(Image Source: Jalopnik)

BY LUKE LEONARD

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

At $7 million a minute, ad makers battled it out for audience appraisal during Sunday night’s Super Bowl. So which ads captivated audiences and which ones fell through?

From H&M’s “sex sells” approach featuring David Beckham to Doritos’ comedic crunches, social media sites saw record-breaking comments, likes, and tweets about the ads. (Youtube)

ABC News reports Bluefin Labs tracked more than 109,000 social media comments about H&M’s sexy ad. Among others, Doritos’ “Man’s Best Friend” spot was the most positively commented ad on Twitter.

Doritos held its annual contest for filmmakers to submit their own Doritos commercials. Jonathan Friedman, the winner, spent a mere $20 on production for this submission, but netted a cool $1 million in the end. (YouTube)

Analysts saw a trend amongst advertising agencies involved in production for the Super Bowl. Fox News spoke to the chief innovation officer for Boston based advertising agency Mullen, who said ...

“... just about every brand built interactive elements into their commercials, knowing that the true measurement of success these days is immediate consumer reaction and long-term consumer engagement ...”

After Volkswagen’s 2011 commercial featuring a pint-sized Darth Vader won over viewers last year, they chose to bring back the motif in their newest ad starring an exercising dog. A writer for Forbes critiques the use of canines -- which were featured in several of this year’s spots ...

“You would think that the utilization of pets – and dogs specifically – would eventually be overplayed. And yet there is something about the emotional connection that so many of us have with pets that help advertisers tug at our funny bone and heart every year.”

The Guardian analyzes -- saying agencies tend to be more family-friendly and less forceful with Superbowl ads than during the majority of the year.

And looking at which ads didn’t fly -- like the demographic-defined approach taken by Kia and GoDaddy. (Youtube)

“Want to live your fantasies of nubile women, badass rock and giant sandwiches? Kia and GoDaddy have got your back. Their ads felt like some kind of grumpy heterosexual antidote to the camp spectacular of the half-time show.”

And a poll from The Huffington Post leaves GoDaddy’s commercial rated the worst ad of the night by readers. The accompanying article explains...

“ ... the gravest sin of some of the least popular ads in 2012 was not that they were particularly offensive but that they were particularly unoriginal.”


Prior to the game airing, Google reported pre-released Super Bowl preview ads were viewed more than 30 million times on YouTube.
 

(Image Source: The Insider)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Gisele Bundchen proved herself a supportive football wife last week when an e-mail she sent to friends was leaked -- in the e-mail, she asked them to pray for hubby Tom Brady’s success at Sunday’s Superbowl. But, the Patriots lost -- and she lost it.

The Insider has footage of Bundchen right after the game. Fans are heckling her -- one yells, “Eli owns your husband!”

BUNDCHEN: “He didn’t catch the ball when he was supposed to catch the ball. My husband can not f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.”

With the headline, “Gisele Rips Pats Receivers,” WTVJ writes ...

“Gisele Bundchen didn’t wait long to start the blame game.”

A writer for MidWestSportsFans calls the comment “dumb,” saying Bundchen should know that -- as a celebrity, she’s always being watched ...

“And she also must understand how important the concept of TEAM is to the Patriots ... To throw Brady’s receivers under the bus like that undermines the win-as-a-team-lose-as-a-team mantra Brady himself espouses constantly.”

But The Province says Bundchen was just saying what was on all Patriots’ fans minds.

“...saying what a lot of non-supermodels not married to Super Bowl-losing quarterbacks were also thinking. … she wasn’t saying anything the team didn’t know.”

And TMZ reports there’s already backlash from the team.

“Tom’s teammates feel betrayed by Gisele’s behavior … Gisele’s pot shot violated the [team’s] code -- which is basically ... win as a team, lose as a team. As one source put it, ‘It’s like knocking someone when they are down.’”
 

(Image Source: KIRO-TV)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

News sources are reporting that Josh Powell killed himself and his two young sons at their Washington home Sunday. He was a person of interest in his wife Susan’s disappearance. A detective tells KOMO-TV the boys died in an explosion after a social worker brought them to their father’s house for a supervised visit.  

“DETECTIVE: He grabbed the kids, locked her out of the house and immediately the house went up in flames, very quickly, very big. So, we believe that Josh Powell intentionally set this fire.”

This comes after Powell lost a custody battle to the boys’ grandparents. CBS reports...

“...a Washington judge denied Powell custody of his two sons and ordered him to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation after child pornography was found on his father's computer.”

Reports indicate Powell took his sons on a camping trip when his wife disappeared in 2009. A lawyer for Susan Powell’s parents told the Associated Press the boys saw their mother in the trunk of the car. They said their mother disappeared on that camping trip.

Despite this, the Los Angeles Times reports Powell returned to court...

“...in a bid to regain custody. ‘I have proven myself as a fit and loving father who provides a stable home even in the face of great adversity,’ he wrote in an affidavit.”

The house caught fire at about 12:30 in the afternoon. CNN cites shortly before that Powell...

“...apparently sent a three-word e-mail to his attorney. It said simply: ‘I’m sorry. Goodbye.”

Authorities were reportedly working to connect Powell with his wife's disappearance at the time of his death. KUTV spoke with the Pierce County Sheriff who refuses to call the incident a ‘tragedy’ because of the possible premeditation.

“...that distances us from it, that sanitizes it, that seems to make it less than it is ... Let’s call it a horrible murder because that’s exactly what we have here.”

Dozens of community members gathered at the boys’ elementary school for a candlelight vigil Sunday night.   

(Image Source: That Grape Juice)

 

BY CODY LAGROW

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Trips, middle finger slips and just moving the lips -- all three were part of Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show. Metro gives us a peek.

“Madonna had a ‘choreography malfunction,’ falling off stage during dance a routine.”

LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and Cee Lo Green joined Madonna on stage. The New York Times praises the halftime spectacle, saying...

“Madonna went all out ... a queen on her throne, a homecoming queen strutting in the bleachers, a church singer fronting a choir.”

Not everyone in Hollywood vogued along with Madge. Yahoo! News says some celebrities wanted more.

“Sharon Osbourne tweeted, ‘Madonna is back! She’s the queen. Just sensational!’ Piers Morgan responded to Mrs. O saying, ‘Queen of what? Lip-synching?’”

And People Magazine says British rapper M.I.A. stole the show from Madonna by flipping the bird to network cameras.

“The Queen of Pop was upstaged by her collaborator M.I.A. who flipped off the camera at one point during the performance. … There were no reports of fines … as of Monday morning."

Both NBC and the NFL released statements apologizing for M.I.A.’s mistake. Rolling Stone explains.

The NFL pointed the finger directly at NBC saying, “There was a failure in NBC’s delay system. The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans.”
 

NBC fired back, “The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show. Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers.”

M.I.A. did not comment on her middle finger malfunction—but a source close to the singer tells the Daily Mail why it happened.

“She wasn’t thinking. … She was struck with a case of adrenaline. It wasn’t any kind of statement.”

Madonna sang her new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’” from her upcoming album “MDNA” as part of the show. It’s her twelfth studio album.


 

(Image source: Flickr/mkumm)

BY EMILY SPAIN

You're watching multisource business and U.S. news analysis from Newsy. 

Once filing for bankruptcy, now projecting record profits. The tide at General Motors might be turning in the company’s favor. Three years after a government bailout, the company reports it is targeting a $10 billion annual profit.

GM’s chief financial officer told the Wall Street Journal the company would increase its profit margins from six to 10 percent in order to reach the profit goal.

An analyst on CNN Money has faith that GM is on its way up.

“GM is really on its way, it’s moving forward. It reports earnings next week and the expectation is that it will say that it earned $8 billion in profit for all of 2011. Gosh, once upon a time that was almost unthinkable.”

But a writer for 24/7 Wall St. says GM’s profit target is unrealistic... and tears apart GM’s argument that it can rely on China - the world’s largest car market - to help make its profit goals.

“That plan has two barriers. The first is that the growth of the market for cars and light vehicles in the People’s Republic has slowed. The other is … GM no longer just competes with other foreign car companies in China. Local firms want to take market share from GM … ”

Fox Business reports American taxpayers still own one-third of General Motors, because the company has paid back just $24 billion of the $51 billion bailout. Stuart Varney on Fox notes GM’s progress, but also reminds us where the company’s coming from.  

VARNEY: “So, is General Motors back? You can say that it is profitable, it is stable and it has got good profit margins, but it is still very much in the hole to the taxpayer.”

Street Insider reports the company is expected to announce its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 results on February 16.

Transcript by Newsy.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

In a new book, a woman who is now a 69-year-old grandmother and retired church administrator claims to have had an affair with President John F. Kennedy -- when she was only 19 years old. 

Mimi Alford’s book is called “Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath.”

Alford says she lost her virginity to President Kennedy when she was a White House Intern. The Herald Sun reports she met Kennedy in 1962, when the President was 45 years old.

“Alford was invited by Dave Powers, the president's ‘first friend’, to a White House party. She claims her affair with Kennedy began when the president invited her for a personal tour and then took her to ‘Mrs. Kennedy's room’. … ‘I was in shock,’ she writes of her post coital thoughts. ‘He, on the other hand, was matter-of-fact …’”

Alford says JFK never kissed her. But for more than a year -- after her internship ended and she’d gone to college -- he called her to meet him in hotels and even flew her to the White House. The Daily Mail has some of the more salacious stories.

“ … he 'forced' her to sniff amyl nitrate, commonly known as poppers, during a Hollywood party at Bing Crosby's desert ranch. … She also tells of how JFK asked her to 'take care' of his friends … ' … This was a challenge to give Dave Powers oral sex. I don’t think the president thought I’d do it, but I’m ashamed to say that I did... The president silently watched,' she said.”

Alford also says Kennedy asked her on a later date to ‘take care’ of his brother, Ted, but she refused. Sex aside, JFK also confided in her.

“ … Kennedy … even asked her to console him following the death of his baby son, Patrick … At the height of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis … Kennedy [told her]: ‘I’d rather my children were red than dead.’”

The story ends with JFK’s assassination. The two met for a last rendezvous in Manhattan in November 1963, just a week before he was assassinated in Dallas. Alford was set to marry her college sweetheart. The New York Post has an excerpt.

“‘He took me in his arms … and said, ‘I wish you were coming with me to Texas. … I’ll call you when I get back.’ I was overcome with sudden sadness. ‘Remember, Mr. President, I’m getting married.’ ‘I know that,’ he said, and shrugged. ‘But I’ll call you anyway.’ ”

Alford’s identity was first revealed in 2003 when another book blew the 40-year secret. She says she never met the First Lady during the entire affair.

(Image Source: HLN)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR NATHAN BYRNE

This is Newsy Now, and here are your latest headlines.
 

In world news, Greece might have missed yet another deadline to reach a deal with its international lenders today. But a spokesperson denies the government even had a deadline. The Greek debt talks are at an impasse as lawmakers could not agree on the required austerity measures. CNBC explains what’s at stake.
 

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera: “This is a country that needs to borrow every single day, in order to function.”
Becky Quick: “How much?”
Caruso-Cabrera: “Half a billion a week, they need, just to keep running...”
 

Still in world news, Syrian troops launched fresh attacks at the city of Homs on Monday. The AP says they struck a makeshift medical clinic and residential areas. This, after Russia and China vetoed a United Nations resolution that would back the removal of President Bashar al-Assad from power. Sky News reports from near the beleaguered city.
 

“There’s no idea on how many people have been hurt. We know it’s a lot — the estimates vary, but there’s currently 75 to 100 confirmed.”
 

In U.S. news, a new poll shows President Barack Obama leading GOP front runner Mitt Romney in a hypothetical general election. The ABC News/Washington Post poll sees Obama with 51 percent of the votes, and Romney trailing with 45 percent. But ABC News reports - other poll numbers show, when it comes to the economy, Romney leads.
 

“And Mitt Romney, even though he trails Obama, is trusted more to handle the economy by a narrow margin, 48 to 45. And when it comes to trusting to create jobs, same thing, 47%, 45%. Romney with a slight edge.”
 

In entertainment news, NBC is apologizing for rapper M.I.A.’s middle-finger salute at the Super Bowl halftime show Sunday night. The rapper performed alongside Madonna and Nicki Minaj.
 

The network says its delay system didn’t catch M.I.A.’s flip-off until it was too late. HLN says – you gotta feel bad for Madonna.
 

“She had been rehearsing for months leading up to this. And now, all we’re talking about, instead of an amazing performance, was M.I.A giving the middle finger to the camera and in my opinion, a terrible move for M.I.A.”

Stay with Newsy for more news analyses throughout the day.
For Newsy Now, I’m Nathan Byrne, highlighting the top headlines, making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Mobiledia)

BY BRICE SANDER

Social media addiction is real. Well, so say researchers from The University of Chicago.
They gave 205 people – ages 18 to 25 – BlackBerrys and prompted them seven times a day for a week, asking if they were feeling any urges.  

Researchers recorded more than 7,000 “desire episodes,” reporting the need to log onto social media sites like Facebook and Twitter topped the desire for sex, sleep, alcohol and cigarettes. (YouTube/Revision3)

Mobiledia tries to explain the serge in the urge to log on.

“Users find it easier to justify glancing at a Facebook page than having a drink at 2 p.m. …The stigma, as well as the dangers, surrounding alcohol and tobacco don't exist with social media, so users are able to rationalize their actions as harmless.”

A writer for The Atlantic Wire says it makes sense, but it’s a sad fact to face.

“Less fun and more addictive ... a sad combination. Not that we don't enjoy some Twitter time, but it's fun as a work distraction, not as a Saturday night activity … Basically, if drinking had zero consequences (i.e., hangovers) we'd booze all day long.”

When word of the study hit the web, the guys at The Hour put together a tongue-in-cheek self-help video, “Five Steps to Beating Social Media Addiction.”

“Recognizing that true friends never address you by your screen name.”
“Hey – great blog post last night, FuzzyPants24!”

Forbes joins The Hour in poking fun at the study’s findings.  

“There’s also the argument to be made that social media is just as harmful, forcing someone to recede from the world ... But it’s a little easier to make the harm argument with cigarettes.”

A Gawker blogger agrees, but raises some follow-up questions he’d like answered.

“ … it's hard to imagine a ‘rock bottom’ for checking one's phone too frequently … If anything, the study is something worth thinking about … What are the long-term effects of this dependence? How does the constant impulse to check our phones affect our attention spans? And why do I care how many Twitter followers I have?”
 

(Image Source: Flickr.com)

BY LEAH BECERRA

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Holy copyright infringement, Batman! Mark Towle, owner of Gotham Garage -- made custom Batmobiles for a living. But a judge just ruled that’s copyright infringement. Digital Trends explains.

“Towles had originally attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that the Copyright Act doesn’t protect ‘useful articles’ like a car and its design, but … according to the judge, the ‘useful articles’ exception doesn’t apply when there are so many elements of the car that serve no practical, well… use.”

This ruling could affect more than Towle -- he’s one of many who have made Batmobile look-a-likes.

Gizmodo shows one built in 2011 -- the only Batmobile that is actually propelled by a turbine.
 
The Hollywood Reporter was explains how the ruling went down.

“DC … accused Towles of violating its copyright and trademark and confusing the public into thinking that his cars were authorized products. Trademark is one thing, but can an automobile design really be copyrighted?”

The answer is, “yes,” according to the judge. But as Wired points out -- it’s not over till the fat Penguin sings.

“The opinion does not necessarily mean DC Comics wins its lawsuit that also alleged trademark infringement. However, the judge’s ruling doesn’t provide much hope for Towles, who can settle with DC Comics or defend himself at a copyright infringement trial.”

But Forbes argues that DC could have benefitted from Towle's business.

“...wouldn’t you think the occasional custom Batmobile would be just about the best sort of free advertising DC Comics could hope for? It’s not like they’re building cars.”

(Image source: Ace Showbiz)

BY BRICE SANDER

Demi Moore has reportedly entered rehab -- after being rushed to the hospital on a reported drug overdose last month. Here’s NBC’s Today.  

“The actress is being treated at the Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah for an eating disorder and addiction issues. The super posh rehab center is known for it’s one-on-one approach to addiction treatment.”

E! News was the first to break the story, claiming Moore consulted with a spiritual healer and psychic before seeking treatment.

“A rehab insider says -- quote -- ‘She is on total lockdown and only talking to a small group of people’ … Cirque Lodge is the same facility where Lindsay Lohan, Eva Mendes and Mary Kate Olsen reportedly went for help.”

Celebrity Health and Fitness takes us inside the upscale facility.

“The Cirque Lodge addiction treatment center looks more like a ski lodge than a hospital, and therapy there can cost north of $1,500 a day … The lodge specializes in alcohol and substance abuse treatment. It also provides services for ‘co-occurring mental health concerns...’”

After reports surfaced that Moore’s exes Bruce Willis and Ashton Kutcher were taking care of her in her Hollywood home, Jezebel questions how the media could have missed Moore’s move to Utah.

“... it seems like with a little bit less speculation about Moore's rumored Red Bull addiction and a little more relentless stalking we would have known that she'd gone to rehab and could have then made the appropriate arrangements to organize a vigil outside the Cirque Lodge's gates.”

No matter how she got there, an Us Weekly source says this move was needed for Moore to get better.

“Friends are relieved the actress is seeking treatment -- more than 20 years after she first went to rehab in 1985. ‘She knows she's in a bad place and needs help,’ a source explains. ‘Rehab is the only thing she can do right now. She needed something serious to get her back on track.’”

Moore is expected to stay in treatment for at least 30 days.

(Image Source: Bikya Masr) 

BY ALYSSA CARTEE AND KYLIE MCGIVERN

43 non-government organization workers will face trial in Egypt, including 19 American workers, one of which is Sam LaHood -- the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Al-Ahran explains the investigation.

“... [they] are accused of influencing political groups in Egypt by offering funding through their NGOs and will be prosecuted as a result of the ministry of justice investigation.”

But many are saying the investigation is more about making a statement, than actual wrongdoing. Egyptian activists describe the crackdown as a step backward - to the Mubarak-era mentality -- rather than a move forward. A government minister who serves under Mubarak is spearheading the investigation.

The Telegraph has more...

“Human rights activists fear the raids are revenge for their links to secular pro-democracy movements in Egypt...They complain that the breach of the law cited – illegal foreign funding – is not used against suspected support for religious groups from wealthy Gulf countries.”

Several of the American NGO offices were raided in late December. An analyst told Fox Business Network the workers have been worried ever since.

“The American NGOs, the people who are not working for the government, but who are doing good deeds in Egypt … a lot of them have gone into the American embassy in Cairo because they’re afraid of what might happen to them.”

Some feel the actions have greater implications - and that this is about more than investigating a legal funding issue. BBC reports.

