WGBH NEWS

Federal Loopholes Compromise Lyme Disease Testing

By Beth Daley

An exemption in federal regulations allows many labs to offer Lyme disease tests without proof that they accurately identify the disease, leaving anxious patients and their doctors to decide which tests to believe.

WGBH News

Boston's Vanishing Middle Class

LISTEN

By Phillip Martin

Class insecurity is felt even by folks who make what most of us would consider a good income: "I’m middle class, but I don’t feel so middle anymore."

GREATER BOSTON

Follow Local News on WGBH

WATCH ONLINE

WGBH's nightly local news program Greater Boston tackles the region's top stories with original reporting and comprehensive analysis. Our guests bring diverse perspectives take viewers beyond the day's headlines.

Weeknights at 7pm on WGBH 2

NEWS

WGBH News Looks Back at 2012

READ THE STORY

Staff from Greater Boston, local News and Boston Public Radio put their heads together to give you a collection of their favorite moments from 2012. Enjoy list browsing while you sip your headache remedies and welcome a new year.

Government

House Passes 'Three-Strikes' Bill

Defense lawyers are criticizing the controversial measure, saying the bill is unusual in that it removes "any judicial discretion in sentencing."

Government

Governor Responds to Parking Record Controversy

By Sarah Birnbaum
A fight is being waged on Beacon Hill over a newspaper’s request to keep tabs on the comings and goings of lawmakers — and the controversy has provoked additional press criticism of Gov. Deval Patrick.

Health Care

What Does the MGH U.S. News Ranking Mean?

By Jordan Weinstein
Massachusetts General Hospital has been named the number-one hospital in the country by U.S. News and World Report. But one health care expert warns that no list is conclusive.

Seafood

Lobster: Cheaper than Bologna

By Toni Waterman
After a perfect storm of high yields and soft shells, local lobstermen are struggling to stay afloat in a sea of surplus, low-priced crustaceans. Toni Waterman went out on a lobster boat to see the problem firsthand.

FROM THE VAULT

Rock 'n' Roll Legend Dick Dale on the Origins of Surf Guitar Music

By Elizabeth Deane
The Beach Boys may have surpassed Quincy-born Dick Dale in popularity, but he owns the title "King of the Surf Guitar." Learn why in this WGBH Archives video interview from the award-winning series "Rock & Roll."

Gambling

Lawmakers Fear Wampanoag Casino Delay

By Sarah Birnbaum
At a public hearing on the compact that Gov. Deval Patrick signed with Mashpee Wampanoag tribal leaders, southeastern representatives expressed concern that the project could be frozen for years.

Government

This Week in State Politics: A Race Against the Deadline

By Sarah Birnbaum
With the formal session deadline approaching, lawmakers hold a public hearing on the governor's casino agreement, officials consider the price of placing calls from prison and the June job numbers get released.

Social Issues

1 Guest: Margaret Marshall

The retired Massachusetts chief justice talks with Emily Rooney about the historic Goodridge decision and more. Watch the interview online.

Innovation Hub

Too Many Workers in Math and Science?

By Kara Miller
We bring you the flip side of a story we recently covered. One professor argues that there are no shortage of qualified math and science graduates in America — despite what companies say. MORE INNOVATION HUB

Innovation Hub

Research on Internet Dating

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
What does the newest research tell us about online dating? Innovation Hub's Kara Miller discusses the question with Bob Seay.

Government

The Governor's Difficult Budget Season

By Cristina Quinn
Gov. Deval Patrick started out confident when he signing a new Massachusetts state budget. But as the days went by, he was handed one defeat after another by a Legislature that said, "Wait a minute."

Xconomy

Xconomy Report: Big Bets on the Future of Boston Tech

By Gregory T. Huang, Editor, Xconomy Boston
We name the big players in the local startup scene and ask: Will they scale the heights — or flame out?

Gambling

Governor, Tribe Sign Agreement for Taunton Casino

By Sarah Birnbaum
The deal grants the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe the exclusive right to operate a casino in the southeastern part of the state. It's the most concrete development yet in the race to establish casinos in Massachusetts.

