Obama delivers a vow in visit to hobbled New Jersey

By Callum Borchers

President Obama toured the hurricane-battered state before resolutely vowing to assist those whose lives were upended.

By David Crary

The Boy Scouts of America is hosting an unprecedented closed-door symposium with other national youth organizations, hoping to share strategies to combat sex abuse.

By Dan Elliott

The Air Force Academy said 27 cadets were injured in a brawl during an unofficial ritual marking the first snowfall of the season.

By Esam Mohamed

The approval enraged armed protesters who want members of the ousted regime of dictator Moammar Khadafy to be excluded from political life.

US renounces Syrian rebels led by ex-pats

By Anne Gearan

The Obama administration said any group seeking to oust President Bashar Assad must reject attempts by extremists to hijack a legitimate revolution.

By Aron Heller

Israel’s new hawkish bloc will do away with draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men if it forms a government, the deputy foreign minister pledged.

juliette kayyem

Politicians push back

By Juliette Kayyem

For all the talk about what government owes its citizens, an equally compelling discourse focuses on an individual’s responsibilities to society.

Joan Vennochi

Mitt Romney backtracks on FEMA

By Joan Vennochi

Romney moved away from his earlier remarks that disaster relief should be left to the states, but when reality strikes in the form of a tidal surge, his underlying sentiment is cold.

Edward L. Glaeser

Candidates quibble over size of government, but what US needs is quality

By Edward L. Glaeser

President Obama and Mitt Romney’s discussion of the role of government misses our real need: public competence that will improve schools, target infrastructure needs, and reduce health care costs.

Time cards put Winchester housing chief in two places at once

By Sean P. Murphy

Joseph M. Lally, who also kept a full-time law practice, filed 16 conflicting time cards showing him in court when he claimed to be at the housing authority, a state audit shows.

Prodded by FDA, Westborough firm to recall all its drugs

By Liz Kowalczyk, Kay Lazar and Todd Wallack

Regulators raised questions about safety tests by Ameridose, the sister company of the Framingham pharmacy blamed for the deadly meningitis outbreak.

By Peter Schworm

Two days after Hurricane Sandy lashed the region, utilities are making steady progress on restoring electricity.

Prodded by FDA, Westborough firm to recall all its drugs

By Liz Kowalczyk, Kay Lazar and Todd Wallack

Regulators raised questions about safety tests by Ameridose, the sister company of the Framingham pharmacy blamed for the deadly meningitis outbreak.

Tech Lab

Surface tablet, Windows 8 may test users

By Hiawatha Bray

Microsoft’s latest operating system and daring new tablet are bold, innovative products. But using them is too much like work.

By Jenifer B. McKim

Sales rose more than 25 percent in the third quarter from the same period last year, and the median price neared a peak.

Jeanette Boone-Smith, 77; longtime Boston social activist

By J.M. Lawrence

Before boutiques and high-end restaurants dominated the South End, Mrs. Boone-Smith helped push drug dealers and pimps out of the neighborhood.

Mr. May was a onetime All-Star for the Milwaukee Brewers who was traded to Atlanta in order to bring back the local hero Hank ­Aaron.

John Farrell’s path to manager’s seat unusual

By Amalie Benjamin

It’s rare to see a former pitching coach like John Farrell make the jump to managing. And those that have made the leap traditionally have struggled.

Midseason awards

Patriots’ best and worst of the first half

By Shalise Manza Young

Assessing the Patriots at the midway point, with some serious and silly superlatives, including MVPs on both sides of the ball.

On basketball

Celtics need to put it together defensively

By Gary Washburn

The defense needs a lot of work after it gave up 120 points to the Heat in a season-opening loss.

How Kickstarter gave 3 Boston fashion companies a boost

By Christopher Muther

Here’s an introduction to these stylish local entrepreneurs.

Show House tour spotlights mansion returned to former glory

By Christopher Muther

With the help of 35 Boston-area interior designers, the Newton mansion’s rooms look like they were plucked from the pages of Architectural Digest.

Felice Shapiro on getting better after 50

By Jessica Teich

Shapiro launched betterafter50.com, an online magazine encouraging women to find a second wind mid-life – and share experiences along the way.

Lowell nonprofit for troubled youth gets new home

By Kathleen Pierce

Using the latest in sustainable building technologies, the once nomadic United Teen Equality Center is now firmly rooted for growth and longevity.

Lowell teens bring best-selling author to city

By Brenda J. Buote

Inspired by a memoir, “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates,” four teenagers raised $30,000 to bring its author to Lowell.

By Dan O’Brien

The proposal is designed to avoid a court challenge akin to the ACLU’s suit against neighboring Lynn.

Online lessons aid teachers, students in classrooms

By Emily Sweeney

More schools are incorporating online learning into their curriculums to better engage students and free up teacher time.

By Emily Sweeney

Here’s what Khan Academy looks like, and how it’s used in the classroom.

marshfield

By Jennette Barnes

Marshfield Town Meeting on Monday approved construction of a $3.5 million fire station and agreed to match a federal grant for a new boat for the harbormaster.

Artifacts found at air force base may be tied to Revolutionary War

By Kathleen Burge

Archeologists have uncovered items from Hanscom Air Force base that may be related to the “second battle of Lexington” in 1775.

Parker’s Revenge and Hanscom Air Force Base

Facts on Battle of Parker’s Revenge and Hanscom Air Force Base

Newton

By Deirdre Fernandes

Matthew Cummings, who became the first police chief fired in Newton’s history last month, could qualify for an annual pension of as much as $129,000.