[U.S.] Cliff Deal Hinges on Senators

Cliff Deal Hinges on Senators
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324669104578207423905083416.html
WASHINGTONâ€"The job of averting year-end tax increases and spending cuts landed squarely on the Senate, whose leaders said Friday they would launch a last-ditch weekend effort to avert the so-called fiscal cliff.

Body of missing girl found in empty Las Vegas lot
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/27/3984207/vegas-police-investigate-discovery.html
The weeklong search for a Las Vegas girl ended Friday afternoon when officials confirmed that a small body found in an undeveloped housing tract belonged to the missing child.

Woman Sought After 2nd Fatal Shove Onto Subway Tracks This Month
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/nyregion/man-pushed-to-his-death-under-train-in-queens.html
Like so many busy New Yorkers in a hurry to get where they have to go, Sunando Sen peered out over the tracks on an elevated subway stop in Queens on Thursday evening, anxiously awaiting the next train.

Former President George HW Bush is improving, still in ICU
http://bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2012/12/28/bush-family-quiet-about-president-condition/d0VdLatJunB8GvMAvrROyI/story.html
Former President George H.W. Bush remained hospitalized on Friday but was showing signs of improvement, a family spokesman said. "President Bush remains in the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital, where he continues to improve," spokesman Jim ...

Democratic Establishment Voices Support for Markey's Bid to Succeed Kerry
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/democratic-establishment-voices-support-for-markeys-bid-to-succeed-kerry/
Edward J. Markey, 66, first elected to the House in 1976, is Alex Wong/Getty Images Edward J. Markey, 66, first elected to the House in 1976, is the dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.

Fiscal Cliff Countdown: 4 Days To Deadline
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/johncassidy/2012/12/norman-schwarzkopf-poppy-bush-and-a-forgotten-war.html
This morning. Both sides now. Looming four days from that fiscal -- everybody's taxes will be going up if we go over a drastic budget cuts will be going into effect and finally leaders in Washington... See More. This morning. Both sides now. Looming four days ...

Woman Helped Firefighters' Killer Get Gun He Used in Ambush, Police Say
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57561178-504083/firefighter-shootings-update-woman-arrested-linked-to-guns-in-n.y-christmas-eve-ambush-police-say/
The police arrested a woman in western New York on Friday who they said helped a man acquire the weapon he is believed to have used to kill two firefighters in an ambush that left two others injured.

Senate renews warrantless surveillance act
http://tv.msnbc.com/2012/12/28/bipartisan-agreement-against-privacy-rights/
The U.S. Senate Friday voted overwhelmingly in favor of keeping a George W. Bush-era surveillance law that will allow continued warrantless surveillance of Americans for the next five years.

Three Words Lead Young Men Across the Bridge From NRA Parroting to ...
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57561109-10391739/poll-majority-of-americans-view-the-nra-favorably/
At a gathering recently, I heard some young men and their fathers discussing the 'joys' of gun ownership. One young man was cajoling an older woman to let him kill at least one of the deer she enjoys on her property because "they taste so good," he said.

Weekend Weather: Snowy End of 2012, Cold Start in 2013
http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/12/27/caution-advised-morning-commute-snow-blankets-central-western-massachusetts/xU0Va6TAN3Eaccb1N6SpSI/story.html
You might want to stock up on firewood and crack open the nice new winter clothes you may have received for Christmas because this weekend is forecast to be wet and cold and then just really cold.

Aubrey Ireland, College Student, Wins Restraining Order Against Helicopter ...
http://abcnews.go.com/US/student-wins-stalking-order-overly-involved-parents/story?id=18080707
Sometimes parents just don't know when to let go, but it's rare when a judge needs to intervene. That was the case for Aubrey Ireland, a 21-year-old music theater major at College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

Sheriff Arpaio Wants Armed Volunteers at Schools
http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/sheriff-arpaio-armed-volunteers-schools/story?id=18084500
Controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio wants to put armed volunteers outside schools in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting.

Some 4-year degrees coming to community colleges
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mich-governor-signs-new-emergency-manager-law-4149050.php
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a law that will allow community colleges to grant bachelor's degrees in several fields of study.

Time to consider stricter gun laws
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57560869/christmas-in-newtown-marked-with-tears-and-consolation/
I was hoping to write a cheerful Christmas column this week. But like many of you, I have had a terrible time trying to take my mind off of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.