Stubbornly unconvinced could swing the election

By Brian MacQuarrie

Undecided voters may have an outsize impact on the outcome in the critical swing state of New Hampshire.

New Yorkers impatient with pace of recovery

By Christine Hauser and Kate Zernike

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg decided Friday afternoon to cancel the New York City Marathon, as patience wore thin over gas shortages, power failures, and long lines.

A Michigan pastor accused of beating and strangling his fiancee’s daughter to fulfill a sexual fantasy had asked church members to pray for the young woman.

By Karin Laub and Zeina Karam

A gruesome video appears to show a unit of Syrian rebels executing soldiers, raising concerns about rebel brutality.

Japanese leaders reacted angrily Friday after the police on Okinawa said a US Air Force serviceman was suspected of breaking into an apartment while drunk and punching a schoolboy.

Cuba denounced the American diplomatic mission on the island on Friday for what it called subversive activities.

Robert L. Turner

The hidden winners and losers in the election

By Robert L. Turner

Their names are not on any ballot, but they will wake up Wednesday morning to find out they are among the election’s hidden winners and losers.

LAWRENCE HARMON

Boston’s dispensable teenagers

By Lawrence Harmon

In good neighborhoods, it would be odd to see young people in their early teens consorting with older teens. But in dangerous neighborhoods of Boston, the situation is common.

DERRICK Z. JACKSON

Helping voters one door at a time in Wisconsin

By Derrick Z. Jackson

In this battleground state, efforts to persuade individual residents to vote could be decisive in whether President Obama or Mitt Romney wins the White House.

Belmont at home with Romneys

By Evan Allen

The quiet community where Mitt Romney has lived since 1971 has gotten used to the commotion of his celebrity, and many people in town have a Romney story.

By Stephanie Ebbert

The controversial ballot referendum on physician-assisted suicide has prompted a flurry of late-breaking, heart-wrenching TV ads and fierce opposition.

By Carolyn Y. Johnson

Hundreds of US hospitals bought medications from the lightly regulated Framingham pharmacy that was implicated in a national meningitis outbreak.

Whiff of optimism draws out job seekers

By Megan Woolhouse and Katie Johnston

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are again looking for work as they perceive improving job prospects.

Shaw’s says it’s laying off 700

By Hiawatha Bray

Shaw’s Supermarkets, citing a weak economy and tough competition, will cut jobs at each of the 169 stores in New England.

By Beth Healy

Harvard University’s largest union reacted angrily Friday to assertions by the school that health care costs for employees are growing at unsustainable rates.

Robert Sides; directed admissions at Phillips Academy

By Kathleen McKenna

Mr. Sides, 96, was as respected for his prowess on the water and on the tennis court as he was on the campus of Phillips Academy, where he also taught and coached.

Letitia Baldrige, chief of staff for Jacqueline Kennedy

By Anita Gates

Ms. Baldrige, 86, was an imposing author, etiquette adviser, and executive who became a household name as Jacqueline Kennedy’s White House chief of staff.

John Cooper Fitch, racer; invented highway barrier

By Douglas Martin

Mr. Fitch, 95, set a speed record — for driving backward — reaching 60 miles per hour at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn.

bucks 99, celtics 88

Celtics lose home opener to Bucks

By Frank Dell’Apa

A 99-88 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night was the Celtics’ second successive double-figure defeat.

David Ortiz, Red Sox reach deal

By Peter Abraham

The designated hitter agreed on Friday night to a two-year contract worth $26 million. Incentives could bring the total value to $30 million.

Ex-rugby player Ebner fitting in with Patriots

By John Powers

Nate Ebner, who never played high school football, parlayed his special teams skills at Ohio State and his rugby background into an NFL job.

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Local man has small but pivotal role in ‘Argo’

By Bella English

North Andover’s Brandon Tabassi landed a spot in Ben Affleck’s spy thriller, and hopes to one day play a part in Massachusetts politics.

Stage Review

‘Chicago,’ Christie Brinkley running low on electricity

By Don Aucoin

The former supermodel plays Roxie in the touring production of “Chicago’’ that is showing through Nov. 4 at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre.

Stage Review

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Saltimbanco’ bids adieu

By Jeffrey Gantz

Cirque du Soleil’s longest-running touring show is making its farewell tour, after which it is to be retired.