Report Shows Spike in Boston's Murder Rate

Today is Tuesday, May 24. Here are five things you need to know today.

1. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it appears as though the murder rate is down everywhere in the country -- except for Boston. Violent crimes are down in the U.S. for the fourth straight year, according to an FBI report that just came out. But there was a big increase in murders in the city: we're talking a 46 percent jump here. The report looks at numbers for 2010, when Boston had 73 murders reported. This is a big deal, particularly when you look at the fact that crimes in cities like Detroit and Washington D.C. went down at the same time. You can read more about the report here on Reuters.

2. I've been hearing complaints about loitering teens a while now from some Main Street business owners. There have been reports of vandalism, harassment. Last week I noticed Durty Harry's posted on their Facebook page that someone had vomited all over their front door. None of this is good. On Friday it got violent, according to a police report. -- allegedly by the same local teen that also broke his restaurant's window. Perhaps it's time for with the police about this issue?

3. But on the bright side of business in Charlestown, two local proprietors are being recognized today by the mayor: will be honored in a sort of "ribbon cutting" ceremony, even though they've had their doors open for a few months now. The mayor will be in town around 11:30 a.m. for the event if anyone wants to stop by and say hello.

4. If you go, be sure to ask Menino his thoughts on these Lazy Cakes. A few mayors in Massachusetts are calling for a ban on them -- those mass-produced, sleep-inducing brownies that health officials are calling very bad news. Lazy Cakes are sold at local convenience stores for about $2.50 and they're packed with 8 mg of melatonin, a sleep aid that is not regulated by the FDA. Experts say 10 mg of melatonin would knock an adult out, abruptly. And that's the problem: They could be quite dangerous, experts say, for kids.

5. There may be sun today. Maybe not. Chance of showers, mostly after 11 a.m. High near 80. Worst spring ever?

For more info on what's happening around the neighborhood, check out our events calendar.