[U.S.] Congress approves fiscal crisis bill

Congress approves fiscal crisis bill
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i1MguGIyHZeZzeICx8pdRmpTqOEg?docId=f41213e2b2a34742b11abb4aeb43dac5
Congress gave its final approval Tuesday to a bill halting massive tax hikes and delaying a risky round of spending cuts, sending the package to the president's desk and likely averting for now an economy-stalling fiscal crisis.

No evidence of spilled fuel from grounded Alaska oil rig
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/shell-drill-ship-runs-aground-island-off-alaska-18106201
An offshore drilling rig remained beached on a remote island in southern Alaska Tuesday, but authorities said there was as yet no evidence that it had leaked any of the more than 150,000 gallons of fuel and other petroleum products on board into the pristine ...

Survivors recall terror after a bus crash in Oregon's Blue Mountain range kills 9
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/bus-crash-oregon-kills-9-article-1.1231117
A pleasure trip turned disastrous after a tour bus careened off an interstate highway and plunged 200 feet down a mountain. Survivors remembered scenes of horror after the deadly crash, which took nine lives on Sunday.

Minimum wage gap grows wider between states
http://www.katu.com/politics/Minimum-wage-gap-grows-wider-between-states-185352152.html
OLYMPIA, Wash. - With a bump in the minimum wage to $9.19 an hour on Tuesday, high school student Miranda Olson will edge closer to her goal of purchasing that black Volkswagen Beetle she's been researching online.

OJ Simpson, Patty Hearst attorney denied to practice law in Maine
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255899/Famed-OJ-Simpson-lawyer-denied-legal-license-Maine-previous-disbarments.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
LEWISTON, Maine - F. Lee Bailey, the attorney who represented O.J. Simpson and Patty Hearst, has been denied his request to practice law in Maine.

Colorado Pot Clubs Ring in New Year
http://abcnews.go.com/US/marijuana-clubs-ring-year-colorado-legalized-pot-smoking/story?id=18108083
It was marijuana instead of champagne this year for some New Year's Eve revelers in Colorado, who lit up in private smoking clubs allowed for the first time under the state's new pot laws.

Woman Falls On Subway Tracks Early New Year's Day, Dies
http://natmonitor.com/2013/01/01/report-stumbling-woman-killed-by-train-on-new-years-day-after-falling-onto-subway-tracks/
NEW YORK -- New York City police say a young woman stumbling around on a Manhattan subway platform not far from Times Square fell onto the tracks and was killed by a train.

Some El Pasoans welcome new year with 'polar bear' swim
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iVwtWo0BvPPOji72hdLWC74MwR6A?docId=d3f1e90216764ab99d41566bf346396f
Candi Broughton, left, and Cristina Mendez made for the steps after jumping into the frigid water during the 4th annual Polar Bear Swim at the Loya Family YMCA at 2044 Trawood on New Year's Day.

At Open House, Cuomo Shows Lighter Side
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323820104578216000481739798.html
ALBANYâ€"In the drawing room of the executive mansion here, Gov. Andrew Cuomo crouched down in front of the fireplace so he could meet 3-year-old Madeline Andrus at eye level.

Suspect held in fatal shooting at California fireworks show
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/01/3163652/suspect-arrested-in-fatal-sacramento.html
(CNN) -- A 22-year-old man was in custody as a suspect in a shooting during a New Year's Eve fireworks show in Sacramento, California, where two people were fatally shot and three were wounded, police said Tuesday.

In turnabout, Staten Island's Grimm says he'll vote in favor of fiscal cliff compromise
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/in_turnabout_staten_islands_gr.html
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rep. Michael Grimm said late Tuesday night he would join the presumed House majority and vote for White House and Senate-backed legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff and higher taxes for middle-class Americans.

Outpouring of support continues for NY fire
http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2882619.shtml?cat=565
Firefighters and residents raise funds in honor of volunteer firefighters who were killed in a Christmas Eve ambush. GAN FIREFIGHTERS SHOT 123012.