Bill de Blasio sworn in as 109th mayor of NYC.

Bill de Blasio, right, is sworn in as the mayor of New York City by State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, left, while his family, Chiara de Blasio, second from left, Dante de Blasio, center, and Chirlane McCray look on at the start of the new year, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 in New York.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/12/31/3399474/bill-de-blasio-sworn-in-as-109th.html

As Colo. legalizes pot, hopes soar in other states

New Year's Day is a shining moment for those who've shouted Free the Weed in Colorado.

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/usatoday/article/4274281

Duggan to take bankrupt Detroit's oath of office

Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the 109th mayor of New York City on Wednesday, becoming the first Democrat to occupy City Hall in more than two decades while vowing to pursue a sweeping liberal agenda for the... Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the 109th mayor of New York City on Wednesday, becoming the first Democrat to occupy City Hall in more than ... (more)

http://www.whbf.com/story/24340132/duggan-to-take-bankrupt-detroits-oath-of-office

Energy, politics are longtime cronies

Marc Brown's Dec. 18 My View contribution criticizing subsidies for Cape Wind made at least one claim that bears so little connection with the real world of energy policy that it cannot pass without criticism.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140101/OPINION/401010337/-1/rss50

De Blasio sworn in as New York mayor

New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has been sworn in to the position held by Michael Bloomberg for the past 12 years.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/01/de-blasio-sworn-as-new-york-mayor-20141152340837223.html

Failed marriage a minus as legislator reflects on Capitol years

GRETEL DAUGHERTY/Daily Sentinel file photo - Steve King decided to run for Mesa County sheriff rather than for re-election to the Colorado Senate.

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/failed-marriage-a-minus-as-legislator-reflects-on

Brooks, medical pot big news in 2013

Published Caption: NEVADA APPEAL/Jim Grant Supervisor Jim Shirk takes the oath of office on Monday as his wife Michele looks on.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/5500893-113/carson-nevada-state-monday

'20 Feet' singers to step into Rose Bowl spotlight

Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the 109th mayor of New York City on Wednesday, becoming the first Democrat to occupy City Hall in more than two decades while vowing to pursue a sweeping liberal agenda for the... Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the 109th mayor of New York City on Wednesday, becoming the first Democrat to occupy City Hall in more than ... (more)

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/24340107/20-feet-singers-to-step-into-rose-bowl-spotlight

The Progressive Agenda Crashes into Complexity

There's some irony in the fact that ObamaCare is hitting the wall at the precise moment that the incandescent bulb is being yanked off the market by government fiat -- but not as much as you might think.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/01/the_progressive_agenda_crashes_into_complexity.html

Paul Giorgio: The Biggest Political Winners and Losers in 2013

The big winner was Karen Polito who muscled her way on as Charlie Bakers running mate.

http://www.golocalworcester.com/politics/paul-giorgio-the-biggest-political-winners-and-losers-in-2013/

New York's new mayor sworn in

The first Democrat in more than two decades has been sworn in as the new mayor of New York City.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25565892#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Fritz won't seek another term to City Council

PORTLAND, Ore. Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz says she won't run for re-election.

http://www.katu.com/politics/Fritz-not-rerunning-for-city-council-238315771.html

Opinion Line Extra

The only way a person who is in the military service can be called a hero is if they do something beyond the call of duty, not just serving in the military.

http://www.kansas.com/2014/01/01/3205213/opinion-line-extra-jan-1.html

Confessions of a Romney Baby Bully

The right is fuming over a joke I made on MSNBC about the family and the GOP's lack of racial diversity.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/31/confessions-of-a-romney-baby-bully.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29

Biz Break: iPhones, iPads banned; Cloud-software acquisition battle returns

Today: Apple loses patent battle with Samsung, iPhones and iPads face import ban; Salesforce and IBM reignite software titans' cloud-acquisition war with big deals; and Wall Street breaks its streak of winning Tuesdays as tech stocks struggle.

