Downturn in sales isn?t just bad news for retailers

Statewide sales tax collections have dropped for the first time in more than three years.

South Boston, MA - 7/27/2016 - A woman places a teddy bear at a makeshift memorial at the L Street Bath House for 7-year-old Kyzr Willis, of Dorchester, whose body was found yesterday in the water off of Carson Beach in South Boston, MA, July 27, 2016. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff) Topic:

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe staff

Center reopens as Kyzr Willis investigation continues

The Curley Community Center reopened to adults after the death two days ago of a missing young boy.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/07/28/BostonGlobe.com/Foreign/Images/5cfe9e9b77844a01866fb3444b9075d9-5cfe9e9b77844a01866fb3444b9075d9-0.jpg Angela Merkel says attacks by refugees mock Germany?s hospitality

After recent bloody attacks stunned the world, the German chancellor defended her refugee policy while calling for more security.

Boston-07/26/2016- Boston Common looks like a desert as the heat wave takes a toll on the once green grass on the Boston Common, in which most of the grass there is parched. Boston Globe staff photo by John Tlumacki(metro)

John Tlumacki/Globe staff

Will the heat end?

Thursday will see temperatures hit the 90s again, but relief could be on the way.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/06/15/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/cityhall002.jpg City urges cut in overtime costs for major departments

The city is asking departments to shave off 5 percent in overtime spending they pay employees who solve crime, fight fires, and sweep the streets.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/07/28/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/comp.jpg Four nominated to Appeals Court

Governor Charlie Baker nominated two Superior Court justices and two people from the attorney general?s office Wednesday.

Three-alarm fire in Brookline home causes $800,000 in damage

Eight people have been displaced as a result of the fire.

Person drowns in Haverhill after jumping off bridge

Trent Cook, 47, was pulled from the Merrimack River Wednesday evening.

Man drowns while tubing on Deerfield River

The incident was one of two Western Massachusetts drownings in as many days.

What our critics say

From left: Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Kathryn Hahn in the comedy ?Bad Moms.?

Michele K. Short

? ½ | Movie REview

?Bad Moms? is ?The Hangover? for suburban mothers

What the film?s premise has in novelty, it lacks in execution.

? ? ? | Movie REview

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/07/25/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/3-004.jpg ?Les Cowboys? updates ?The Searchers?

This artful, melancholy film does not suffer by comparison with John Ford?s masterpiece until the end.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/07/22/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/davis_ortiz8_spts.jpg What David Ortiz?s last season tells us about how he?ll be remembered

It?s what happens between the games.

Democratic National Convention

Lexington physician Dr. Jill Stein is the presumptive Green Party presidential nominee.

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Yvonne Abraham

A new low for Jill Stein

If Stein is looking for someone to compare to Trump, the mirror would be a pretty good place to start.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/07/28/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/583804896-734.jpg Trump says he was being sarcastic, but thinks Putin is better leader than Obama

Donald Trump said he was being sarcastic when he made his explosive remarks Wednesday.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/07/28/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/4947f4cbbd644329a6a7e4396e20e269-d8e48bfed5bd4f508c79802f432663e0-0.jpg Schedule: Katy Perry to perform, Hillary Clinton to accept nomination

A look at the schedule of speakers on day four of the Democratic National Convention.

Photos: Patriots training camp Day 1

The Patriots held their first day of training camp at the practice fields of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

Names

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/05/11/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/chin012116PatriotsPractice_spt25-9926.jpg Julian Edelman facing paternity suit

A Swedish model says the Patriots receiver is the father of her unborn baby.

Globe investigations

?When the EMTs arrived, Dave was laying like this.? Gerry Hill said, offering to show where his suicidal son was fatally shot after a tense encounter with police.

spotlight

When despair meets deadly force

Nearly half of people killed by Massachusetts police over the last 11 years were suicidal, mentally ill, or showed clear signs of crisis.

The story behind 'Spotlight'

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/18/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/spotlight-9497.jpg Boston Globe coverage and the movie ?Spotlight?

?Spotlight? is based on the stories and the reporters behind the investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

The Big Picture

2016 Democratic National Convention

Democrats met in Philadelphia for their national convention.