memeorandum: California officials issue caramel apple warning (Associated Press)

Bill Barrow / Associated Press:

Can GOP shatter ‘Obama coalition’ in 2016? — ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans crowed in 2004 that freshly re-elected President George W. Bush had established a “permanent governing majority” for the GOP. Eight years later, Democrats were touting the enduring power of the “Obama coalition” to keep their party in the White House.

Obama 's Christmas in Hawaii: Carols, relax on the beach — KAILUA, Hawaii (AP) — President Barack Obama celebrated Christmas in Hawaii by singing carols at home before spending the afternoon on the beach. — Obama, his wife and two daughters pulled up midday in their motorcade …

Associated Press:

Spokesman: George H.W. Bush remains in hospital — HOUSTON (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush remains in a Houston hospital on Christmas Day after experiencing shortness of breath two days ago. — Family spokesman Jim McGrath said Thursday that the 90-year-old Bush remained at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Associated Press:

Man shot with stun gun dies at border crossing — SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego police say a 40-year-old man died after a border inspector shot him with a stun gun at the nation's busiest crossing. — Police said Thursday that the man jumped over a counter and attacked an inspector …

Discussion: Slantpoint

Associated Press:

Lawmakers promise to help strapped oil-patch towns — BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Relief could be on the horizon for strapped public services in the Northern Plains' booming oil patch, as elected leaders in Montana and North Dakota move to steer more money into the region during the states' upcoming legislative sessions.

New York Post:

Passenger tossed after flipping out over staff's ‘Merry Christmas’ — Bah, humbug! — A passenger was tossed off a plane at La Guardia Airport on Tuesday after flipping out — because airline workers wished him a merry Christmas. — The man was waiting to board American Airlines Flight 1140 …

Discussion: Mediaite, Gawker, TPNN, Slantpoint, Vox Popoli, Truth Revolt, Liberty Unyielding, Mashable and Gothamist

Joseph Tanfani / Los Angeles Times:

Jeb Bush, eyeing presidency, quits firm that's profited from Obamacare — When Jeb Bush completed two terms as governor of Florida in 2007, he reported his net worth was $1.3 million, about $700,000 less than when he took office. — Today, nearly eight years later, he is a wealthy man.

Michael Grunwald / Politico:

Jeb Bush leaving health-care company — Jeb Bush is stepping down from the board of a health care company that has reportedly profited from Obamacare, a move that comes as the Republican explores a run for the presidency. — The former Florida governor's resignation from the board …

New York Post:

JetBlue offering police free flights to slain NYPD cops' funerals — Police officers watch over a makeshift memorial in remembrance of the two NYPD cops who were slain over the weekend. — JetBlue airlines said Wednesday it will be offering free flights to police officers from around …

Discussion: Gothamist, Truth Revolt, The Gateway Pundit, TheBlaze.com and TPNN

Discussion: New York's PIX11 and The Gateway Pundit

David Lerman / Bloomberg:

U.S. Spy Agency Reports Improper Surveillance of Americans — The National Security Agency today released reports on intelligence collection that may have violated the law or U.S. policy over more than a decade, including unauthorized surveillance of Americans' overseas communications.

Discussion: The Verge, Balloon Juice, TPNN and Mashable

Anne Gearan / Washington Post:

Hillary Clinton looks to shore up support on the left — Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic front-runner for president, is working hard to shore up support among liberals in hopes of tamping down a serious challenge from the left in the battle for the 2016 nomination.

Discussion: NewsMax.com

Gabrielle Bluestone / Gawker:

Alleged Hacker Threatens Albuquerque Residents: “i love you isis” — Employees at the Albuquerque Journal are still trying to figure out how ISIS propaganda threatening local residents got posted on the paper's website Thursday. — The paper's top online story, a piece on a 1971 police shooting …

Discussion: Mediaite and Slantpoint