“... Cairo's action has widely been seen as an attack on free speech and an attempt by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' (SCAF) to silence critics of its attempt to put down ongoing street protests.”

But CNN reports, Cairo’s attempts to silence has Congress members speaking out.

“Egypt's investigation of and raids on U.S. democracy support groups working in that country could mean the end of U.S. aid to Egypt, members of Congress told top Obama administration officials, as well as the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, last week.”

The two countries have been close allies for more than three decades. The Wall Street Journal quotes US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the investigations that could rock that steady foundation.

"We are very clear that there are problems that arise from this situation that can impact all the rest of our relationship in Egypt ... We don't want that."

As the Washington Post points out, threatening to cut off Egypt’s U.S. aid - including $1.3 billion of military assistance given each year -  is a swift, strong and unusual response.

“The investigation has triggered unusually blunt warnings from Capitol Hill to a nation that has for years been seen as a stalwart ally.”

Egypt’s ruling military has remained silent on the NGO raids. There is currently no date set for the start of trial.

(Image source: The New York Times)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign is parting ways with a debate coach — the man credited with the candidate’s recently improved on-stage performance. In Team Romney’s eyes, that might have been too much credit. POLITICO reports.

“After (debate coach Brett) O’Donnell was ... highlighted … as being one of the reasons behind the former Massachusetts governor’s improved debate performances, Romney campaign officials grew uneasy ... it was made clear that there was severe discomfort about how his role was being portrayed in the media ...”

O’Donnell formerly served as a debate coach at Liberty University, and also coached Michele Bachmann. Stories such as this one from Bloomberg last week labeled O’Donnell a “potential game-changer” for Romney.

“The call went out the night Mitt Romney lost the South Carolina primary ... O’Donnell was in Tampa the next day, and less than 48 hours later, a pithier and more combative Romney showed up Jan. 23 to debate Newt Gingrich ...  Romney’s feistier delivery and more aggressive style that night ... may have helped turn the tide for him in Florida ...”

The solid debate performances were much-needed for Romney after a huge loss to Gingrich in South Carolina. The frontrunner seemed to have a newfound energy — delivering attacks such as this one on Newt’s role as a historian for mortgage giant Freddie Mac.

“You could have spoken out aggressively. You could have spoken out and said ‘These guys are wrong, this needs to end.’ But, instead, you were being paid by them. You were making over a million dollars at the same time people in Florida were being hurt by millions of dollars.”

Afterward, the praise came flooding in for O’Donnell, with NPR calling him an MVP ...

… and Prospect.org naming him the real winner in Florida.

But it was this article from The New York Times, referencing O’Donnell’s role as part of Romney’s Florida surge, that became a large point of tension for the campaign — this, according to POLITICO reporter Jonathan Martin, appearing on CNN.

“One of the Romney advisers — Stuart Stevens — called Brett O’Donnell ... and had O’Donnell call Jim Rutenberg, one of the story’s co-authors, to have his — O’Donnell’s — role in the comeback downplayed in the piece.”

Team Romney has faced some backlash for not retaining O’Donnell. A political contributor to Yahoo! News writes:

“If people working for Romney fear being punished for being too good at their job, one cannot but fear for the success of Romney either in his campaign going forward or in his prospective presidency.”

O’Donnell himself has refused to comment on the story.

(Image Source: Princess Cruises)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

An outbreak on two Florida cruise ships left passengers feeling a different kind of seasick. Hundreds of passengers on the Ruby Princess and Crown Princess caught a norovirus --- causing vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

Victims won’t suffer effects for more than a couple of days. The Los Angeles Times says noroviruses are…

“ … no cause for hysteria, but they’re far from pleasant ... They can also cause a low fever, headaches and muscle aches.”

The CDC warns prospective passengers about noroviruses, saying they’re found…

“ … in the stool or vomit of infected people and on infected surfaces that have been touched by ill people. Outbreaks occur more often where there are more people in a small area.”

The illness is often associated with ships because outbreaks are reported quickly, and health officials can track how it’s spread faster than on land. According to Huliq.com, this isn’t the first time sickness broke out on a Princess Cruises ship.

“Between May and July 2011, there were three outbreaks reported for the Sea Princess. [The ship] was headed to Alaska.”

Princess says it has solved the problem after employees and passengers were careful to wash their hands often.

WPLG reports the cruise line stepped up cleaning procedures and quarantined sick passengers after people first reported symptoms.

“TERESA: Sometimes it seems a little overdone, because you had to sterilize your hands as soon as you went in to eat.”

And comparisons to the Costa Concordia incident were abound. The New York Daily News writes...

“The hits keep coming for the cruise industry.”

And a writer for Gawker says…

“I plan on avoiding all cruise ships for the rest of the year — barring the 3D extravaganza of Titanic's April re-release.”

Media outlets report Princess Cruises delayed the next departure times for both ships.

(Image Source: KSWB)

BY HANK KOEBLER

ANCHOR BRICE SANDER

The relationship between NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone and Utah Jazz owner Greg Miller has devolved into a public squabble. Malone sparked the controversy by airing his grievances over former coach Jerry Sloan’s resignation.

The Mailman told KSWB Sloan resigned because Miller wouldn’t let him discipline point-guard Deron Williams.

“In your opinion, do you feel Deron Williams played a big role in why coach Sloan stepped down?”
“Absolutely. Let’s just keep it real. I think he had something to do with it. Coach Sloan is a classy guy and he wasn’t going to fight the battle.”

Malone also claimed the Jazz refused to give him a ticket to a game, forcing him to buy from scalpers. Miller fired back -- first on Twitter and then on a blog post, calling Malone “high maintenance.” ESPN has more of Miller’s comments.

“The owner and CEO of the Jazz, Greg Miller, calling Karl Malone too unreliable and too unstable to help the team as an assistant coach, and claimed the two-time M.V.P. lied about having to use a scalper to purchase tickets to a Jazz game.”

The feud reignited the year-old controversy over Sloan’s sudden mid-season resignation last year. Many, including Malone, say when disagreements between Sloan and Williams boiled over, management sided with the player over the coach.

Sloan issued a statement saying stories of a forced resignation simply aren’t true. AOL has his comments.

"I left on my own volition. It is not true that the Millers undermined my authority as head coach. I had their complete backing to run the team as I wished and was assured that no player could ever overrule my decisions."

Fans have been taking sides on Twitter and other social media in response to the public bickering. Local writers and personalities offered their take on the dispute as well:

A sports writer for the Salt Lake Tribune tweeted:
“Greg Miller just entered a no-win zone, in my opinion.”

Sports agent Steve Kauffman criticized Malone, writing:
“...most of us who have been around know this is a guy that likes to hear himself talk. Actual veracity be damned.”

And another sports editor tried to be the voice of reason.
“In [a] situation like this, everyone could be sincere and telling truth as they see it. Because much of that belief is based on own perception.”

A Yahoo! Sports blogger says the public disagreements better be settled quickly, because they’re making the whole franchise look bad.

“Nobody looks good here. From Sloan to Malone to Deron Williams to Miller to Jazz GM Kevin O'Conner (who is, we should point out, quite good at his job) or to anyone who buys either side as an absolute… This needs to go away, and soon.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/utah-owner-strikes-back-karl-malone-163025407.html

(Image Source: The Indianapolis Star)

BY GINA COOK

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

The duo LMFAO is known for wiggling in the song “Sexy and I Know It,” but there was no wiggle room available at the pair’s Super Bowl weekend concert. 
 

The Chicago Tribune reports 11 people were injured at the show. None of those injuries were life-threatening.

“Rumors of stampedes, stage collapses and gunshots abounded on social-networking site Twitter as crowds grew Friday. … Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers investigated them all and found no problems.”



So we know the rumors, but what really happened? WTHR reports massive overcrowding caused issues. Here’s video from that night.

Reporter: “ … The hundreds of thousands of people police had to manage throughout the Super Bowl Village Friday night. The super-huge crowd forced officers to shut down vehicle traffic to make room for Super Bowl fans on foot.”



And WISH explains some of the crowd-managing tactics.

Reporter: “You’ll notice this officer is carrying a pepper-spray gun. That will be used in case they need to manage the crowd.”



USA Today reports those pepper-spray guns were used on at least two different arrest attempts and describes the tone of the event.

“Some concert-goers reported to police that the pushing and shoving frightened them.”



And a writer for The Indianapolis Star recalls his experience in the human gridlock saying,

“I and the fans around me were thrown into an involuntary, slow-motion mosh pit. For about 10 minutes, we couldn’t focus on anything but staying on our feet.”



This is Indianapolis’ first time to host the Super Bowl. After Friday night’s concert, police closed down additional streets to manage the crowds.

(Image Source: The Burlington Free Press)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Some Vermont police cruisers were gettin’ piggy with it thanks to prison inmates -- the police just didn’t know it. KATU reports on what inmates at a prison print shop did to decals that went on police cars.

“This is what the cow is supposed to look like on the decal, but notice the difference on the new decal. One of the cow’s spots is actually a pig -- a derogatory term for police.”

But the decals might not be so new -- KPTV has details on how long it took police to notice the pig shape.

“A trooper just noticed the problem -- nearly four years after the inmates printed them off.”

The decals made it onto 30 cars. KTTV anchors had a good laugh -- and a bit of a debate, over the decals.

(laughter)
“It’s in the shape of a pig.”
“That’s what they get!”
“It took a sharp-eyed officer.”
“He should get a promotion.”
“I thought they should’ve made donuts instead.”
“That’s not right.”

But The Burlington Free Press spoke with Vermont Corrections Commissioner Andy Palito and Major William Sheets -- executive officer for the Vermont State Police. Neither of them are laughing.

“While some people might find humor in the news story, Sheets and Pallito said, it comes at the expense of Vermont taxpayers. Pallito said each decal costs $13. He believes 60 defective decals were manufactured.”

For those of you reaching for your calculators -- that’s $780.
 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

55-year-old John Hughes got in a high-speed chase with police -- a chase he started. WTVT reports.

“Many people have what they call a bucket list -- things they want to do before they kick the bucket. Well, a 55-year-old man in Montana always wanted to experience a high-speed police chase, so he did.”

The Montana Standard has details of the chase -- which began at about 3:30 in the morning.

“ … the driver of a 2007 Nissan Xterra started tailgating a police patrol for about seven blocks ... then pulled into the center lane and drove away … Police say the driver was traveling at more than 70 mph and refused to pull over.”

And KMSP reports:

“He hoped the police would follow him -- well they did. The chase reached speeds of 100 mph before officers used stop strips to flatten the man’s tires and end the chase.”

After finally flattening Hughes’ tires, police had to ask one simple question: why? USA Today reports Hughes was not intoxicated and investigators found no drugs in his vehicle. Here’s Hughes in his own words:

“‘I just always wanted to do that,’ he said, according to the Butte police report.”

But -- the ‘bucket list’ excuse didn’t fly when it came to criminal charges. WTVT reports Hughes is facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.
 

Image source: Washington Life

BY ZACH TOOMBS

Donald Trump is looking to sell some choice real estate. For a pretty penny you could have some well-to-do neighbors, a great view and you’re just a few hundred feet away from a world-class golf course. One downside: you wouldn’t be alive to enjoy it.

Florida’s WPBF reports.

“Real estate mogul Donald Trump is trying to get into the cemetery business. The part-time Palm Beacher wants to build a 1.5-acre cemetery next to his golf course in New Jersey.”

WCBS says the grounds at this final resting place would be just as exclusive as Trump’s nearby golf course.

“(The cemetery) would be available for club members to rest in peace, but ... a section could be saved for Trump and his kin. The plan would also make the club available for late golfers to have their ashes spread there.”

No word yet on how much a plot at Trump’s place would cost, but …

His cemetery would have some stiff competition from top-dollar resting places such as this one at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Massachusetts. A prime spot in one of the cemetery’s many mausoleums can sell for as high as $500,000.

The state of New Jersey will have the final say in green-lighting The Donald’s cemetery. Gov. Chris Christie’s office seemed pleased with the news. A spokesman for the governor told Newark’s The Star-Ledger:

"Donald Trump can be buried anywhere ... so I guess we should be honored that he’s considering New Jersey."

(Image source: Red Dog Report)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

(Image Source: ABC News/James Deen)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

James Deen -- no, not the one you’re thinking of -- is the subject of a special on ABC’s Nightline -- because of his following of young women. ABC reports teenage girls are flocking to 25-year-old porn star Deen’s doings.

“The young fans tell us they’re drawn to Deen because he’s different -- a porn star who holds hands with his leading ladies.”
DEEN: “They’re sexual enough that it is something they desire, they crave, they want.”

But -- news on the Nightline piece is becoming less about Deen’s package, and more about ABC’s video package. Salon.com says the piece is propaganda targeting parents.

“ … [it’s the] finest piece of parental scaremongering that I’ve seen in some time. … reporter Cecilia Vega announces that the adult business ‘has now targeted and reached a new demographic: teenage girls.’
… It’s not like teenage girls would ever happen across this X-rated material because they want to watch porn — there must be some cute ‘boy next door’ tricking them into it.”

The controversy surrounding the story doesn’t stop there -- Amanda Hess, lifestyle editor at Good magazine, says Nightline ripped off her work. She wrote a piece on Deen in November. After seeing Nightline’s story, she Tweeted at the show and reporter Cecilia Vega ...

“Hey @Nightline @ceciliavegaABC I liked your James Deen story better when I wrote it.”

MediaBistro sides with Hess.

“ … Hess … has a right to be upset. … Nightline on Thursday completely ripped off her November 2011 profile of rising male porn star James Deen … the ABC News report by Cecilia Vega seems to be the TV equivalent of the Web’s rampant and often egregious lack of proper hat tipping …”

A writer for The Washington Post points out similarities between the pieces -- but gets Nightline side of things, too.

“‘Nightline’ has this take: ‘Anyone that spends five minutes with James Deen would come up with these same observations.’ … Says … Deen: ‘People copy people. . . . At the end of the day, who cares? … Be happy and have fun.’”


 

(Image source: Suffolk County Police Department)

BY EMILY SPAIN

You're watching multisource U.S. news analysis from Newsy.

Police are on the lookout for two men who stole Rogaine from a CVS Pharmacy in New York.
What do the suspects look like? Big surprise here... they’re bald.

Authorities say surveillance video shows the bare-headed pair placing three boxes of Rogaine in a gift bag and then leaving the store without paying.

Police say the men got away with about $150 worth of the product. But a writer for The Consumerist asks if the crime was really worth it, noting Rogaine probably won’t lengthen the bald guys’ locks.

“You see, we read up a bit on Rogaine, and it doesn't appear that the topical treatment offers to ‘cure’ baldness, just stimulate hair growth and slow the balding process. So for our bald pal, that whole shoplifting thing might've been a waste.”

Officers are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrest of the bald bandit. And the New York Post reports the Rogaine ransack is more common than you might think.  

“ … the high-priced treatment is routinely lifted from stores around the country and resold on the street or the Internet.”

The Daily Mail points out another instance where Rogaine was the prize to steal.  Except this time instead of just three boxes, the thieves got away with an entire shelf.

“An unidentified woman made off with what was the store's entire stock of the formula which totaled approximately $400 according to police. She managed to escape to a get-away car driven by three men. It wasn't reported if any of the four suspects were bald or not.”

Transcript by Newsy. 

Image source: The New York Times

BY ZACH TOOMBS

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney strolled to an easy win Saturday in the Nevada caucuses. The candidate took the vast majority of the vote in a state where his Mormon faith made him a solid favorite.

As always, Romney kept his sights on the president in his victory speech.

“We’re going to build an America where hope is a new job with a paycheck, not a faded word on an old bumper sticker.”

The win was no surprise in a state where Romney carried 51 percent of the vote in the 2008 caucus. But, as POLITICO notes, Nevada could serve as a launch pad for a series of Romney wins sure to damage his opponents.

“For Romney, Nevada and the next string of contests represent an opportunity to deny his opponents political oxygen. In addition to being favored in Nevada, Romney is the front-runner or is strongly competitive in all the other states voting between now and the March 6 Super Tuesday primaries.”

Gingrich also spoke from Nevada in a news conference. The candidate, who finished second in Nevada with 25 percent of the vote, went on the offensive against Romney for what he saw as inaccuracies in prior debates.

“I’ve never had a person stand next to me in a civil engagement and be as substantially dishonest as he was. I mean, go look at what he said. You had Larry Sabato in the middle of the debate Tweeting that Romney was being factually false.”

Finally, on CNN panelist Erick Erickson says Gingrich’s resilience could cause headaches for team Romney.

“This is Mitt Romney’s worst nightmare. You have a candidate who is conveying that he would rather beat Mitt Romney than be president of the United States. And there are a majority of Republicans still who agree with him on that.”

(AOC)
Both Ron Paul and Rick Santorum, who finished third and fourth in Saturday’s caucuses, spent the day away from Nevada, turning their focus to upcoming primaries in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado.

(Image Source: ABC.net.au)

BY BLAKE HANSON

Just hours after a massive attack on the Syrian city of Homs -- the U.N. Security Council rejected a proposal calling for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down. The New York Times writes...

“While the casualties were impossible to confirm, and were denied by Syria, reports of the bloodshed drew widespread international condemnation, and moved the Security Council toward a vote on an Arab League peace plan, despite new objections by Russia.”


Ultimately, both Russia and China vetoed the plan. The Guardian points to Russia’s history with Syria as a possible reason for the veto...

“Syria has been a key Russian ally since Soviet times and Moscow has opposed any UN demands that could be interpreted as advocating military intervention or regime change.”

Meanwhile, The Telegraph points to another part of the resolution it suspects Russia took issue with...

“... Russia said it could not support a resolution backing an Arab League plan for a swift transition of power and elections. It was said to have demanded a last-minute change dropping a call, already agreed by Syria in November, for tanks and artillery to be withdrawn from the streets.”

So what does this mean for progress in Syria? A CNN anchor and analyst react to the failed vote...

ANCHOR: “Months of paralysis inside the U.N. Security Council, now lead essentially to a diplomatic dead-end.”
ANALYST: “I think Western ambassadors will say it might all have been a charade a stall to the last minute.”
 

Shortly after the vote, U.S. United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice tweeted...

“Disgusted that Russia and China prevented the #UN Security Council from fulfilling its sole purpose.”

 

(IMAGE: Sodahead.com)

BY BLAKE HANSON

From her sitcom, to her nut farm, to the White House? Yup, believe it or not -- Roseanne Barr is running for president. Here’s KYW...

“Roseanne Barr says she’s running for president, and she say it’s no joke. The actress and comedian is seeking the Green party nomination.”

As for her platform? Barr says she’d launch European-style single-payer health care, forgive all credit card and mortgage debt and push for the legalization of marijuana. Media outlets like The Mary Sue are already speculating the move is symbolic, writing...

