January 9, 2012

By Sarah Schweitzer

For voters in the bellwether town of Ashland, N.H., the final debates before the GOP primary offered too little reinforcement to make a favored candidate a final choice.

A bus crashed yesterday on an icy interstate highway in southwestern Montana, killing two people and sending more than 30 others to area hospitals, officials said.

Texas is asking the Supreme Court to allow the use of new, unapproved electoral districts in this year’s voting for Congress and state Legislature.

By David Sanger

The announcement by Iran's top nuclear official was a defiant declaration that its nuclear program would continue despite new sanctions.

The Obama administration is expelling Venezuela’s consul general after allegations that she discussed possible cyberattacks on US soil while stationed in Mexico.

The Arab League demanded yesterday that the Syrian government immediately stop all violence and allow more monitors in.

Scot Lehigh

By Scot Lehigh

The front-running Mitt Romney remains in good shape for tomorrow's Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire.

letters | TACKLING RISE IN HEALTH CARE COSTS

A view against tiered coverage.

letters | TACKLING RISE IN HEALTH CARE COSTS

"Patients should be the center of a strong health care system that makes high-quality health care available to everyone regardless of ability to pay." - Dr. Patricia Downs Berger

HARDWICK, VT.

An industrial kitchen with professional ovens and mixers may not seem like the traditional business incubator, but its creators hope it will lead to the next Ben and Jerry’s or Cabot cheese.

NEWBURY, N.H.

Officials said a three-alarm fire destroyed New Hampshire’s first tilapia farm yesterday.

ELIOT, Maine

Maine retailers apparently are not in a rush to seek to sell fireworks, which became legal Jan. 1.

Economic reports and earnings to watch this week.

Tech show losing clout amid change in industry

By Nick Wingfield

Though it’s still the biggest consumer technology convention, the importance of the International Consumer Electronics Show in creating buzz is being called into question.

By Denise Lavoie

A Newton woman is one of 53 from around the country who are suing drug companies that made DES from about 1938 to the early 1970s.

By Tom Coyne

Cecil Pond, a pioneer of the riding lawn mower and founder of Wheel Horse Products, has died at age 87.

Richard Alf, one of the cofounders of San Diego’s Comic-Con, has died from pancreatic cancer at age 59.

William Duell, at 88; actor had Broadway, TV, film roles

By Bruce Weber

William Duell, a diminutive character actor whose puckishness and understated comic flair enlivened Broadway shows, television series, and Hollywood films, has died.

On Football

Broncos out to prove they can beat Patriots this time

By Greg A. Bedard

Denver’s upset of the Steelers in the AFC wild-card playoff game means the Broncos will now face the Patriots and get a chance to avenge their Week 15 loss.

Kevin Garnett slow to embrace offensive aggression

By Gary Washburn

It’s natural that age has slowed Garnett’s ability to produce big numbers, but coach Doc Rivers isn’t asking for 20-10 nights. He’s asking for 15 shot attempts.

Patchwork secondary is part of the Patriots’ mystery

By Julian Benbow

Many of the names are lesser known -- Sterling Moore, Antwaun Molden. And the Patriots are still, on the cusp of the playoff opener, seeking the right mix in the backfield.

Spelling makes a comeback in schools

By Linda Matchan

Spelling textbooks, ejected from classrooms some 20 years ago to make way for more creative methods of studying words, are becoming popular again.

"All things have their visible and their invisible sides and we know nothing about them until we see both." — José Saramago

Today is Monday, Jan. 9, the ninth day of 2012. There are 357 days left in the year.