Published November 10, 2010

What’s news on a cloudy, cold Wednesday morning in Boston:

Steven Spader, 19, begins the rest of his “pointless life” in prison. “A Superior Court judge sentenced the teenager yesterday to a mandatory term of life without parole after his conviction in the brutal slaying of a small-town nurse and the maiming of her 11-year-old daughter.” (Globe)

A study finds Mass. leads the nation in high-school math skills but trails many countries. The study was sponsored by the journal Education Next and Harvard University. (Globe)

The Needham girls soccer team ended their season yesterday. “The Needham Rockets were playing without their big guns — suspended from school amid accusations of hazing.” (WBZ)

The star witness in gang murder case pleaded guilty to perjury. For once, the prosecution has Latoya Thomas-Dickson just where they want her. (WBUR)

Mass. Republicans aren’t giving up hope. “Republicans failed to win any statewide office or congressional seat this election, but they did manage to double their numbers in the state’s House.” (WBUR)