“Barr is really running … to get her point across, much the way Stephen Colbert did in South Carolina. Except Colbert actually had a lesson to teach us about why everything is wrong with campaign finance. Roseanne just has strong opinions on Twitter.”

But The Five host, Bob Beckel, thinks Barr’s move could play a role in the campaign.

“If she really does go on the ballot in some states, the Green party can siphon off 25, 30, 50,000 votes.”
“It’s not completely laughable.”

So will Barr rake in many votes? The Christian Science Monitor talks with a political scientist who says...

“In some previous elections … ‘[voters] look for an alternative like Ralph Nader or even Ross Perot.’ But this year … voters are more divided into camps, and many are keenly aware that a few votes made a difference in the 2000 election.”

A rising number of celebrities talk about running for President, but Mother Nature Network says -- if Barr is really running, she could shake things up.

“Of course, lots of people — comedians in particular — joke about running for president, but few ever follow through, so this announcement to turn the Green Party nomination into a four-way race certainly makes thing interesting.”

The Green Party will announce its nomination at a convention in July. Meanwhile, a recent poll by Green Party Watch already has Barr second in the polls behind Jill Stein.
 

(Image Source: The New York Daily News)

BY TOM MARTIN

Yankees GM Brian Cashman is used to dealing with money -- the Yankees’ money, and how it’s spent on Yankees players. Now he may end up in court in a case to protect his own pockets. 

Here’s News 12:

“This is the woman accused of stalking --and blackmailing Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. Prosecutors say Louise Neathway extorted $6,000 from Cashman - then tried to get another $15,000 bucks.”

Neathway -- who also goes by “Meanwell” -- says Cashman’s story is skewed. She says the two had a healthy relationship that ended when Cashman wouldn’t leave his wife. She spilled more details to Deadspin’s AJ Daulerio:

“[Neathway] told me that Cashman had given her $6,200 to help pay for the lease on her apartment … She showed me a deposit slip … Both [Neathway] and apparently Cashman agree that a large amount of money changed hands on more than one occasion. The difference is that Cashman calls this extortion; [Neathway] calls this rent money.”



As WABC reports, the case has another “big difference:” Cashman’s record is clean. Neathway’s isn’t.

“She’s currently on probation for a New Jersey stalking case that was dropped in the end to a trespassing charge. But according to the district attorney, that case involved multiple years of stalking.”



Says baseball blog Big League Stew: Forget how the case ends: should the Yankees care it ever began?

“The Yankees have declined comment, but they don't seem to be worried that Cashman's involvement … will affect how he runs the team. That is the bottom line as far as baseball is concerned, isn't it?”



Hardball Talk wonders why this should be anyone’s business.

“On the one hand … it has nothing to do with baseball. On the other hand, Cashman and a handful of other larger baseball figures are routinely covered … for non-baseball things … this is a balancing yin to all of that yang … Deep down we all like gossip and let’s not pretend we don’t.”

(Image Source: BBC News)

(Image source: Business Insider)

BY LAURA JANVIER

ANCHOR LOGAN TITTLE

The Huffington Post is making the move to TV. The new media giant announced Thursday its plans for an online news channel. KUVE has the details.  

“A new television network -- on the web. The Huffington Post says this summer it will begin providing 12 hours each weekday of live original programming. The content will be similar to the Huffington Post website.”

They’re calling it the Huffington Post Streaming Network, or HPSN. Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media, told Beet.TV what makes the product unique is that it will be interactive.

“And it is much more the way my children, my two daughters who are in college watch television, which is they open up different windows: their Facebook, their Twitter feeds, their email.”

The idea is to create a network where viewers can interact with the anchors through social media. Demo clips showed commenters being invited on the show via Skype to speak directly with journalists about their stories. A writer for Forbes says this could be a glimpse into the future of television.

“All of this is probably what every cable network will be doing more of as viewership shifts from one-way television sets to internet-enabled devices. But if AOL can get there first, the opportunity could be large.”

But the opportunity won’t come cheap. A writer for DigiDay outlines just how big of a project this is.

“The service itself is ambitious, but even more so is the investment AOL is putting behind it: $30 million, according to an AOL source. HuffPo plans to create all the video itself. It will dedicate 100 employees to the operation. The scale of the effort would put it on track to be one of the largest producers of original for the Web video around.”

Venture Beat says even though this is a big investment, AOL stands to make big returns if it’s successful.

“The choice to transform the Huffington Post into a video network also makes a lot of sense. [AOL Chief Executive Tim] Armstrong said 70 percent of Huffington Post articles contain embedded videos. So, by producing the bulk of those videos in-house, AOL will be able to gain more leverage on advertising.”

The service is planned for this summer and they plan to extend content to 16 hours a day by 2013.

(Image source: Act For America) 

BY MALLORY PERRYMAN

An editorial post claims U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes Israel will attack Iran soon-- and the media ran with the story.

“U.S. officials now fear Israel might attack Iran’s nuclear facilities sooner than later.” (NBC)

“A report that Israel may be getting ready to launch an attack this spring.” (Fox News)

“...U.S. officials worry that Israel could actually attack Iran as early as this spring.” (KTTV)

That news came from this editorial piece by David Ignatius in The Washington Post.

“Panetta believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June...”

But Politico’s Tim Mak points out--

“Ignatius does not characterize the source behind his claim...Indeed, the writer does not indicate whether his source is Panetta himself, top aides to the secretary, or someone else.”

When asked about the article-- Panetta told the Associated Press-- he’s not commenting on the story.

But CNN’s Barbara Starr says she confirmed the timetable with a senior Pentagon official. She explains, Israeli officials believe this spring is their last chance to reach Iran’s nuclear facilities with Israel’s own weapons.

Barbara Starr: “After that, they believe Iran would have made enough progress that Israeli weapons can not get to Iran’s nuclear effort, it would only be U.S. weapons.”

If Israel goes ahead with the strike, the U.S. may have to get involved. And NBC’s David Gregory says, that’s the worst-case scenario for the American military.

David Gregory: “... depending upon the nature of the strike it will be destabilizing for the region if not lethal for parts of Israel should something like this happen and the reverberations both in terms of nuclear proliferation and U.S. interests...”

And according to The National Post’s Matt Gurney-- Israel isn’t thrilled about leaving it up to the U.S. either. So will Israel actually strike? Gurney says-- the latest reports sound like deja vu.

“Another year, another report saying that U.S. officials are concerned that Israel may be on the verge of launching a pre-emptive strike...Time will tell, of course.”

On Thursday-- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said publicly-- time is running out to stop Iran from developing its nuclear program.




 

(Image source: Life SiteNews)

BY LOGAN TITTLE

After three days of backlash, America’s largest breast cancer advocacy group announced it is reconsidering previous plans to cut Planned Parenthood funding. Here’s CNN—

“The Susan G. Komen Foundation is in fact going to restore funding to Planned Parenthood…(FLASH)… They’re only going to withhold funding…(FLASH)… if an organization has been found guilty of criminal investigation."

The Financial Times reports the Komen foundation had withdrawn $680,000 in grants for breast cancer screening. A group of U.S. senators sent a signed letter urging the foundation to reconsider, saying—

“It would be tragic if any woman – let alone thousands of women – lost access to these potentially life-saving screenings because of a politically motivated attack”.

Komen CEO Nancy Brinker released a statement on the foundation’s website—

“We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives. The events of this week have been deeply unsettling for our supporters, partners and friends and all of us at Susan G. Komen.”

Planned Parenthood’s president, Cecile Richards posted a positive response to the charity’s turn around.

"We are enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified its grantmaking criteria.. What these past few days have demonstrated is the deep resolve all Americans share in the fight against cancer, and we honor those who are at the helm of this battle."

The Guardian notes—Though the tie between the two foundations has been restored, the legitimacy of future funding is still weary.

“Though it says that existing funding for Planned Parenthood will be reinstated, it puts a question mark over future funding by saying only that the group will continue to have ‘eligibility to apply for future grants’.”

(Image Source: Conservative Daily News)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Euphoria.

With a healthy dose -- of skepticism.

That’s the reaction to the latest unemployment numbers.

The New York Times has the headline from the Labor Department.

“The private sector remained the engine of new job gains. While federal agencies and local governments continued to lay off workers, private-sector employers added 257,000 jobs in January. The industries with the biggest gains were manufacturing, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.”

The jobless rate fell to 8.3 percent -- its lowest rate in three years.

It’s also the fifth straight monthly decline in unemployment -- giving some analysts hope -- this is a sustained economic recovery.

An analyst for Bloomberg says, other numbers tell an even bigger story.

“But we had an enormous increase in the number of people who got jobs in the household survey -- 847 thousand people where unemployment fell by 339 thousand.”

Of course, skeptics will point to the fact, these numbers often get revised.  And -- need more analysis to truly comprehend.

Some CNBC analysts wonder -- if U.S. employers are simply turning a blind eye to the elephant in the room -- the European economy -- which is still in dire straights.

“An now, I don’t even know what we think about Europe after this.”

“No, it’s still in recession.”

“Europe’s got problems.”

“Yeah.”

“But it doesn’t matter to us.”

“Well, Q4’s negative, and Q1’s negative.”

“No, the thing is, there’s no spillover.”

Still -- it should be noted -- the sobriety of some numbers still resonates through the economy.

“There are still 12.8 million people out of work, though that is the fewest since the recession ended. An additional 11 million are either working part-time but would prefer full-time work, or have stopped searching for jobs. When all those groups are combined, nearly 24 million are considered “underemployed.” (The Washington Post)

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY MEREDITH BALDWIN

Economic recovery is slow. Spending levels are unsustainable. And the fed is sticking to its current policies of low interest rates. Those are the three main points that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s focused on in his testimony to the House Budget Committee on Thursday. C-SPAN has a clip.

“Although we cannot expect our economy to grow it’s way out of our fiscal imbalances, a more productive economy will ease the trade offs that we face and increase the likelihood that we leave a healthy economy to our children and grandchildren.”

In short, he is urging Congress to not cut deficits too quickly or it will be a mess.  But market analysts aren’t so quick to back Bernanke. An economic correspondent for the Wall Street Journal said he’s not quite sure what Bernanke’s thinking.

“You know, it looks like the economy’s on a more solid track, and yet the Fed is saying ‘we’re going to hold off on raising interest rates even longer than we said before.’ There’s a certain incoherency about this.”

A guest speaker for FOX Business said Bernanke’s take on the market isn’t just incoherent, but wrong.

“He’s trying to pretend that interest rates are rising because the economy’s improving. That’s not the case.”

Bloomberg points out that if interest rates stay low, budget deficits could reach an unprecedented high in the next ten years.

“The deficit would reach $1.5 trillion by 2022, CBO estimated, and the debt would rise to levels unseen since the government was paying off its World War II expenses.”
 

(Image Source: euronews)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

This is Newsy Now and here are your latest headlines.

In world news, extreme cold weather in Europe has claimed more than 100 lives in the past week. The death toll in Ukraine alone is 101. euronews says the country is experiencing its coldest winter in six years, with temperatures dropping as low as 33 degree celcius below freezing.
 

“The country’s Emergencies Ministry has set up around 3,000 heated tents to provide shelter for the homeless. Some 64 of the dead were found on the streets.”

 

Still in world news, a former Khmer Rouge official has been sentenced to life in prison after appealing his previous 30-year sentence. The official, better known as Duch, oversaw the deaths of some 15,000 people during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime. Al Jazeera has more details.
 

“Duch’s crimes, the court said, were an affront to all humanity and the Cambodian people in particular. He was in charge of the factory of death at the S-21 torture center, known as Tuol Sleng.”

 

In U.S. news, in a rare act of bipartisanship, the U.S. Senate has passed a bill which would ban insider trading by members of Congress. The bill would also require lawmakers and thousands of executive branch officials to promptly disclose any stock tradings. HLN has more.
 

“One sponsor though said, this means that lawmakers will be subject to the same rules when it comes to stocks, as everybody else.”
 

Still in the U.S., burglars have stolen gold nuggets from a historic collection in a Northern California courthouse. The entire collection is estimated at $3 million — authorities are still figuring out how much was actually stolen. The county has deep gold rush roots, and KTVU talks to one resident who says he’s offended by the crime.
 

“We’ve been violated. All the people. It’s not really the county or the... thing. It’s the people that were violated today.”

Stay with Newsy for more analysis of news thoughout the day.  For newsy now, I’m Jim Flink, highlighting the day’s top headlines, making you smarter, faster.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY ANDREW CARTER

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is back! No, he’s not celebrating another NBA Championship. After his Mavs lost Wednesday night Cuban is taking heat for complaining about referees... again. The Washington Post has his statement.

“All I’m saying is some of these guys are bad. Let me rephrase that. Some of these guys are having really bad nights, and it’s having an impact.”

The NBA is playing a shortened season after the summer’s lockout. And Yahoo! Sports’ Kelly Dwyer writes -- that might be partly to blame for the ‘questionable’ refereeing.

“For one, scores of veteran referees retired before the 2011-12 season even started, creating an influx of younger referees. ... Secondly, the sheer amount of games that the NBA has greedily mashed together is forcing the referees to officiate even more games than the players are playing.”

And NBC Sports says -- for that -- Mark Cuban has no one to blame but himself.

“Here’s the thing — this is on Cuban and the owners. They locked everyone out and then pushed for a condensed 66-game schedule so they could make their money back.”

Cuban has been fined more than $1 million since he bought the Mavs -- largely for negative comments towards referees.

In an ESPN poll -- 79% of fans believe Cuban will once again be fined by the league.

The referees working the game Wednesday were veteran referees, but analysts on ESPN say- Cuban may have a point.

“The standard that I am accustomed to seeing these same officials perform year after year after year, they seem a bit rusty this year. Can we agree on that? I’ll agree on that. Alright fine, then that’s good.”

The high stress of a condensed season may be taking its toll on coaches too.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was ejected from Wednesday’s game after kicking the basketball into the stands. Carlisle said he was aiming for the referees, but added he is not a good kicker.

BY BRIAN LEWIS

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

(Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda-Civic-hybrid.jpg)

It was a big day in small claims court this week when a California Honda owner won her case against the automaker. CNN has the story.

“Heather Peters was awarded just under $10,000 yesterday. She claims she was misled by Honda’s claim that its Civic hybrid could get 50 miles per gallon.”

To go it alone in small claims court, the Honda owner, who’s a former attorney, had to opt out of a large class action suit against the automaker. Time’s Moneyland blog breaks down the settlement she rejected.

“In a proposed class-action settlement against Honda, Civic Hybrid owners would receive $100 to $200, plus a $1,000 credit toward the purchase of a new car. Trial lawyers, on the other hand, stand to pull in $8.5 million.”

Jalopnik offers one reason why this court victory is unique – no lawyers were involved.

“Unlike a class-action lawsuit, small claims court usually allows an individual to file a complaint without having to hire an attorney. In the case of L.A. County, for instance, even Honda wasn't allowed to use a lawyer in court.”

Law blog Above the Law covered the story when the suit was filed, and offered kudos to Peters for taking the fight away from the lawyers.

“Sounds like a typical class action to me. Fat stacks for counsel, peanuts for the plaintiffs. … It will be interesting to see if Peters’s case is at all effective. Will it blow the lid off a new method of suing large companies?”

If this is the start of a trend, a former prosecutor tells CBS it could become a huge bleed on the auto industry.

“It starts with this one ten thousand dollar judgment. But when others file and hundreds of thousands of people file, it could end up in the billions of dollars.”

Honda plans to appeal in a court where they are allowed to use lawyers. They argue the Environmental Protection Agency comes up with the mileage estimates, not the auto company.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY ALYSSA CARTEE
ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

It was a move that divided two women’s health giants and their supporters. News broke Tuesday that cancer research and awareness organization Susan G. Komen pulled its grant funding from Planned Parenthood.

Late Wednesday night the organization’s Founder Nancy Brinker posted a video on YouTube defending the decision.

“Recently, we implemented new granting strategies and criteria that some have regrettably mischaracterized.”

Brinker explains, Komen’s policy includes not providing money to organizations under investigation.
Planned Parenthood has been under investigation since September by a Florida Republican Representative about the organization’s use of taxpayer dollars.

But many are criticizing Komen’s move as purely political. CBS reports a recent hire at Komen has some of those critics asking more questions.

“Komen’s new Vice President for policy is a politician from Georgia who has run in the past on an anti-abortion platform and that leads some to wonder whether her hiring explains the timing of this move.”

MSNBC spoke with a Democratic Congresswoman who says the policy Komen created will hurt the cancer awareness organization in the long run.

REP. JACKIE SPIERER: “Where Susan G. Komen is going is a very slippery slope. Because for instance NIH is called to Congress often to explain certain things when investigations are done. Komen gives a million dollars to the NIH. Are they going to cut back that funding?”

But a Fox News analyst says the decision is Komen’s to make whether people like it or not.

“I think that organizations in America, charitable foundations, health organizations, they have the right to make a determination about how and where they’re giving money.”

A blogger for the Washington Post points out Komen’ position seems to have helped Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood … has reportedly already raised $250,000 on news of Komen’s decision. And it will likely end up recouping its losses quickly.”

Planned Parenthood says it received $680,000 in Komen grants last year.

(Image Source: USA Today)

BY ORLA O MUIRI

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

He never threw a punch -- but he was known across the boxing world as one of its all-time greats. He coached one of the greatest fighter’s ever -- Muhammad Ali. The iconic trainer Angelo Dundee died this week. ESPN has more on the legendary man in the corner.
 

“He was a teacher, trainer and tactition. He motivated men like Ali, George Foreman and Sugar Ray Leonard. In fact Leonard said about Dundee, quote; “in the heat of a fight there is no one better to have in your corner than Angelo.”

Dundee was best known for his relationship with Ali- a three time heavyweight champion. According to theage.com....
 

“Ali signed with Dundee in 1960 after culminating his amateur career with the light-heavyweight gold medal at that year's Olympic Games in Rome. Four years later, Ali became the second-youngest heavyweight champion, beating Sonny Liston.”

Dundee was Ali’s coach and trainer for some of boxing’s biggest fights ever -- the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ and the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ WLKY notes, as high profile as those two fights were, it was behind the scenes where Dundee really came to life...
 

“His visibility on the major stages were minute compared to where he did his real work.
In cold, empty boxing rings -- away from the cameras and commentators -- Dundee worked to not only train his boxers to be the best, he convinced them they could be.”

Dundee was 90 years old -- his career lasted six decades. In an interview before his death with the BBC, Dundee wanted to help boxing flourish, just as it did when he was ringside.
 

“You can’t live on the memory, you live for today.... boxing is a great sport and I want to see it flourish like it did when I had a great time with Muhammad and Ray Leonard.”

(Image Source: Residence in Phoenix Airport)

BY BLAKE HANSON

A new report out from the Associated Press reveals the U.S. no-fly list has more than doubled in the past year -- and that’s got media outlets asking: how’d that happen? Fox News Radio has more...

