This week’s two-day storm brought us the requisite silly images of TV reporters standing alongside Route 128 at the first flake, scraping snow from the ground to judge its snowball suitability as cars, trucks and semis speed past on dark pavement. We had shots of people lining up to buy snow…

It’s a fall phenomenon as dependable as Thanksgiving turkey: Cities and towns set their tax rates for the following year. And, in the midst of a robust economy with rising property values, that usually brings an increase for homeowners, with a heightened effect on those living on modest, fix…

Hampstead School Board made unwise decision 

If Rob Gronkowski wasn’t one of the best tight ends to ever play pro football, no one around here would be giving his will he or won’t he act a second thought.

A small arsenal of weaponry arrayed on tables at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston last week was tangible proof of the violence permeating the North of Boston region, particularly Lawrence. There were pistols and revolvers, AR-15 style rifles and bullet proof vests. In all, 79 weapons…

This past week, I was honored to be part of many solemn promises and oaths, taken by great people that were willing to serve us. 

Here’s a small glint of good news for the Red Sox this fall: Dwight Evans is finally getting some consideration for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

There is something to be said for ambition, and it would be hard to criticize the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board for laying out a sweeping plan to upgrade the Massachusetts’s commuter rail system — frequently used by many New Hampshire residents.

Republicans take credit for something they didn't do

The ink was barely dry on the U.S. Constitution when James Madison, the Virginia farmer whose arguments were critical to getting it ratified, drew up a list of changes. The new Congress adopted a version of his proposed amendments six months after the new government set up office, in 1789, a…

Thank you for the welcome

Sometime before the end of this year, a federal task force is expected to release a report on the effect of drug shortages on the nation's health care system. It should be an eye-opener for Congress and for the general public, as emerging evidence paints a picture of a drug delivery infrastr…

Robert E. Holden was granted a patent in 1965 for his invention that would later become known as the packing peanut. At some point later Mr. Holden sold that patent to the Dow Chemical company, and the rest, they say, is history.

Iran threatens neighbors and U.S.

There are few sights more enraging while stopped for a school bus than to see another driver miss or ignore the bus' stop signal arm and blow past a bunch of kids trying to cross the street.

Of all the infrastructure that makes a community tick — from its roads and bridges to water, sewer and reliable electric service — internet is probably the least visible. But it’s just as important as the rest, not only because it tethers businesses to customers and suppliers in other states…

Legislature must override governor's veto 

One of summer’s nuisances has turned into something deadly serious, and even those who consider themselves too tough or ornery to apply insect repellent should think again before wandering outside at dusk unprotected.

With the rapid expansion of legal marijuana sales in Massachusetts and more than 30 other states, it was high time someone made progress developing a device to detect THC on a person’s breath. 

Old Home Day Senior Night a success

A bucket brigade of spring water being pulled off store shelves early this month was just the start. With strict new limits on the appearance of certain man-made chemicals in the water, New Hampshire and states surrounding it are sure to see ripple effects — some of which will be costly.

The sun is setting on summer vacation and nobody trying to squeeze in one last beach day with the kids wants to think much about what’s in the water. A recent report suggests we’d all do well to spend more time considering what’s happening to the public waterfront and our role in polluting it.

To the editor:

To the editor: