[U.S.] New York town's 'Firefighter of the Year' shot dead responding to blaze

New York town's 'Firefighter of the Year' shot dead responding to blaze
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/shooter-opens-fire-webster-n-y-house-fire-article-1.1226541
(CNN) -- Seven weeks ago, Michael Chiapperini was in Long Island, helping those suffering after Superstorm Sandy. Two weeks ago, he was named "Firefighter of the Year" for his department in his upstate New York town on Webster.

'It's a police thing' -- nearby cops move in, give Newtown officers Christmas off
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/newtown-police-christmas-day-article-1.1226790
(CNN) -- From around the world, condolences and offers of support have washed tragedy-ravaged Newtown, Connecticut, with wave after wave of sympathy from people trying somehow, some way, to reach out, to help, to comfort.

Ex-President Bush to spend Christmas in hospital
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/24/3155860/ex-president-bush-to-spend-christmas.html
FILE - In a Tuesday, June 12, 2012 file photo, former President George H.W. Bush, and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, arrive for the premiere of HBO's new documentary on his life near the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Extreme weather worries across US on Christmas Day
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/24/3155819/christmas-tornadoes-possible-along.html
Both coasts of the country are dealing with unusual weather this week during an especially challenging time. An estimated 93 million Americans are expected to drive or fly more than 50 miles from home for the holidays.

Dueling trackers keeping tabs on Santa
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57560705/dueling-trackers-keeping-tabs-on-santa/
Updated 7:58 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 ...

Ben Affleck drops out of Senate race
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2012/1224/Might-Ben-Affleck-try-leap-from-Hollywood-to-US-Senate-So-far-he-s-cagey
Ben Affleck is putting this whole town in his rearview mirror -- or at least the Bay State's special Senate race. The star and director of “The Town” and "Argo" announced via Facebook tonight he's out of the running to replace U.S.

DA: Logan traveler caught with cocaine ... in wheelchair tires
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/herald_bulldog/2012/12/da_logan_traveler_caught_cocaine_wheelchair_tires
A suspected drug mule was nabbed at Logan Airport after authorities say he hid cocaine in the wheels of a wheelchair. Here's the DA's release ... A Christmas season traveler was held on high bail today after State Police and Homeland Security officials found ...

Senator Mike Crapo apologizes for DUI arrest
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/sen-crapo-idaho-arrested-charged-dui-police-article-1.1226463?localLinksEnabled=false
Senator Mike Crapo is apologizing Monday for his drunken driving arrest. It happened over the weekend outside of Washington D.C. in Alexandria, Virginia.

Christmas gifts' darker side
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/thousands-flock-bethlehem-celebrate-christmas-article-1.1226868
As children awaken this Christmas morning and rush to the pile of presents wrapped, jewel-like, beneath the tree, we might pause to consider the origin of giving gifts on Christmas.

Oregon Mall Shooting: Teenage Victim Saw Gunman, Thought It Was a Prank
http://abcnews.go.com/US/oregon-mall-shooting-teenage-victim-gunman-thought-prank/story?id=18051025
A teenager who was shot in the torso during the Oregon mall shooting earlier this month caught a glimpse of the gunman, but said at first she thought it was a prank.

"Fiscal cliff" deal could fall in Harry Reid's hands
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57560765/fiscal-cliff-deal-could-fall-in-harry-reids-hands/
(CBS News) HAWAII - Democrats are now moving ahead on their own plan to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" now that talks have broken down with House Speaker John Boehner.

Video: Rudolph's red nose? It's science!
http://www.albanytribune.com/23122012-experts-discover-why-rudolphs-nose-is-red/
...! >>> best new thing in the world. this is a reindeer. up north they have these guys. that is reindeer now drunks.

2 cars of Metra equipment train derail, no one hurt
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8931057
Two cars of a 6-car Metra equipment train came off the tracks tonight near Union Station tonight in the West Loop Gate neighborhood.