Caught in the Act

A Notebook in Pictures: Annie Leibovitz on Pilgrimage

MORE ARTS NEWS

By Jared Bowen
What began as a project evolved into a journey with emotional heft. Leibovitz calls her newest work, Pilgrimage, a pictoral notebook about the sense of place.

Fenway at 100

The Sounds of Fenway

FENWAY AT 100: MORE STORIES

By Ibby Caputo
The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the love it/hate it chorus of "Sweet Caroline": the experience of a Sox home game is as much aural as visual. We meet the people who make the musical magic happen.

NEIGHBORHOOD KITCHENS

Neighborhood Kitchens Visits Muqueca

VISIT NEIGHBORHOOD KITCHENS

By Margarita Martinez
Muqueca's Chef Fátima, or Fafa for short, serves up the Brazilian food that she loves and knows best, from the eastern coastal state of Espirito Santo, where she grew up.

Courts, Crime & Police

Rep. Henriquez's Accuser Breaks Silence

By Adam Reilly
The woman accusing Dorchester state representative Carlos Henriquez of domestic assault and kidnapping has spoken out for the first time.

Movies

Six Winning 48-Hour Films

By Edgar B. Herwick III
How good a film can you create in 48 hours? Winning auteur Michael McVey sent along five of his favorites from the 2012 Boston 48-Hour Film Project. He talks with Edgar Herwick on Boston Public Radio.

Government

House Votes to Override Governor on Three Key Issues

By Sarah Birnbaum & Cristina Quinn
Massachusetts House lawmakers have pushed back against Gov. Deval Patrick on welfare restrictions, mental health and immigration checks, overriding Patrick's line-item vetoes in the fiscal year 2013 budget.

WGBH Local News

Video: Memorializing the Comet Coaster

By WGBH News & Wires
With the demolition of the Comet roller coaster in a defunct Dartmouth amusement park, another piece of Massachusetts history is gone. But it lives on in the contemporary version of celluloid: YouTube.

Caught in the Act

Review: 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' a True Original

Mental Health

Two Perspectives on Treating Mental Illness

SHOULD WE CLOSE TAUNTON STATE?

By Cristina Quinn
The debate over the Taunton State Hospital reveals a deeper philosophical debate on helping people with psychiatric disabilities. We talk to a parent who supports keeping the hospital open and an advocate for community services.

WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

The Big Dig: $23 Billion and Counting

THE TOLL ON THE MBTA

By Sarah Birnbaum
At a State House hearing, transportation officials said the total cost of the Big Dig is continuing to grow, starving the state of funds for other road and bridge projects.

WGBH Local News

Boston Volunteers Help Vietnamese with HIV

By Phillip Martin
In Ho Chi Minh City, two Boston College professors are leading a group of students to volunteer at a clinic for HIV patients who are at the end of their lives.

Cape Cod

The Cape Cod Shark: Good for Business and Science

By WGBH News
Maybe you've seen the photo: a kayaker off Cape Cod … and a fin. Yet the recent shark sighting appears to be triggering more excitement than fear. We asked some experts to explain the phenomenon — including the shark himself.

Mental Health

Should We Close Taunton State Hospital?

By Cristina Quinn
A nurse at Taunton State Hospital argues for why the inpatient mental health facility matters — even though Gov. Deval Patrick used a budget line-item veto to relocate those services to Worcester.

Government

Analyzing the State's New Budget

By Bob Seay
On Beacon Hill, there's legislative pushback on the state's new budget. Soon after Gov. Deval Patrick vetoed funding for the aging Taunton State Hospital, lawmakers lined up calling for an override.

Election 2012

DNC Chair Rips Romney's 'Penchant for Secrecy'

By Adam Reilly
As Democrats hammer the private financial practices of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Boston is becoming a favorite staging ground for their attacks.

Boston

From the Archives: The Sumner Tunnel

Greater Boston's weekly feature goes inside the photo archives from the Globe for a glimpse into the city's past. This week, we trace the evolution of a key transportation artery.

Innovation Hub

Encore: New Digs for the Workplace

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
Innovation Hub looks at the changing workplace. Is telecommuting more common? Dogs in the office more acceptable? And what about people who are employed, but with no office at all?

