[U.S.] 'Now's the time' to move on immigration, Obama says

'Now's the time' to move on immigration, Obama says
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/01/will-obama-save-immigration-reform-or-kill-it.html
Las Vegas (CNN) -- President Barack Obama threw his full support behind a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration laws on Tuesday, saying "now's the time" to replace a system he called "out of date and badly broken.

Giffords to Speak at Gun Hearing
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/01/nra-defends-right-to-own-politicians.html
WASHINGTONâ€"Wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will appear as an unscheduled witness Wednesday at the year's first congressional hearing on curbing gun violence, adding drama to a session that was already slated to hear from a top official of the ...

Alabama police in reported hostage standoff with suspect in fatal school bus ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/alabama-boy-held-hostage-bus-shooting-article-1.1251003
The Alabama man police say shot and killed a school bus driver Tuesday in an attempt to kidnap a 6-year-old boy has been hunkered down for hours with the child in an underground bunker on his remote property, The Dothan Eagle, a local newspaper, ...

William 'Mo' Cowan is Governor Deval Patrick's pick to serve as interim US senator
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/30/mo-cowan-massachusetts-interim-senator
William “Mo” Cowan is Governor Deval Patrick's choice to serve as the interim US senator until the successor to John F. Kerry is chosen by the voters June 25, according to a source in the governor's office.

Local Scout leaders approve or accept possibility of gays in scouting
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2013/0129/Would-change-on-gays-allow-Boy-Scouts-to-recapture-role-in-society-video
COLUMBUS - For Chris Dixon, the Boy Scouts' policy barring participation by gays makes an unnecessary distinction. “That's mother nature so you can't hide it.

LaHood to step down as Transportation Secretary
http://www.dailypolitical.com/politics/lahood-to-step-down-as-transportation-secretary.htm
Ray LaHood the current Secretary of Transportation announced on Tuesday he was resigning and his departure signifies that President Obama is losing one of his trusted leaders for the high-speed railroad the president has pushed so hard for.

Inaugural teen shot dead in Chicago
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Teen-Performer-At-Inaugural-Events-Fatally-Shot--189007181.html
A Chicago teenager who performed at Inaugural events was shot and died on Tuesday, according to news reports. Hadiya Pendleton, 15, was shot in a South Side Chicago neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, according to Chicago's CBS affiliate.

Forecast: Flood advisory issued for Birmingham, tornado watch still in effect ...
http://www.grandhaventribune.com/article/303436
Enlarge Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com A line of severe storms, some containing small tornadoes and high straight line winds blew through Central Alabama Wednesday January 30, 2013.

GOP Sen. Cochran will back Hagel
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/hagel-draws-big-board-and-adviser-fees-86845.html?hp=l4
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) on Tuesday became the first Republican to indicate he would vote to confirm Chuck Hagel as defense secretary.

Award to Apple Isn't Raised
http://newyork.newsday.com/business/technology/apple-vs-samsung-1b-patent-verdict-left-intact-1.4533565
SEOULâ€"The judge overseeing the first U.S. federal court case between Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. over mobile device patents late Tuesday decided not to raise the $1 billion in damages that a jury awarded to Apple, but she didn't set a final ...