“The secret list of suspected terrorists banned from flying in the U.S. has more than doubled in the past year, jumping from 10,000 names to about 21,000.”

So why’d it double? Newser points to December 2009...

“The list has been growing at a quick clip ever since the failed Christmas 2009 ‘underwear bomber’ plot, after which the government lowered the standards required to place people on the list. The new standards would have ensured that would-be bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was on the list…”

So how’s all this play into the so-called “War on Terror”? The Global Post writes...

“The news comes despite the Obama administration’s claims that it is close to beating Al Qaeda.  
However, according to the AP story the government ‘believes the current terror threat extends well beyond the group responsible for the September 2001 attacks.’”

Meanwhile, KCRA has reaction from some travelers -- and a not-so-happy American Civil Liberties Union...

TRAVELER: “There’s a lot of stuff the government does to keep us safe, we may disagree at certain times but some of this stuff is kind of necessary.”
REPORTER: “The ACLU is not happy about the growing list, they believe more rights are being violated because anyone’s name could be placed on the list without an explanation.”

As of Thursday morning, the TSA had not responded to the AP report -- but on its website calls the No Fly list a quote “essential element of the aviation security.” 

(Image source: The White House)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

It’s been talked about for months, but Wednesday marked the official Capitol Hill introduction for a proposed Buffett Rule — a law that would require millionaires to pay at least a 30 percent tax rate. Democratic Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse proposed the bill.

“With all the advantages that do come an enormous income, paying a lower tax rate than regular working families should not be one of those advantages.”

Investor Warren Buffett breathed life into the concept of a millionaire surtax last fall. But the bill’s official name, the Paying a Fair Share Act, borrows not too subtly from President Obama’s own language — much of it coming from last week’s State of the Union address.


“Fair shot...”

“Fair share...”

“Fair share of taxes...”

“Fair play...”

“Fair share of taxes...”

Republican Representative Paul Ryan provided a response to the president’s call for higher taxes on millionaires on Fox News Sunday, telling Chris Wallace the so-called Buffett Rule would only make a small dent in reducing the federal deficit.

“Let’s just look at the math. All these tax increases that the president’s talking about? They only cover 8 percent of his proposed spending increases. The other 92 percent of the nation’s spending increases are borrowed money.”

POLITICO notes, even if the bill doesn’t pass, it still highlights economic inequality — an issue that is sure to be an election year talking point for Democrats.

“Whitehouse’s legislation is almost certain to go nowhere in this Congress: Republicans generally abhor higher taxes and the Senate was unable to clear bills containing a millionaire’s surtax multiple times last year. But the bill could be a messaging tool for Democrats in this election year – particularly amid revelations that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney paid an effective tax rate of 14 percent in 2010.”

But on CNN’s Out Front, Sen. Whitehouse says the bill was not a political maneuver, but rather a piece of legislation that has a chance of passing through Congress.

“If it has difficulty passing on its own, bear in mind that at the end of this year all of the Bush tax cuts expire, and that’s going to motivate everyone in Washington to rethink tax policy.”

On the Senate floor Wednesday, Whitehouse also noted that Americans making between $1 million and $2 million annually would be phased in to the 30 percent tax rate to avoid what he called “a tax cliff.” As of yet, no date is set for a vote on the legislation.

(Image source: Diet in Details)

BY ZAKIYYAH WAHAB

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Three professors from the University of California in San Francisco say sugar is toxic and should be regulated.  According to SkyNews, the professors propose...

“...adding taxes to processed foods that contain any form of added sugar...”

Other measures they suggest include:

“....controlling access ... such as age limits for purchase of sugary drinks, and tightening controls on vending machines and snack bars in schools and workplaces...”

Dr. Robert Lustig is one of the researchers calling for regulation.  He says has obese patients as young as six months old and says this is not because of a lack of exercise. As he tells UCSF News,

“...sugar has very specific effects that drive these phenomenon, that drive in some resistance, that drive excessive consumption...”

According to Nature.com, per Capita, Americans eat more sugar than just about anyone in the world.  More than 600 calories per day.

And according to the researchers’ findings, 

“Health problems due to excessive alcohol consumption such as hypertension and pancreatitis are also found in excessive sugar consumption.”

Not everyone agrees.  The Guardian reports that in response to the researchers’ suggestions, a spokesperson from Sugar Nutrition UK says,

“...expert committees, including … the European Food Safety Authority and the World Health Organisation …  have concluded that ... available evidence does not implicate sugar at the level currently consumed in any of the ‘lifestyle diseases’ such as obesity...”

Australian health experts also do not completely agree with the toxic sugar findings. Life Hacker reports, that,

“... casting sugar as the ultimate villain and calling for regulation is misleading, unfounded and unnecessary.”

But back in states, the San Francisco sugar researchers disagree.  They hope the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will consider removing sugar from its “generally regarded as safe list.”

(Image source: eBay)

BY DAVID EARL

President Obama has Air Force One, Marine One -- and Limo One. But what about a car he used to tool around in before becoming commander-in-chief? That’s a different kind of one.

“The price for history is not cheap...if you’re interested, it’ll cost you $1 million dollars. What?”

The car is up on eBay and the seller claims he’s got the title to back up the *first* owner. CNN reports Mr. Obama’s old car isn’t necessarily a beater...

“It’s a top-of-the-line Chrysler 300C with a powerful V8 engine. Basically what it is … it’s like a luxury hot rod.”

But a blogger for the Wall Street Journal isn’t impressed.

“Even with confirmation, the car doesn’t seem particularly attractive in part because there is no great story behind it. Obama is not known to be a car guy, so it is unlikely that he spent long hours in the garage changing the oil or modifying the Hemi engine for more horsepower.”

As a matter of fact, Right This Minute points out, Mr. Obama didn’t even like it enough to buy it...

“He leased the car when it had just 2 miles on it in July of 2004 and drove it until 2007, shortly before he was elected President of the United States.”

And it looks like, for a million bucks, no one else likes it enough to buy it either. There hasn’t been a single bid for the car. But the Chicago Tribune points out a princely price tag isn’t necessarily unprecedented.

“To assert that the ‘$1 million asking price is not a joke,’ the listing cites the $8 million once fetched for Adolf Hitler's Mercedes, the $690,000 for Pope John Paul II's 1975 Ford Escort and the $113,000 for the ‘Bartman baseball’ at the center of the Cubs 2003 playoff collapse against the Florida Marlins.”

Chrysler sold more than 140,000 300s in model year 2005, and the Kelly Blue Book Value for a 2005 Chrysler 300C? Between $14,000 and $17,000.
 

(Image Source: WPEC)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

In a move a judge calls “unprecedented” and “a legal twilight zone,” a wealthy Florida man is being accused of adopting his girlfriend to protect his money.

48-year-old John Goodman, founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach, is accused of running a stop sign and hitting 23-year-old Scott Wilson’s car in 2010. Wilson later died from those injuries, and his family is suing Goodman for wrongful death. The civil trial is set for March.

But now -- a new complaint from Wilson’s family. WPTV reports.

“Goodman has adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend, Heather Hutchins. The six-page document says Goodman made the move to divert a portion of his assets.”

The New York Daily News explains …

“[Goodman] filed the paperwork to adopt … Hutchins in October, legally entitling her to a third of the assets in a trust fund he set up for his two biological children.”

The Palm Beach Post explains because she is over 35, Hutchins is entitled to her share of that trust immediately. The paper also has Goodman’s side.

“ … Goodman’s civil attorney ... said Hutchins’ adoption was done to ensure the future stability of his children and family investments. ‘It has nothing to do with the lawsuit currently pending against him’ …”

So, will the adoption hold? WPEC spoke with an adoption attorney -- who says the move is ...

“Both awful and brilliant. ... This was an effort to carve out some of that money to be able to be used by him and his girlfriend to support their lifestyle.”

Fox News panelists debate -- calling the adoption “despicable” -- but smart.

“Morally despicable.”
“Repugnant.”
“It’s horrible, but you now have to remember -- we’re lawyers.”

Authorities say Goodman was driving with a blood-alcohol level two times above the legal limit the night of the accident. He also faces a criminal trial in March on charges of vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime. Goodman has pleaded not guilty.

(Image Source: Flickr/Eddie S)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

In world news, public anger in Egypt after more than 70 people die in a soccer tragedy. Some Egyptians are blaming government security forces for failing to protect civilians.  Eyewitnesses say they saw police officers standing idly by as the violent clashes broke out. One NBC correspondent says the incident highlights one of Egypt’s biggest problems.
 

“...many people have lost confidence in the police and the security forces in being able to keep any kind of law and order. And when they try to do that, it often turns violent and angers and fuels more protests, so it is a very precarious situation.”
 

Still in world news, a ferry sinks off Papua New Guinea’s east coast with as many as 350 people on board. Rescuers have recovered more than 200 survivors. Reports say most of the passengers were students and teachers’ trainees. Here’s KING.
 

“This picture shows ships and helicopters are on the scene. So far officials say 238 people have been rescued. Right now it's unclear what caused the ferry to sink.”
 

In U.S. news, Mitt Romney’s Wednesday morning gaffe on CNN is still getting backlash. In an interview with Soledad O’Brien, the GOP presidential hopeful says he was, quote - ‘not concerned about the very poor.’ He has since clarified the remarks -- but his opponents aren’t missing the opportunity to attack. Here’s CNN, with Newt Gingrich on the campaign trail.

Gingrich: “I am running to be the president of all the American people, and I am concerned about all of the American people.”
 

Still in U.S. news, it’s Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and according to folklore, that means there will be six more weeks of winter. Fox News has that clip - with some in the audience booing the groundhog for a prediction he can’t even help! Come on guys - it’s not Phil’s fault.
 

Punxsutawney gentleman: “...many shadows do I see -- six more weeks of winter it must be.”
Audience: [cheering and booing]


Stay with Newsy for more analysis on news throughout the day.  For Newsy Now, I’m Jim Flink, highlighting the day’s top headlines to make you smarter, faster.
 

(Image Source: The Daily Mail)

BY JENNIFER LONG

A California man is stunned by a new leash law in a national park – literally. KCBS explains.

“The man who was tasered by a ranger with the national service has been identified as Gary Hesterberg of Montara. The confrontation apparently began because Hesterberg had one of his dogs off leash.”

The park was privately owned until last December and residents say they were used to walking their dogs off leash there. The Belmont Patch has a statement from the Golden Gate National Recreation area saying the incident …

“...began as a ‘routine educational contact’ on the rules regarding dog walking but grew into a more serious situation when the dog walker provided false information to the ranger and refused the ranger's repeated orders to remain at the scene while his identity was confirmed.”

The ranger then stunned Hesterberg in the back as he walked away. But was a Taser stun gun an appropriate use of force in the incident? Founder of the local Montara Dog Blog says …

"There is total outrage about this. Everyone thinks this is a total excessive use of force … I hope this guy hires an attorney because I think he's got a strong case.”

And The Daily Mail breaks down the powers of a park ranger.

“Any park ranger is considered a peace officer just like any police officer, corrections officer or officer of any court with full law enforcement powers. … Enforcement Rangers suffer the most number of felonious assaults, and the highest number of homicides of all federal law enforcement officers.”

A writer for Examiner concludes both parties were probably at fault.

“Walking two small dogs off leash hardly equates with someone walking up a park trail with a loaded firearm, but how well one passes the ‘personality test’ if approached by a ranger could make a lot of difference in the long run. … in San Francisco, both parties failed the test.”

The ranger remains on duty while the National Park Service conducts an investigation.

(Image source: CNNMoney)

BY DAVID EARL

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

The deal that would have forged the world’s largest stock exchange is officially dead. Euronews has the headline.

“Competition regulators in Brussels have blocked a merger that would have created the world’s biggest stock exchange. Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext say they will now unwind the deal.”

Leading up to Wednesday’s announcement, the head of EU’s Competition Commission told Bloomberg the deal between US-based NYSE and German exchange Deutsche Boerse was anything but done...

“My conclusion is that some problems of competition will not be solved by this merger, but will be aggravated.”

In fact, Fox Business quotes EU officials coming out with some pretty harsh antitrust descriptions for the deal. According to one of them...

“The merger between Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext would have led to a near-monopoly in European financial derivatives worldwide. These markets are at the heart of the financial system and it is crucial for the whole European economy that they remain competitive.”

You can guess the head of Germany’s flagship exchange wasn’t too pleased to hear the news. A German TV station has the soundbite...

“This is a black day for Europe and its future competitiveness on world financial markets.”

And a financial reporter for the BBC seems to agree.

“Where are these stock exchanges going to go? There’s a feeling that when you’re talking about a global market you have to be globally competitive and you have to be big.”

At least one person on the US-side of the pond likes the deal’s death. The familiar name in national politics, big-city real estate, and prime-time reality TV talks to CNBC....

Donald Trump: “The New York Stock Exchange should be this country...I’m very happy to see it, Becky, I think it’s a good thing for the country.”

This is the latest merger to fall through for America’s oldest exchange. Back in April, rival NASDAQ attempted and failed at a hostile takeover of the NYSE.

(Image Source: Planned Parenthood) 
 

BY GILLIAN STEDMAN


Well-known breast cancer charity the Susan G. Komen Foundation, is racing away from Planned Parenthood. WFAA in Dallas says...

“Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood are cutting ties.  Last year Komen donated $680,000 for breast cancer screenings, but the charity has a new policy barring grants to organizations under investigation.”

A recently formed congressional committee is investigating Planned Parenthood on how it spends funds. But Planned Parenthood isn’t buying the Komen foundation’s reasoning. KMSP reports ...

“Officials with Planned Parenthood argued the move is connected to the hot button debate over abortion.”

CBS News quotes Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.

“We are alarmed and saddened that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation appeared to have succumbed to political pressure. Our greatest desire is to reconsider this policy and recommit to the partnership on which so many women count.”

And WRAL has a statement from Komen.

“While it is regrettable when changes in priorities and policies affect any of our grantees, such as a long-standing partner like Planned Parenthood, we must continue to evolve to best meet the needs of the women we serve and most fully advance our mission.”

The Komen cuts are in effect, and will Planned Parenthood be hurt financially? The Hill reported Wednesday -- maybe not -- an online campaign in wake of the Komen news raised $400,000 for Planned Parenthood in 24 hours.

“More than 6,000 people have donated, Planned Parenthood said. … ‘People respond powerfully when they see politics interfering with women’s health’ …”
 

(Image Source: LALate)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Don Cornelius -- the creator of ‘Soul Train’ -- died Wednesday at the age of 75 after an apparent suicide. WFAA reports.

“Los Angeles police say he shot himself at his home on Mulholland Drive. Soul Train began in 1970 as a local show in Chicago and was syndicated nationally for three decades. No word on what might have prompted the suicide.”

KDFW says Cornelius hosted the show until 1993, and ‘Soul Train’ stopped filming in 2006. But, the station reports, Cornelius seemed to have plans for the future.

“Cornelius recently announced he was working on a movie project focusing on things that really happened on the show and exploring the program’s creation.”

Celebrity reactions poured in after the news hit. WSVN has a few:

“Reverend Al Sharpton saying, ‘I’m shocked and grief-stricken by the reported suicide of Don Cornelius of Soul Train. I’ve known him since I was 19 years old.’ Ice Cube Tweets, ‘Rest in peace. Love & Soul ... Don Cornelius.’”

And media are posting in-memoriams, too. Most wrote of Cornelius and the show as one and the same -- the show’s impact was his, and vice-versa. The Washington Post says of Soul Train ...

“It was a highlight of the week. And it’s all thanks to Don Cornelius, who introduced us to the latest music and fashion.”

And The New York Daily News says the show was “his show.”

“Don Cornelius brought color to American television — in every sense of the term. … ‘Soul Train’ made as deep, and beloved, an impression on audiences for what it looked like as what it sounded like.”

Though media reports indicate the death appears to be a suicide-- The Los Angeles Times explains, police are still investigating.

“Officials said it probably will take several days to make a final determination about the death … they stressed it will take days to fully investigate, including interviewing friends and family and examining evidence …”

(Image Source: Newsy Staff)
 

BY XIAONAN WANG

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Mitt Romney’s win in the Florida primary gives him a solid lead in the GOP race. But his heavy spending on attack ads drew criticism.

On Fox News -- Sarah Palin describes an uphill battle for Romney’s opponents.

Palin: “It was very, very difficult for Newt Gingrich and the other candidates to counter that bombardment of advertisements.”

It wasn’t just Romney that ran aggressive ads. The New York Times reported nearly all of the ads run in Florida leading up to the primary were negative. An op-ed writer for the Digital Journal says this is a regrettable new norm.

“Romney had outspent Gingrich by $16 million in attack ads, proving that lies, viciousness and negativity works more to manipulate the average American voter than what the candidate simply has to offer. ”

On MSNBC, former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele says the negative ads might be a useful tactic in the short run, but they don’t actually add anything to Romney’s campaign.

“16 million dollars on negative advertising, not about promoting a positive message for the future of the country, what he is gonna do as a president, but what he is gonna do to take down Newt Gingrich.”

But it wasn’t just advertising that won the race. An analyst tells CNN Gingrich wasn’t expecting a bolder Romney at the debate podium.

“He expected a Mitt Romney to come who was the same Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney finally decided in Florida to play to win and not play to lose.”

Amid the criticism, conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh says attack ads are here to stay -- and he’s sick of hearing people whine about it.

Rush: “What in the world is POLITICS! What is it, if not this. ”

The next stop of the campaign is Nevada and Maine. Romney won both states in the 2008 contests.

(Image source: FeministsForChoice.com)

BY MEREDITH BALDWIN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer is recalling more than a million packs of birth control. Here’s Bloomberg:

 “Good Morning! And if you’ve been taking birth control pills you might want to go buy a pregnancy test instead.”

The pill order is mixed up in the packs -- and The Today Show talked with a doctor who explains.

“What has happened is there has been a mix up so that some of the inactive pills have been placed where the active pills are and vice a versa -- they’re not quite sure.”

The company is telling women affected it’s crucial they start using a non-hormonal type of contraceptive protection immediately. Pfizer blames a packaging problem --- saying that even though the pills are safe, they aren’t effective in preventing pregnancy. WPTV explains which pills are problematic.

 “The problem affects 14 lots of Lo-Orval and 14 lots of the generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets.”

The Pfizer recall comes just months after another major recall affecting birth control packaging. Here’s TIME on what happened then:

 “This is the second major contraceptive recall in less than six months. In September, Qualitest Pharmaceuticals recalled 1.4 million birth control pills because of a different packaging error.”

But Jezebel points out one plus side of the Pfizer name being behind the recall.

 “So instead of calling them ‘birth control pills,’ it might be more accurate to refer to them as ‘one-a-day useless hormone candy.’ … lucky for you, Pfizer also makes pregnancy tests.”

