Topic: Boston

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Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
3 new novels grapple with questions of mortality

Three new works of fiction address themes of mortality, including a ghost – in an Anne Tyler novel.
How 5 young black men see the Trayvon Martin case

The Monitor approached, at random, five young black men in Boston, Los Angeles, Coral Gables, Fla., and Louisville, Ky., and asked them to talk about the Trayvon Martin case, race relations, hoodies, and, of course, their own life experiences. Here's what they had to say.
'Game Change': 5 revelations from the book

As the bestselling book 'Game Change' becomes an HBO movie, here are the 5 most interesting stories from the book.
From Wilt Chamberlain to Jeremy Lin: 10 NBA 'firsts'

Jeremy Lin's rise on the NBA radar provides the impetus to look back at Wilt Chamberlain's highest-scoring game and nine other NBA 'firsts.'

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At the retail store, a long line of questions at checkout

Retail stores are increasingly barraging their customers with questions. It's marketing for them. Is it good for you?
Payroll tax bill: Impasse angers workers who could lose $20 a week or more

Payroll tax bill would allow $50,000 a year earner to continue saving $1,000 in taxes annually. Americans are frustrated at the lack of compromise over a payroll tax bill.
Bradley Manning case signals US vulnerability to 'insider' cyberattack

The US government says Bradley Manning carried out a cyberattack from the inside, stealing thousands of secret US intelligence documents. Nearly half of US companies deal with similar cyberattacks each year, data suggest.
Snowstorm US: blizzard heads north, but Southwest still digging out

Snowstorm watchers say the snowstorm that hit the southwestern US will lose some steam as it leaves the region, but travel is still difficult in Kansas and the Texas Panhandle.
US man found guilty of conspiracy to assist Al Qaeda

Tarek Mehanna, a Massachusetts resident, was convicted Tuesday of conspiracy to help the militant Islamic group and trying to kill US soldiers overseas.
Gold rush? Why gold standard glitters for some in GOP.

Backers of a gold standard – a view popular with many tea party advocates – see a gold-backed currency as a way to rein in government spending and minimize the role of the Federal Reserve.
'Barefoot Bandit' says broken home sparked international crime spree

It's a sensational story with a Hollywood deal, but the adventures of Colton Harris-Moore, aka 'The Barefoot Bandit,' is really a tragedy, his attorneys tell a judge at a hearing Friday.
Accused WikiLeaks source Bradley Manning goes to military court

Army Pvt. Bradley Manning is charged with providing thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks. As his military court case begins, his lawyer will try to show that the Army ignored problems with an erratic young soldier.
Alexander Graham Bell recordings discovered after 130 years

Alexander Graham Bell went on to invent the telephone, but before he did that he experimented with recording devices. The old disks were considered unplayable until new technology gave scientists the chance to listen to the recordings for the first time in 130 years.
Minimum wage: San Francisco tops $10 an hour

Minimum wage for workers in San Francisco will be $10.24 in 2012. San Francisco is the first US city to have a minimum wage over $10 an hour.
Geek wisdom goes mainstream

Hard-core nerds impart teachings of 'Star Wars' and Tolkien.
A message to Occupy from the 99%: Real change requires more than demands

I returned from fieldwork in Africa to find Occupy Harvard holding the Yard hostage. As part of the 99% I have a message for the Occupy movement: OWS must work on how to build a better world, not just demand that others do it.
3 great photo books

Three of the best photo books of 2011, as picked by the Monitor's photo staff.
Difference Maker
Johanna Crawford helps survivors of domestic abuse – and urges them to do the same

Johanna Crawford founded Web of Benefit to help women escape domestic violence and build new lives.
State, local policies emerge on illegal immigrants

More illegal immigrants moving beyond the border states to follow jobs and a lack of federal immigration reform has some states and communities coming up with their own enforcement policies – written or not.
Tim Tebow: Hero? Role model? Overbearing evangelist? All of the above.

Tim Tebow is many things to many people, in part because he has sparked a national conversation about religion's place in American life. Call it the Tim Tebow culture wars.
Faced with evictions, occupy movement protesters look to new tactics

Disrupted by police, Occupy movements in several major cities now mobilize largely during daytime hours or through marches designed around specific issues. Some are aligning with local community groups, churches, and unions.
Don't fold on Internet gambling ban

The Obama Justice Department scored the first conviction under a 2006 law that outlaws online gaming, including poker. More convictions may be coming. But monied interests are pushing Congress to scrap the law.
An appreciation: longtime Monitor journalist Guy Halverson

Guy O. Halverson was a Monitor correspondent with a varied writing career that spanned more than 35 years. His award-winning journalism led the way against drunk driving and Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Who wants to become a lawyer when you can report on Watergate?
Students in big-city schools show gains in latest NAEP 'report card'

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) National Report Card shows clear and positive trend lines for big-city schools, though the progress has been slow.
Occupy movement's last big stand: Boston?

With Occupiers cleared out of New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, and the status of the San Francisco camp in jeopardy, the last major encampment is Boston, which recently got a stay of eviction of up to two weeks. What do Occupiers do if they can't occupy public spaces anymore?
Red Robin "Jim Day": Free burgers for all Jims, Jamies, and Jimbos

Red Robin is giving away a free burger to people named Jim as a part of a promotion for the new Sweet Jim Beam Bacon Swiss Burger. The Red Robin promotion runs through Dec. 6.
Central banks ease liquidity. Did they avert meltdown?

Central banks in a surprise announcement Wednesday announce moves to ease strains in the global financial system. Central banks' moves should ease concerns over European banks but does not begin to solve long-term problems of European debt.
Progress Watch
US sees renaissance in energy efficiency, led by Congress and big business

For decades, the US has been transforming into a more energy efficient society. But fresh impetus has come in the wake of a 2007 law embracing tougher appliance and auto standards.
Occupy LA: Police dismantle LA, Philadelphia camps. Is Occupy Boston next?

Occupy LA protestors were arrested Wednesday, and their camp dismantled. Occupy Philadelphia was also peacefully shut down. Will Occupy Boston follow LA and Philly?