Job market picks up steam in Dec.
US employers added more than 200,00 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent - the lowest level in almost three years.
Boston Capital
Mitt Romney’s challenge if the economy improves
An American economy accelerating through the spring could blunt Romney’s principal selling point, writes Steven Syre.
Boston Fed chief urges more housing, small business aid
Eric Rosengren called for the Federal Reserve to stimulate “a more rapid recovery” by cutting long-term interest rates.
editorial
For vision and national unity, Huntsman for GOP nominee
Jon Huntsman would be a better president than Mitt Romney, writes the Globe’s editorial board. But if he fails in his quest, he could still make Romney a better candidate.
ANTHONY RUSSO FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Opinion
Who are really behind those angry online rants?
Reading some online comments is like watching “The Jerry Springer Show,’’ writes Carlo Rotella. The question isn’t, How can people sink so low? It’s really, Why do people like to watch other people pretend to sink so low?
ALEX BEAM
Where’s Whitey Bulger? Don’t ask your travel guide...
While some travel guidebooks say a lot of nice things about Boston, they also get a few things wrong — big and small.
Giants of the stage laud, mourn pioneering Hub director Wheeler
David Wheeler’s constancy, vision, and passion for championing provocative new playwrights endured to the end of his life.
“You got the trifecta - more people working, wages up, and the average work week up.”
Economist Stuart Hoffman
Inside The Boston Globe
Columnists
Metro
Homeless veterans are target of new housing initiative
Participants in a new federally funded program will receive federal housing vouchers specifically for veterans, mental health services, and psychiatric evaluations.
Business
Retail sales surge, but not the profits
Many merchants rang up strong sales in December but steep promotions took a toll on the bottom line at some retailers this holiday season.
Politics
Romney aims to avoid Obama setback in N.H.
Mitt Romney’s team has studied Barack Obama’s failed 2008 New Hampshire strategy and is using it as a cautionary tale. Big speeches are out; spaghetti dinners are in.
Nation & World
78 killed in Iraq bombings targeting Shi’ites
Yesterday’s apparently coordinated wave of bombings was the second large-scale assault by militants since US forces pulled out last month.
Sports
Josh McDaniels reunion possible for Patriots?
A league source indicated the Patriots may consider re-hiring McDaniels, who was the team’s play-caller until he left after the 2008 season to coach the Broncos.
Movies
MOVIE REVIEW
‘Pariah’ is a coming-out tale to be embraced
The film is a rare revelation about life as a middle-class, gay, African-American teen.
Arts
‘Curious George Saves the Day’ shines with the life
The exhibit is an extraordinary tale about the life of the creators of the classic children’s tale.
Opinion
“He would be the best candidate to seize this moment in GOP history, and the best-prepared to be president.”
Globe editorial, endorsing Jon Huntsman for the Republican nomination
Ideas
“Recent years have seen an explosion of interest and creativity in the realm of data-driven soothsaying, and some in the field predict—well, they think—that they are on the cusp of something big.”
Leon Neyfakh, on the future of prediction