(Image Source: New York Times)

(Image Source: Flickr/jam_90s)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

This is Newsy Now, and here are your latest headlines.
 

In world news, four British nationals have admitted to plotting al-Qaeda-inspired bomb attacks on the U.S. embassy and the Stock Exchange in London. The men were arrested in December 2010, after being put under surveillance. The BBC reports on one damning piece of evidence that was found in one of the men’s apartments: a handwritten list.

“On that list were the names and addresses of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and two rabbis. As well as the words ‘American embassy’ and the initials LXC.”
 

In U.S. news, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney won what some have called a ‘resounding victory’ in the Florida primary Tuesday night. He had 46 percent of the votes, while runner-up Newt Gingrich had just 32 percent. On CNN, Florida Governor Rick Scott offers his analysis on why Romney came out on top.
 

“What Florida voters want, is they want a president that’s going to focus on reducing taxes, reducing regulations and gear our economy back to work. And last night, Governor Romney was that candidate.”
 

In tech news, sources familiar with the topic say Facebook could file for IPO as early as this morning. The company reportedly will file plans to raise $5 billion. It has picked Morgan Stanley to lead the process. Bloomberg talks to a venture capitalist who says once the documents are released, he’ll be looking for data on Facebook’s monetization per user.
 

“Because Facebook has an immense amount of traffic. Over 10 percent of the Internet traffic now, but how quickly that continues to grow as they grow their user base. They are already at 800 million people, and there are so many people on the planet...”
 

Finally, in health news, Pfizer is recalling one million packets of birth control pills. The company says the pills might not contain enough contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. KNXV has the details.
 

“The problem affects Lo/Ovral-28, and generic Norgestrel, and also Ethinyl Estradiol. ... the affected packets have expiration dates between July 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014.”



Stay with Newsy for more news analyses throughout the day. For Newsy Now, I’m ___, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

BY SCOTT MACDONALD

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Authorities in Los Angeles County say a teacher bound and molested dozens of young students at a Los Angeles elementary school. Here’s KABC.

“61-year-old Mark Berndt was arrested today on 23 counts of child molestation, accused of gagging children, putting live cockroaches on some of their faces, and posing in photos with them ...”

Forty such photos were turned over to police by a film-processing employee in January 2011. Although Berndt was immediately removed from his job, it took a year before the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department was able to arrest and charge him. The Washington Post has more on the evidence.

“Sheriff’s Lt. Carlos Marquez of the Special Victims Bureau said it was determined the children were given semen on a spoon or on a cookie. A blue plastic spoon and container found in [the] trash in Berndt’s classroom tested positive for semen, the sheriff’s statement said.

KCAL reports Berndt may have been pretending to “play a game” with the students -- and that police say no student ever reported abuse.

“Police say Berndt worked at Miramonte for 30 years, and that he committed the acts on at least 23 students ages 7 to 10 between 2008 and 2010.”

The Los Angeles Times reports several parents spoke of Berndt as a teacher they trusted and befriended.

“Parents had so much trust in Berndt, a fixture at the school, that they invited him to birthday parties and stayed in touch long after their children left his class. He was the sort of teacher who’d be invited to quinceañeras — coming-of-age parties for girls, a tradition in the Latino community.”

Both Martin Sandoval, the school principal, and John Deasy, the district superintendent, spoke out today. The two had been prevented by police from commenting until charges were filed. Here’s Deasy on KNX 1070 radio.

“It’s despicable. I’m not his lawyer, nor am I a lawyer, so I don’t have to watch what I say — I find it absolutely despicable. It’s why I removed him instantly.”

According to the warrant released by the Sheriff’s Department, Mark Berndt faces 15 years to life for each of the 23 charges.

 

(Image Source: Peter Alfred Hess)

BY LEAH BECERRA

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

Apple’s hired a new guy to head up its retail arm. That guy is John Browett. His most recent job was leading Europe’s second largest electronics retailer, Dixons. CNBC brings us up to speed.

“David, I was trying to explain to my colleagues earlier on an answer to their question what Dixons was, and I know it owns Currys and a number of other retail chains, but the best I could come up with was that it was a poor man’s Best Buy.”

But tech analysts are at odds over whether Browett is the right man for the job. Apple CEO Tim Cook says he hired the Dixons CEO because of his commitment to customer service, but a Computerworld blogger notes-- Browett’s record in that area doesn’t look so great.

“According to Trustpilot, a customer review website, Dixons garnered a score of 4 out of 10, while Currys rated a 4.5...Apple, meanwhile, scored an 8...”

And besides customer reviews-- a Forbes blogger says Apple should be concerned with Dixons’ poor stock performance under Browett’s leadership.

“Dixons Retail stock and performance have not exactly been triumphant...Is this the first misstep, the post-Jobs vulnerability some feared, and for which others – speculators and Apple-bashers alike – hoped?”

But for all the speculation about Browett’s chances at success-- a reporter for The Guardian says-- the hire isn’t as “jaw-dropping” as some analysts seem to think it is.

“If you don't stare too long at the share price, Dixons' tale is one of survival in hellish trading conditions and in the midst of an online assault led by Amazon. Best Buy, the US invader, was seen off, an achievement that may have brought Browett to the notice of Apple's bigwigs."

Browett will begin his new job as the Senior VP of Retail for Apple in April.

(Image Source: Post Crescent)

BY DAVID EARL

One World Trade Center. It’s the new anchor of lower Manhattan and a national icon -- rising from the ashes of 9/11. When it’s completed, it’ll be the tallest building in the United States.  But The Wall Street Journal reports the tower once named Freedom, is adding $700 million to its price tag....

“...which brings it to about $3.8 billion, which would make it by far the world’s most expensive office tower. More than the Burj Dubai.”

But The Huffington Post points out -- there are some key differences between the building costs of One World Trade Center and the Burj Dubai.

“ [The Burj Dubai] was built with migrant labor and without nearly as many security concerns.”

The tower has signed some A-list tenants -- like Conde Nast and international law firm Chadbourne & Parke. But WCBS says they might not be able to move into their new digs when their lease begins at the Port Authority owned building.

“Now the Port Authority has discovered that the loading docks underneath the building won’t be ready in time for its tenants, and will have to spend millions more on temporary ones.”

With costs ballooning, the New York Post says an audit is on the way.  

“1 WTC is a project with a purpose: to provide state-of-the-art office facilities in a city desperately in need of them. But news of a rushed change in plans as the tower nears its 104-story height is the last thing the embattled [Port Authority], facing a scathing audit, needs.”

At least one person doesn’t find the skyrocketing skyscraper costs surprising.  Former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani tells Fox News the World Trade Center had a history of being a burden on budgets.

“It was rarely ever full, and it was operating on a hundred million dollar -- basically -- New York City tax subsidy.”

1 World Trade Center is expected to open in 2013.

(Image source: The Boston Globe)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

A bill put forward by Republican Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown aims to stop insider trading in Congress and the executive branch. And the proposal is finding few opponents on either side of the aisle.

Brown explained the need for his bill Monday on the Senate floor.

“With the bill before us today, we can take a small step to re-establishing the trust between the American people and Congress.”

Brown says it was a CBS 60 Minutes investigation last fall that prompted him to propose the new measure, called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge, or STOCK, Act.

“If you are a member of Congress, and you are on the Defense Committee, you are free to trade defense stock as much as you want to. If you are on the Senate Banking Committee, you can trade bank stock as much as you want. And that regularly goes on.”

Brown introduced the proposal two months ago, but it wasn’t until President Obama highlighted Congressional insider trading in his State of the Union address that the bill gained traction. An exchange between Brown and Obama caught on camera after the speech might explain why.

BROWN: “The Insider Trading Bill is on Harry (Reid)’s desk right now. Tell him to get it ready. It’s already there.”

OBAMA: “I’m going to tell him. I’m going to tell him to get it done.”

But the bill’s effects are complicated. The use of insider information in making financial decisions is already illegal -- but laws focus on the private sector, not information gained through Congressional matters. CNN’s John King tells us what’s in the bill.

“Any member of Congress or their staff must report transactions within 30 days. Make sure insider trading laws apply to members of Congress. That’s the most ‘big duh’ to most people, but OK. And bars the use of non-public information for personal gain.”

The Huffington Post writes the measure would allow regulatory agencies and the Justice Department to prosecute any member of Congress who violates it. Despite broad bi-partisan support for the bill, Brown’s critics aren’t entirely pleased with his proposal. The Boston Globe writes:

“One of Brown’s Democratic opponents in this year’s US Senate race, Elizabeth Warren, has voiced support for a proposed Democratic amendment that would go even further, banning members of Congress form owning any stocks in the industries over which they have jurisdiction, citing Brown’s investments in Exxon-Mobil and Bank of America.”

This week, Brown boasted the bill might have set a legislative speed record -- it was introduced Nov. 15, and the Senate chose to move to a full vote Monday. As of yet, no date is set for a vote in the House.

(Image Source: ITN)

BY EMILY ALLEN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Doctors at Peru’s Las Mercedes Hospital made a peculiar diagnosis recently for a three year old toddler with a bellyache.   It turns out the child’s twin brother was in his stomach.  Here is KSTP.

“The partially formed fetus weighs 1.5 pounds, nine inches, I think long. Has a brain, heart and lungs but they never developed. It does have hair, eyes and apparently some bones as well.”

The condition is called fetus-in-fetu. Medical Daily explains it’s ...

“ … a rare condition when a fetus absorbs his twin sibling inside the womb when an egg fails to fully separate, and happens approximately once out of every 500,000 live births …”

ITN reports the fetus was removed Monday. 

“And even though it doesn’t have a heart, brain or lungs, it does have a backbone and its living off Isbac’s blood.”

But, ABC talked to a neonatologist and his comments dispute ITN’s report. He says conjoined twins can live as parasites …

“But for fetus-in-fetu, the body of one twin envelops the other during development.
‘In this kind of situation, because it was inside the other boy, it wasn’t able to survive,’ [he] said.”

And Inquisitr notes there are benefits to studying the toddler’s condition.

“Parasitic twins are the link between conjoined twins and healthy twins and should be studied further.  In knowing how their formation process occurs it may be possible to limit the occurrence in the womb and avoid the complication to the healthy twin after birth.”

International Business News said it took doctors more than three hours to remove the fetus.   Doctors say the toddler is expected to live a normal life.

 

(Image Source: WikiCommons)

BY BRIAN LEWIS

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Mitt Romney may be the frontrunner in Florida, but he’s strictly backup vocals when compared to President Obama.  At least that’s what the pundits are saying after this video of the Republican hopeful singing “America the Beautiful” surfaced Monday.
 

Mitt Romney: “Oh, beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain. For purple mountains majesty...” (Video source: C-SPAN)

Gawker media blog Jezebel had this to say about Mitt’s performance:

“Have you ever wondered what it looks like to lose a presidential election in two minutes or less? This video is your answer.”

The Washington Post’s Opinions blog echoed that sentiment:

“If the November election were a sing-off, the Obamas wouldn’t have to bother hunting for moving boxes.”

Why are the media being so hard on Romney for his musical abilities -- or lack thereof? After all he’s a politician-- not a singer. Well, the answer may be that he’s competing against this:

President Obama: “And then to know that Reverand Al Green was here.  … I'm so in love with you…those guys didn’t think I would do it.”
 

(Video Source: CBS)

Still, Romney can at least carry a tune, which is more than you can say for other political figures the world over. Take Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, who often sings during his marathon TV appearances in that country.

Chavez: Translation - “I’m not loved by Hillary Clinton and I don’t love her either.”

(Video Source: BBC)

Or Vladimir Putin singing Blueberry Hill on TV:

Putin: “I found my thrills on blueberry hill.  On blueberry hill.  When I found you.  The moon stood still, on blueberry hill.”

(Video Source: RT.com)

All of whom could learn a thing or two from former Attorney General and Singing Senator John Ashcroft, who’ll take us out:

Ashcroft: “Let the eagle soar…like she’s never soared before…From rocky coast to golden shore, let the mighty eagle soar.”

(Video Source: WBTV)

(Image source: Venturebeat)

BY DAVID EARL

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

There’s bad financial news for electronics retailer RadioShack. Dividend.com has the details...

“Late Monday [RadioShack] warned that its fourth quarter earnings would fall well below Wall Street expectations, sending its shares plummeting in aftermarket trading.”

Shares plummeted even more Tuesday, falling 30 percent. But a columnist for Fox Business thinks RadioShack’s problem isn’t so much a numbers game, it’s a little more basic: it’s having an identity crisis.

“RadioShack’s problem is that nobody knows what it is. Is it the 7-Eleven of electronics retailers? Is it just another strip-center shop selling mobile phones? Or is it … a place for all your radio-controlled toy car needs?”

And if it’s the place that just sells you cell phones … the Wall Street Journal says it’s running into stiff competition.

“Lately there have been some signs of cracks in the mobile strategy...Everyone is getting into these mobile device sales now in a bigger way. Best Buy and all the other retailers want to get a piece of that growth.”

But financial blog, The Motley Fool, doesn’t see RadioShack’s bad data as a death blow...they’re just calling it a big fat mess.

“RadioShack isn't going away anytime soon. The company's still flush with cash. Its credit facility remains largely untapped … However, there are signs that RadioShack's contracting margins are here to stay. [It’s] in preservation mode now.”

But CNBC’s Mad Money man Jim Cramer saw today coming and says this stock won’t bounce back any time soon...

“And why is that? It’s all courtesy of secular competition from Internet based retailers like Amazon that are pantsing the brick and mortar guys.”

RadioShack’s 30-percent hit in stock price on the last day in January comes close to describing its performance last year. For 2011, the stock price saw a 47-percent decline.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)  

BY VICTORIA CRAIG

You're watching multi-source video news analysis from Newsy. 

U.S. banks tried to keep lending low in the last part of 2011, but a Federal Reserve survey says loan requests are on the rise. Bloomberg explains why banks are hanging onto their money.

“Domestic American banks say commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loan demand is up. Small business demand increased by the most in any quarter since 2005 But lending standards were little changed.”  

And Bloomberg notes -- standards for lending didn’t change much. So, what’s the reason behind the tightened standards and increased desire to borrow money? 24/7 Wall Street explains. 

"The rise in funding was due to inventory restocking, covering accounts receivable, and mergers and acquisitions. For banks where lending fell, the chief reason was less need for capital investment." 

A senior economics reporter for CNBC says the results of the Fed’s latest survey could be a sign of good things to come.

“A bunch of good stuff there that I think was something that we’ve been waiting to see in this recovery here, Bill, but haven’t seen too much which is loan demand and of course, it was a reversal of the prior quarter but we’ll see if this continues.”

Dow Jones notes -- Europe’s financial troubles could be helping U.S. banks see less competition from their European counterparts. But the Wall Street Journal takes that analysis one step further, highlighting the possible downside to less investment.

“Banks in the U.S. started to tighten credit in the second half of 2011 as Europe's debt crisis worsened, following almost two years of easier standards on business loans. The tighter credit conditions could hurt the fragile U.S. recovery, which has recently shown signs of improvement.”

While banks aren’t too keen on easing their lending standards for commercial and industrial loans, CNBC reports some banks are easing standards on credit cards and other consumer loans.

(Image source: SeattlePI)

(Image Source: The X Factor)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger along with host Steve Jones have all been cut from the American version of ‘The X Factor’ -- but why, and what’s the plan for Simon Cowell’s competition show?

The word ‘bloodbath’ was a popular one Tuesday as reports hit that the three had gotten the ax from X. This leaves only LA Reid and Cowell as judges. The New York Daily News says the shocker is Abdul’s dismissal.

“While Scherzinger and Jones had both gotten mixed reviews … there seemed to be a consensus that Abdul was just what Cowell thought he'd hired.”

And Deadline reports “none of the three left on their own accord.” 

But E!’s telling a different story, saying it was Scherzinger’s choice to leave.  She wants to focus on her music career. 

Fox News points to ratings, reporting Cowell is upset the show only drew 12 to 13 million viewers per episode.

“The show had very good ratings … but came up short against ... ‘American Idol.' Cowell's former talent competition pulls in about 20 million viewers, and Cowell had said that if he didn't beat that number, he would consider the 'X Factor' a failure.”

But will the changes get Cowell the ratings he wants? Deadline speculates Cowell could see backlash from cutting Abdul, but EW writes …

“It’s clearly a smart move … Not only has the series gotten rid of its weaknesses, but it’s also made a move to keep the show in headlines for the next few months.”

So who could replace Scherzinger and Abdul? Media are guessing Mariah Carey --- Cowell has mentioned her in the past, and MSNBC applauds the possibility of new women on the show.

“Haven’t we seen enough of women playing the ‘It's too HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD’ role on these shows? Could ‘X Factor’ really not find women more capable of being critical … and throwing elbows at the men on the panel?”
 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

This is Newsy Now and here are your latest headlines.
 

In U.S. news, it’s Florida primary day. The state is breaking presidential primary rules by jumping ahead of the schedule set by the national GOP. Washington Post says officials want to make sure the state remains a relevant voice in the race to the nomination. No matter who wins there -- Fox News explains --- the move is costing Florida half its delegates to the national convention.
 

“It’s being punished. 101 delegates, or, 100 cut down to 50. So the total winner-take-all today is 50 delegates.”
 

Still in the U.S., Occupy D.C. tents are still up in the city’s McPherson Square, despite passing yesterday’s deadline, which would make it illegal to camp in the city’s parks. WTTG explains the new rules.
 

“The tents may remain in place as a symbol of the protest, but they must be free of any gear that would allow folks to sleep here overnight. That is the no camping rule that they are beginning to enforce.”
 

In world news, the head of the Arab League is set to address the UN Security Council on the Syria situation. The UN hopes to draft a resolution to push President Bashar al-Assad out of the way. One problem though - Russia will most likely veto it. CNN says the violence on the ground will not cease until Russia agrees to a resolution.
 

“Because at least in that case, the Syrian government will be getting a signal that its long time international ally Russia might be beginning to change its position.”
 

Still in world news, Italian officials have permanently called off the search and rescue effort on the submerged parts of the Costa Concordia. KIRO has the details.

“They’re calling of the search due to the dangers to rescue workers. Sixteen people are still listed as missing, 17 bodies are recovered.”


Stay with Newsy for more news analyses throughout the day. For Newsy Now, I’m Megan Murphy, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.  

(Image Source: The Indianapolis Star)

BY TOM MARTIN

You know the story. Boy likes girl. Boy wants to marry girl. Then things go south. In one case, really south.

Deadspin has the details:

“Jason Elia, a television writer living in Nashville, went to the trouble of getting Super Bowl tickets for himself and his girlfriend and was even going to propose to her … He was diagnosed with bladder cancer and upon hearing the news, his girlfriend apparently dumped him on the spot.”
 

