Only 2 bidders for Mass. commuter rail pact

The lack of competition for the $1 billion-plus contract to operate the state’s commuter rail system is raising concerns that costs could increase or services could weaken for commuters.

A man outside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek reacted to the shooting.

JEFFREY PHELPS/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gunman kills 6 in Sikh temple in Wisconsin

In what police called an act of domestic terrorism, a gunman killed at least six and injured three others at a temple near Milwaukee before being shot and killed by police.

Harpreet Singh shown in Madison, Wis., in 2010.

Grafton man central to response of Wisconsin temple

Shortly after Harpreet Singh learned about the shooting at the Sikh temple, anxious inquiries started pouring in from Sikhs in the Milwaukee area.

Mitt Romney ad in Spanish attacks health care law

The Republican’s vow to end “Obamacare’’ is a bold and risky message he continues to deliver to Latino voters, who overwhelmingly back the federal health care law.

With two events remaining, Gabrielle Douglas already owns two Olympic golds.

BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS

Gabrielle Douglas makes chances count at Olympics

The 16-year-old Virginia native is looking to become the first female gymnast to win four gold medals at one Games since Czech immortal Vera Caslavska in 1968.

Usain Bolt leans at the line, crossing in an Olympic-record 9.63 seconds to win the gold ahead of Yohan Blake (5, silver) and Justin Gatlin (6, bronze).

Bob Ryan

Usain Bolt again makes fast work of the 100

It was the same result in the men’s 100-meter final on Sunday as it was four years ago in Beijing. Bolt is the unquestioned World’s Fastest Man.

“We have more backup systems in terms of weapons systems than we actually have deployed,” General Norton A. Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force, told the Globe in a recent interview. “Some of that is a reasonable hedge [but] there is probably room for reductions.’’

US general asks cut in nuclear stockpile

General Norton A. Schwartz, the chief of the Air Force, says the backup arsenal is more than the nation needs and is steadily becoming more expensive to maintain and secure.

Adrian Walker

Alarm bells in Roxbury health center

Roxbury Comprehensive Community Health Center is facing a near-mutiny from frustrated staff and pressure from state regulators to improve its standard of care.

Alumna Erica Jawin (left) and astronomy professor Darby Dyar at work in a Mount Holyoke College laboratory.

Labs gear up to handle data from Mars rover

Local laboratories are poised to help scientists decipher the streams of data expected over the next two years from NASA’s latest Mars mission.

Globe Insiders

Globe Insiders Event | Sept. 13, 2012, 6:00 p.m.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/08/03/BostonGlobe.com/ReceivedContent/Images/STUDENT%20LOANS142-001--90x90.jpg Obama vs. Romney: Who will win?

Join Globe editor Peter Canellos, author Michael Grunwald, and former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker for a look at the US presidential race.

Sports

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Red Sox 6, Twins 4

Franklin Morales, who threw 106 pitches, needed to be the stopper at a time when the Sox were sinking fast.

Franklin Morales helps Red Sox avoid sweep

Morales pitched six strong innings in a 6-4 Red Sox win over the Twins, but there was concern over a bullpen that’s beginning to wear thin.

Business

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Mars landing had different challenges this time

The robotic explorer Curiosity steered itself to a gentle landing inside a giant crater for the most ambitious dig yet into the red planet’s past.

Nation & World

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Arts

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Book Review

“Monkey Mind” by Daniel Smith.

‘Monkey Mind’ by Daniel Smith

The memoir, which chronicles the author’s long struggle with chronic anxiety, puts a spin on it that elicits both absurd hilarity and deep compassion.

Health and wellness

G Force

“The pharmaceutical industry is basically giving up and throwing in the towel,” Dr. Steven E. Hyman said. “Their exit is both a symptom of the difficulty and a problem.”

Learning how to treat mental disorders

Dr. Steven E. Hyman, a neuroscientist and former Harvard provost, now directs the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute.