News for Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Pakistan: Gunmen kill 7 teachers, aid workers

Gunmen on motorcycles sprayed a van carrying employees from a community center with bullets Tuesday, killing five female teachers and two aid workers, but sparing a child they took out of the vehicle before opening fire.

Clinton receiving blood thinners to dissolve clot

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton continues to recover in a New York hospital where she’s being treated for a blood clot in her head.

Cliff avoided: Congress staves off tax hikes

Past its own New Year's deadline, a weary Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation to avoid a national "fiscal cliff" of middle class tax increases and spending cuts late Tuesday night in the culmination of a struggle that strained America's divided government to the limit.

Israeli-Palestinian clashes erupt in West Bank

An arrest raid by undercover Israeli soldiers disguised as vegetable vendors ignited rare clashes in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, residents said, leaving at least eight Palestinians wounded.

Afghan welcomes prisoner release

A top Afghan negotiator said Tuesday he hopes eight Taliban members freed by Pakistan will serve as peace mediators, describing Islamabad’s move as a major step forward for Kabul’s effort to enlist its neighbor’s help in negotiating an end to its 11-year war.

FSU atop Northern Illinois 7-3 at Orange Bowl

Lonnie Pryor got around the left side for a career-long 60-yard touchdown run, and No. 13 Florida State led No. 16 Northern Illinois 7-3 after the opening quarter of the Orange Bowl on Tuesday night.

Stanford holds off Wisconsin 20-14 in Rose Bowl

Although Stanford didn't score many style points in the 99th Rose Bowl, the Cardinal could celebrate because they didn't let Wisconsin score any points at all after halftime.

Chiefs’ Hunt takes on bigger role in franchise

Clark Hunt is regarded as an intensely private man, someone who prefers to operate behind the scenes and away from the spotlight that comes with owning an NFL franchise. In some ways, that’s about to change.

Hundreds ring in 2013 with icy plunge in NY waters

Hundreds of hardy swimmers rang in 2013 with a plunge into the icy sea off Brooklyn’s Coney Island, an area struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy.

Traffic snarls in first serious storm of winter

A winter storm that went from New Year’s Eve into early New Year’s Day left between 2-3 inches of snow in most parts of Central Missouri.

Fisher, players energized about Rams’ future

Jeff Fisher’s comeback was a rousing success. Coming off the worst five-year stretch in NFL history, the St. Louis Rams shattered their sad-sack image.

Lasik Surgery: Have the risks been properly communicated?

The federal government says eye care providers aren't being totally honest

One of the first things to do before opting for Lasik surgery is to determine if you’re really a candidate for the procedure, says the FDA, as the surgery isn’t the answer for all people who have vision problems.

Regular season winners don’t always make champions

The Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, who tied for the league’s best record at 13-3, are well aware of one of the NFL’s biggest truisms: more often than not, the regular season is for suckers. Over the last decade, just two of the 13 teams that had the best regular season record — or tied for the best mark — went on to win the Super Bowl: the ‘02 Buccaneers and the ‘03 Patriots.

Housing and jobs key to lifting S&P toward record

It may be a big if, but assuming Washington lawmakers can get past the "fiscal cliff," many analysts say that the outlook for stocks in 2013 is good, as a recovering housing market and an improving jobs outlook helps the economy maintain a slow, but steady recovery.

The strawberries are about to disappear from the labels of Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups

A settlement agreement reached with General Mills resolves a lawsuit

You'll soon have a hard time finding any strawberries on the labels of Strawberry Naturally Flavored Fruit Roll-Ups.

Murray's 5 TDs lift Georgia by Nebraska in Cap One

Aaron Murray threw five touchdown passes to set a Georgia bowl record, including two in the fourth quarter, as the sixth-ranked Bulldogs beat No. 23 Nebraska 45-31 in the Capital One Bowl on Tuesday.

