[U.S.] 4 Firefighters Shot, 2 Fatally, in New York; Gunman Dead

4 Firefighters Shot, 2 Fatally, in New York; Gunman Dead
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/nyregion/2-firefighters-killed-in-western-new-york.html
Four firefighters were shot - two fatally - after apparently being lured to an early morning blaze on Monday in Webster, N.Y., a lakefront town about 12 miles northeast of Rochester, officials said.

Nasty weather threatens Gulf Coast for Christmas
http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/article/Nasty-weather-threatens-Gulf-Coast-for-Christmas-4144131.php
This NOAA satellite image taken Dec. 24, 2012 shows a low pressure system is moving across the Mississippi Valley into the southeastern United States with areas of rain and scattered thunderstorms.

Ex-President George H.W. Bush Hospitalized Over Christmas
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ex-president-george-h-w-bush-released-hospital-christmas-article-1.1226240
Former President George H.W. Bush won't be home for Christmas, remaining in the hospital because of a fever. Plans to send the 88-year-old to his Houston home for the holidays were put on hold after he developed the fever.

Is he here yet? Air Force tracks Santa for kids
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57560705/is-he-here-yet-air-force-tracks-santa-for-kids/
Updated 6:06 p.m. Eastern. PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. Volunteers at a U.S. Air Force base monitoring Santa Claus' progress around the world were on track to answer a record number of calls Monday from children wanting to know everything from ...

Ore. rescuers find lost snowshoers near Mount Hood
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Search-under-way-for-three-people-missing-near-Mt-Hood-184690641.html
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Rescue teams have found 3 snowshoers who got lost on a weekend camping trip near Mount Hood. The trio was reported in good health, having made it through two nights under the leadership of a mountaineer.

6 children hurt after gas can explodes in Texas
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/several-children-injured-some-critically-in-backyard-accident-involving-fire-and-gasoline-in-mckinney.html/
McKINNEY, Texas (AP) - Six children in Texas have been injured by an explosion that happened after gas was poured from a can onto an open fire pit.

Police Hunt for Shooter Who Killed Wauwatosa Police Officer
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gn3ckgwowUipzY73JVO_egbz6vLQ?docId=79f28b4aaca748abbd9426cf9947e840
WAUWATOSA- "A call had been put out by the dispatchers to send her to a call for service and she didn't respond." That's how Lt.

Many express surprise at Crapo arrest
http://www.npr.org/2012/12/24/167950459/dui-charge-jan-4-court-date-for-idaho-sen-crapo
Colleagues of Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo say they're taken aback by the news that he was arrested over the weekend near Washington, D.C.

Thousands sign US petition to deport Piers Morgan over gun comments
http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/television/article/Thousands-sign-US-petition-to-deport-Piers-Morgan-4143109.php
By Eric Kelsey and Piya Sinha-Roy. LOS ANGELES | Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:55pm EST. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - More than 48,000 people have signed a petition that they posted on the White House website demanding that British CNN talk show host Piers ...

White House Wavers on Hagel, Considers Others for Defense
http://www.npr.org/2012/12/24/167965093/hagel-would-be-first-former-enlisted-soldier-to-run-pentagon
White House Wavers on Hagel, Considers Others for Defense. Nebraska Republican's Pentagon nomination appears to be failing because of his blunt advocacy of unpopular positions.

Police officer, bystander killed after Houston car chase
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57560743-504083/police-officer-bystander-killed-in-houston-shootout/
(CNN) -- A police officer and a bystander died from wounds suffered in a parking lot shootout after a car chase in a Houston metropolitan area Monday morning, police said.

Edward Kennedy Jr. not running to fill John Kerry's soon-to-be vacant US Senate ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/edward-kennedy-jr-running-fill-vacant-kerry-u-s-senate-seat-article-1.1226778
The U.S. Senate won't have another Ted Kennedy among its ranks - at least not next year. Edward Kennedy Jr., the son of the late senator, has decided against launching a special election campaign to replace Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

We both want to see our families... that's why we have TWO Christmas Days
http://whateverblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/humor-me-hoop-and-a-holler-the-joys-of-christmas-past.html/
like many couples, chris wasser and his partner niamh split up to see their mums and dads on the 25th. so they have their own special day, turkey and all, today... Share. Digg · del.icio.us · Google · Stumble Upon · Facebook · Reddit · Print · Email ...

Gov. Brown grants Christmas Eve pardons
http://www.scpr.org/blogs/news/2012/12/24/11711/brown-issues-pardons-based-exemplary-behavior/
SAN DIEGO - A man found guilty of robbery 58 years ago in San Diego County was among 79 people pardoned Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Salvation Army's Bells Go Silent As Goals Are Missed
http://ehextra.com/main.asp?SectionID=12&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=13599
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Salvation Army bells heard outside of grocery stores across Eastern Iowa fell silent Monday evening. Salvation Army officials across the area say it's been a "good" year, despite the fact that all of the areas biggest campaigns have yet to ...

Prosecutors: Mom and sister went to parties, leaving kids to die in fire
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8930358
Balloons are released during a candlelight memorial service for Javaris, 2 and Jariyah, 3 Meakens, who died in a west Englewood fire Saturday morning.

E. Iowa woman trims 53 trees to mark Christmas
http://technabob.com/blog/2012/12/24/geeky-christmas-trees/
2012-12-24T12:09:21Z 2012-12-24T14:00:35Z E. Iowa woman trims 53 trees to mark ChristmasThe Associated Press The Associated Press.

Newsweek's Last Print Issue Cover Released (PHOTO)
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/hashtag-symbolizes-end-of-an-era-for-newsweek-309449
The cover features a vintage picture of the old Newsweek offices in New York, accompanied by the headline "#LASTPRINTISSUE." Ironically, the issue will be available on tablets before readers can buy it on the newsstands.

Christians flock to Bethlehem to mark Jesus' birth, as pope prepares for Vatican ...
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/roman-catholic-cleric-celebrates-palestinian-state-18054209
VATICAN CITY - Despite the tension and violence that shook the Holy Land this year, Christians from around the world flocked to Manger Square in Bethlehem on Monday to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the ancient West Bank town where he was born.

Three face murder charges in Indianapolis home blast
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/charged-indianapolis-home-blast-due-court-18053967
By Susan Guyett. INDIANAPOLIS | Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:22pm EST. INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - A man and woman who lived in an Indianapolis house that exploded in November killing two neighbors and damaging scores of homes, have been charged with ...