7 stories you may have missed
TODAY'S STARTING POINT
The news can feel unrelenting: chaos in Washington, wars around the world, and a mayor's race in Boston that's heating up.
But a deluge of stories about politics probably means you're missing out on others. So I reached out to colleagues around the newsroom and asked them to recommend seven fascinating stories from the Globe that may have passed you by in recent days.
If you're looking for a reprieve from weighty affairs of state, I recommend taking a few minutes to dig into their suggestions. And if it's news about politics you want, never fear: You'll find that in the bullets further down.
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1. Food:
'This story by Alexa Gagosz, who covers the restaurant industry in Rhode Island, is a must read,' says Lylah Alphonse, who edits Globe stories from the state. 'It touches on both food history and Black history, noting that one of the first real restaurants in the Colonies was owned by a former slave.'
2. Sports:
'If the Westminster dog show wasn't on your radar, I don't blame you,' says Katie McInerney, who edits sports stories. 'But that means you didn't get to learn about Typo, Shelby-Cobra, and Amber McCune thanks to Kevin Paul Dupont's story. Come for the cute dog photos, stay for the training tips.'
3. Health:
Harvard is building an aquatic lab to study octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and snails whose venom may one day yield lifesaving drugs, and the Globe's Anna Kuchment spoke to the researcher behind it. Hayley Kaufman, an editor on the express desk, called the headline that accompanied Anna's Q&A the Globe's best headline that day.
4. Books:
'I didn't know who Mel Robbins was until about a month ago,' says Heather Ciras, a deputy managing editor. 'But suddenly Robbins and her latest self-help manual — 'The Let Them Theory,' a guide to accepting others' behavior and focusing on what you can control — were everywhere: my Instagram feed, my friend group chat, and Oprah's podcast. So I did what I usually do when I'm confused about some cultural happening: talk to Globe writer Beth Teitell. Beth not only knew all about Robbins, but had written this story, a glimpse into a subculture searching for coping mechanisms that, when packed into Big Night Live, resembled a Christian revival.'
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5. Dining:
'You don't have to play or even like pickleball to savor Devra First's dining report on the four new eateries inside Neiman Marcus's old spot at the Natick Mall,' says Veronica Chao, a Living/Arts editor. 'Sound-proof (!) glass separates diners from the 21 pickleball courts that share the Bosse complex.' As Devra puts it, 'The effect is a bit like going to the zoo, only with better refreshments.'
6. Education:
'In recent years, the cost of building new schools in Massachusetts has escalated rapidly,' according to Melissa Taboada, who edits stories about educational inequity. 'The new projected costs to rebuild Madison Park Technical Vocational High School now stand at $700 million, the most expensive in state history,' as this story from the Globe's Christopher Huffaker explains. 'The school could end up costing even more, raising the question of whether this is the new normal for building or rebuilding school campuses in this state.'
7. Climate:
Finally, here's my recommendation: Warming weather over the past decade appears to have helped increase Boston's rat population by more than 50 percent. As the Globe's Claire Thornton wrote, higher temperatures give the rodents 'more days each year to forage, have offspring, and become unwelcome and potentially dangerous houseguests.' Claire's story also includes this insightful observation from a city official: 'Fertility, it's a real challenge with rodents, they're really incredible breeders.'
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POINTS OF INTEREST
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine Tuesday.
Michael Conroy/Associated Press
Boston and New England
His turn:
When Mike Vrabel talks football, you can't help but perk up. His confidence is
Rejected:
The Mass. education board denied KIPP Academy's second attempt to
Consequences:
The select board of Harvard, Mass.,
Trump Administration
Spoils of war:
Ukraine agreed to give the US profits from its natural resources. Ukraine's president had rejected an earlier proposal, sparking a row with Trump, who insisted on a deal. (
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe:
The administration said it will choose which reporters can cover presidential events. The White House Correspondents' Association, which currently coordinates that coverage, said the change 'tears at the independence of a free press.' (
Seguro aquí:
Mayor Wu told Spanish-language radio listeners, in Spanish, that Boston
Deadline:
The Trump administration has less than two days to release billions of dollars in foreign aid, a judge ruled, accusing it of not complying with his previous order. (
Not saving the children:
Relatedly, US nonprofits that make a treatment sent by USAID to help starving kids abroad say the distribution process is in chaos. (
The Nation and the World
Close call:
The FAA is investigating after a Southwest Airlines plane landing in Chicago narrowly avoided a private jet
Try the oatmeal:
Denny's is joining Waffle House in adding a temporary surcharge to meals that include eggs because of soaring prices. (
Apple keeps DEI:
Even as shareholders voted to retain diversity policies, CEO Tim Cook said a changing legal landscape may require some changes. 'But our north star of dignity and respect ... will never waver.' (
Inside the tent:
MSNBC star Rachel Maddow publicly blasted the network's decision to shake up its programming Monday night, including the cancellation of a show hosted by Joy Reid. (
Crypto heist:
North Korean hackers apparently stole $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency from Dubai-based exchange Bybit, by far the biggest theft of digital loot ever. Here's how they did it. (
BESIDE THE POINT
🖼️
MFA loan:
The beloved Boit sisters are leaving the building. The 19th century Sargent portrait, crown jewel of the Museum of Fine Arts, is heading to the Met in NY and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris for a year. (
🍻
Cheers:
How Allagash White, brewed in Maine, went from 'couldn't give it away' to the world's
🐟
Food alert:
Micro- and nanoplastics are getting into our food, and the effects could be pretty harmful. Here's how to minimize your risk. (
📷
Pictures perfect:
The finalists in the annual Sony World Photography Awards have been unveiled; here's a selection of remarkable images. (
🦖
De-extinction:
Dorchester native Ayo Edebiri will write a live-action movie based on the children's show 'Barney & Friends.'
📵
Screen break:
Block the internet on your phone for two weeks and you could be among the 91 percent of people who felt much better. (
🐶
'Puppy mountain':
This cliffside in China resembles a resting dog. It's become a viral sensation and is already attracting tourists. (
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😫 Gliding to pain relief:
There are no teeth involved, but 'nerve flossing' could help tight or stuck nerves slide more easily, easing pain and inflammation. (
🔥
Suckerfest:
The disaster that was the Fyre Festival of 2017 is getting a sequel, this time in Mexico. The organizer who spent time in prison for fraud is behind it. (
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