Fears that federal agents may target students spiked last week among pupils, parents and educators after Trump rescinded a policy that kept schools and other “sensitive” locations off limits from immigration raids and arrests.

The merchandising and signage team at the Market Basket in Chelsea continues to reach levels other markets can't even dream of.

Here's what you need to know about the coming snowstorm hitting Boston this weekend. Plus, the weather drama doesn't end there. Get prepared for the Arctic blast headed our way, too:

Cute animals get a lot of conservation shine, but here's a story about a slimy green plant that deserves your attention.

Salem is eyeing new Halloween safety measures — including expanded barricades — in the wake of last week's deadly New Orleans truck attack. Plus: — US Attorney for Mass. to resign — State rep under investigation — BPS closings — Your 2025 Boston Calling lineup www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...

Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned after an editor rejected her sketch satirizing tech chiefs, including the Post's owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The state’s largest health insurers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Point32Health, told WBUR their customers can expect average increases of 8 to 10%.

The city logged 23 homicides through mid-December, down from 37 last year and far below its historic average. In the early '90s, Boston recorded more than 100 murders a year.

Boston kicks off the holiday week with frigid air, but snowfall and seasonable temperatures are expected. Here's your holiday forecast.

Word of the day (of course) is ‘scurryfunging’, from US dialect: the frantic attempt to tidy the house just before guests arrive.

I recently learned my grandmother’s real name was Santa. 🫠

The reports of irony’s death are greatly exaggerated.

Sen. Warren fights back against Elon Musk threat to "delete" a watchdog agency she helped create, telling consumers, "hang on to your wallet."

Narwhals have fascinated and confounded humans for centuries. The Peabody Essex Museum is diving into the mystery, history and science of the tusked “unicorns of the sea.”

More here: www.wbur.org/news/2024/12...

Cold-stunned turtles wash up on Cape Cod every year. But over time, the number of imperiled critters has exploded, fueled by climate change. WBUR's Katie Cole followed a chain of rescuers working around the clock to save these endangered animals, which you can see in our video below:

Word of the day is ‘forswunk’ (13th century): exhausted by work. I like to add ‘foreswunk’, exhausted before you even begin.

Word of the morning is ‘williwaw’ (19th century): a sudden violent squall or a toppling gust of wind. Goes well with ‘thunderplump’: a sudden downpour that soaks you to the skin in seconds.

The new password guidelines will do away with special character requirements, mixing upper- and lower-case letters and periodic password updates.

Dan Taberski, creator of the podcast "Hysterical," explains how he became interested in a condition that causes physical symptoms with no apparent medical source, its possible role in the Salem Witch Trials, and how the illness is treated by the media and medical professions.

Federal authorities are reportedly investigating Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson:

5 reasons why The Shining is a Christmas movie 1. Snow 2. Red rum 3. Hyperactive kids 4. Big snuggly jumpers 5. Huge family row ending with someone putting an axe through the door.

If you're worried about paying your utility or fuel oil bills this winter, here’s what you need to know.

A great series by my colleague, @wbur.org’s Simón Rios, about the arduous journey one migrant family faced to find home in Massachusetts — and the challenges that remain before them.

Bingo! Take a break from the news and play Thanksgiving bingo to see if you're yamming it up, Massachusetts style. Ready to play?

In 2023, our team created an interactive guide to rights the Supreme Court has established — and could take away. Most rights are based in statute, but rights to same-sex marriage, search warrants and Miranda warnings are based on judicial rulings that the Supreme Court can overturn. ⤵️

Climate change may force you to change your mind about going outdoors as often in the summertime. It's worth noting, however, that days when temperatures fall between 50 to 77 degrees are expected to increase in the fall and spring toward the end of the century.

Brockton's mayor vetoed two ordinances that would prohibit loitering and camping on public property.

Here's the updated forecast for Thanksgiving:

From restaurants to seed stewarding, tribal members are working to reconnect with their foodways and culture. "Our food is our stories. It's our sovereignty," said chef Sherry Pocknett. "And without food, without the stories, there wouldn't be language."

Here are some nice mushrooms

The city of Lowell's new ban on camping on public property -- part of its response to a dramatic increase in people living on the streets -- takes effect Wednesday. We met some of the people living outdoors in Lowell as tensions over the issue were rising. www.wbur.org/news/2024/11...

Rallying outside the State House, North Shore teachers raised up their demands and called on legislators and the governor to help end the strike.

Earlier this month, Gov. Maura Healey said state police will not assist in any mass deportation efforts. But other law enforcement agencies in the state could participate in deportations.

A 9-alarm fire in an industrial building in Chelsea has caused delays on the MBTA commuter rail and prompted local elementary schools to close.

My word of the day (and personal recommendation) is ‘snerdling’ (18th century): nestling cosily beneath the covers and holding off the day a little longer. Morning.

Spotted on I-95: A reminder that MA (and much of the Northeast) is in a severe drought. More on the state of the situation and its climate change connection 👇 www.wbur.org/news/2024/11... @wbur.org

Passing along a job opening from a friend for a data journalist in NYC. Salary is $100k-120k careers.pei.group/vacancies/19... #datajournalism

Lawmakers in #Massachusetts just passed a sweeping climate and clean energy bill. It now heads to Gov. Maura Healey, who is expected to sign it soon. Here, in plain English, is what's in the bill www.wbur.org/news/2024/11... @wbur.org #Energysky

The state's high court ruled today that preliminary hearings should be public for more than two dozen accused customers of a high-end sex ring, rejecting a request by some of the defendants to keep the initial proceedings secret.

What's in the state's sweeping econ. dev. bill? - A new rule that lets political candidates use campaign funds for child care - A greenlight for farmers' markets to sell craft beer - A mandate that online ticket-sellers display upfront the “actual” price of tickets, including fees More details:

The city of Boston is suing Barbara Lynch, the embattled fine-dining chef and restaurateur, for nearly $1.7 million in unpaid personal property taxes:

In a crackdown on homeless encampments, Lowell and Brockton city councils voted this week to ban people from camping in public spaces — and fine those who violate the new ordinances.

Rose Art Museum has a wild new exhibit. “The unsettling combination of threatening and alluring is on dizzying display throughout the Rose’s survey of Hayden’s prolific last decade: a baby’s crib lined with thorns, basketball hoops woven from human-like hair …” — @shmabelia.bsky.social

After a month following Portland’s once-mysterious arctic fox from home to home, the snowy white wonder is getting ready to say goodbye to Oregon. For now, though, it’s living large at the Oregon Zoo. www.oregonlive.com/entertainmen...

It’s nice to see so many new people here. It’s important that you all say hello to Spuckie, who’s sure that dinner time is all the time.

Wild chart here. "Abortions were up 37% in Mass. last year, driven by patients from other states" www.wbur.org/news/2024/11...