…And the World:

We begin today in the Ukraine, where militants in the country’s east have ignored a deadline to evacuate occupied government buildings, although Ukrainian forces have begun to push back. The pro-Russian militants, who represent a distinct minority compared to the situation Crimea have seized offices in several buildings. Amid escalating conditions, Ukraine is calling for UN peacekeepers.

The Washington Post interviews France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose party did well in local elections earlier this year.

The international panel looking at climate change says taking the steps to avert the catastrophic effects of Global Warming would have only a marginal impact on economies. Africa potpourri: A bus explosion in Nigeria, attributed to the Islamist group Boko Haram kills at least 71. Algeria’s President announces his controversial decision to run for a 4^th term. Finally, The New York Times looks at the Oscar Pistorius trial in South Africa. The former Johannesburg bureau chief Lydia Polgreen explains why the trial has captivated the world while Alan Cowell profiles the prosecutor who has set his sights on the famous Paralympian.

Bill Shorten, who took over for the Australian Labor Party after its rout last year’s elections, is pushing some big reforms to improve the party’s standing and empower its membership.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah appears to have taken the lead in the Afghan presidential vote according to early returns, but almost certainly will not clear 50% and avoid a runoff.

The Feds:

It has not taken long for the Affordable Care Act to come back from the media feeding frenzy over Kathleen Sebelius’ resignation. Republican are practically rapturous about the chance to rake over the coals Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President Obama’s pick to replace Sebelius at HHS. But then this happened. Apparently, Obamacare is actually coming in…cheaper! Meanwhile, we also breakdown and link to Ezra Klein’s new venture Vox, with a story about Obamacare derangement syndrome.

Hey look it’s Scott Brown…outside of “The State of Things.” The Boston Globe rounds up how Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen is approaching the campaign of the Granite State’s newest politician (and resident).

In a bizarrely scheduled Friday election, Connecticut Dems lost a seat to the GOP, after the prior holder died of brain cancer in Februrary.

The wife of the late Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell and grandmother to current Ocean State gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell, Nuala Pell has died.

The candidates looking to succeed retiring longtime Congressman Henry Waxman duke it out on stage.

And why isn’t filing taxes easier? Lobbying, it seems.

The State of Things:

The 1^st Hampden & Hampshire gets put under the The Times’ microscope…well one of its candidates does. The story’s premise is about how President Obama has not seemingly inspired a generation of younger aspiring electeds, but much of the article is about the one who was. Eric Lesser, whose campaign has churned out news and updates at such a clip that even our aversion to blow by blow news has compelled our attention, scored a front page story in the nation’s paper of record. Indeed, we will have more on this later.

The compendium of marathon coverage and reflections is long and broad a year after the Tsarnaev brothers allegedly tore a gash in the annual tradition. From the story of the Richard family to the impact on UMass Dartmouth, some stories beyond “Boston strong” iconography (plus Chris Faraone smacking Scott Brown around).

It looks like Springfield is not alone in the struggle to remake its downtown. Worcester business leaders call for the city’s many colleges and universities to make a commitment to the downtown of the Hearth of the Commonwealth.

Shawn Allyn, a candidate for District Attorney, noted that he was gay at a forum last week. More on this later this week.

William Gorman prevailed over Peter Punderson in the East Longmeadow Select Board race last week.

The Fourth Estatements:

It’s Pulitzer DAY!!! The Washington Post and The Guardian shared the coveted Public Service prize for the Edward Snowden NSA stories. The Post also nabbed the explanatory reporting award for a great series on food stamps. The Boston Globe, observing a moment of silence for Marathon victims, receives Pulitzer for breaking news. The New York Times bags two prizes for photographs, including a feature on Marathon Bombing victim Jeff Bauman.

City Slickers:

The Springfield Preservation Trust worries that if MGM does, in fact, come to Springfield, several historic properties could be demolished lacking the protection of historic districts or the city’s new demolition delay ordinance (the casino zone was explicitly exempted). MGM has included some plans to incorporate facades into its plans.

A noteworthy piece on proposed redevelopments of a Springfield apartment building the city has put out to bid.

Maureen Turner updates the schedule for the budget meetings for city departments.

Twitter Chatter:

It turned out that waiting to finish the Markup today was worth it. Today is Pulitzer Day, when Columbia University announces the prizes for print journalism. There were many of the prizes, some referenced above, but the honor the Boston Globe received today, appropriately happened ahead of Marathon Monday next week. Boston Globe editor, in addressing the newsroom after the award was announced said it was the story “none of us wanted to cover.” Today we award the tweet prize to Globe Political Editor Cynthina Needham for capturing this moment both McGrory’s statement, but also the image. Congrats Globe staff.

Boston Globe Editor Brian McGrory: there’s nobody in this room that wanted to cover this story. pic.twitter.com/dDeMuDeM6o

— Cynthia Needham (@CynthiaNeedham) April 14, 2014