Romney tours storm-ravaged Louisiana, ahead of Obama

By Matt Viser

Republican nominee Mitt Romney toured damage from Hurricane Isaac three days before President Obama, who canceled a campaign event to make room for the trip.

Waters recede in Louisiana, leaving sopping mess

By Stacey Plaisance and Vicki Smith

Floodwaters from Isaac receded, power came on and businesses opened in what is certain to be a slow recovery for Louisiana.

By TRACIE CONE

Investigators probing a slaughterhouse after an undercover video showed inhumane treatment of cows said there is no evidence that sick animals entered the food supply.

Wildfire rages near resort in Spain; 1 dead, 2 injured

By Harold Heckle

A wildfire fanned by strong winds devoured hillsides around the wealthy Mediterranean resort city of Marbella in Spain on Friday.

By Baba Ahmed

A man accused of rape in the Malian city received 100 lashes Friday, according to witnesses.

German drug firm makes 1st apology for thalidomide

By Frank Jordans

Five decades after its release, the manufacturer apologized for the notorious drug that caused thousands of babies to be born with shortened arms and legs, or no limbs at all.

Renée Loth

By Renée Loth

If public employment had held steady during the recovery, it’s estimated today’s unemployment rate would be 7.8 percent instead of the current 8.3. But public-sector workers can’t get any respect.

Lawrence Harmon

Convention center needs to follow through on solar promise

By Lawrence Harmon

What happened to the plan to build a “huge solar array’’ at the Boston Convention & Exhibition center?

The Angle

Romney’s parade of platitudes

And other excerpts from the Globe’s opinion and news analysis blog.

Murray donors queried in probe

By Scott Allen and Sean P. Murphy

Two Chelsea Housing Authority employees were questioned this week about their connections to Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray, part of an intensifying criminal investigation.

By Mary Carmichael

All of the students interviewed by the Globe said the ground rules for the take-home final exam were so unclear that they did not realize they were cheating.

Fat dogs and cats are getting professional help

By Karen Weintraub

America’s pets are having their own obesity crisis, studies show, with at least 35 percent of household dogs and cats above their ideal weight.

By Megan Woolhouse

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke made the case Friday that Fed’s stimulus policies have helped, sending a strong signal that the central bank will take further action.

Neon sneakers make their mark at the Olympics

By Laura Finaldi

Experts say the intense exposure the sneakers received at the Olympics will lead to a bigger foothold in the industry.

By Candice Choi

The fast food chain is adding Mtn Dew A.M. to its breakfast menu, which was rolled out earlier this year at select locations.

Jerry Nelson, 78; was count on ‘Sesame Street’

By Lynn Elber

Mr. Nelson was the puppeteer behind a delightful menagerie of ­characters including Count von Count on ‘‘Sesame Street’’ and Gobo Fraggle on ‘‘Fraggle Rock.’’

David M. Lederman; designed implantable artificial heart; at 68

By Dennis Hevesi

Mr. Lederman, who led the team of scientists that developed the first fully implantable artificial heart, died Aug. 15 at his home in Marblehead.

Carlo Maria Martini, liberal cardinal considered for pope

By Nicole Winfield

Cardinal Martini, 85, was a rare liberal within the highly conservative Catholic Church hierarchy who was nevertheless considered a papal contender in the last conclave.

Tom Werner takes ownership for disappointing Red Sox

By Peter Abraham

In an exclusive interview, the Red Sox chairman opened up about this fractured season and his hopes for the future.

Athletics 20, Red Sox 2

Red Sox embarrassed by A’s

By Peter Abraham

Former Red Sox Josh Reddick, George Kottaras, and Brandon Moss were a combined 9 for 15 with four home runs, nine runs and 13 RBIs.

Red Sox notebook

Healthy again, Rich Hill set to make his return to Red Sox

By Peter Abraham

The lefthanded reliever from Milton will be activated for Saturday night’s game against Oakland.

G Cover

Foundation reaches out to families with cancer

By Bella English

Through the Family Reach Foundation, one woman’s mission is to provide financial relief and support to families fighting cancer.

From the Archives

From Globe archives: Campaigns and conventions

The GOP gathered in Tampa this week to nominate their candidate for the Republican Party ticket in the 2012 presidential election, and the Democrats await their turn in Charlotte next week.

‘Witness Project’ bears witness to history through art

By Cate McQuaid

The project at RISD creates sculptures from the old “Olmsted Elm.”