Good morning. Here are some of the stories we're following today:
1. Dangerous Weather Wallops Central U.S. Repeatedly
More than 20 people were killed across three states in wicked weather — including tornadoes, blizzards and heavy rain — that bared down on the country's middle section over the weekend. Texas, southeast New Mexico and the Oklahoma panhandle can expect more dangerous conditions through Tuesday. Read more in WEATHER.
2. Loved Ones of 2 Fatally Shot by Chicago Police Demand Answers
Friends and family of the two people shot and killed by a Chicago police officer joined local officials in calling for answers and reform on Sunday. The shooting deaths of Quintonio LeGrier, 19, and his downstairs neighbor, Bettie Jones — who police say was shot accidentally — are under investigation, Chicago cops said. Read more in NEWS.
3. Did You Have a Good Year? Answer Might Depend on Your Politics
Just 2 percent of Republicans said that 2015 was a positive year for America, compared to 24 percent of Democrats who said the same. In fact, about 30 percent of Republicans called 2015 "one of the worst years" for the United States. Read more in NEWS.
4. Japan, South Korea Reach Historic Deal on 'Comfort Women'
The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan have reached a deal resolving decades-long dissension over Korean women forced into Japanese military-run brothels during World War II. The deal included an apology from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a 1 billion yen ($8.3 million) aid fund from Tokyo for the elderly former sex slaves. Read more in NEWS.
5. Brawl Involving Up to 2,000 People Shuts Down Mall
Up to 2,000 teenagers and young adults brawled in Kentucky's Mall St. Matthews Saturday, forcing officials to shut down the mall. Police don't believe the chain-reaction violence was pre-planned and said they had never seen anything like it. "This was a riot," said Dennis McDonald, a St. Matthews police spokesman. "It was crazy." Read more in NEWS.
6. Taliban Suicide Bomb Near Kabul Airport Kills Civilian
A Taliban suicide bomber killed at least one person and wounded 13 in an attack on a road near a school close to Kabul airport, officials said Monday, barely two weeks after a major Taliban assault in the city. Read more in NEWS.
7. Boat Thieves Lead Coast Guard on 345-Mile Chase
Three suspected boat thieves led the Coast Guard on a 345-mile high-speed chase lasting nearly 20 hours before they were eventually captured off Mexico, officials in Florida said Sunday. "It was like something out of a James Bond or Mission Impossible movie," Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott told the Fort Myers News-Press. Read more in NEWS.
Nightly Spotlight: Want a Stronger Immune System? Try Hitting the Gym
Studies suggest that exercise strengthens immune cells, improving their response to bacterial and viral infections, and making them better at recognizing and killing cancer cells.
