Today in Black History: South Carolina secedes from the Union in 1860, leading to the Civil War.
The New York Times
Another Rule in Health Law Is Eased Ahead of Deadline
Obama Commutes Sentences for 8 in Crack Cocaine Cases
Editorial: Release the Torture Reports
Senate Passes Pentagon Bill After Compromise on Obama Nominees
Additional Four Charged in Florida Prison Escape Scheme
A City Councilwoman Not Afraid to Take On Inequality
New York Job Recovery Isn’t Quite as Strong as Bloomberg Proclaims
Formal Beginning to de Blasio’s Plan to Expand, and Pay for, Prekindergarten
The Christian Science Monitor
Senators, defying White House, push a new Iran sanctions bill
US envoy Power visits Central African Republic amid scramble to stem violence (+video)
Who'll be the Democrats' 'anti-Hillary' in 2016? (+video)
The Star Ledger
Man beaten by Atlantic City cop awarded $500K by jury
Former Trenton public works director testifies about jobs created for allies of Mayor Tony Mack
FBI investigates appearance of "JoJo" rat signs one week after plea deal in Trenton Mayor Tony Mack's corruption case
N.J. jobless rate plunged in November amid labor force exits, job gains
The Detroit Free Press
Detroit, suburbs fall short on water department deal
Rochelle Riley: Gov. Snyder, Kevyn Orr must consider poor Detroiters
Judge's order to renegotiate bank settlement may delay Kevyn Orr's plan of adjustment for Detroit
U.S. drops 3 charges against Bobby Ferguson in upcoming bid-rigging trial
Ken Cockrel to direct effort to revitalize Detroit, address vacant areas
Philly.com
Ex-PSU prez's lawyer a witness against him
Ramsey orders changes on interrogations, holding suspects
Union hits Aspira Olney Charter High School with a third unfair-labor-practice charge
Mayor unveils results of manufacturing task force study
Pa., N.J. among states sharing 'Race' funds
The Chicago Tribune
Blues musician, church deacon killed in shootings blocks and minutes apart
Homicides drop sharply after a violent 2012
The Washington Post
Obama relaxes health-care law rules just days before deadline
Democrats currently have a 1 percent chance of retaking the House
Kansas Board of Regents restricts free speech for academics
The Top 10 local stories of the year
Md. board: Brown’s running mate can raise money
Some colleges in region are hit particularly hard as enrollment falls
The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Rep. Marcia Fudge seeks "land grant" status for Central State University
East Cleveland's books prompt state Auditor Dave Yost to question city's future
Cleveland schools are showing successes -- just not enough of them, yet: editorial
Cleveland Foundation announces grants, including thousands of dollars for its Encore initiative
The Los Angeles Times
L.A. City Council clarifies voting rule for neighborhood council races
Steinberg seeks to restore grants for mental health offender programs
The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Updated: In Braves’ fallout, city emails show Reed team in triage mode
First principal enters guilty plea in test-cheating case
Record number of Atlanta students earn Posse scholarships
USA Today
Klan group plans to meet in Maryland
Poll: Americans see impact of global warming
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