Caught in the Act

How Cirque du Soleil Evolves and Inspires

MORE ARTS NEWS FROM JARED BOWEN

By Jared Bowen
In the 1980s, Cirque du Soleil was simply a group of street performers in Quebec. Artistic Director Tim Smith and Company Manager Jeff Lund talk about how it has become a global enterprise.

Boston

Starting a Takeout: A Recipe for Change

By Val Wang
Whether you're buying an established takeout or starting from scratch, it can be challenging to build the trust and community these neighborhood joints require to succeed. Val Wang checks out the progress at Hong Kong Chef and Wok N Talk.

Xconomy

Xconomy Report: Don't You Want (to Buy) Me, Baby?

By Gregory T. Huang, Editor, Xconomy Boston
There's a lot of activity in mobile advertising again, with venture capitalists pouring money into startups such as Jumptap, Session M and CraveLabs that promise to reach consumers with advertising anywhere they carry their phones.

WGBH Local News

Governor Signs Price Scanner Law

By Jordan Weinstein
What's a better way to inform consumers of an item's price: the old-fashioned sticker or the modern scanner? Some advocates are objecting to the new law, which lets retailers rely on technology instead of putting stickers on every single item.

Caught in the Act

Weekend Arts Review: I Saw Katy Perry and I Liked It

By Jared Bowen
The new film documenting the rise of music sensation Katy Perry is surprisingly touching. Hear Jared's review on Morning Edition of that and other art in Boston that you shouldn't miss this weekend.

Election 2012

John Tierney Says His Brothers-in-Law Can't Be Trusted

By Adam Reilly
In a lengthy and occasionally combative appearance, the embattled congressman denied relatives' accusations that he knew all about their illegal gambling operation.

Earth

Smelly Seaweed Shocks Sunbathers and Sponges

By Toni Waterman
Local researchers say an invasive and rather ... pungent ... species of seaweed that's stormed the coast might not just be unpleasant for beach-goers — it could be crowding out New England sea creatures.

People & Profiles

Barney Frank, Ready to Wed

By Jesse Mayfield-Sheehan & The Takeaway
News reports are speculating that the Massachusetts congressman's wedding will take place on July 7. During the lead-up, Frank talked about the stress of wedding planning and how to ruin a good party.

Communications & Media

The Question No One Asked Karen Klein

By Jeff Keating
On Beat the Press, Emily Rooney questioned why reporters hadn't challenged the seeming passivity of Karen Klein, the bullied bus monitor. After all, Klein was hired to keep kids in line on the bus. So WGBH's Toni Waterman asked Klein herself.

Weather & National Disasters

The July Weather Outlook

By Bob Seay
Climate scientist Mike Rawlins says that most of the U.S. is projected to be hotter than average this summer — but not New England.

Business

1 Guest: David D'Alessandro

By Sanjay Salomon
The Boston business leader opens up to host Emily Rooney about growing up in upstate New York, his father's gambling addiction, his early jobs and much more. Watch the interview online.

Film

Let's Do the Time Warp (Never) Again!

By The Callie Crossley Show
The AMC Loews Harvard Square Theatre is closing. What does this mean for Rocky Horror fans and neighboring movie houses?

INNOVATION HUB

Checking in on the Job Market

By Kara Miller
Today, we take the pulse of the job market. Are companies finally starting to feel more secure? And what kinds of jobs and skills are now most in demand?

Technology

A Ride in a Cab That's Optimized for the Blind

By Cristina Quinn
Blind passengers have one big problem taking taxis: They don't know what's on the fare box. The City of Boston is poised to roll out technology that will solve that problem. We take it for a spin.

Caught in the Act

Wahlberg Takes Bro-mance to a New Comedy Level in Ted

By Jared Bowen
Mark Wahlberg is infinitely endearing as the puppy-eyed John, who is legitimately torn between his loyalties to his best bear friend and the girl he loves.

Xconomy

Xconomy Report: Shopping in Public

By Gregory T. Huang, Editor, Xconomy Boston
A recently minted public company is trying to create the future of retail. Burlington-based Demandware, valued at over $700 million, makes software to help high-end brands reach more customers online.

Red Sox

Pedro Martinez: The Man, the Myth, the Interview

WATCH GREATER BOSTON

Newly honored by the New England Sports Museum, the former Red Sox pitcher talked with Emily Rooney about Boston, his career and what it's like to be immortalized in art.

