[U.S.] Boy Scouts considering dropping ban on openly gay children, volunteers

Boy Scouts considering dropping ban on openly gay children, volunteers
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9832948/Boy-Scouts-considers-reversing-ban-on-excluding-gay-leaders.html
The Boy Scouts of America is considering dropping its ban on openly gay Scouts and volunteers, but it's not clear what effect that would have on most local troops.

Pundits say immigration reform 'critical' for GOP
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/28/rep-blackburn-weighs-in-on-new-immigration-proposal/
Republicans keen on winning back the surging Latino vote will need to get behind the far-reaching immigration reform set out by a group of bipartisan senators yesterday - or risk being pummeled again at the national polls, political observers said.

San Diego woman gets 15 years to life for killing autistic son
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/patricia-corby-sentenced-san-diego-188763331.html
A 37-year-old San Diego woman was sentenced Monday to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the drowning of her autistic son.

Sandy Aid Bill Passes Senate, Heads To Obama's Desk
http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/176073/sandy-aid-bill-passes-senate--heads-to-obama-s-desk
The U.S. Senate passed a $50.5 billion relief bill Monday to aid repair efforts in New York and other states affected by Hurricane Sandy, and President Barack Obama pledged that day to sign the bill as soon as it reached his desk.

Search and rescue effort continues for missing aircraft
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5huiQEOO-_rMgRlLmCKqQnHI4BRxw?docId=CNG.27e63b12fc1e499b95c530f711136779.01
1/28/2013 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) -- U.S. military officials are coordinating search and rescue efforts with Italian military and civilian teams following the loss of communication with an Aviano F-16 fighter jet Monday evening.

Woman swept away by 'sneaker' wave in N. Calif.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Woman-swept-away-by-sneaker-wave-in-N-Calif-4228875.php
EUREKA, Calif. (AP) - A woman was swept out to sea by a large wave and drowned on a Northern California beach Sunday in the third such tragedy in the region this winter, authorities said.

Fort Lauderdale Rapper Rick Ross target of barrage of bullets
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/rick-ross-crashes-car-shooting-incident-report-article-1.1249519
The sound of gunfire pierced the early-morning calm of Las Olas Boulevard, apparently directed at the rapper, who lost control of his Rolls-Royce and crashed.

Gov. Deval Patrick to name interim senator tomorrow
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/ed-markey-wants-outside-money-out-of-mass-race-86818.html
Gov. Deval Patrick's choice for interim U.S. senator will not only get a vote and a host of powerful perks but also a post-political business boost that could create conflict and ethical questions.

Senate gearing up for battle over gun legislation
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/senate-gearing-up-for-battle-over-gun-legislation-86786.html?hp=r1
With the Obama administration ramping up its efforts to enact new gun control legislation, the fight is now shifting to Capitol Hill in what looks to be a long, high-stakes battle.

Ex-49er charged in former boyfriend's beating
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/kwame-harris-former-player-assault-charges-ex-boyfriend-soy-sauce-underwear-012813
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Former San Francisco 49er Kwame Harris has been charged with felony domestic violence and assault charges from an August beating involving a former boyfriend, a prosecutor and defense lawyer said.

Quake experts call for an advance-warning system for California
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50621405/ns/technology_and_science-science/
When a major earthquake strikes, seconds count. In the devastating 2011 Japan earthquake, a sensor embedded in the ground detected the first signs of movement and immediately sent out an alert at the speed of light.

Twitter reacts to Gov. Jay Nixon's 2013 State of the State Address
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mo-gov-backs-Medicaid-expansion-bonding-plan-4230434.php
COLUMBIA - Gov. Jay Nixon outlined proposals for increased funding to education, domestic violence and mental health in his 2013 State of the State address on Monday night.

Arsonist sentenced to death for California wildfire that killed five
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57566266/calif-wildfire-arsonist-given-death-sentence/
Jan 28 (Reuters) - An arsonist was sentenced to death on. Monday for starting the "Old Fire" in 2003 in the San Bernadino.

I-880 sideshow underscores increased activity in Oakland
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8971127
OAKLAND -- A flurry of sideshow activity Saturday, including one sideshow that stopped traffic on a major freeway, have stoked fears that the illegal car stunt events which plagued Oakland for years are mounting a comeback.

Sarah Palins PAC has over 1M in the bank
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/sarah-palins-pac-has-over-1m-in-the-bank-86809.html
With her Fox News days behind her, Sarah Palin is signaling she intends to become more involved in Republican primaries, and a Monday filing shows she has the cash to back it up.