In a news conference held at the Boston Sheraton this afternoon, the FBI announced the release of video and photos of two male suspects wanted in connection with the bombing of Monday's Boston Marathon.

It's a hard time to be an artist. Weeklies like The Boston Phoenix are folding, laying off writers, photographers, and editors. Arts funding is the first to be slashed when the economy is weak or when congress can't get their act together.

In a dark-paneled room illuminated by the dim light of hanging candelabra, a group of women ranging in age from 20-60 years-old gathered to raise awareness and show compassion for the scores of women around the world who are victims of violence.

By this time in the winter season, people are looking for an excuse to celebrate and do something fun. Depending on whether or not you think Valentine's Day is a commercially-driven holiday or a date to which you look forward, it's certainly an excuse for a great night out or a special date in with your partner. You don't have to look farther than Brookline to find Valentine's Day deals and ideas. Here are a few we're recommending:

Brookline— Dr. Theodore Colton, Chairman Emeritus and Professor at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), received the 2012 Public Health Leadership Award given by the Friends of Brookline Public Health at their annual meeting that was held on Wednesday January 23, 2013 in Hunneman Hall at the Brookline Main Library. 

On January 7, Jesse Mermell ended the first chapter of her historic Brookline political career. Widely known as the youngest selectmen in Brookline history when she was elected 2 weeks past her 27th birthday, she is also one of the youngest people elected to the position in Massachusetts' history. In the last decade, Joseph Pacheco age 21 of Raynham, Ryan Fattman age 21 of Sutton, and Timothy Dodd age 26 of Westborough all became the youngest selectmen in their town's histories. What separates Jesse from Joseph, Ryan, Timothy and most likely every local politician elected at a young age to help run a community is that Jesse is not from the town she was elected to serve. Jesse isn't even from our state, or from a blue state for the matter.

This winter, the Brookline Police Department is offering a specialized 10-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. The training will be offered weekly from 6:30-9:30 pm, on Tuesdays, beginning on January 22nd and concluding with a graduation ceremony on April 9th. Classes will be held at the Brookline Emergency Operations Center, 870 Hammond St and the BPD Headquarters, 350 Washington Street.

On Jan. 14, I will be starting a new job as the governor's communications director. I am thrilled to be joining Governor Patrick's administration, and am anxious to work with the governor and the rest of his team on the important issues facing the commonwealth for the final two years of his term.

Missing Dog: Reward Offered. You won't find this mystery in any of Brookline-based writer Dennis Lehane's novels. That's because this conundrum is personal.

The two week mark has been reached since Tessa, a rescue beagle recently adopted by Brookline author, Dennis Lehane and his family, jumped the fence and strayed from home.