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November 19, 2008

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Healthcare out of balance

Elite hospitals are paid much more for care

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Connolly trial coverage and
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Department under fire

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Reporters' Questions

Boycotting Black Friday?

Are you planning to boycott the tradition of waking up early to take advantage of bargains at area stores the day after Thanksgiving? If you're a shopper who usually goes out on Black Friday but is staying in this year, please email abelson@globe.com.

Smoke detectors

Do you live in - or know about - a multifamily dwelling that does not have smoke detectors, or has smoke detectors that have been disabled or do not work? E-mail reporter Matt Collette mpcollette@globe.com.

Marriage and Money

Are you married to your financial opposite? If you and your spouse have very different attitudes toward or experiences with money, tell us how you've made the marriage work. E-mail alobron@hotmail.com.

Will the economy hurt your Christmas?

Given the economic downturn and the way financial markets on Wall Street are affecting pocketbooks on Main Street, are you still planning to buy a Christmas tree this year? Or will the Christmas tree, like other luxuriesin life, also get cut from the family budget? Or get shrunk? Would you consider buying a smaller tree this year to save money? E-mail Keith O'Brien at KOBrien@globe.com.

Guns N' Roses fan?

Are you a Guns N' Roses fan? Are you waiting with bated breath for the release of "Chinese Democracy" or has Axl driven you to distraction with the long wait? Either way, contact Globe writer Joan Anderman at anderman@globe.com.

Curious Jobs

What are the quirky, odd, or just plain interesting jobs in Massachusetts? Tell us about someone whose job makes you envious, inspired, or perplexed.

Miss Conduct

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Blogs

Bob Ryan's blog

The inside story

Yeah, he's a friend of mine. So what? If you're a dedicated Celtics fan, or if you know a dedicated Celtics fan who's on...

Political Intelligence

Holder on Bush, executive power

Judging by his past statements, Eric Holder Jr., reportedly Barack Obama's top pick for attorney general, may aim to roll back several of the Bush...

Override Central

Property tax hikes: Five towns say no, Needham says yes

Voters in five municipalities rejected tax increases Tuesday night. But one town, Needham, bucked the trend. Needham voters approved $1.9 million to operate the High...

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PODCASTS

Page One podcast

Columnists

BOSTON CAPITAL

Steve Syre

Bear turns bullish

INNOVATION ECONOMY

Scott Kirsner

Could game consoles weather the storm?

political trail

A battle over property rights

globe watch

Mixed signals at a tricky intersection

spiritual life

Subprime thoughts in sublime settings

Page one

MCAS testing may expand

Senior state education leaders are considering expanding the state MCAS exams to include science experiments, group projects, and oral presentations in an attempt to inject more critical thinking into the widely criticized tests. (By James Vaznis, Globe Staff)

Heavy toll for East Boston

For three years, Jayro Godoy has driven to Happy Barbershop in East Boston for a weekly ritual. The 23-year-old painter gets a tight shave on the sides, pays his $12 to Rafael the barber, then heads home to Waltham. If tunnel tolls double to $7, as state officials have planned, Godoy says he will find somewhere else to get his ... (By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff)

Ailing automakers plead for $25b in loans

Warning of a doomsday economic scenario, the top executives of the Big Three US automakers made a historic appeal yesterday for $25 billion in loans, telling Congress the money is desperately needed to stave off the collapse of the companies and the direct and indirect loss of millions of jobs. (By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff)

In Mass. sector, many are unruffled

At no time in the past half century has the US auto industry carried less weight in Massachusetts than it does today. The last auto assembly plant in the state closed 20 years ago, leaving behind the dealers who sell the cars and a diminished network of parts suppliers and distributors. Few are clamoring for an industry bailout. (By Robert Weisman, Globe Staff)