LOCAL NEWS

Construction manager named for Ferdinand site

Shawmut Design and Construction will be the construction manager for the Dudley Square Municipal Office Facility, the $115 million project to redevelop the site of the long-vacant Ferdinand's furniture store in the heart of Dudley Square. More »

Corporate tax loopholes trigger downtown protest

The media reports early last year revealing that General Electric paid no taxes in 2010 provided a window into the rarified world of corporate tax loopholes. Last week, a coalition of Boston-area activists descended on GE's Boston office and presented corporate officials with a past-due bill for what they characterized as a case of unfair tax dodging. More »

Botswana defines its own democracy

The country people know best in southern Africa is South Africa, because of Nelson Mandela and the long struggle against apartheid. Its neighbor Botswana has little prominence, in part because the country escaped the same rigid racial separation - by volunteering to become a colony. More »

Kerry's speech pays tribute to Boston Mayor Kevin White

In the shadows of Faneuil Hall, there is a statue today of Kevin Hagan White, a four-term Mayor of Boston. It stands 10 feet tall, larger than life. There really could not be a more fitting tribute to a mayor and a man who was himself a huge figure in the history of Boston. His passing gives Boston and its people a chance to reflect on how one leader, one politician, could help to reshape a major city in America. More »

Hotel, apartments, retail coming to Melnea Cass

The Project Review Committee for the development of two land parcels at Melnea Cass Boulevard and Washington Street endorsed bold change for Roxbury this week. More »

'Over My Shoulder' shows impact of mentoring

Grammy award-winning singer Patti Austin's life has been filled with mentors and now she wants to give back by making a difference in the lives of young people. "Mentoring is what we're supposed to do," Austin said. "It's what we should be doing." More »

Three women 'Red Tails' left out of its story

"Red Tails," the new George Lucas film depicting the valiant Tuskegee Airmen, reminds us of the often overlooked role of African Americans in World War II and their noble achievements. While much has been written about the airmen, very few of us understand how important three women were to their existence. And this is one crucial historical element that Lucas left out. More »

The shootout heard around the world

Adrian Dantley, Bo Ellis, Norm Nixon, Doc Rivers, Albert and Bernard King, Pat Ewing, Pearl Washington, Adrian Branch, Earl Jones, Chris Mullin, Walter Berry and Antoine Walker. These are among the many talented schoolboy basketball players who have participated in The Boston Shootout. More »

Local rapper is regional winner of rap contest

Dorchester native Nilton Depina is the regional winner of the "America's Next Top Rapper" competition. He went up against dozens of local rappers to win $5,000 in cash. The talent contest is modeled after "American Idol" with contestants from all around the nation converging in Las Vegas for the finals. More »