Believe it or not -- the girlfriend still wants the tickets. Elia explains his pickle to Houston’s ESPN 97.5:

Elia: “Her argument is simple: I bought them with her in mind, she should get them, you know. Screw the break-up, you know.”
Hosts: “WOW.”

Let’s say Elia’s ex decides to lawyer up. FOX News asks: Does she have a case?

Mark: Heck no. End of story. No merit.
Host: Why not?
Kimberly: ‘Cause no judge or no jury is gonna go for her. She loses big time in the court of public opinion. One word: Cancer.



Elia still has the tickets, but according to the Huffington Post, he won’t for long -- Elia is giving the tickets away.

“What's a man to do? Take your problems to Twitter, of course. Elia held an online contest, promising to give his tickets to the person who can get him the most followers.”



Elia will announce his Twitter contest winner Tuesday night.

 
(Image Source: Beliefnet)
 

BY ALEX OLGIN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

The Occupy movement isn’t dead yet -- in fact there has been a resurgence in controversy between protesters and police. First to DC, where CNN reports law makers wanted camping protesters cleared out by noon on Monday.

GREG BLACK“A congressional hearing last week questioned whether it was legal for protesters to sleep overnight on city grounds.
REP. JOHN ISSA: “Stay awake, stay vertical. Don’t be camping here.”

The noon deadline came and went, with protesters’ tents unmoved. In a press release, Delaware congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton urged protesters to reconsider, so they don’t damage their credibility.

“If some resist the enforcement of the camping ban, they could reinforce critics who see them as young people on an adventure and could destroy the unity of their message against income inequality, which has captured the country and changed the conversation in Washington.”


So far no arrests have been made for camping in D.C. Arrests have been made in Oakland, California, though. Over the weekend, police arrested more than 400 people after they took to the streets in search of a new camp site.

Protesters burned American flags and threw rocks at police officers as they attempted to take over a public building. An Oakland Police official tells Fox News the city needs to take a stand.

BARRY DOLEMAN: “I hope city leaders stand up, provide a plan and a mandate and step up to protect the citizens of Oakland so this stops.”

But a Huffington Post writer argues this recent surge in violence may mark the beginning of the end of the movement.

“I guess it's hard to conclude anything other than the fact that the movement -- in an act that makes no sense -- must have decided to torch itself.”


 

(Image source: Chicagoist)

BY MICHAEL COLLINS AND BRICE SANDER

With less than a week to go until the Super Bowl, corporate giants are set to roll out some of their most expensive ad campaigns.

To kick off the launch of the 2012 CR-V, Honda took it back to the ‘80s- creating a ‘Ferris Bueller’ send-up with original star Matthew Broderick. (Honda)

A 10-second teaser for the spot racked up more than 4 million views before the full length commercial went up online Monday. While some find the ad a little disappointing- Broderick plays himself, not Ferris- the Chicago Sun Times says job well done.

“ ... you have to give kudos to Honda for making such a big splash prior to Super Bowl Sunday, when we’ll no doubt once again see a bunch of ads featuring talking or comic animals, men suffering blows to the crotch, people you wouldn’t expect to listen to hip-hop listening to hip-hop and women getting wet and/or doing something in slow motion.”

And Honda’s not the only car company releasing a movie-themed ad.

Twilight fans can also expect some blood-sucking fun from Audi. The auto maker takes inspiration from the hit franchise with a vampire-themed commercial for the new S7. (Audi)

Entertainment Weekly explains why companies are keen on borrowing from Hollywood this year.

“Super Bowl commercial aficionados will recall that last year’s Star Wars-themed Volkswagen commercial — in which a little boy in a Darth Vader costume uses Jedi mind tricks to start his dad’s Passat — became a web sensation, with 8 million people watching the ad online before it actually aired during the game.”

Coca-Cola gets in on the nostalgia game, too- bringing back its iconic polar bears. And USA Today says they’re going high tech.

“The bears, appearing to watch the game, will respond in real time to the real game's action, such as touchdowns, turnovers, bad calls and even commercials for other brands.”

ABC explains why other advertisers, like GoDaddy.com and Dorito’s, are joining Coke in integrating social media into their ads.

DAVID MUIR: “The ads this year will try to reach out to your technology, because it’s estimated 60% of viewers will have a second screen in their hand- their smart phone.”


That’s just a preview of all the ads you’ll see Sunday. Average cost for a 30-second spot? $3.5 million.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Amazon)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

A new book from a former Marine promises to reveal Hollywood secrets. 88-year-old Scotty Bowers’ new memoir details his alleged sexual exploits with some of Hollywood’s golden-era elite. He name-drops Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, to name a couple.

“Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars” is out in February. In the memoir, Bowers tells how he was paid for sex by some stars, and served as a matchmaker for others. The New York Times reports …

“ ... a lot of what Mr. Bowers has to say is pretty shocking. He claims … to have set Hepburn up with ‘over 150 different women.’ Other stories … involve Spencer Tracy, Cole Porter, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor … he also gained a following among heterosexual actors like Desi Arnaz, who used him as a type of matchmaking service.”

And The Daily Mail describes …

“The book is as explicit as it is bawdy. … an era of 'amazing, intoxicating days, wildly erotic and carefree,' he writes … He describes … having 'really hot sex' …”

And PinkPaper reports on how it all began.

“Bowers … said it all started in 1946, when he was 23. He claims that, post-military service, he got a job in a petrol station near the Hollywood film studios. One day, [actor] Walter Pidgeon is said to have propositioned him with a $20 bill ...”

Bowers says he kept quiet until now because he didn’t want to hurt former clients. But how did no one else ever hear of these stories? The Wrap reports …

“Younger readers -- at least those raised in the Internet and TMZ age -- may find nearly as shocking the fact that the stories were squelched by studio publicists and remained largely under wraps back in the day.”

Bowers says he got out of the game in the ‘80s because of the onset of AIDS, and he’s been married to his wife, Lois, for 27 years.

(Image Source: egyptianflag.org)

BY NIELS SCHACK NORGAARD'

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Egyptian military leaders have barred a group of Americans from leaving Egypt --

...among the reported 10 Americans  -- the son of US Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood. White House press secretary Jay Carney told Fox News in a press conference:

“ ... in our discussions with the staff, the supreme council of the armed forces we've made clear our concerns about this issue, and our disappointment that these several citizens are not being allowed to depart Egypt. (...) We continue to work with the Egyptian authorities to resolve this issue”

The Washington Post reports that Egyptian authorities last month raided the offices of several U.S.-funded organizations, who promote transparency in governance, including the International Republican Institute. These organizations have for years operated openly, but unofficially, because the government has not allowed them to register as NGOs.

“A former IRI official who has followed the case closely said Sunday that his former colleagues had indicated they would take shelter at the embassy only as a last resort, if they had reason to believe their arrest might be imminent.”

According to the White House, a handful of Americans have taken refuge at the US Embassy in Cairo. Joby Warrick, Middle East writer for the Washington Post, tells MSNBC there’s a real possibility the Americans could be sent to jail. Warrick says President Obama has been on the phone with Egypt to send a clear message.

“The message that's being sent is this is not sustainable if you're going to want money from the U.S. We give them a billion dollars in military aid a year. If you want this to continue, this behavior has to stop.”

The dispute comes a year after the removal of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. New York Times’ correspondent in Cairo, David Kirkpatrick, writes the Egyptian government suspects American-funded organizations to be destabilizing the country.

“The military-led government … has often suggested that the United States was funding nonprofit groups that were behind street protests meant to destabilize Egypt or bring down the state, and generals on the ruling military council have said the investigation into the American-backed nonprofits would shed light on the origins of those protests.”
 

(Image source: Cosmos Magazine)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Sperm zapping-- is it the new form of birth control for men?  Scientists believe zapping testicles with ultrasound waves is an effective way to kill sperm.  Researchers at the University of North Carolina tried out the treatment on rats. The BBC reports the findings…

“…showed that sound waves could be used to reduce sperm counts to levels that would cause infertility in humans.”

Scientists found two 15-minute zaps delivered two days apart produced the most effective results. Fox News explains different sessions…

“…reduced the rat's sperm count to an index of zero, or an extremely low number of motile sperm. They also looked inside and saw that the rats had fewer sperm-making cells.”

This isn’t the first time scientists have tried out the zapping technique. According to CBS, a researcher tested the idea back in the 1970s- but as CBS reports, since then--

“...doctors had tried and failed to replicate [the original researcher’s] findings, even when turning up the ultrasound so high that it caused skin burns.”

Four decades later-- new technology has allowed scientists to revisit sperm zapping. But as one researcher tells Live Science-- this method of birth control isn’t quite ready for public use.

"Further studies are required to determine how long the contraceptive effect lasts and if it is safe to use multiple times."

But if the procedure does work out-- one blogger for The Mark explains what it will mean for the average guy.

“...if the procedure is found to be safe not just on rats but also humans, then we can hope to never have to consider a vasectomy ever again.”

But how will guys react to the idea of having their sperm zapped? The anchors at WPBF may give us an idea.

PAUL: I’m gonna need a moment here. Hold on.

ANCHOR: Zap! Paul’s like, “Ow!” I’m like, “Really?”

SHELLI: He’s a little uncomfortable.

PAUL: Alright… Well, you know. We’ll see where that goes.

SHELLI: Oh, we know where it goes! We just don’t know if it works!

A grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded the study.

(Image source: Flickr)  

BY EMILY SPAIN

You're watching multisource U.S. news analysis from Newsy. 

Ugg boot fashionistas are in an uproar at a Pennsylvania middle school after administrators banned the fleecy footwear. Starting Monday -- students have to leave their beloved sheep skin boots behind.

NBC explains why Uggs got the boot.

“At Pottstown Middle School the distraction of cell phones and food hidden in Ugg style and open-top boots was so bad the district opted to ban them from class.”

There’s already a rule in place requiring students to keep cell phones and electronics in their lockers. The new ban allows students to wear boots to school, but they must change out of them when they arrive.

Students took to social media to voice their opinion on the boot ban.  One student complained on Facebook that the new rule isn’t going to fix the problem.
A blogger for Babble has that quote:

“Hmmm. I know most girls hide them in [their] bra, or their waist band. It’s ineffective they will just keep finding other places. Plus my phone fits in my sneaker.”

But school administrators and some parents think the boot rule is justified because it will eliminate distractions in the classroom.

PARENT 1: “Kids can’t learn if their cell phones keep going off during the day.”
PARENT 2: “They wear school uniforms. They should just go as far as having shoes, dress shoes.”

The ban has other parents saying “Ugh” about the idea of having to update their children’s shoe selection.  Some wonder why all 600 students must ditch their Uggs because of a handful of cell-phone smugglers.
A writer from the Examiner responds to that argument.

“That's a question asked of many rules, but it's true: even if the wrong doers are in the minority, if what they are doing causes an issue, a rule or law must be put in place that applies to all.”

And finally, a blogger for Bangstyle chimes in on the Ugg booting-- arguing-- students have the right to make a fashion statement and the school should get with the times...

“If Uggs were banned at my university, sorority girls would riot...Instead of creating stricter rules, schools should adjust to the changing times. Accepting that cell phones are an imperative part of the lives of teenagers and giving some leeway in the usage of these technologies might be a smart move. Until then, things are getting Ugg-ly.”

Open top boots are included in the ban, but tight boots or ones that lace up are exempt. First time boot offenders will get detention.

Transcript by Newsy.

(Image Source: CBS)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR NATHAN BYRNE

This is Newsy Now and here are your latest headlines.
 

In U.S. news, one day before the Florida primary and GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has a significant lead over rival Newt Gingrich in the polls. Fox News has the numbers - saying even though Gingrich came in with a lead after his win in South Carolina, his momentum has stalled...
 

“The polls are all showing Mitt Romney with a comfortable lead here in Florida - where it’s 7 points in the latest PPP poll, or 14 in the couple of polls that came out Saturday and Sunday.”
 

Still in U.S. news, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta tells 60 Minutes he believes the Pakistani government must have had an idea that Osama bin Laden was hiding in the country. Still - he says he has no hard evidence. CNN has Panetta’s remarks.
 

“I personally have always felt that somebody must have had some sense of what was
happening in this compound. Don’t forget, this compound had 18-foot walls around it...”
 

In world news, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook the Peruvian central coastline early Monday. Another quake hit the region last October, leveling buildings and leaving some homeless.
 

Reports note the scale of this quake’s damage is not yet clear - but KXAS has info about the injured.

“We’re getting some reports now, about 60 people injured there. None of the injuries from what we’re hearing appear to be very serious, though.”
 

In tech news, U.S. prosecutors are saying all data stored on Megaupload could be deleted as soon as Thursday. The company’s lawyer says about 50 million users could lose their data - including ones that were legitimately uploaded.
 

CNET quotes one of its readers, who says: “Millions of people have their work and personal files on MegaUpload and depend on MegaUpload to provide service for them to make money to feed their family.”
 

Stay with Newsy for more analysis on news throughout the day.  For Newsy Now, I’m Nathan Byrne highlighting the day’s top headlines to make you smarter, faster.

(Image: New York Daily News) 

BY JENNIFER LONG

Shock and grief – A small community outside of Denver is mourning the death of a teenage girl. KWGN has the details.

“A 17-year-old girl from Bailey dies after jumping out of a car along a busy highway. The state patrol says Catrina Fox’s mother was driving that car when she jumped out and was then hit by oncoming traffic.”

So far no one has been charged in this bizarre case. But community members and police are wondering -- why did she do this? KUSA reports.

“People close to the 17 year old say things weren’t always peaceful in Katrina’s life, some even saying at times she was troubled.”

The New York Post quotes one of Fox's friends saying …

"I think she was dealing with a lot of demons ... she went over the edge with her emotions."

But other reports add to the confusion. Friends say things were looking up. Fox talked about moving to California and how happy she was.

According to the Daily Mail…

“The days before her death seemed happy and filled with good news as she announced that she passed the first half of her high school equivalency exam and was taken off probation for an unknown prior offence.”

So what exactly happened on that car ride home? That’s what everyone wants to know and that’s what officials are asking Catrina’s mother.

A friend tells the Denver Post..

“… Catrina and her mother had a great relationship...”

But goes on to say she...

“… thought she knew what happened, but it wasn't her place to say why her friend jumped out of the car.”

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY HANK KOEBLER

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Losing four out of six games has worn Dwight Howard’s patience thin. The Orlando Magic center publicly criticized his teammates’ effort after losing to the New Orleans Hornets by 26 points Saturday night. Howard told media after the game…

“It hurts to get out there and you play your hardest and you expect everybody to play the same way, and I’m not calling anybody out by no means because we all have to get better … but if you don’t want to be out there, don’t dress up.”

The Orlando Sentinel’s Josh Robbins questions Howard’s authority to make such comments in light of his trade requests, writing…

“Not only did he request a trade before the season began, but he also indirectly threw his current teammates under the bus ... The Magic have no shortage of question marks, but perhaps the most fascinating one is whether a player who wants out can be a leader.”

ESPN NBA Analyst Bruce Bowen was also critical of Howard, saying…

“If you’re pointing the finger at others, then how about the three that are pointing right back at you? You’re the one who took your personal problems and requested trades outside in the media.”

Howard requested a trade in December, and the Magic have granted his agent permission to discuss a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Lakers. After Howard made his trade demands public, Forbes’ David DiSalvo, a self-professed Magic fan, wrote he was sad to see Howard want to leave, but…

“I really can’t blame him. Orlando had several opportunities to put better players around Dwight and make the team a serious contender for a championship.  Instead, Magic leadership spent millions on players that added little or nothing to the team but whose contracts will cost the program a fortune for years to come.”

The Magic are sitting at third place in the Southeast division. Yahoo! Sports contributor Brett David Roberts wrote after the loss to the Hornets that the Magic’s struggles could add up and hurt Orlando’s chances of keeping Howard …

“One loss here, one blow here, one comment to media there, and you have a disaster. Howard has only maintained the stance that he is ‘in Orlando and that's all that matters now,’ but will that change if the Magic reel off a few more losses and find themselves sitting at .500 going into the All-Star break?”
 

(Image Source: CBS)

BY GINA COOK

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

It’s the story that won’t seem to die -- Donald Trump talking about a potential presidential run.

CBS says Trump, quote, “threatened” to run for president if the Republican party doesn’t pick a candidate able to beat President Obama. Here’s Trump’s announcement on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation’

Donald Trump: “Now, it’s not -- I love my business. I love what I’m doing. I love this whole thing of what Donald Trump does. It’s not something I want to do; I’d love to see a candidate come along who’s going to go up, but if I don’t see a person that, number one, is going to win -- that’s tantamount. I would certainly think about doing it after the show ends.”

Later in the show, humorist Dave Barry joined in on Face the Nation’s roundtable discussion. TV Newser quotes Barry.

“What a courageous patriot. The man is willing to maybe give up his TV show to run ... Thank you Donald Trump. America thanks you. Just like Abraham Lincoln, gave up his TV show…”

Mediaite joins in on the sarcasm, calling Trump media-shy, and adding:

“Of course, Trump would very much love to be part of the race no, but alas, a new season of The Apprentice is beginning this spring and someone needs to make sure Arsenio Hall and George Takei don’t spontaneously engage in fisticuffs!”

But as ABC points out -- Trump’s view on the state of the Republican party is shared by others.

“Obama advisor David Axelrod agreed, telling NBC’s David Gregory that the primary process ‘isn’t helping’ Mitt Romney, in particular … ‘I still think he is a weak frontrunner,’ Axelrod said on ‘Meet the Press.’ ‘He overpowered [Newt] Gingrich in Florida with a spending advantage and very negative campaign. He’s still under water nationally.’”

Trump told CBS he won’t know for sure if he’ll run until the latest season of The Apprentice ends in May.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR BRICE SANDER

International Atomic Energy Agency officials arrived in Iran Sunday morning. Their goal: to prove if the country is developing nuclear weapons. But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the country’s nuclear program is for research purposes. CNN reports he was set to ...

“... discuss the problem with world powers including Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.S. But the U.S. and other officials have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, and that’s why the I.A.E.A. is there right now.”

But the New York Times cites evidence against the president’s claims, reporting the I.A.E.A. has…

“…amassed ‘over a thousand pages’ of documents, presumably leaked out of Iran, showing ‘research, development and testing activities’ on a range of technologies that would only be useful in designing a nuclear weapon.”

Protesters waited for the inspectors’ arrival to speak out against the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s Iran policy. Iranian officials believe the U.S. and Israel are responsible for the killing of a nuclear scientist. Euronews shows...

“...demonstrators carried pictures of a murdered nuclear scientist who was killed by a car bomb earlier this month.”

A motorcyclist had attached an explosive to the scientist’s car. Deutsche Welle reports the six inspectors kept a low profile at Tehran’s airport.

