1997 preview

A look at the year ahead

1996 in review

Barging ahead

Scott Harshbarger is determined to beat Joe Kennedy in the race for governor. But his real opponent is the Kennedy mystique.
by Dan Kennedy

Coming of age

Already pundits are picking Joe Kennedy as the odds-on favorite as the next governor of Massachusetts. The question: is he big enough to fill the shoes?
by Michael Crowley

The Untouchable

Michael Taylor's friends say he is a top undercover man. Critics say he is out of control -- and that federal agents are protecting him. One thing is certain: the government doesn't want you to read this story.
by Tim Sandler

Piercing outcry

Mik Miller is a mild-mannered 49-year-old business owner. So why does Quincy want to shut him down? Hint: His dog has a mohawk.
by Sarah McNaught

Strapped jocks

College athletic programs rake in big bucks, but the athletes never get to see a penny of it. It's time they got paid.
by Bill Simmons

Post-election wrap-up

Weld, Clinton, Dukakis, and '98

The Phoenix Picks

Endorsements for the 1996 elections

Risky business

For Massachusetts social workers, a routine visit can be a matter of life or death
by Sarah McNaught

Mental case

With John Salvi found sane and Richard Rosenthal's future at stake, what does the indanity defense really mean?
by Tim Sandler

Experimental ethics

In the wake of a settlement in the negligent death of Nicole Wan, medical researchers are re-evaluating the process and ethics of using student volunteers
by Margaret Doris

Train reaction

While Amtrak launches an internal investigation into racism and violence, its official task force seems to be spinning its wheels
by Sarah McNaught

Party poopers

Kerry and Weld's disdain for partisan labels has drained the Senate race of passion
by Dan Kennedy

Hate train

`Nigger' is a common word at Amtrak Boston's engineering division
an exclusive by Sarah McNaught

Under pressure

In the wake of the Phoenix's investigation, Weld's Division of Insurance faces scrutiny from the AG and the legislature
by Tim Sandler

Bill Weld's Insurance Screw

How the governor helped stick it to the little guy
by Tim Sandler

Dole's drug problem

John Buckley smoked pot in college. He also sold pot. No big deal. But now he's the communications director for Bob Dole.
by Gareth Cook

The Merry Prankster

With his multiple identities and elaborate hoaxes, Joey Skaggs has fooled giants from ABC to the Washington Post. Meet the ultimate media critic.
by Rob Walker

Conventional people

Lesson one: Republicans have hairstyles, Democrats have empathy
by Barry Crimmins

The Coronation of Bill

Convention Diary
by Margaret Davis

Heroin takes center stage

Joe Bonni descends into Boston rock's junkie underworld
by Joe Bonni

The Infobeast turns 15

In its hunger -- for new images, new trends, and new viewers around the globe -- MTV threatens to devour even reasoned debate, the foundation of democracy
by Gareth Cook

BU's Scientology Connection

Earle Cooley is chairman of BU's board of trustees. He's also made a career out of keeping L. Ron Hubbard's secrets.
by Dan Kennedy

Generation Nyet

Communists could win Russia's upcoming Presidential Election, sending reform efforts into a tailspin. Now the outcome hinges on a defiant generation of young voters
Ellen Barry reports from Moscow

Timothy Leary

Timothy Leary drops out....but the trip continues
By Al Giordano

Chicago '96

The 1968 Democratic convention was racked by division and violence. Twenty-eight years later, Democrats are returning to the Windy City to put the past behind them. Will they succeed?
by Al Giordano