--The State House is pretty on the outside and a festering mess on the inside. Senate President Therese Murray thinks private donations might help. [Boston Globe]

--Remember Marilyn Devaney, the Watertown town councilor who is facing charges of attacking a beauty-supply clerk with a curling iron box? She got voted out, but a recount is under way, and the story is far from over. Even if you don't know who Marilyn Devaney is, we strongly recommend that you check out H2oTown's coverage--it's small-town politics at its best. [H2oTown]

--Following up on the substances found in the bodies of firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne after they died in the Tai Ho restaurant fire, Mayor Tom Menino's panel has recommended random drug testing and a "wellness program." [Boston Globe, Boston Herald]

--The Lonely Maiden is the new Bachelor No. 2. The sets are being spotted all over the place. [b0st0n LiveJournal]

Image of the golden dome by AntyDiluvian from photos tagged "Bostonist" on Flickr.