Romney surges to top of S.C. poll
Mitt Romney has rocketed to an 18-point lead over Rick Santorum in South Carolina, according to a CNN poll released today.
SCOT LEHIGH
Campaign absurdity time
The campaign for the Republican presidential nomination is becoming overrun with distortions, exaggerations, and outright absurdities.
Prosecutor: Accused trooper has ‘no respect for the law’
A federal prosecutor today urged a judge to keep a veteran state trooper accused of extortion and threatening to kill a bookie in custody pending his trial.
Job market gains momentum
US employers added more than 200,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent - the lowest level in almost three years.
Peter Sucheski for the Boston Globe
Exclusive Sunday Preview | Ideas
Do some cultures have their own ways of going mad?
As psychiatry revises its manual of disorders, it faces a sticky question: what to do about “culture-bound syndromes.”
Bill O’Brien’s hiring draws criticism from Penn Staters
Former players lashed out at the university for choosing the Patriots coordinator. LaVar Arrington said he would cut ties with the school if O’Brien is installed.
SCENE & HEARD
Great Scott and T.T.’s join forces with all-access pass
Bridge Badge, a new promotion from the indie-rock clubs, will provide holders access to any show or event at either club through June 30.
“You got the trifecta - more people working, wages up, and the average work week up.”
Economist Stuart Hoffman
Inside The Boston Globe
Columnists
Metro
Boston’s subway, bus fares compared to other cities
In proposals to shrink its deficit by raising fares and cutting some services, the MBTA pointed out that fares have not increased since 2007. Here’s how current fares compare to those in other cities.
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
ER nurse challenges Santorum
Rick Santorum was confronted today by a registered nurse who challenged him on an earlier comment that no one has ever died because of a lack of health care.
Nation & World
More than two dozen killed in Syria blast
An explosion ripped through a busy intersection in Syria’s capital, killing 25 people and wounding dozens, authorities said.
Sports
Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker are first-team All-Pros
Gronkowski, who set NFL marks for TDs and receiving yards by a tight end, and Welker were honored as the best at their positions.
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