“[They] avoided contact with reporters and left for the capital through a rear exit.”

There is speculation that officials will be allowed to visit the Fordo uranium enrichment facility, but the Vienna-based I.A.E.A. predicts the visit will not involve inspections. It will focus on resuming discussion. Haaretz.com reports Iran is expected to…

“…cooperate with the I.A.E.A. team during their three-day visit but indicated it would not give up uranium enrichment, which it considers a sovereign right.”

Iran’s foreign minister is optimistic about the visit and maintains Iran has nothing to hide.

(Image source: Los Angeles Times)

BY ANDREW CARTER

Occupy Oakland protesters turned violent on Saturday -- breaking into multiple buildings and burning an American flag.

Police fired tear gas and flash grenades at the protesters, then arrested 300 of them. The demonstration came after the group announced earlier this week its intentions to use a vacant building as a political hub.

The San Francisco Chronicle quoted a rally organizer after Oakland Mayor Jean Quan warned protesters about breaking the law.

“‘We've got to be careful and thoughtful in what we do, because repression is their business,’ Gerald Smith, one of the organizers, told the rally. ‘They live in fear of this occupation.’”

But the organizers weren’t careful enough. Things didn’t exactly go according to plan. CNN reports.

“But what they ended up doing is rushing into a YMCA, not a vacant building at all, there were many people inside working out and they say this crowd just bum rushed them.”

And around the same time Oakland Police were arresting Occupy participants at the YMCA -- the department’s Twitter page reported protesters at city hall.

“City hall, broken into by multiple individuals, secured and arrests being processed.”

Many close to the situation were quick to share their opinions. Mercury News quoted interim police Chief Howard Jordan.

“‘Their intent is to commit vandalism and cause problems,’ interim police Chief Howard Jordan said of the protesters. ‘Their intent is not to be peaceful.’”

And Occupy Oakland Media questions Oakland government.

“With all the problems in our city, should preventing activists from putting a vacant building to better use be their highest priority? Was it worth the hundreds of thousands of dollars they spent?”

The Oakland Local printed a piece by community activist Pamela Drake, who sees both sides.

“I say it’s time to stop besmirching our movement. It’s time to stop threatening our city. It’s time to stop having tantrums in or around our City Hall. … Have the police harassed [protesters] and arrested them for trivialities? I believe they have.”

Saturday’s protests were the most vicious since November when Oakland Police confronted an Occupy encampment.

(Image source: San Francisco Chronicle)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

This is Newsy Now and here are your latest headlines.

Inspectors from the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency are in Iran today. CNN reports what they’re tasked with...

“The inspectors will attempt to examine Iran’s controversial nuclear program. The IAEA says it will try to clarify any military dimensions to that program.”

Police arrested more than 300 people at ‘Occupy’ protests in Oakland, California Saturday night. According to Fox and Friends, police officers used tear gas and flash grenades to stop protestors from throwing rocks and tearing down fences...

“So far, three police officers have been hurt. A group also broke into City Hall, reportedly damaging exhibits and burning an American flag.”

The search for missing toddler, Ayla Reynolds shifts to a criminal investigation. Maine State Police confirm they’ve found blood in the basement of the home where she was last seen. Boston’s WCVB reports...

“Whose blood was it? How long had it been there? Authorities say the crime lab is still working to answer those questions.”

GOP presidential hopeful, Rick Santorum has canceled his Sunday-morning campaign events. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer...

Santorum’s youngest daughter -- three-year-old Bella -- has been admitted to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. The three-year-old suffers from a chromosomal condition and was not initially expected to survive until her first birthday.

Hope you weren’t holding out for a Colbert-Cain GOP ticket. Saturday, the man with the 9-9-9 plan said Newt Gingrich is his number one. Here’s HLN..

CAIN: “Hereby, officially and enthusiastically endorse Newt Gingrich for President of the United States.”

REPORTER: “Now, Cain said that Gingrich isn’t afraid to propose big ideas that benefit the nation, even if he’s ridiculed for it.”

Stay with Newsy for more news analyses throughout the day. For Newsy Now, I’m Nathan Byrne, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

The trailer for a new web series from actor James Franco is causing controversy at the University of Southern California. Franco’s brother helped with the show and has called it “part documentary, part reality, part scripted” -- but no matter what it is, USC isn’t happy.

KTTV reports school officials are upset because the show only follows five students -- they say it doesn’t represent the whole student body. The show -- called Undergrads -- depicts students drinking, partying, and hooking up with each other.

“Things you could probably find on any college campus, but … A lot of students are upset because James Franco went to USC’s rival, UCLA at one point -- and they feel like he didn’t choose UCLA to make this series.”

A blogger for LA Weekly seems to agree, noting that Franco attended Columbia and NYU, and wondering why he couldn’t have set the show at one of those universities.

“...are all the airheads only in L.A? Targeting the shallowness of USC undergrads fresh out of their moms’ Mercedes SUVs is too easy. ... James Franco’s a self-absorbed tool.”

The Los Angeles Times says the show comes at a time when USC has been working to build up its reputation and …

“...by many measures, the school has undergone a notable shift, with an investment to attract stronger faculty, more research dollars and an increasingly diverse student body...”

The Vice President of Student Affairs said in a statement on the show:

“More accurately representative of USC are the students who provide hundreds of hours in community service, who rank among the country’s most academically and artistically gifted, and who value diversity in cultures, nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds among their peers.”

But KNBC quotes Franco’s producing partner, who says they didn’t expect the trailer to “have this type of backlash.”

“It’s not a reality show and it’s not just about USC. … We felt that as entertainers that [the trailer] might hook in audiences better than footage of someone studying, which we have a lot of … We never mention the name of the college because we didn’t want a backlash like the one we got [from USC].”

The trailer for ‘Undergrads’ has been removed from Franco’s website. It’s set to debut February 2nd.

(Image source: Flickr/soddeman)

(Image Source: Gothamist)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

It could be an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. A woman named Denise Rich is listing her Fifth Avenue penthouse for a whopping $65 million -- making it, as Bloomberg reports ...

“The most expensive co-op in New York City. The 12,000 sq. ft. duplex has 19 rooms. The New York Post quotes Rich as saying she doesn’t need all that space anymore just for one woman.”

And Fox Business explains Rich’s rich history. She’s ...

 

“The ex-wife, by the way, of President Clinton pardonee Mark Rich -- the guy who invented the spot market for oil. It includes seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms … three kitchens, a library, a full gym, and just for good measure -- its very own recording studio.”
“You know what that’s called? Real estate porn.”

The pricey pad also has a grand salon and a formal dining room that seats 22. There are three outdoor spaces -- one holds 200 people. Another Rich once turned into an ice-skating rink just for a party. And then there’s the wraparound terrace with views of Central Park. But while Rich’s ex-husband might be well-known, The New York Post reports she’s famous in her own right -- Rich is a Grammy-nominated song writer.

“Rich … penned the lyrics to such hits as the Aretha Franklin-Mary J. Blige duet, ‘Don’t Waste Your Time,’ and Mandy Moore’s ‘Candy’ … Stevie Wonder has tickled the ivories of her baby grand piano … and Celine Dion has sung in the apartment’s personal recording studio.”

Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder -- just having a few friends over.
 

(Image Source: USA Today)

BY ALLYSON BROWN

ANCHOR NATHAN BYRNE

The story of 15 New York teenagers suddenly struck with inexplicable, Tourettes-like outbursts made headlines about a week ago. Now, Erin Brockovich is involved -- yes -- THAT Erin Brockovich.

Her name became famous when Julia Roberts won an Oscar for the movie ‘Erin Brockovich’ in 2000. And she’s still crusading for public safety. Parents of the New York teens turned to Brockovich for help. She tells USA Today that, in this case, she is looking at a 1970s train derailment that carried cyanide crystals and an industrial solvent to see if there’s a connection to the teens’ symptoms.

When I read reports like this that the New York Department of Health and state agencies were well-aware of the spill and you don't do water testing or vapor extraction tests, you don't have an all-clear

Mysteriously, the majority of the students affected in New York go to the same school. One posted a video to YouTube talking about her plight.

Well time goes on, and about a month after, I pass out again, at the homecoming dance, that’s awesome right.

The train derailment Brockovich is researching happened less than three miles from school where students are reporting problems. The high school and New York Department of Health have both issued statements. First -- the school ...

The medical and environmental investigations have not uncovered any evidence that would link the neurological symptoms to anything in the environment or of an infectious nature … water was also ruled out because the school is serviced by public water.

And the New York Department of Health ...

... the school is served by a public water system. ... An environmental exposure would affect many people.

And, one of the students agrees it might not be the water -- telling ABC News ...

I didn't eat the food, I didn't drink the water. … I brought my own Snapples," she said. "I don't even borrow pencils.

Students affected are eligible for free testing by the National Institute of Health

(Image source: Moviespad.com)

BY BLAKE HANSON

He’s been a solid talking point for former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s campaign for the GOP nomination, but now the media is starting to question: Just who is Saul Alinsky? Fox News has more...

BRET BAIER: “Why is he relevant now?”
REPORTER: “By the 90s, the young Barack Obama had been schooled and and taught others Alinsky’s techniques, which is why Newt Gingrich has made the name of this largely forgotten figure a daily mantra.”

Alinsky was a community organizer in Chicago -- and many know him from his book “Rules for Radicals.” The Washington Post’s Melinda Henneberger tells Chris Matthews: while Alinsky was a lefty -- many of his techniques were more extreme than President Obama’s.

“He had people come and dump garbage on the property of someone who had not been, an official in Chicago who had not been receptive to garbage pick-up. Is that Barack Obama? No.”

But a writer for the conservative Daily Caller takes odds with Henneberger’s comments, writing...

“ … nearly every political move Obama makes can be traced to ‘Rules for Radicals.’ He’s currently implementing Rule 13 as a central component of his re-election strategy: farcically blaming a Republican Congress for all of his administration’s woes. And therein lies the reason that Barack Obama is such an underwhelming president.”

The Examiner’s Philip Klein takes a completely different approach, saying Gingrich is not a “Reagan Conservative” but a “Alinsky Republican.”

“... if any candidate is using Saul Alinsky's playbook in this campaign, it's Gingrich himself … Gingrich's clashes against the establishment are classic Alinsky.”

So what is Gingrich’s plan in all this? WTSP talks with a political science professor...

“By mentioning Alinsky’s name over and over, Gingrich hopes perhaps to make Alinsky a buzz word. The thorn in Obama’s side during the 2012 campaign that ACORN and Reverend Jeremiah Wright were in previous elections.”

 

(Image source: Gawker)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

58-year-old Stephen Slevin spent two years in solitary confinement over a 2005 DUI arrest in New Mexico -- without ever being prosecuted. Now, a court is awarding him $22 million for the way he was treated. 

“In that time, Slevin says he was forced to pull his own tooth because he was denied a dentist. He was also denied depression medication. His toenails grew so long they curled around his feet, and he had bed sores and skin fungus.” (KPRC)

Slevin told WRC he asked guards for medication to treat his depression.

“Walking by me every day, watching me deteriorate day after day after day and did nothing.”

And KTSM reports on how Slevin finally got out. 

“Slevin did not see a judge for the entire two years that he was there, but once he did see one he was immediately released and his charges were dropped.”

But, is the story over? The Dona Ana County jail says it will be filing an appeal in the case. KVIA reports the county says Slevin chose how he was treated -- for example … 

… that his hair was long because he chose not to use the razors he was offered. A county spokesperson and district attorney also addressed why Slevin was jailed for so long.

“He went silent on us. He just stopped communicating.”

“Only third judicial district attorneys office or his defense lawyers could have made the decision to get him out.”

“22 months for someone who has mental health issues is not unreasonable.” 

The local district attorney told KVIA the process was handled appropriately, but the issue is how Slevin was treated during that process. KOB examines that treatment -- citing letters written by Slevin himself during the time. 

“At one point he writes he doesn’t know how much longer he can go on.”

The station spoke with Slevin’s lawyer, who says the only care he got for his depression was from a nurse practitioner who had a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

“Coyte says if Slevin did get a response from the letters, it was generally to up a dose of sedatives.”

(Image Source: KPHO)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

A photo under fire -- of a T-shirt under fire. A picture of young men in Arizona holding a shirt filled with bullet holes is causing controversy, because the shirt has President Obama’s face on it.

“The Secret Service is now investigating this photo, posted on the Facebook page of a Peoria police officer. The photo shows several young men carrying guns and holding up a T-shirt of President Barack Obama that appears to be riddled with bullets.”

The picture has since been taken down from Facebook, and local police are investigating, too -- because the picture was posted by one of their own: Sergeant Pat Shearer. He remains on duty, but KPHO says the department is determining ...

“...if he violated social media policy. The policy says posting information regarding off-duty activity that may tend to bring an officer’s reputation into question is strongly discouraged.”

Shearer posted the photo with the caption “another trip to the ranch,” though his connection to anyone in the picture remains unclear. But, is the Secret Service investigation warranted? MSNBC has a statement from the agency.

“We respect the right of free speech and expression but we certainly have the right and obligation to speak to individuals to determine what their intent is ... We treat anything (any potential threat) seriously. We can't dismiss anything."

Still, KNVX spoke with Shearer, who says he is embarrassed, but doesn’t think shooting the t-shirt is a big deal.

“I don’t think that them shooting up the t-shirt was a big deal, no. It was more of a political statement obviously. It’s not like they were going to shoot the president or something like that, no.”

And KSAZ spoke with a former Secret Service agent, who protected presidents in the past. He says if the photo was meant as a joke, he’s not impressed. The station also examines what the law says.

“There’s nothing funny about that.”
“Under federal law, joking is allowed, but there is a line that can’t be crossed when it comes to the presidency. The law mentions that any document containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap or to inflict bodily harm of the President of the United States is an item worthy of investigation.”

According to The New York Times, at least one of the men pictured in that photo is a high school student.




 

(Image source: Central Florida News 13)

BY EMILY SPAIN

You're watching multisource political news from Newsy. 

Some Republicans are fuming after the latest Republican primary debate in Florida.
Why?
Because of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich’s discussion on immigration.

The two argued over one of Gingrich’s ads that describes Romney as “anti-immigrant”.  Gingrich withdrew the ad after Republican politicians called it offensive, but stood by it at the debate.

Blitzer: “Is he still the most anti-immigrant candidate?”
Gingrich: “I think of the four of us, yes.”
Romney: “Mr. Speaker, I’m not anti-immigrant.  My father was born in Mexico, my wife’s father was born in Wales. They came to this country. The idea that I’m anti-immigrant is repulsive.”

Republican leaders worry the pair’s banter could push away Latino voters in a state that has the (country’s) third-largest Hispanic population.
Ideas like curbing immigration in Arizona and Texas also have Florida voters looking the other way.
Republican leaders -- like former governor of Florida Jeb Bush -- are calling the frontrunners’ language inexcusable.

He wrote in the Washington Post:
“Like all voters, Hispanics respond to candidates who show respect and understanding for their experiences … we should echo the aspirations of these voters. The American immigrant experience is the most aspirational story ever told ... And on this score, Republicans have a winning message and record as the party of the entrepreneur.”

According to Bush, Hispanic voters represent the “margin of victory” in 15 states that typically decide the next President. Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio is also calling on the GOP candidates to check their rhetoric.

“For those of us who come from the conservative movement, we must admit that there are those among us who have used rhetoric that is harsh and intolerable, inexcusable, and we must admit, myself included, that sometimes we’ve been too slow in condemning that language for what it is.”

So far, Romney is leading the polls in Florida. A writer for the Christian Science Monitor notes Florida’s Latinos lean toward Romney, but explains Gingrich isn’t completely out of the race.

“In a word, it’s Romney’s career in the private sector, which appeals to entrepreneurial-minded Hispanics... But ... it is Gingrich’s emphasis on finding what he calls a ‘humane’ way to deal with illegal immigration – particularly law-abiding people who have been in the country a long time – that leads some of Florida’s Latino Republicans to back the former House speaker.”

Florida voters go to the polls Tuesday for the GOP primary.

Transcript by Newsy.



 

(Image source: CBS Sports)

BY JOSH LANDER

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Colts super-star quarterback Peyton Manning and team owner Jim Irsay (Uhr-say) have always been chummy -- but after a couple of very public jabs -- the sports media is wondering if the relationship has gone sour.

It started when Manning described the environment in Indy as “everybody’s walking on egg-shells.”

Irsay quickly had something to say about that. Here’s his response from The News Sentinel.

“The horse-shoe always comes first and I think one thing that he’s always known because he’s been around it so long is you keep it in the family.  If you got a problem, you talk to each other.”
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120126/SPORTS/120129591/1007

Simple enough.  Or not? The Indianapolis Star’s Bob Kravitz tells ESPN -- there’s more to this than just a couple of quotes.

“Whats sad about this is, that things have sort of deteriorated in a very public way.  It’s been a beautiful marriage here for the last 14 years here and things are starting to get a little bit testy.”

Many have wondered, is Manning on his way out of Indy?  Lots of analysts believe the Colts are ready to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in upcoming the NFL draft. Add to that -- it would cost the team 28 million bucks to keep Manning. Throw in the public dispute between QB and owner -- and Larry Brown Sports blogger Steve DelVecchio says Manning’s tenure in Indy is all but over.

“From a financial standpoint, it makes no sense for the Colts to bring Manning back next season.  They are more than a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender, and they would not have enough funds to bring in other players with Manning on the roster.”

Andrew Luck and money aside, Mark Ross of Athlon Sports says Manning’s uncertain health status is the biggest factor which could end his career.

“If he doesn’t pass his physical, cutting him probably comes into play even more as the Colts will have to weigh the risks of keeping him on the roster in hopes that he will eventually become healthy. Failing his physical would also greatly impact his chances of signing with another team should he become a free agent.”

According to CBSSports.com -- Irsay and the Colts have until March 8 to decide whether or not to pay Manning that extra 28 million dollars, or cut him from the roster.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

A death sentence for a crime its lone surviving victim calls his “personal Holocaust.”

Fox News has details.

“Joshua Komisarjevsky, the now-convicted killer of that home invasion in Connecticut. He was just officially sentenced to death in superior court. The Connecticut man slapped with six counts of death plus 150 years in prison.”

By all accounts -- the crime -- horrific. In 2007 -- Komisarjevsky and accomplice Steven Hayes tortured a family of four. Dr. William Petit was beaten with a baseball bat and tied up. He’s the only surviving victim of the ordeal.

His wife and two daughters -- 17 and 11 years old at the time -- were sexually assaulted before being tied to their beds, doused is gasoline and set on fire.

Steven Hayes was convicted in 2010 of killing the daughters -- but Komisarjevsky maintains despite his conviction he didn’t kill anyone or rape 11-year-old Michaela. The Associated Press reports, when he learned he’d be executed -- Komisarjevsky said quote “I wonder when the killing will end.”