Thompson's late TD pass decides Outback Bowl

Connor Shaw led No. 11 South Carolina to the brink of victory and Dylan Thompson carried the Gamecocks over the hump in the Outback Bowl.

Kansas City makes money using waste as fertilizer

A Kansas City farm that uses sewer sludge to fertilize crops for the production of biofuel has generated revenue for the city while providing a way to get rid of tons of sewage produced each year, city officials said.

'Cliff' bill to House, but doubts on spending cuts

The Senate-approved compromise to avert the "fiscal cliff" ran headlong into opposition from the No. 2 House Republican and other GOP lawmakers Tuesday, raising questions about how — and in what form — Congress might be able to give final approval to the measure.

No. 21 Northwestern ends drought in Gator Bowl

Behind huge interceptions early and late, No. 21 Northwestern beat Mississippi State 34-20 in the Gator Bowl on Tuesday and snapped college football's longest postseason losing streak.

Oklahoma St rolls Purdue in Heart of Dallas Bowl

Clint Chelf threw three of Oklahoma State's five touchdown passes and the Cowboys shook off a disappointing Big 12 finish by dominating Purdue 58-14 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Tuesday.

Abuse case announced in Mo. Catholic diocese

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau says it has received a credible complaint of sexual abuse against a minor that allegedly occurred in the early to mid-1960s.

Opinion: Diverting water from the Missouri River:

For years, upriver and downriver interests have argued over use of Missouri River water. Now a third option looms that could confound the issue further: diversion of water to parched Western states by way of a pipeline.

Seven small steps toward improved financial health

Even minor changes in money management can pay off big

Money can't buy happiness, they say, but effectively managing your money just might. It can help you avoid lots of headaches that make life less enjoyable.

One hospitalized after Jefferson City shooting

One person was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after a shooting incident this morning in Jefferson City. Police aren't releasing the victim's identity but say the shots were fired in the 800 block of Stadium.

Education on agenda for Mo. legislative session

Teacher evaluations, accountability and tenure could be on the docket when Republicans take control of the Missouri Legislature.

Minimum wage gap grows wider between states

With a bump in the Washington state minimum wage to $9.19 an hour, high school student Miranda Olson will edge closer to her goal of buying the black Volkswagen Beetle she's been researching online. Along with Washington and Rhode Island, the changes will occur in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon and Vermont.

US, Europe hope the new year brings better times

From the glittering New Year's ball dropping in Times Square to joyous fireworks in London and cheers in a once-isolated Asian country, the world did its best to ring in 2013 with hope for renewal after a year of economic uncertainty, searing violence and natural disasters.

Poster contest open to fifth-graders

The Missouri Highway Patrol is participating in the National Missing Children’s Day poster contest open to all Missouri fifth-grade students. Participating students will create 11-by-14-inch posters that reflect the theme “Bring Our Missing Children Home.”

City offers tree recycling

As a free public service, Jefferson City’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will dispose of all unflocked, undecorated Christmas trees brought to the Vivion Field parking lot at Washington Park by Jan. 31.

Top business story in '12: Sluggish global economy

The achingly slow global economic recovery was chosen as the top business story of the year by business editors at The Associated Press. The U.S. presidential election came in second, followed by the Supreme Court's upholding Obama's health-care plan.

Murder-suicide suspected in deaths of couple

Authorities believe a rural northeast Missouri man shot and killed his wife, then turned the gun on himself.

Missouri Democratic senator appointed to Tax Commission

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has named departing Senate Democratic leader Victor Callahan to the State Tax Commission.

Centertown man wins lottery prize

Chet Strope, Centertown, is $10,000 richer after winning the Missouri Lottery’s Cash Spectacular game. Strope planned to purchase a “showpiece rifle” and make the holiday special for his wife.

Chiefs' Crennel among 7 NFL coaches sacked in firing frenzy

Seven NFL coaches and five general managers were fired Monday in a flurry of pink slips that were delivered the day after the regular-season ended.

