Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
- HOW THE COVER FOR AN NYPD SPYING OPERATION WAS BLOWN – When the superintendent at an apartment complex in New Jersey stumbled on one of the New York Police Department’s biggest secrets, he promptly called 911. The audio tape is something the NYPD hoped you’d never hear.
- MANY RUSH TO ARM THEMSELVES – In the wake of the movie theater massacre in Colorado, weapons sellers report a spike in sales.
- AN HONORED NAME NO LONGER – Organizations far and wide are distancing themselves from the late Joe Paterno, removing his name or image from awards, murals, even a hoagie shop.
- WALL STREET BRACES FOR ANOTHER DOWN DAY – The Dow suffered its third triple-digit point loss in a row. Then Apple reported its smallest increases in revenue and income in years — raising concern that Wednesday will be another brutal trading day.
- A (SYMBOLIC) SHOWDOWN ON TAXING THE WELL-OFF – The Senate votes at 2:15 p.m. on a $250 billion Democratic bill that would extend expiring tax cuts next year for all but the highest earners. Democrats don’t have the votes to advance the proposal.
- IN AFRICA, MAJOR NEW AIDS RESEARCH- Giving women a way to protect themselves when their sexual partners won’t use a condom is crucial for battling the AIDS epidemic. A special kind of vaginal ring might be the answer.
- A CHALLENGE TO UTAH’S BAN ON PLURAL MARRIAGE- A polygamous family, featured on the TLC show “Sister Wives,” is suing Utah and the county the family fled from, hoping to persuade a federal judge to overturn the state’s bigamy law as unconstitutional.
- WHY INDIAN COUNTRY IS BUZZING ABOUT A DISNEY BLOCKBUSTER- Johnny Depp will play faithful sidekick Tonto in the upcoming “Lone Ranger” movie. Native Americans are taking it personally.
- SHERMAN HEMSLEY, AKA GEORGE JEFFERSON, DIES AT 74- The gifted character actor starred on “The Jeffersons,” one of TV’s longest running and most successful sitcoms — particularly noteworthy with its mostly black cast. Read his obituary here.
- AMERICANS RAIN ON SPAIN – In an exhibition, the U.S. men’s basketball team throttles Spain, 100-78. It was a rematch of the gold-medal game from four years ago — and a possible preview of the next one.
