--The Legislature is going to consider banning spanking tomorrow. That's spanking of children, not "please, sir, may I have another" frat-spanking or whatever role-playing you do with your significant other. [WCVB] --A man's SUV became stuck on train tracks in Beverly last night just as a commuter train was heading toward him. He escaped in the nick of time. His SUV got creamed. [Photo-WCVB] --The Roman Catholic Archdiocese plans to close at least two schools......

Sometimes, Bostonist has found, the world is just too damn funny. Such is the case with Romeo and Juliet, the celebrated swan couple in the Public Garden who, the Globe reports today, are both female. Where to begin with this wonderful story? The Globe wisely gets quotes from gay marriage pundits, pro and con (our favorite is from Marty Rouse of MassEquality: "We should cherish and love our swans, no matter whom they choose to......

Today's news brings word of President Bush's recess appointment of John "Michael" Bolton to be ambassador to the UN and of Rafael Palmeiro's suspension for steroid use (no word yet on whether further punishments are in the works for the other performance-enhancing drugs he uses). Because these are not stories of particular local interest (except insofar as Jason Giambi is totally back on the juice and it will be really annoying if his enhanced......

After the close of Supreme Court business a few days ago, everyone was expecting to hear word of the retirement of Chief Justice Rehnquist, 80 years old and suffering from thyroid cancer. However, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has stayed true to form, stealing the spotlight from Rehnquist and announcing her retirement first. (A judge we know speculates that she got word she wouldn't be considered for the Chief's job, and decided there was no use......