Treasury Imposes Sanctions Against the Government of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea  —  Action Targets the Government of North Korea in Response to Recent Provocations  —  WASHINGTON - In response to the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's numerous provocations …

Republicans in state governments plan juggernaut of conservative legislation  —  Legislators in the 24 states where Republicans now hold total control plan to push a series of aggressive policy initiatives in the coming year aimed at limiting the power of the federal government and rekindling the culture wars.

Kentucky Man Helps ‘Brave’ Girl Who Survived Plane Crash  —  Shaking and upset, a 7-year-old girl who survived a plane crash in southwestern Kentucky that killed her parents, sister, and cousin found herself on the doorstep of Larry Wilkins's home.  —  “When I answered the door, there was a bloody girl,” said Wilkins.

GOP focus for Congress: Cut deficit, don't stumble  —  Associated Press 1 hr ago  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — In the first Republican-dominated Congress to confront President Barack Obama, GOP leaders will focus on bolstering the economy and cutting the budget — and oh yes …

U.S. Attorney's Office Will Not Pursue Charges Against John W. Hinckley, Jr. for Death of James Brady  —  Legal Barriers Cited in Decision  —  WASHINGTON - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia announced today that it will not pursue criminal charges against John W. Hinckley …

Conway man faces sex assault charges over incident with nephew's girlfriend  —  A Conway man is in jail facing sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in which he allegedly assaulted his nephew's girlfriend.  —  William L. Mattson, 52, of Conway, was arrested by Conway police …

Hamas condemns alleged shooting of Gazan by Egyptian guards  —  Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Militant group Hamas on Saturday condemned the fatal shooting by Egyptian border guards of what they said was a Palestinian minor on the Gaza border.  —  “We condemn the killing …

Teacher evaluation: going from bad to worse?  —  John King recently resigned as New York state's education commissioner after a tumultuous tenure in which he helped create and implement a controversial education evaluation system and rushed the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and aligned testing.

New diet guidelines might reflect environment cost  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — For years, the government has been issuing guidelines about healthy eating choices.  Now, a panel that advises the Agriculture Department is ready to recommend that you be told not only what foods are better for your own health, but for the environment as well.

An “Obama Unbound” effect - or Viva Obama?  —  Since mid-December, President Obama's net approve/disapprove numbers have shot up.  This graph shows the median of the last 21 days of polling.  The current level, a net disapproval of only 2%, reflects six pollsters (Gallup, Rasmussen, CNN, ARG, YouGov/Economist, and ABC/Post).

Anti-Police Protesters Release List Of ‘Demands’  —  There have been marches in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere demanding “justice” of some sort — or else there would be no “peace.”  They've been invited to meet with President Barack Obama in the White House …

Snowmachiner says he and buddies dug moose out of avalanche in Hatcher Pass  —  A moose caught in an avalanche in Hatcher Pass may have three passing snowmachiners to thank for making it into the new year.  —  The men dug the moose — a young cow, they think — out of the snow …

Harry Reid discharged from hospital after breaking ribs, facial bones in exercise accident  —  This item has been updated.  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has been discharged from a Las Vegas hospital after suffering injuries in an exercise-related accident.

Inside a Chinese Test-Prep Factory … Credit: Sim Chi Yin/VII, for The New York Times  —  The main street of Maotanchang, a secluded town in the furrowed hills of eastern China's Anhui province, was nearly deserted.  A man dozed on a motorized rickshaw, while two old women with hoes shuffled toward the rice paddies outside town.

How Low Income New Yorkers Are Benefiting From The NYPD's Work Stoppage  —  From right, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton smile in conversation during a New York Police Academy graduation ceremony, Monday Dec. 29, 2014.  —  CREDIT: AP Photo/John Minchillo