US – Sunday, March 21

The Senate’s Weak Health Care Bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “got to 60” at 1:08 yesterday morning, clearing a key Republican hurdle and keeping the Senate’s version of a health care reform bill on track for passage before Christmas.

Alumni look for like-minded fans

When last month’s apocalyptic snowstorm never hit, despite empty streets outside, 50 Syracuse basketball fans still attended a local alumni association basketball watch party at the Pour House.

MBTA steps up for Riverside riders

Riverside Line commuters only have to endure two more days of bus service as Secretary of Transportation Jeffery Mullen estimated yesterday that the D line will be open for the Monday morning commute.

Twenty years without a clue

For the past twenty years officials at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum have been working with FBI agents the U.S. Attorney’s office to bring back 13 stolen artifacts that were infamously stolen on March 18th, 1990.

Two tickets to ‘Paradise Lost’

“Paradise Lost” is a Depression-era drama rife with parallels to the current economic and political climate. In the wrong hands, a predictable production of Clifford Odets’ period piece could bore an entire audience into a coma.

‘I’ll be your mama’

Sandra Shipley says she wants a lot of people to come see her in “Entertaining Mr. Sloane,” but there’s one person she’s a little nervous about.

Between the Lines

I was a little surprised this week when I saw that media sessions were being set up with Patriots players who are participating in the voluntary offseason workouts down in Gillette Stadium. I guess I shouldn't be, but its just another sign that the National Football League is a 365-days-a-year proposition these days.

Buchholz: Season in majors the goal

For three years, the Red Sox have implored Clay Buchholz to slow down. Still, who could blame the right-hander for wishing April 9 was here already?

T Time: Week of February 26, 2010

Where to go and what to see

Published 22:33, November the 12th, 2008

Just to make ends meet

Report details low-income family struggles

A single working parent in Boston with two children is more financially secure earning the state’s minimum hourly wage of $8 and maximizing public support than one making twice that salary, according to a UMass-Boston report released yesterday.

The report shows how salary increases of just a few dollars can drastically reduce a family’s subsidies, citing “low eligibility thresholds” that hinder a family’s ability to make ends meet.

According to the report, an hourly pay raise from $11 to $16 increases a worker’s monthly income by $833, but results in an $863 loss in monthly work supports. With sharp drops in child care subsidies, Section 8 rent allowance and earned income tax credits, and a loss of eligibility for WIC and food stamps, the family’s net monthly resources fall from $547 to $391.

[Flyers by PaperG]

The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.