Good morning. Here are some of the stories we're following today:
1. NBC Poll: Clinton Would Beat Trump, But Not Rubio or Carson
Hillary Clinton is leading the Democratic primary field by nearly 20 points, but would lose to Marco Rubio or Ben Carson in a hypothetical head-to-head general election matchup, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds. Still, Clinton would defeat Ted Cruz and trounce Donald Trump, the poll showed. Read more in POLITICS.
2. More Than 550 Kids Killed by Guns Since Sandy Hook Massacre
In the three years since Adam Lanza stormed into the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, and shot dead 20 children and six staff members, at least 554 children under the age of 12 have been killed by gun violence. That figure, derived from news reports and other publicly available information, is likely significantly lower than the true number of child gun deaths. Read more in NEWS.
3. It's Toasty: Record-Breaking Warmth Blankets Country
Arctic air that has been locked up in Canada isn't budging, making for record-high temperatures from the South through the Plains and into the Northeast. Preliminary data show that at least 574 record daily highs were tied or broken across the U.S. during the first 10 days of December, and the trend continued over the weekend. Read more in WEATHER.
4. Egypt: No Evidence of Terrorism in Russian Jet Crash
Investigators in Egypt have not found any evidence that the crash of a Russian passenger jet on Oct. 31 was an act of terrorism, the country’s chief investigator said Monday. Russia believes an explosive device was placed aboard the Airbus 321, based on information from its intelligence services, and the local branch of ISIS has claimed responsibility. Read more in NEWS.
5. Hundreds of Thousands Flee as Typhoon Slams Philippines
Typhoon Melor slammed into the eastern Philippines on Monday, sending about 725,000 people fleeing from their homes. The government's weather bureau said the typhoon was packing winds of 95 mph, and coastal flooding could hit 13 feet. Read more in WEATHER.
6. GOP Debate Lineup Announced. Who Made the Cut?
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gained spot back on the main stage in the next Republican presidential debate, while Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul hung on with a last-minute poll performance, CNN announced. Front-runner Donald Trump will once again take center stage during the main debate, with four candidates on either side of him. Read more in POLITICS.
7. Man Fatally Shot by L.A. Deputies Was Acting 'Erratically'
A 28-year-old man who was shot dead by Los Angeles sheriff's deputies Saturday had fired a handgun into the air in a neighborhood and minutes later, wouldn't put down the gun when deputies approached him, police said Sunday after protests. The two sheriff's deputies fired a total of 33 rounds at Nicholas Robertson. Read more in NEWS.
Nightly Spotlight: Newtown Victims Honored With 26 Days of Kindness
A Connecticut school honors the 20 children and six adults who were killed in the Sandy Hook massacre with 26 days of kindness each year.