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NORTHWEST
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from KHQ Local News (Spokane)
Navy Plans To Increase Sonar Testing
The Navy plans to increase sonar testing in U.S. waters over the next five years even as studies it funded reveal worrying signs that the loud underwater noise could disturb whales and dolphins.
China Bans Shellfish Imports From US West Coast
The Chinese government imposed the ban after discovering that recent shipments of geoduck clams from Northwest waters had high levels of arsenic and a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.
NEW DETAILS: Colorado High School Shooter Identified
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from KING 5 (Seattle)
His 'long walk' over, Nelson Mandela is buried in South African village where he grew up
Thousands gathered to say a final goodbye to Nelson Mandela at a funeral service today. Mandela was then laid to rest in his home village of Qunu, South Africa
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from KIRO 7 Eyewitness News (Seattle)
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from KOMO News (Seattle)
Started, but didn't finish GED? Deadline looms
On Jan. 1, Washington and most other states will switch to a new computer-based testing system with four segments instead of five. The results from old tests will be thrown away, even for students who have passed all but one of the required sections.
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from KREM 2 News (Spokane)
Started, but didn't finish GED? Deadline looms
An estimated 25,000 Washington residents started the GED sometime in the past five years but didn't finish. The Washington Student Achievement Council says nearly 200,000 state residents between the ages of 25 and 44 do not have a high school diploma.
Gingerbread Build-Off returns to Davenport Hotel
Culinary teams spent around three hours decorating large gingerbread houses. Children were also able to participate by creating their own mini-gingerbread houses.
Wash. welfare use at perhaps lowest point ever
About 43,000 state families received welfare in October. That's the fewest number of recipients since at least 1990. Policies that took effect in early 2011 lowered eligibility and made it more difficult to get extensions. But the welfare rolls are shrinking at a time when other signs of poverty are on the rise. Medicaid and food stamp usage has risen since 2011. Homeless shelters report that more people are relying on their services.
Authorities recover body at Loon Lake
Body found in Newport City Park
Local group gets veteran’s stranded family across U.S.
South Africa buries Mandela at ancestral home
Nelson Mandela was buried Sunday in the African ground he loved after a funeral ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and fly-overs by military aircraft as well as a eulogy by a traditional leader wearing an animal skin.
Sheriff: Colorado gunman wanted to hurt many more
Students described the Arapahoe High School shooter as an outspoken, sometimes goofy and smart student who may have been "set off" after getting kicked off the debate team.
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from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
World news photos: Dramatic dog rescue, your oldest relative and more
City/County bans, moratoriums and zoning approvals for marijuana businesses in Washington
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from The Spokesman-Review
to be added in a new window
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from Wenatchee World
to be added
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NATION
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from ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice)
"I've grown accustomed to stories exposing the staggering incompetence behind HealthCare. gov and the various state exchanges, but this story stands out."
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from AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens
from The Blaze
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from Breitbart
ARMED GUARD SAVED STUDENTS' LIVES IN ARAPAHOE SCHOOL SHOOTING
FACT CHECK: PAUL RYAN TWISTED TRUTH TO SELL BUDGET DEAL TO HOUSE
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from The Christian Science Monitor
Colorado school shooting: Armed guards the answer?
An armed deputy sheriff at Arapahoe High School in Colorado likely prevented a school shooting there from being worse, officials say, ending the episode in less than two minutes.
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from CNSNews.com (& NewsBusters)
from The Federalist Papers
NSA speaks out on Spying and Snowden
How the Nazis Used Gun Control
Newt Gingrich: ‘Every Major City Which Is a Poverty Center Is Run By Democrats’
How the West was lost by the selfie president
Judge Cites Same-Sex Marriage in Declaring Polygamy Ban Unconstitutional
Poll: Nearly 4 In 5 Say Obamacare Will Worsen Insurance Coverage
White House delayed enacting rules ahead of 2012 election to avoid controversy
Glock’s Fantastic Pro-Gun Commercial Is Sure To Offend A Liberal, And Make Conservatives Laugh Out Loud
Poll: Nearly 4 In 5 Say Obamacare Will Worsen Insurance Coverage
White House delayed enacting rules ahead of 2012 election to avoid controversy
Glock’s Fantastic Pro-Gun Commercial Is Sure To Offend A Liberal, And Make Conservatives Laugh Out Loud
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from Fox News
Surprise, the holidays are good for you
Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of holiday activity like increased prayer and more time spent in community, helping others, and even retail therapy/consumerism, all of which are integral to the holiday season and good for your health.