Health Care

Dukakis on Health Care Reform

COMPLETE WGBH COVERAGE

By Bob Seay
Former Gov. Michael Dukakis thought the result at the high court was positive but saw challenges ahead in the struggle to fix the U.S. health care system.

Courts, Crime & Police

From the Archives: The Blackfriars Massacre

We look back to the 1978 Blackfriars Massacre. It claimed the lives of five people, including an investigative journalist.

Health Care

The Supreme Court Ruling: WGBH Analysis

COMPLETE WGBH COVERAGE

WGBH News hears from policy and health care experts about the Supreme Court's decision.

Health Care

SCOTUSblog's Live Feed of the Affordable Care Act Reactions

COMPLETE WGBH COVERAGE

The experts at SCOTUSblog give the blow-by-blow of this morning's decision.

Caught in the Act

Take a Wild Ride on Avenue Q, but Steer Away from Car Talk

By Jared Bowen
This week's pick of entertainment ranges from hilarious to, well...rusty.

Health Care

WGBH News Coverage of the Health Care Decision

By WGBH News
The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act in a complex ruling. Here's our schedule of guests and conversations to help you make sense of it.

People & Profiles

Dressmaker for Gypsies Says 'Bling It On'

By Toni Waterman
We visit the Waltham showroom of Sondra Celli, dressmaker to TLC's American Gypsy brides. And with business booming, it looks like economic development can come draped in rhinestones, lamé and cup chain.

Health Care

'Obamacare' Decision to Have Limited Impact on Commonwealth

WGBH NEWS FOCUS: HEALTH CARE ON TRIAL

By Sarah Birnbaum
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. But if it's struck down, the practical ramifications in Massachusetts may be relatively small.

Courts, Crime & Police

Would a Whitey 'License to Kill' Defense Hold Up?

By Emily Rooney
Observers are speculating that James "Whitey" Bulger’s defense will be that his crimes were protected by his informant status with the FBI. But, a former U.S. attorney says, that didn't work for Steven "The Rifleman" Flemmi.

Health Care

Customers to Get $57M in Health Insurance Rebates

By Sarah Birnbaum & Wires
Massachusetts health insurance plans will have to cough up almost $57 million in rebates to customers. On average, individuals will receive just over $200 and businesses will receive $936.

Immigration

On Beacon Hill, a Reaction to Arizona

REVIEW THE ARGUMENTS: HEALTH CARE ON TRIAL

By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick praised the U.S. Supreme Court for striking down key provisions of Arizona's crackdown on immigrants. But he wasn't entirely satisfied — and neither were some of his critics.

Health Care

Still Waiting for the Health Care Decision

REVIEW THE ARGUMENTS: HEALTH CARE ON TRIAL

By Bob Seay
As we drum our fingers, law professor Renée Landers explains four likely scenarios for the Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act ruling and their ramifications.

Election 2012

This Week in State Politics: The President and an Eastie Casino

By Sarah Birnbaum
President Barack Obama makes a campaign swing through Boston, a proposed casino in East Boston draws opposition and a film and television studio pushes ahead in Devens.

WGBH NEWS

As Water Supplies Wane, What's Next?

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
Innovation Hub looks at the increasing scarcity of water as the world's population grows.

Innovation Hub

How the Local Food Movement Falls Short

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
The locavore movement is increasingly powerful — but one author says the movement is not nearly diverse enough and excludes some of the very people who most need healthy, affordable food.

Xconomy

Xconomy Report: When Health's a Game

By Gregory T. Huang, Editor, Xconomy Boston
Can playing video games make you healthier? That’s the idea behind the “gamification” of health care, a big trend we’re seeing in the Boston tech scene and beyond.

Medical Treatments

Cancer Patients Protest at Biotech Conference

By Toni Waterman
About a dozen protesters gathered outside the BIO International Convention to demand the Food and Drug Administration speed up the approval process for an experimental drug to treat cancer.

Medical Treatments

The First Total Artificial Heart Transplant

By Toni Waterman & Jordan Weinstein
At Brigham and Women's Hospital, retired high school teacher James Carelli Jr. talked about the pioneering heart surgery. In order to put himself through it, he needed faith.