBoston

Fitbit outsells smartwatches, report says

Apple is in second place behind market leader Fitbit, which shipped 4.4 million units in the second quarter.

SCOT LEHIGH | Opinion

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/27/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/Scot_Lehigh_150px-1264.jpg Why Joe Biden shouldn?t run

The vice president has his legacy to lose.

Magazine

When did parents get so scared?

When you were a kid, you probably spent hours outside and unsupervised. It?s not that way anymore.

Ground Game

Ground Game

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/26/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/200_biden_henniker.jpg Why Joe Biden could skip N.H. if he runs for president

The rationale for Biden to skip Iowa and New Hampshire is this: He would enter in the race too late to compete in those states.

Opinion & Ideas

JOANNA WEISS

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/27/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/Joanna_Weiss_150px-1268.png How to teach the Owen Labries

While we?re steeped in news about the dangerousness of boys, we?re surrounded by a culture that celebrates their conquests.

The Big Picture

AFP/Getty Images

10 years after Hurricane Katrina

President Obama visited New Orleans to mark progress the city has made before the upcoming anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

BetaBoston

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/27/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/webb150-4832.jpg C.A. Webb leaving VC association to start own firm

Webb has swelled the reach of the New England Venture Capital Association since becoming executive director in 2012.

Crux

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/27/BostonGlobe.com/Foreign/Images/allen150-924.jpg On Chibok anniversary, Christians caught between hope, experience

Most of the Chibok girls remain missing 16 months into their abduction.