Broken City

Ideas abound for breaking logjam, but D.C. isn’t listening

Political scientists and other experts offer ways to limit the sway of campaign money, extreme factions, and take no prisoners partisanship.

Broken City

Connecticut bucking tide of election dollars

With its innovative public financing system, the state stands out as an exception in a nation awash in private campaign dollars.

Broken City

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/08/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/map150-2014.jpg Iowa keeping partisanship off the map

The Iowa mapmakers abide by the principle of fairness, a seemingly revolutionary concept in the high-stakes decennial rite of redistricting.

Mourners left flowers and messages outside the home of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg on Sunday.

South Africans hold day of prayer for Mandela

South Africans of all races flocked to houses of worship Sunday for a national day of prayer and reflection to honor Nelson Mandela.

Rob Gronkowski has shown he is quite capable of carrying the Patriots’ offense on his back.

SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES

Browns at Patriots, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Patriots’ offense clicking with Rob Gronkowski on field

Gronkowski has been back for six games, and some of the numbers for the Patriots’ offense with and without him are stark.

Stephen Crosby, the gambling panel chairman.

Questions trail state gambling commissioner

Critics are raising doubts about Stephen Crosby’s judgment after revelations he waited months to disclose a potential conflict of interest.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/08/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/5727842010_ddfcca18a8_o-7153.jpg Florida a model for plans for toll roads in Mass.

In Florida, aggressive selling of SunPasses has allowed the state to enjoy one of the highest electronic tolling rates in the US.

Uber, a ride-sharing service, has lowered its rates in response to increased competition

Innovation Economy

An on-call workforce at the market’s mercy

A story involving Uber, and a strike that didn’t happen, illustrates what it means to be an independent contractor in today’s economy.

Opinion

opinion | Mary Cummings

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/08/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/drones1208-1640--90x90.jpg Drones on and on and on

Within a generation, we will see an aviation revolution that will rival that of the Wright Brothers era.

Sports

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Bruins 3, Penguins 2

In an ugly game in which two players were concussed, Shawn Thornton (22) pounds Brooks Orpik, who was knocked out and taken off on a stretcher.

Bruins rally late; Shawn Thornton faces ban

The lasting outcome from the Bruins’ 3-2 win was an assault that left Penguin Brooks Orpik on a stretcher, and Thornton tossed from the game.

Metro

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Mayor Thomas M. Menino lit the Christmas tree in Jamaica Plain’s Hyde Square.

For Menino, tree-lightings provide last trip to neighborhoods

For a mayor who has spent much of his time in office in the neighborhoods, the three-day Christmas tree lighting ceremonies have doubled as a farewell tour of sorts.

Travel

Some executive suites at Taj Boston have true fireplaces.

Flickering flames, glowing embers heat up cold season

Because fireplaces are no longer a daily necessity, they seem all the more alluring — here are seven places to cozy up.