THE NEWS

• Beginning this month, Yale will become the fourth United States college or university to help offset a federal tax gay and lesbian employees pay on health coverage received by their partners. In a reversal from past years, Yale will now pay both employees with same-sex spouses or in civil unions $1,500 a year to help cover the cost of a federal tax on employer-provided health coverage for domestic partners, Compensation and Benefits Director Hugh Penney said in a Dec. 22 email.
• The new year has brought big changes to City Hall, most notably a new Board of Aldermen. The 30 aldermen on the new Board, 19 of whom are beginning their first term, were sworn in on New Year’s Day during the city’s inauguration ceremony held at Legion High School. The new Board, which features a supermajority of labor-backed candidates, has said it will work to push Mayor John DeStefano Jr. for big changes.
• New Haven’s murder count reached 34 in 2011, a 20-year high.

  Although city and police officials admitted the homicide rate — 10 higher than the 2010 figure — was concerning, they pointed to improvements in the city’s overall rate of violent crime in recent years as an indication of continued policing efforts.

THE WEATHER

High of 37 degrees, low of 27 degrees, mostly sunny, slight chance of snow.

THE FOOD

In the colleges

Breakfast: Steelcut Oats, Chef’s Choice Hot Cereal, Waffle Bar, Raisin Scone

Lunch: Tortellini & Spinach Soup, English Beef Barley Soup, Beef Pad Thai, Tofu Pad Thai, Baked Potato Bar, Baked Potato, Chablis Chicken, Chicken Club Wrap, Fresh Broccoli Crowns, Apple Pecan Ranch Salad, Cauliflower Salad With Ricotta Salata, Brazilian Black Bean Salad, Plain Brownie

Dinner: Fennel Chile Roasted Turkey Breast, Crunchy Pork Chop, Chana Masala, Mushroom Quiche, Mashed Fresh Potatoes, Brown Sauce, Chicken Fajita, International Grain Pilaf, Sautéed Spaghetti Squash, Apple Pecan Ranch Salad, Cauliflower Salad With Ricotta Salata, Brazilian Black Bean Salad, Mounds Cake

In Commons

Breakfast: Maple Flavored Organic Oatmeal, Waffle Bar, Western Style Scrambled Eggs, Scrambled Eggs, Omelets To-Order, Buttermilk Pancakes, Scrambled Egg Whites, Home Fries, Raisin Scone

Lunch: Vegan Lentil & Mushroom Soup, Chicken Orzo Soup, Peanutty Tofu, Hawaiian Sweet & Sour Chicken, Penne, Organic Tomato Sauce, Chefs Choice All-Natural Burger, Herb Marinated Chicken Breast, Garden Burger, Chinese Marinated Tofu, Pepperoni Pizza, Chef’s Choice Pizza, Cheese Pizza, Green Beans, Vegetable Fried Rice, Beef & Broccoli, Jasmine Rice, Stir Fried Tofu & Vegetables With Hoisin, Chicken Club Wrap, Forbidden Rice, Chef’s Choice Fries, Roasted Zucchini & Yellow Squash, Chickpea & Spinach Salad, Turkish Bulgur Salad, Plain Brownie