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The latest data from the Labor Department underscores the troubled economic times in the U.S. A total of 524-thousand jobs were lost last month, making the employment collapse in 2008 the worse since the end of World War Two. The jobless rate also rose to a 15-year high to seven-point-two percent. That was more than what analysts had forecast.

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck the greater Los Angeles area yesterday evening. The epicenter was only one mile south of downtown San Bernardino and 55 miles east of the L.A. Civic Center. The tremblor was reportedly felt from San Pedro and as far south as Disneyland in Orange County.

Crews have brought the flames from a 14-hundred acre wildfire north of Boulder, Colorado under control. The fire apparently began with a downed power line and was fanned by winds in excess of 75-miles per hour. Some 13-hundred households were evacuated due to the blaze.

A UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza has been turned down by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. In a statement about the decision, Olmert said, quote, "The firing of rockets this morning only goes to show that the UN decision is unworkable." The resolution passed yesterday called for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire" and for Israel to pull its troops out of Gaza.

All members of the Illinois' Special Investigative Committee voted to recommend impeaching Governor Rod Blagojevich [[blah-GOYA-vich ]]. The summary of evidence against the governor painted a pattern of "abuse of power." The recommendation to impeach stems from federal charges Blagojevich faces of allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat held by Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Next week's "The Amazing Spider-Man" comic book features Barack Obama on the cover. The President-elect will be part of a six-page story involving "Spidey." The plot line surrounds an attempt by one of the superhero's enemies to take Obama's place on Inauguration Day.

Friday, January 09, 2009 8:15 AM

Thursday, January 8th National Headlines

Israel is now being attacked from southern Lebanon. It's not clear who is behind the rocket attack, but Lebanon's Information Minister says it wasn't initiated by Hezbollah. The Lebanese government criticized the launch that targeted northern Israel and wounded two people. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes bombed Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip early Thursday as tanks moved in on Palestinian guerrillas.

We should learn more today about Barack Obama's proposed economic stimulus package. The President-elect will deliver what aides are calling a "major speech" about the struggling economy. Obama has called for a bold stimulus bill to jumpstart the economy.

Parts of Boulder, Colorado are under evacuation threats due to an out-of-control wildfire. The blaze which broke out yesterday has burned about one-thousand acres and put more than eleven-thousand homes on alert. The fire has been fueled by winds of up to 75-miles-per-hour.

Thousands are fleeing their flooded homes this morning in western Washington state. The National Weather Service reports up to 13-inches of rain fell on some parts of the Evergreen State yesterday, triggering a voluntary evacuation order for 25-thousand residents south of Tacoma.

Confirmation hearings begin today in the Senate. The Senate Health and Labor Committee will question Tom Daschle [[ DASH-ul ]], President-elect Obama's nominee as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Daschle is slated to be the new administration's point man for healthcare reform in Congress.

"The Dark Knight" walked away with five trophies last night at the 35th Annual "People's Choice Awards." The film starring Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger won Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, Favorite On Screen Match Up, Favorite Cast and Favorite Superhero awards. The awards show aired last night on CBS.

Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:37 AM

Tuesday, January 6 National Headlines
>>Amid Economic Crisis, New Congress Opens

(Washington, DC) -- The 111th Congress is now open as lawmakers are facing the most daunting economic crisis in decades. President-elect Barack Obama is pushing those on Capitol Hill to draft a new financial stimulus package for him to sign shortly after being inaugurated. Two Senate seats remain open as the Senate refused to seat Illinois appointee Roland Burris and the Minnesota recount proceeds through the courts. Senators say they have no issue with Burris himself, but say they will not accept his appointment because it came from Governor Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell the seat.

>>Obama Expecting Huge Deficit

(Washington, DC) -- President-elect Barack Obama is expecting a one-trillion-dollar deficit when he takes office later this month. He added he has plans to deal with the shortfall, and his top priority is to jump-start the nation's economy. Obama also said there will be no pet projects and earmarks allowed in his stimulus package. He said the stimulus plan will include an economic oversight board to make sure the money is being spent wisely. Obama added information about how taxpayer dollars are being spent will be put online for everyone to review.

