[U.S.] Kerry says global climate change is threat to US

Kerry says global climate change is threat to US
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/kerry-says-global-climate-change-is-threat-to-us/2013/01/24/45cb9d94-6645-11e2-85f5-a8a9228e55e7_story.html?tid=pm_pop
Calling himself “a passionate advocate” for energy policy, Sen. John Kerry said Thursday that climate change was among the top international threats facing the United States, cheering environmentalists and disappointing oil industry officials, who have been ...

Suspect in doctor's death described as helpful family man
http://abcnews.go.com/US/philadelphia-exterminator-jason-smith-charged-pediatrician-killing/story?id=18299639
If there is something in the makeup of Jason Smith that might have presaged the slaying to which police say he has confessed, nothing was immediately apparent Thursday.

Pentagon to move 'expeditiously' to lift ban on women in combat roles
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-to-move-expeditiously-to-lift-ban-on-women-in-combat-roles/2013/01/24/f9fd6244-665d-11e2-85f5-a8a9228e55e7_story.html
The Pentagon will move “expeditiously” to integrate women into the military's combat units, Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta vowed Thursday, arguing that the inclusion of female troops would make the country and its fighting force stronger.

Even With California's Surplus, Governor Wants Fiscal Restraint
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57565681/gov-brown-optimistic-about-californias-future/
SACRAMENTO, Calif.â€"Gov. Jerry Brown called Thursday for California to practice fiscal discipline and use its newfound budget surplus to pay down debt and shore up reserves rather than to restore funds to social programs.

Defense attorney weighs in on case of slain family
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/defense-attorney-weighs-case-slain-family-18308382
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- The public defender who is representing a New Mexico teen accused of gunning down his parents and younger siblings says it's too early for anyone to rush to judgment about the teen's mental state, motives or plans.

There's no viable center in state gun debate
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/01/24/feinstein-introduces-new-assault-weapons-ban
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 24: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) speaks next to a display of assault weapons during a news conference January 24, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Sandy Hook panel zooms in on school safety, trauma
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/conn-governor-newtown-panel-meets-1st-time-article-1.1246525
Gov. Dannel Malloy, who supports gun rights, says the commission should examine whether mental health professionals have the resources to intervene when people need help.

A Gridlocked Senate Agrees to Some Limits on Filibusters
http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/01/24/170190081/senate-filibuster-changes-more-evolution-than-revolution
WASHINGTON - Senators will still be able to talk and talk and talk, though for not quite as long as they have grown accustomed. Legislation will still be mired in mucky procedural delays, though there will be fewer of them to exploit.

NM bill calls post-rape abortion 'evidence tampering'
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2013/01/24/aborting-rapists-child-would-be-felony-new-mexico-legislator/
Critics claim sex-assault victims would be criminals or forced to carry unwanted pregnancies. Lawmaker says it's aimed at attackers.

Obama names Mary Jo White to lead SEC, renominates Cordray
http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2013/01/24/mary-jo-white-sec/
WASHINGTON - In nominating former federal prosecutor Mary Jo White to head the Securities and Exchange Commission, President Obama aimed a strong message at potential Wall Street miscreants: Watch out.

Rhode Island edges closer to marriage equality
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/msnbc/50576273/
MSNBC's Thomas Roberts talks to Rhode Island State Rep. Arthur Handy about efforts towards marriage equality in Rhode Island. Share This: facebook · twitter · googleplus.

Sandy blow to NJ: costly work or costlier premiums
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/facebook-mogul-mark-zuckerberg-hold-fundraiser-nj-gov-chris-christie-article-1.1246753
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) -- Superstorm Sandy has landed one final stunning blow to New Jersey as the state adopted rebuilding guidelines that come with sticker shock.

White House working around Capitol Hill as it pushes far-reaching gun measures
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-working-around-capitol-hill-as-it-pushes-far-reaching-gun-measures/2013/01/24/c5451b22-65b4-11e2-9e1b-07db1d2ccd5b_story.html
The White House has decided to circumvent Capitol Hill as it concentrates its gun-control efforts on speeches and other public appearances by President Obama and Vice President Biden outside of Washington, according to officials with knowledge of the ...

Democrat Manchin backs Hagel for Pentagon chief
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Democratic-support-for-Hagel-grows-4220306.php
Republican Chuck Hagel picked up support Thursday from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who had some reservations about the Defense nominee until their face-to-face meeting.

Courts cut $172 million from Bratz doll verdict
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Bratz-verdict-partially-overturned-4221833.php
A federal appeals court on Thursday tossed out $172 million in damages Mattel Inc. had been ordered to pay the maker of Bratz dolls, the latest twist in a bitter 9-year legal dispute over commercial rights to the ethnically diverse, pouty-lipped toys.

Union Membership Down in Minnesota, Wisconsin
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/23/union-membership-continues-half-century-decline/
Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com)-- A combination of factors has brought union membership levels down all across the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released numbers, revealing the country's lowest level of labor membership since the 1930's.

Principal faces probe over teacher held in abuse of 20 kids
http://abcnews.go.com/US/lausd-teacher-district-charged-child-molesting-crimes/story?id=18305207
A now-retired principal faces a criminal investigation after school officials said she twice failed to report accusations of sexual misconduct by a teacher who this week was arrested on suspicion of molesting 19 students at a Wilmington elementary school.