But Dr. Petit says the sentencing fits the crime. WTNH was there for his press conference.

PETIT: “We certainly have been criticized over the years that this is vengeance and blood lust. But this is really about justice.”

CNN’s Brian Vitagliana was in the courtroom when the judge handed down Komisarjevsky’s sentence. He says, Komisarjevsky told the court he would never find peace again. But the judge told him...

“...this is a terrible sentence but one you wrote for yourself. He said, your fate is now in the hands of other. May God have mercy on your soul. And when you're listening to those words, it's extremely powerful.”

According to the Associated Press, Komisarjevsky’s lawyers argued their client was sexually assault as a child -- and that Komisarjevsky suffered from a mood disorder and depression. He called his death sentence a quote “surreal experience.”

(Image source: The Daily Mai)l

BY LOGAN TITTLE

A special delivery came for the United Nations in New York and no—it wasn’t the usual gift basket.

ABC affiliate, KXTV has the scoop..

“New York police and federal drug authorities are investigating a shipment of cocaine that was delivered to United Nations headquarters. It was no small delivery.”

The BBC reports the mail room picked up a 35-and-a-half-pound package of the powder, setting off the security alarm. The Telegraph says the sender wasn’t being too careful.

“The drugs, worth around $2 million, were hidden in hollowed-out books inside of bags that carried the global body's famous blue emblem... Staff at the UN identified the bags as ‘obvious fakes’ … (saying) the bags were like flour sacks but were the wrong color or material to be any kind of official bag.”

The Daily Mail reports the cocaine cache came from Mexico City through Cincinnati, but without a name or address.

And how it got into the hands of the UN? TVNZ reports the copied UN logo and lack of address didn’t give the package many places to go—

"What happened was the company looked at it and said, ‘OK, I guess these are from the United Nations because they have a seal on it,’ and then proceeded to ship it to the United Nations.”

CNN reports no intended recipient has been found and it doesn’t look like there will be a return to sender in this situation either.

(Image Source: Disinformation)

BY ALLIE SPILLYARDS

Remember the Jetsons? Well according to GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich -- life in space may not be as far off and futuristic as TV once made it seem.

“The program I envision would probably end up being 90 percent private sector. ((FLASH)) But I’ll tell you. I don’t want to be the country that having gotten to the moon first, turned around and said, ‘it doesn’t really matter. Let the Chinese dominate space. What do we care?’” (VIDEO SOURCE: CNN)

Now just a day after the last Florida GOP debate where he made those statements, news headlines ranging from “Space Cadet Gingrich” to “Fly Me to the Moon” show most in the media are writing off Gingrich’s idea as little more than ridiculous. CNN’s David Frum takes a look. (SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST AND LA TIMES)

“Then he should’ve dismissed the moon colony question with a joke and moved on. Instead, he allowed that conversation to take over. He could not control himself in the face of something he should’ve controlled himself in.”

TIME's Jeffrey Kluger suggests -- this is just one in a series of over-the-top statements from the former Speaker of the House.

“...Gingrich often doesn’t seem to get that merely being willing to say any damn thing is not the same as being able to do any damn thing, especially when the challenges you’re taking on don’t involve just political rivals and government policy, but the hard laws of engineering and physics...”

Although plenty of snark and mockery is floating through the media in response to Newt’s space projections, not everyone’s laughing. The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin writes...

“Really, the Earth is too small for the self-described ‘grandiose’ candidate. At some point, however, unless you’re a supporter of the president’s reelection, this ceases to be funny. It is simply the latest indication of the three-ring circus (colony?) that would ensue if Gingrich were the nominee, or heaven forbid, the president.”

But not everyone’s making jabs. A writer for News Australia says -- Newt might just be on to something.

“The basic idea is not actually as far-fetched as it sounds. NASA in 2006 announced plans to set up a colony on the south pole of the moon, in around 2020, as a base for further manned exploration of the solar system. The problem for Gingrich... is that the 2008 financial crisis came along and turned feasible projects into pipe dreams.”

Radio-host Laura Ingraham agrees. She tells Fox’s Bill O’Reilly -- now’s just not the time, even if you are in support of space exploration.

“If you’re a conservative and you’re concerned about our fiscal standing, you could make an argument that while this is a great idea, not when you have 15 trillion dollars of debt.”

Americans will get their chance to weigh in on Newt’s space plans during the Florida primary on January 31st.
 

(Image Source: CNN)

(Image Source: Gossip Celebrity News)
 
BY EMILY ALLEN

ANCHOR ANA CAMPAIN-ROMERO

It could be exhaustion, excessive partying or an adolescent street drug?  New reports are surfacing about Demi Moore’s Monday night hospital stint.  WPRI reports.
 
“We know from friends that were with her, they were telling us, she was doing what they call whip its.  One of those things that kids basically do in rage parties.”

If you’re wondering what a whip-it is, here’s a description from The New York Daily News.
 
“The gaseous canisters of nitrous oxide, inhaled from whipped cream dispensers, send users into a state of other-worldliness.”
 
Sources told E! News it started off as a normal girls night, but then the details get sketchy.
 
“A source says Moore, for unknown reasons, began to convulse and act ‘like she was having a seizure.’ The female friend was understandably concerned and dialed 911.”

TMZ says these symptoms coincide with an excessive use of nitrous oxide.  It says these drug reports are true, but don’t make any sense.
 
“It’s not common at all, it’s common you know in early college and late high school parties and no one of her age and social status does this drug at all.”
 
KTLA justifies Moore’s behavior, citing her recent split with hubby Ashton Kutcher.
 
“One therapist told KTLA Moore’s teenage-like behavior may be a coping mechanism, understanding the crushing pain of divorce.”
 
ABC News says Moore is going to return to rehab for the second time but also says those reports have not been confirmed yet.
 
 

(Image Source: LA Times)

BY ANDREW CARTER

ANCHOR EMILY SPAIN

The Los Angeles Clippers -- historically LA’s “other” basketball team -- have brewed up quite the rivalry with the cross-town Lakers. Wednesday night’s game showed these teams are far from friendly.

Things got chippy last night in the second edition of the “Battle for LA” at the Staples Center.
The media says it’s creating a playoff atmosphere.

The LA Times says, these aren’t your daddy’s Clippers.

“It used to be all that mattered when the Clippers played the Lakers was whether Jack Nicholson bothered to show. No more. This one clearly mattered.”

No exchange was scrutinized more than this exchange between Pau Gasol and the Clippers’ newest addition, Chris Paul.

Paul wasn’t very fond of Gasol’s head-rub as he told USA Today after the game.
 

“I don't know if Pau's got kids, but don't touch my head like I'm one of your kids. I don't know what his intentions were, like, 'I'll treat him like little Chris.' I don't know if he's got kids, but I'm not one of them.”

Gasol, not known as one of the league’s “tough guys,” told ESPN after the game there are certain situations when backing down isn’t an option. ESPN Analyst Tim Leigler reacted to the confrontation between the two players.
 

“That kind of thing. But to me, overreaction by Chris Paul but I get where he's coming from. I don't think Pau Gasol intended to disrespect him.”

The part basketball, part shoving match resulted in a combined six technical fouls between the two teams.
This started conversation between the media about the physical play and rivalry.
 

“What transpired Wednesday between the Lakers and Clippers looked like it meant much more than one win in the West.”
 

Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke (Plash-Key) believes in the Clippers, but not their attitude.

“Fellas, you’re good. We get it...And you certainly didn’t need to subject the city to nearly three hours of cheap stuff and chippiness Wednesday night to make your point.”

As if the game was the actual story, the Lakers did win 96-91 evening up the season series at one-a-piece.

(Image Source: SayPeople)

BY MEREDITH BALDWIN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Years ago, it was labeled a mystery illness. Now, doctors from the Centers for Disease Control are calling it Morgellons Disease-- but there’s doubt within the medical community as to whether it’s a real illness. A reporter for KHOU in Houston sat down with one woman several years ago, when she first noticed her symptoms.

“The sores come up and then these fuzzy things come out. It’s almost like spores or something like that.”

Hundreds of people across the nation say they experienced the same symptoms: sores oozing, and fibers coming out their skin. The CDC was prompted to investigate. FOX News medical contributor Dr. Manny Alvarez doesn’t think Morgellons exists outside of the person’s head.

“The mind is a powerful thing, and in some cases, it can make us sick—not just mentally, but physically.  If a patient believes they have a certain affliction, that belief could cause stress, lack of sleep, anxiety and even depression. It could also manifest itself as real, physical symptoms.”

Dermatologist Vincent DeLeo agrees with that assessment-- here’s what he tells ABC.

“The skin symptoms fit perfectly with the same group of individuals symptoms with delusions.”

Other doctors disagree, arguing the illness is real. Inside Edition spoke with Dr. Rhonda Casey...she says the lesions and scars she sees on patients aren’t something they’re making up, or have done to themselves.

“Dr. Rhonda Casey says she believes Morgellons is a genuine illness and takes precautions when examining Morgellons’ patients... She has taken numerous fiber samples and says they’re unlike anything she’s ever seen.”

The medical mystery may be named, but patients don’t like the empty diagnosis. The San Francisco Chronicle spoke with one woman who says...

 “The symptoms can be so maddening, [there’s] no doubt that many Morgellons patients come across as ‘crazy’ to doctors - and it's not surprising that [we’re] labeled as delusional.”

Doctors say there is no cure for Morgellons-- and there’s still much to learn about the disease.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

A new wave of inner-party attacks is hitting GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich -- many of them casting a skeptical eye on his often-mentioned ties to Ronald Reagan.

The Drudge Report devoted the site’s first four links to revisiting past Gingrich comments that were critical of the Reagan administration.

Drudge’s top post linked to this article from The National Review -- written by Reagan’s former assistant secretary of state.

“[Gingrich’s] claims are misleading at best. As a new member of Congress in the Reagan years ... Mr. Gingrich voted with the president regularly, but equally often spewed insulting rhetoric at Reagan, his top aides, and his policies to defeat Communism. Gingrich was voluble and certain in predicting that Reagan’s policies would fail, and in all of this he was dead wrong.”

For the candidates, linking themselves to one of the most popular Republican presidents in history is a kind of strategy. Gingrich, in particular, has not shied away from touting a relationship with the 40th commander-in-chief. Just take a look at the footage from this week’s NBC debate.

“Ronald Reagan... Reagan... Ronald Reagan... Ronald Reagan... Governor Reagan... President Reagan”

Politico notes, the conservative blogosphere’s attacks on Gingrich reflect what political reporters say they’ve already heard from some GOP lawmakers.

“The conservative media is voicing what dozens of Republican lawmakers, governors and top establishment have told POLITICO in recent weeks in private conversations. ... Romney allies are putting pressure on conservatives to break their silence ... because a Gingrich win would virtually guarantee a very long, divisive race.”

And in last week’s CNN Southern Republican Debate, Romney challenged Gingrich on just how closely he had worked with Reagan.

ROMNEY: “I mean, I’ve looked at the Reagan diary. You’re mentioned once in Ronald Reagan’s diary.”

GINGRICH: “When I became speaker, we went back to the Ronald Reagan playbook -- lower taxes, less regulation, more American energy, and 11 million jobs showed up.”

Of course, Romney has his own troubled history with the Reagan administration. This comment -- made in a 1994 debate with Ted Kennedy -- has often landed him in the GOP doghouse.

“Look, I was an Independent during the time of Reagan/Bush. I’m not trying to return to Reagan/Bush.”

Although Gingrich has momentum coming off a huge win in South Carolina, he and Romney remain in a statistical dead heat in many polls approaching Florida’s Jan. 31st primary.
 

(Image source: Hypervocal)

BY BLAKE HANSON

President Obama hasn’t entered the debate realm quite yet -- but that didn’t stop him from getting into a testy exchange Wednesday with Arizona’s Republican Governor Jan Brewer. The Today Show reports...

“Wednesday afternoon when he touched down outside of Phoenix the President had a tense exchange with Gov. Jan Brewer about her book which characterized Mr. Obama as lecturing her over a 2009 meeting over immigration.”

Brewer says President Obama criticized her over her book -- saying it didn’t portray him well. But a writer for The Phoenix New-Times says regardless of what they talked about, Brewer needed to play nice.

“Leave it to Jan Brewer to humiliate Arizona -- yet again … President Barack Obama was in town today to tour an Intel factory getting built in Chandler -- and it took Brewer all of five seconds to make a g******** scene.”

A blogger for “Stop the ACLU” offers a different take, writing...

“Obama is not particularly happy when people write bad things about him, because he is the anointed one. He’s the only one that can say bad things about people and/or throw them under the bus. Everyone else is just supposed to sit there and take it when Obama bad mouths them …”

Hot Air notes, this is not the first time President Obama has gone head-to-head with a governor while visiting.

“He once surprised [Louisiana Gov. ] Bobby Jindal by whining about a letter Jindal had sent to [Ag. Secretary] Tom Vilsack regarding food stamps. O was in Louisiana that day for a visit related to the BP oil spill but turns out he was preoccupied with the idea that Jindal’s letter had made him look bad … ”

Finally a writer for the Arizona Republic says while there’s a problem, there’s also a solution.

“ … diplomatic protocol really does not give room for anger-venting tiffs on the tarmac. Especially with a president of the United States who is visiting your state. Especially in front of the world … So, apparently, a ‘margarita summit’ is now in order.”

There’s still no word from the Obama administration about its take about what happened.
 

(Image Source: Leon Travel Club)

BY JJ BAILEY

Usually when we take long odds, we end up holding our breath while the bookies lick their chops. With Superbowl approaching, it seems the roles are reversed. Betting houses in Las Vegas are holding their collective breaths as the once-long shot Giants are making an improbable run. Here’s USA Today.

“A number of sports books in Nevada took significant bets on the Giants to win the Super Bowl at long odds earlier this season — some as high as 80 to 1 — putting some in a very precarious position if the Giants should knock off the Patriots in the Super Bowl again.”

They were at 80-1 when they were in danger of not making the playoffs.  While bets on the game are expected to be big- about $94 million- it’s the futures bets, or betting on the outcome of a teams season, that have odds makers worried.  The head of Lucky’s Race and Sports Book in Vegas told The New York Times, the situation looks dangerous for some bet takers.

“They got hit pretty hard at the high number,” … “If the Giants win this game, it could do some damage out here, there is no doubt. A lot of guys were rooting for San Francisco on Sunday, I can tell you that.”

At the very beginning of the season, the Giants were 20-1 long shots to win the Superbowl. At the start of the playoffs- 30-1. Now, sports books all over Sin City are facing what is called “tremendous exposure.” Many haven’t fully recovered from the sting of another unlikely run only a few months ago. The Atlantic Wire has a reminder.

“Making things worse is the fact that St. Louis Cardinals were installed at odds of 250 to 1 to win the World Series when they were 10.5 games out of playoff contention with 32 games left in the regular season. The Cardinals, of course, came back to make the playoffs and win the Series.”

According to the Huffington Post, the Superbowl pulls major bets outside the casino as well. In addition to recent news that rapper Birdman offered up $5 million on the Patriots to anyone who would take it, the Huffpo adds...

“Gambling expert R.J. Bell said the rematch could see $10 billion in wagers worldwide, with only 1 percent of that figure gambled in casino sports books in the Silver State.”

As it stands now, the Pats are favored by three over the Giants.

(Image Source: The Telegraph)

BY DAVID EARL

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Fed chairmen are famously mum about economic issues, but in a rare press conference Wednesday, Ben Bernanke laid out the Federal Reserve’s plan for the next few years. Bloomberg was there...

“Economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through late 2014...”

In addition to the announcement of low rates through 2014, the Fed also issued an inflation target of 2 percent. The average US inflation rate for 2011 was just more than 3 percent.

“A higher inflation rate would reduce the public’s ability to make accurate longer term economic and financial decisions … where as a lower inflation rate would be associated with an elevated probability of falling in to deflation.”

Previous estimates on the Fed’s action had rates staying low through 2013 … now, with rates remaining low through an additional year, CNN Money explains how it will impact consumers.

“Keeping it at historic lows, as the Fed has done since 2008, is meant to stimulate spending by lowering interest rates on everything from mortgages to car and student loans.”

JP Morgan’s chief US economist gives his reaction to the announcement on Fox Business....

“So this is actually a little more on the accommodate side than we were expecting … and so once again, Bernanke, continuing to surprise us on how focused he is on getting growth going again.”

Global financial firm PIMCO founder Bill Gross told CNBC he’s a fan of how open the Fed has become...

“It’s gonna give the credit markets the most transparent scan of the feds brain that it has ever had.”

A Wall Street Journal reporter says the top investment firms think it’s about time...

“Is this a step that will make for better central banking? Better monetary policy making? They think it is and other central banks have done it and have had a fair amount of success with it.”

The Fed announcement sent stocks higher Wednesday. The DOW closed up 83 points, the NASDAQ gained 31, and the S&P climbed 11.
 

(Image source: BEFNH.org)

BY MEREDITH BALDWIN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

You’re watching multisource global video analysis from Newsy.

In New Hampshire-- if you don’t like what your kid is learning about-- just pull them out of class. A contributor for Sea Coast Online says New Hampshire House Bill 542 gives parents quote “unprecedented powers” over their children’s education.

“...Specifically, the law (a) allows parents to file an objection to any course material, (b) requires a school district to devise an alternative acceptable to the parent, and (c) the alternative must enable the child to still meet state requirements for education in the particular subject area of the objection.”

The bill originally passed through the legislature last year-- but democratic Governor John Lynch vetoed the measure. Lawmakers recently overrode that veto. A contributor to The Concord Monitor touches on both sides of the argument.

“…let me emphasize the critical importance of parental input in their child's education... [but] our public schools already provide lines of communication for parents… to request changes to school policies...”

So where does the line get drawn between parental input and ala carte curriculums? A reporter for Russia Today says-- this bill really blurs that distinction.

“New Hampshire’s government is totally okay with parents picking and choosing their child’s courses and putting them together like a Lego set. And then placing the own-ness on the school to bend for their every whim.”

And The New York Times highlights another concern of those who oppose the measure.

“Should parents who are members of the Ku Klux Klan be allowed to create a special public school curriculum for their child that suggests that extension of voting rights to black Americans was a mistake?”

Finally-- anchors for Boston’s WFXT argue-- it’s simply unrealistic to tailor education topics for each individual student.

“At some point, somebody needs to say ‘Hey! This is what we’re teaching, this is the curriculum and here we go.’ But no body wants to do that because everybody wants to make sure everybody’s happy and little Johnny’s not offended.”

If parents decide they don’t their child to learn certain things, teachers are responsible for creating the alternative lesson plan. Any costs that come with the new lesson plan -- like another textbook-- will be billed to the parents.

(Image Source: Anchorage Daily News)

BY CHRISTINE KARSTEN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY