The boiling case of Amy Bishop and the Braintree police has been playing out like two weeks’ worth of “Law and Order.” On Tuesday, former state police Detective Brian Howe defended his handling of the case in a Boston Globe interview. But present-day detectives are deeply skeptical. A reporter’s notebook.

BOSTON — In 1986, after Amy Bishop shot and killed her brother, Seth, four police officers reported that Bishop’s father, Samuel, spoke of an argument with his daughter. But no one asked what that argument was about. Veteran detectives say that basic failure to ask an obvious question is stunning. An interactive look at the original police reports.

BOSTON — A judge who has been sharply critical of federal prosecutors in Boston has decided not to punish Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan for withholding evidence from a defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Auerhahn thought he had a smoking gun in a witness who testified that mobster Vincent Ferrara ordered a hit. Problem is, the witness lied. Worse, a judge ruled Auerhahn knew he lied — and covered it up. In part three of a series, we consider the Justice Department’s handling of the case.

A longtime federal prosecutor for the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston could face possible suspension or disbarment for what the federal court’s chief judge has called “extreme misconduct” and possible perjury. Seven years ago, a judge found that Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Auerhahn intentionally withheld evidence that could have cleared two men charged in a murder case. In the second report in a series, we dive into the misconduct case against Auerhahn.

A longtime federal prosecutor for the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston could face possible suspension or disbarment for what the federal court’s chief judge has called “extreme misconduct” and possible perjury. Seven years ago, a judge found that Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Auerhahn intentionally withheld evidence that could have cleared two men charged in a murder case. In the first report in a series, we consider the crucial evidence that Auerhahn never turned over.

WINTHROP, Mass. — Democrats across the state are still figuring out how they can run — and win — in the era of Scott Brown. But one of the politicians who might benefit most from the election of the Republican U.S. senator last month is Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo.

BOSTON — “Think. It’s patriotic,” a bumper sticker once noted. That was Howard Zinn’s challenge to his students and readers. Because once people start thinking, they start asking questions.

BOSTON — This is an update on a story WBUR’s David Boeri broke earlier this month. Because of that report, a city of Boston outreach worker shot in the head in the line of duty is closer to getting the recognition and financial help that many say he deserves. The case of William Harvey Jr. has also led to a call for giving added protections to city street workers in the future.

The stunning victory of Scott Brown required the dramatic political turnabout by voters in a wide sweep of towns that had delivered large margins of victory to Barack Obama and Deval Patrick in the last two state-wide elections.

BOSTON — In a place of worship no bigger than the room of a funeral parlor, the sweet chorus of 200 Haitian-Americans sing “I have a song in my heart” with enough grief to make the walls shake.

BOSTON — As the search for bodies continues in Haiti, the search intensifies in Boston for news among the relatives of those who are unaccounted for. With electricity down and communication lines jammed, Haitians here are trying every means of reaching out.

BOSTON — When Boston Police announced a sharp drop in violent crime during the last year, they credited the collaboration of police and community outreach workers who target gang members and try to lure them away from the violence. But the recent shooting of an unarmed street worker has led to questions about their safety, and whether the city does enough to help them through the traumas of their job.

BOSTON — Fifteen years ago, the Staties had a case against reputed Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger. But when the feds took over, Whitey got away — and he never turned up again.

Boston — For some veterans, coming back home can be even tougher than combat. Many soldiers are returning with profound problems — from multiple amputations, to traumatic brain injury, to post-traumatic stress. One unique therapy program is aimed at helping vets rebuild their lives.

Midwives say they can make childbirth healthier and happier, but the medical establishment is still skeptical. For one expectant mother in Massachusetts, the decision to have a home birth with the help of midwives is, well, the natural thing to do.

BOSTON — They don’t look or act like social workers or ministers. Some have scars, and you sense the hard edges of ex-cons. They’re street workers for Street Safe, a new program created by the Boston Foundation to push crime down to the level of 10 years ago.

BOSTON — BOSTON — As a writer, George V. Higgins had a leg-breaker’s ability to grab you hard and pull you into an alley — a Boston alley, because none of his 26 novels transpired more than an hour or two outside the city. He was all business, his writing was lean, he knew the place and [...]

BOSTON — A group of African-American pastors are endorsing City Councilor Michael Flaherty for mayor Monday morning, in part to counter a smaller group that endorsed incumbent Mayor Thomas Menino last week. The endorsements highlight a break among African-American ministers in the city.

BOSTON — Gennaro “Jerry” Angiulo, the former New England Mafia underboss who was the crime king of the North End, died Saturday at age 90. After serving 24 years in prison, he died a free man. WBUR’s David Boeri followed his career for four decades and has this remembrance.