Kerry may be choice for secretary of defense

By Greg Miller and Karen DeYoung

President Obama is considering asking Senator Kerry to serve as his next defense secretary, part of an extensive rearrangement of his national security team.

Critical eyes on team behind Mitt Romney, Scott Brown

By Mark Arsenault

Republican insiders have raised questions about whether The Shawmut Group spread itself too thin with two of the biggest races in the country.

Russia, military, farm aid on lawmakers’ list

By Donna Cassata

The lame-duck Congress returns Tuesday to face pressing fiscal business and leftover legislation on trade with Russia, military budgets, and aid for farmers.

By Keith Bradsher

China’s Cabinet ordered that major industrial projects pass a “social risk assessment,” a move aimed at stemming environmental protests.

Iran’s state prosecutor confirmed Monday that a jailed blogger died in police custody last week and that wounds were found on his body.

The French foreign minister told Libyan leaders that democracy cannot exist without security, and he promised to help Libya restore state control.

joanna weiss

The blindness of hero worship

By Joanna Weiss

Journalists have a tendency to pick someone generally good and paint him as virtuous beyond compare.

Opinion | Farah Stockman

Fact-free fracking

By Farah Stockman

Remarkably little research has been done on what fracking’s risks are and whether they can be mitigated.

paul mcmorrow

By Paul McMorrow

There’s no stronger barometer for Downtown Crossing’s current renaissance than the latest repositioning project at the snakebitten Lafayette complex.

Owner of Framingham drug firm faulted

By Liz Kowalczyk

Pharmacist Barry Cadden, co-owner of the pharmacy blamed for the deadly national meningitis outbreak, has a long history of not cooperating with federal regulators.

For some, doping case hurts Livestrong image

By Bella English

After the fallout from the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, the wearers of the 80 million Livestrong bracelets sold face a dilemma: Wear them, or ditch them?

By Peter Schworm and Katherine Landergan

Tufts is considering whether an evangelical Christian student group should be stripped of its official status for requiring that its leaders adhere to the faith.

Major tasks face new Massport chief

By Katie Johnston

Thomas Glynn says the agency’s biggest challenges are adding international routes out of Logan, modernizing port facilities, and developing the East Boston waterfront.

Mass. grocers scramble to keep up with consumers

By Jay Fitzgerald

The state’s supermarket industry is undergoing a serious makeover as it faces stagnant sales and new types of competition.

Blue law restrictions on Thanksgiving rile merchants

By Sarah Shemkus

Some Mass. merchants are starting to question whether the state’s Colonial-era blue laws are becoming outdated.

By Emily Langer

Colonel Stone, who received the Medal of Honor for leading a platoon that was attacked by overwhelming forces in the Korean War, died in Arlington, Texas, Friday. He was 89.

Forrest ‘‘Dew Drop’’ Morgan, who was a national bobsled champion and former manager of the US Olympic team, died Saturday at Lake Placid, N.Y.

Joe Heaney, 82; longtime Boston Herald reporter

By Kathleen McKenna

Joe Heaney, whose career spanned 50 years and spawned almost as many stories about him as those he wrote, died Friday in Merrimack, N.H.

celtics 101, bulls 95

Celtics hang on to beat the Bulls

By Gary Washburn

Kevin Garnett scored 15 points — including a critical dunk late in the fourth quarter — as Boston earned its third road win in four games.

Patriots again in an enviable spot in the AFC

By Shalise Manza Young

For as flawed as the Patriots have been, they have once again taken control of the AFC East, building a two-game lead on the Dolphins.

Chaz Williams set to take UMass on thrill ride

By Michael Vega

After a stellar performance in 2011-12, Williams is revved up about steering the Minutemen toward the next level — an NCAA Tournament berth.

G Cover

Advice for raising a child star

By Joani Geltman

Actress Ari Graynor’s parenting-coach mom, who has 30 years of experience as a clinical social worker, talks about bringing up children with high drive.

By Joani Geltman

Sometimes our enthusiasm and concern for our children overwhelms common sense.

For some, doping case hurts Livestrong image

By Bella English

After the fallout from the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, the wearers of the 80 million Livestrong bracelets sold face a dilemma: Wear them, or ditch them?