[U.S.] Alabama police in hostage standoff with suspect in fatal school bus shooting ...

Alabama police in hostage standoff with suspect in fatal school bus shooting ...
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/standoff-ala-gunman-kills-bus-driver-seizes-boy-18360753
The Alabama man police say shot and killed a school bus driver Tuesday in an attempt to kidnap a 5-year-old boy has been hunkered down for over 24 hours with the child in an underground bunker on his remote property, The Dothan Eagle, a local ...

New shooting makes this the right day for gun-control debate
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20130130_ap_police1deadinarizshootingsuspectonloose.html
Don't tell me that the day of a highly publicized fatal shooting is not the proper time to talk about gun control. It's the perfect time.

Giffords' words fail to sway guns hearing
http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Giffords-words-fail-to-sway-guns-hearing-4237880.php
Washington -- Led by halting but powerful words from severely wounded former Rep. Gabby Giffords, a Senate hearing Wednesday on gun violence proved emotional, even if it was inconclusive.

Travis Alexander's Friends Testify In Jodi Arias Trial
http://abcnews.go.com/US/jodi-arias-trial-shocked-tears-photo-victims-slashed/story?id=18355580
Jodi Arias' lawyers continued to attack the character of murder victim Travis Alexander in an afternoon session Wednesday, calling to the stand one of Alexander's close friends and the man's sister.

A mentor to many, he made his own way
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/30/gov-patrick-to-tap-former-aide-mo-cowan-for-john-kerrys-senate-seat/
Yadkinville, N.C., is an unlikely launching spot for a senator from Massachusetts. “You ever seen 'The Andy Griffith Show?' ” Mo Cowan once said in an interview.

Poll: Californians warming up to immigrant legalization
http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Californians-in-optimistic-state-4237775.php
As President Barack Obama and Congress strive to overhaul America's immigration laws, three quarters of Californians -- a record majority -- are on board with the idea of legalizing the more than 2 million immigrants illegally living in the state.

Federal Jury Weighs Case in Bomb Plot in Portland
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Father-of-terror-suspect-says-FBI-brainwashed-son-4229669.php
PORTLAND, Ore. - Was hate speech by a young Somali-American who talked about the glories of jihad and the killing of American civilians the precursor to a life of violence and terror, or merely hot air from a confused and impressionable young man?

Military judge rules death penalty remains on the table
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/days-hearings-set-fort-hood-shooting-case-18351129
The death penalty will remain on the table for accused Fort Hood shooter Maj Nidal Hasan, a judge ruled Wedesday. Judge Col. Tara Osborn ruled that a previous Supreme Court ruling involving a capital murder trial on Fort Hood applied to the upcoming trial ...

IBM's Watson heads to school
http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/business-it/ibm-sends-watson-to-uni-to-learn-english-and-math-20130131-2dmlk.html
The Jeopardy champ's college application has been accepted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Big Blue proudly reports. Edward Moyer.

Super Bowl, Mardi Gras too much party?
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/nevius/article/Super-Bowl-Mardi-Gras-too-much-party-4237786.php
New Orleans -- Here's a stunner. Even New Orleans thinks this might be too much partying. Nola, of course, whoops it up with an enthusiasm unknown to much of mankind.

Judge nixes new trial for Sandusky
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/pa-judge-trial-jerry-sandusky-18355690
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Jerry Sandusky lost a bid for a new trial Wednesday when a judge rejected his argument that his lawyers were not given enough time to prepare for the three-week proceeding that ended with a 45-count guilty verdict on child sex abuse ...