MIT Researchers Hopeful on Possible PTSD Vaccine
It all centers around a hormone in the brain called ghrelin that is tied to stress.
'Lawrence of Arabia' star Peter O'Toole dies at 81
'Lawrence of Arabia' star Peter O'Toole dies at 81
Peter O'Toole, the charismatic actor who achieved instant stardom as Lawrence of Arabia and was nominated eight times for an Academy Award, has died.
State media say China has safely carried out the world's first soft landing of a space probe on the moon in nearly four decades.
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from The Heritage Foundation
Raising the Minimum Wage Would Hurt the People It's Supposed to Help
What Liberals NEVER Talk About When It Comes to the Minimum Wage
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After the 9/11 attacks, the public was told al Qaeda acted alone, with no state sponsors. But the White House never let it see an entire section of Congress’ investigative report on 9/11 dealing with “specific sources of foreign support” for the 19 hijackers, 15 of whom were Saudi nationals.
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from NPR
In Press-Rights Battle, Reporter Says Accountability's At RiskThe Justice Department is trying to compel "New York Times" journalist James Risen to testify in the case of a former CIA official who may or may not have leaked classified information to him. The case calls into question the limits of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press.
Deep In China, 'Cowboys' Have Skied For Thousands Of YearsOn wooden skis, the Tuvan people of Central Asia have been traversing the snow for at least 4,000 years. Travel writer Mark Jenkins went to the region for "National Geographic," where he joined a group of lasso-wielding men on skis tracking elk.
Peter O'Toole, A Life Even Larger Than 'Lawrence'Peter O'Toole, the Hollywood legend who was made famous in his title role in Lawrence of Arabia, died on Saturday in a London hospital. The 81-year old Irishman was nominated for eight Oscars in his distinguished career, and was known as a bit of a hellraiser.
Peter O'Toole, Star Of 'Lawrence Of Arabia,' Dies
Sriracha: First, The Crisis. Now, The Movie
A new 33-minute documentary traces the rise of Sriracha and the man behind the condiment phenomenon.
Another Partisan Divide: Mitt Romney's LooksA new study suggests people of different political persuasions literally see candidates differently.
Oh My, Ohio! Five States Named 'Most Likely To Curse'
A recent study revealed which states curse a blue streak best. Topping the charts: those salty-mouthed Buckeyes. Maryland, New Jersey, Louisiana and Illinois followed suit. The goody-two-shoes states, which used the least profanity, were led by Washington, followed by Massachusetts, Arizona, Texas and Virginia.
College Bowl Gifts: Hair Dryers, Recliners, PlayStation 4sThe debate over paying college football players is far from settled, but NCAA rules allow hosts of college bowl games to provide players with gifts. This year some athletes will receive PlayStation 4s, high-tech recliners, and hair dryers.
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from POLITICO
McCain says 'yes' to budget bill
McCain said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) has pledged to review a provision concerning military retirement.
Maine wreaths go to Arlington cemetery
The nonprofit Wreaths Across America expects to ship 470,000 to 500,000 wreaths to adorn veterans' graves this holiday season.
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from The Washington Post
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from Weasel Zippers (100 Percent FED Up)
from The Weekly Standard
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WORLD
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from AsiaNews
Pope: The Church is not a haven for sad people, it is the house of joy!
Ahead of reciting the Angelus on the third Sunday of Advent, Francis reminds the faithful that " like hope, Christian joy is rooted in the faithfulness of God , knowing that He always keeps His promises." Immediately after the Marian prayer, the Pope blesses the "Baby Jesus" statues for the nativity scenes in the homes of the faithful and says: "When you pray in front of the nativity scene , remember me like I remember you."
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from BBC News
If employers really want to know what prospective employees are like, should they forget psychometric testing and watch them ride a bike?
Actor Peter O'Toole, who starred in Sir David Lean's 1962 film classic Lawrence of Arabia, died on Saturday aged 81.
The number of people running on a regular basis has risen by more than a third since 2005, Sport England says. Who are they?