>>Republican Norm Coleman Suing To Challenge Recount Loss

(St. Paul, MN) -- Norm Coleman has filed a lawsuit challenging the results of the recount in Minnesota for the U.S. Senate. Coleman finished 225 votes behind challenger Al Franken. The incumbent Republican's campaign alleges more than 100 votes may have been counted twice and more than 600 absentee ballots should have been added to the total. The lawsuit means there will be no winner declared in the Minnesota race until the proceedings are over, which could be several months.

>>Egypt Proposes Immediate Ceasefire Between Israel And Hamas

(Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt) -- An immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is being proposed by Egypt. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has offered to host negotiations with Israel on border security. Mubarak said both sides should also discuss long-term arrangements including an end to the blockade of Gaza. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed today after Israel bombed a United Nations school housing civilians. Israeli officials accuse Hamas of using the civilians as a human shield.

>>Report: Sanjay Gupta Tapped To Be Surgeon General

(Washington, DC) -- CNN and CBS News medical reporter and neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta is reportedly Barack Obama's choice to be Surgeon General. The "Washington Post" cites two Democratic sources as saying Gupta met with Obama about the post in November. Gupta previously worked in the White House in the 1990s, working on policy for former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Final vetting has reportedly begun for the position.

>>Jeb Bush Declines To Run For U.S. Senate

(Tallahassee, FL) -- Jeb Bush will not be running for the U.S. Senate in 2010. The former Florida Governor made the announcement today. Bush had considered a run to replace retiring Republican Senator Mel Martinez next year, but said this is not the right time for him to return to elected office. Former President George H. W. Bush said over the weekend he would like to see Jeb run for Senate or President one day, but added with the low approval ratings of the current President Bush, a run for the White House would not be prudent right now.

>>Brolin Bar Brawl Charges Dropped

(Shreveport, LA) -- Charges in Shreveport, Louisiana have been dropped against actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright. The pair agreed to pay 130 dollars each in court costs in exchange for the dismissal of the charges connected to a brawl while they were filming the movie "W." Five other crew members from the movie were also accused of interference. An attorney for Brolin and Wright said those charges are also being dismissed.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:54 PM

Monday, January 5th National Headlines

Bill Richardson has moved aside as President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be Commerce Secretary. The New Mexico governor says he is taking himself out of being considered by the Senate for the position because of a pending federal grand jury probe. The investigation concerns a possible "play to pay" scenario involving a company which had landed over a million dollars worth of work for New Mexico after contributing tons of money to Richardson's political action committees.

The humanitarian toll from the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is growing. With Israeli forces penetrating deeper into the strife-torn region, Palestinians are becoming more and more desperate for food and medicine. The International Committee of the Red Cross describes the situation as "chaotic and dangerous."

With John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston still coming to grips with the death of their 16-year old son, there is word that an autopsy is due to be performed today. Jett Preston had a history of seizures and he was found unconscious in a bathroom at his family's vacation home in the Bahamas Friday morning.

The children of the soon-to-be First Family have arrived for their first day of school in Washington, DC. Ten-year-old Malia and seven-year-old Sasha Obama arrived at Sidwell Friends School this morning. The Obamas will be staying at a Washington hotel until January 15th, when they will move to Blair House across the street from the White House.

Democrat Al Franken will be declared the winner of Minnesota's race for the U.S. Senate, but the matter is far from over. Franken strengthened his lead in the recount to 225 votes over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. The state's Canvassing Board will reconvene at 2:30 p.m. local time to certify Franken as the winner. Coleman is expected to challenge the result in court.

The University of Texas and Ohio State collide in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl outside of Phoenix, Arizona this evening. The Longhorns were 11 and 1 this past season and the Buckeyes were 10 and 2. The football teams have met only twice before with each squad winning a game.

Monday, January 05, 2009 7:53 AM

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