Baby names predictions for 2013

This could be tricky given what's gone before

As parents strive for that distinctive name, a social baby naming Website is predicting some, shall we say, interesting New Year's trends. The site collects real-time data on what names parents are selecting from around the globe.

Chiefs with first pick in April's draft, Jags next

The Kansas City Chiefs own the No. 1 pick in next April's draft, with the rest of the order set for non-playoff teams.

Veteran Chiefs lineman Lilja announces retirement

Veteran offensive lineman Ryan Lilja, who helped block for Peyton Manning during the Colts' Super Bowl-winning 2006 season, announced his retirement Monday.

Free fly fishing class offered

Capital City Fly Fishers are holding a free class to teach fly fishing techniques at 6 p.m. each Thursday evening beginning Jan. 3 until March 14 at the banquet room at Hy-Vee in Jefferson City.

Will retailers rebound after weak holiday season?

As signs emerge that holiday sales this year grew at the weakest pace since 2008, investors are dumping retail stocks. Analysts are crowing about the missing "consumer engine" without which the economy may stagnate.

Former AL MVP Tejada says he has deal with Royals

Former AL MVP Miguel Tejada has reached a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals and says he is ready to return to the majors.

Trains carrying more oil across US amid boom

Energy companies behind the oil boom on the Northern Plains are increasingly turning to an industrial-age workhorse — the locomotive — to move their crude to refineries across the U.S., as plans for new pipelines stall and existing lines can't keep up with demand.

KC police investigate 3 homicides in 2 days

Kansas City police are investigating the city's third shooting death in two days.

St. Louis woman charged with killing baby

Prosecutors in St. Louis have re-filed murder charges against a woman whose 3-month-old son died seven years ago.

Book review: Couple offers 'Family Inc.' advice

"Family Inc." (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin), by Caitlin and Andrew Friedman

In "Family Inc.," Caitlin and Andrew Friedman, professionals who have been married for over 10 years and are the parents of two children, argue that taking the office home with you will benefit your family life.

2013 might be a good year to buy a car

Expiring leases may flood the used car market

If you've been wondering how many more miles you have in the car you're driving, the time may be at hand to make a change. Chances are you can get a pretty good deal on either a new or late-model used car.

Monday's College Football Bowl Capsules

Games played Dec. 31, 2012

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL ROUNDUP: Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 14 Clemson a wild 25-24 win over No. 9 Louisiana State in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Monday night.

Same-sex marriage ceremonies begin in Maryland

Same-sex couples in Maryland were greeted with cheers and noisemakers held over from New Year's Eve parties, as gay marriage became legal in the first state south of the Mason-Dixon Line on New Year's Day.

Poplar Bluff police seek man in 2 sexual assaults

Police in the southeast Missouri town of Poplar Bluff are searching for a man suspected in two sexual assaults.

Monday's Top 25 College Women's Basketball Capsules

TOP 25 COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 19 points and No. 1 Connecticut celebrated its return to the top of the rankings with a 95-51 victory against Oregon on Monday.

Monday's Top 25 College Men's Basketball Capsules

Games played Dec. 31, 2012

TOP 25 COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Michael Carter-Williams scored a career-high 18 points and added 13 assists, and No. 7 Syracuse beat Central Connecticut State 96-62 on Monday to give coach Jim Boeheim his 902nd career win.

NHL lockout: Union makes proposal, talks Tuesday

The NHL and the players' association will start the new year right where they ended the old one — at the bargaining table.

Monday's NBA Capsules

Games played Dec. 31, 2012

NBA ROUNDUP: LeBron James had 36 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and Chris Bosh scored 22 points to help the Miami Heat slip past the Orlando Magic 112-110 in overtime Monday.

A surprisingly good vintage as market logs gains

If you'd told investors what was going to happen in 2012 — U.S. economic growth at stall speed, an intensifying European debt crisis, a slowdown in China, fiscal deadlock in Washington, decelerating corporate earnings growth — and asked how the stock market would perform, few would have predicted a good year.