Nelson Mandela's body has been laid to rest in a family plot, after political and religious leaders paid tribute to South Africa's first black president at a state funeral service.
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from International Christian Concern
(PERSECUTION.org)
More Christians in Laos Threatened With Eviction
Newly converted Christians in Laos are once again facing pressure to give up their faith or abandon their homes in what has become a recurring pattern in rural parts of the country. Village leaders warned five families on Dec. 2 that had recently converted to Christianity that their new faith was not welcome and that they would be held responsible for any deaths in the village, since their new faith "violates the village's longstanding beliefs and customs in the spirits." The five families, living in Savannakhet Province, also received an eviction notice.
New Senate Bill Introduced to Protect Religious Groups Opposed to Gay Marriage
In an effort to protect religious organizations from facing legal discrimination for publicly opposing gay marriage, a new bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Mike Lee of Utah. The bill would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from removing the tax exempt status of churches and other religious non-profit organizations that oppose gay marriage. Although churches have not yet faced this kind of discrimination in the United States, the rising trend of prosecuting groups or individuals who oppose gay marriage has alarmed conservative law makers.
Christian Women Arrested for Passing Out Christian Pamphlets in India
Two Christian women have been arrested and intimidated for handing out Christian pamphlets in India's southwestern state of Karnataka. Christians in India continue to experience rising levels of persecution as Hindu nationalists gain influence in India's government and society. Please pray for these two women.
Interview with a Persecuted Christian from Sri Lanka
Christian persecution in Sri Lanka is rising at a dramatic rate. Buddhist nationalists, who believe they must preserve Sri Lanka's Buddhist heritage by whatever means necessary, have gained influence on the island nation and are bringing to lead mobs against churches and pastors. As of November, Christians in Sri Lanka have been attacked over 65 times. Please keep these persecuted Christians in your prayers.
Extremism Continues to Fuel Persecution in Pakistan
Christians in Pakistan continue to suffer persecution as extremism continues to take hold of Pakistan's Muslim majority population. False blasphemy accusations, destruction of Christian communities by mobs of extremists, forced conversion and marriage, rape and murder are only some of the issues faced by Christians still living in Pakistan. Please pray for this persecuted community.
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from The Jerusalem Post
Netanyahu to Reform Jews: The Western Wall belongs to all Jews
PM warns if Iran gets atomic weapons, other states in region will go nuclear; says ready for "historic agreement with Palestinians."
Jerusalem municipality, police coordinate recovery around the city
Some 5,000 homes remain without power; officials working to get public transportation up and running again.
IDF fires, lightly injures Palestinian on Gaza border in 2nd incident in 24 hours
Group of Palestinians carry out suspicious activity at security fence, refuse calls to vacate the area.
Iran will continue nuclear talks with West despite tightened US sanctions, Zarif says
Iranian FM says Tehran will provide a "proper, calculated, purposeful and smart response" to "improper measures" taken by the US.
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FEATURES
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from EarthSky
Proposed step to help society prepare for a solar storm disaster
These scientists are proposing that policy makers should use the July 23, 2012 solar storm in computer modeling - to determine what steps we can take to prepare for a similar storm that someday might be headed our way.
Rare snow storm hits Middle East
A rare winter storm struck the Middle East last week – beginning around Tuesday, December 10 and lasting into the weekend – producing heavy snow in areas that typically never see the white stuff. Jerusalem recorded an impressive 15-20 inches of snow, according to The Telegraph, with roads still blocked on Saturday, December 14. It was the most snow ever recorded in that region in the month of December for at least 60 years.
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from The Farmacy (& Strawbale City)
from Mother Nature Network
How to stop a cold before it starts
Natural preventatives and some common sense will keep you from getting sick — or staying that way for long.
Living cheap is the new green
If going green is making you go broke, you're doing it wrong. Saving resources and saving money go hand in hand. Here's how to get started.
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from Natural Society
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from PreventDisease.com
Utah Public Health Bans Gardasil Vaccine
Citing low demand, high costs - and questioning the benefits, Utah’s Public Department of Health does not stock or recommend Gardasil HPV vaccine. The decision to exclude the vaccine from its public health clinics was made by the agency’s director, contrary to the area's Board of Health.
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from Space.com (& CollectSpace)
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