[U.S.] Gay couples left out of immigration plan

Gay couples left out of immigration plan
http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Gay-couples-left-out-of-immigration-plan-4230776.php
Washington -- Latino and business groups applauded a sweeping immigration overhaul proposed Monday by eight Democratic and Republican senators, but its omission of binational same-sex couples alarmed activists who fear those couples could be used ...

'Sneaker Waves' Claim Another Victim in California
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/01/sneaker-waves-claim-another-victim-in-california/
All five people, four from Humboldt County and one from Marin County, were pulled offshore by “sneaker waves” - the largest of a series of waves brought on by dangerous weather conditions.

2003 Old fire arsonist sentenced to death
http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Arsonist-gets-death-for-Calif-fire-that-killed-5-4229619.php
A judge handed a death sentence Monday to the violent felon convicted of setting the 2003 Old fire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes, charred the northwestern face of the San Bernardino Mountains and killed five people.

Domestic partnership bill clears first hurdle in Wyoming
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/01/28/1506541/breaking-wyoming-house-committee-defeats-marriage-equality-bill/
Talk about going against the flow: Wyoming state Rep. Cathy Connolly and her fellow Democrats are not only outnumbered 52 to 8 by Republicans in the state Legislature, but Connolly is the first openly gay representative in the conservative state.

35000 more NYC-area buildings in flood zones
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/28/16744731-preliminary-fema-flood-zone-maps-add-35000-nyc-buildings-to-flood-zones?lite
NEW YORK - Twice as many homes and businesses in and near the city would be in flood zones under new maps that may force more property-owners to buy flood insurance, complicate post-Superstorm Sandy rebuilding for some and confront others with ...

Mayor Bloomberg pleads with state lawmakers not to withhold more funding over ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bloomy-testy-lawmakers-teacher-evals-article-1.1250101
ALBANY - A testy Mayor Bloomberg pleaded with state legislators Monday not to hold school funding hostage to union “obstructionism” on teacher evaluations.