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23388153/biz-break-iphones-ipads-banned-cloud-software-acquisition?source=rss

Bill de Blasio sworn in as 109th mayor of NYC.visit|article-5106017|mobile_home_category_body-1688|2

Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the 109th mayor of New York City on Wednesday, becoming the first Democrat to occupy City Hall in more than two decades while vowing to pursue a sweeping liberal agenda for the nation's largest city.

http://m.newstimes.com/news/us/article/Bill-de-Blasio-sworn-in-as-109th-mayor-of-NYC-5106017.php

Governors of Iowa, Louisiana make Outback wager

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal have made a friendly wager over who wins the Outback Bowl.

http://www.kwqc.com/story/24338638/governors-of-iowa-louisiana-make-outback-wager

FDACS outlines $26 million water initiative

Ever since he took the reins of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services , Agriculture Commissioner Adam H. Putnam has stressed the critical importance of water management and conservation - and supported his commitment with resources.

http://highlandstoday.com/list/highlands-agri-leader-news/fdacs-outlines-26-million-water-initiative-20140101/

Obama Rings In New Year In Low-Key Fashion

President Barack Obama closed out 2013 in low-key fashion Tuesday, hitting the beach with his family at a popular Hawaii snorkeling spot before making a stop for shave ice, a favorite treat of the island-born president.

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/01/01/obama-rings-in-new-year-in-low-key-fashion/

Commission concerned about flood insurance hikes

The Brooke County Commission is hoping federal lawmakers can prevent a new law from raising flood insurance premiums for residents far above what they can afford.

http://weirtondailytimes.com/page/content.detail/id/608240/Commission-concerned-about-flood-insurance-hikes.html?nav=5006

Transit users suffer a cut in US tax benefit today

A tax benefit for people who take public transportation is set to shrink Wednesday, a casualty of congressional inaction and a move that some transportation advocates fear will encourage driving instead of mass transit.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/01/01/tax-benefit-for-commuter-rail-riders-set-expire/Tj9TjvY4UrP1zDMLvfMxUK/story.html

Xinhua: U.S. oil boom most under reported in 2013

China's official news agency says the U.S. shale oil boom that will make it the world's top oil producer by next year was the most under reported story of 2013.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2014/01/01/Xinhua-US-oil-boom-most-under-reported-in-2013/UPI-18601388557583/

A salute to 2013's departed

Before entering a South African prison in 1964, Nelson Mandela stood up in court and reaffirmed his faith in democracy and liberty for all.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2014/01/01/notables-who-died/nJVCuSgG8QT7KuCYV66CXK/story.html

Newberry seeking 3rd term

McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry discusses an item on the agenda while commissioner Jerry Beyer looks on during the December Fiscal Court meeting.

http://www.paducahsun.com/news/local/010114_PS_Newberry-Folo_1A

Illinois boy, US senator inspire stroke victims

Jackson Cunningham lurches across the gym during a recess game, racing a fellow sixth-grader toward a doorstop tossed onto the floor.

http://www.paducahsun.com/news/kentucky/010114_PS_Illinois-Senator-Pen-Pal_3A_MUST-PROMO

Rising income inequality hitting home

Rising income inequality is starting to hit home for many American households as they run short of places to reach for a few extra bucks.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Options-dry-up-for-those-on-wrong-side-of-income-5102901.php

Michigan Congressman reacts to "New York Times" Benghazi story

Congressman Mike Rogers of Brighton has some problems with a "New York Times" article that claims al-Qaeda wasn't involved in the attack on the American Consulate compound in Benghazi.

http://wincountry.com/news/articles/2013/dec/31/michigan-congressman-reacts-to-new-york-times-benghazi-story/

Dems, GOP seek to define issue for 2014 elections

In a competitive district east of Denver, Democrat Andrew Romanoff is counting on voter anger at a divided and ineffectual Congress to help him unseat three-term Republican Rep. Mike Coffman.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/238202691.html

The end of illusions

This past year marked the end of illusions. From illusions of independence to illusions of international friendship to those about the unchangeable nature of politics, 2013 provided India with a stiff and salutary dose of reality.

http://www.sify.com/news/2013-the-end-of-illusions-news-columns-nm5dSggcbaj.html

Ted Cruz to chuck Canadian citizenship

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says he's ditching his Canadian citizenship in the latest indication he's preparing a run for president.

http://nypost.com/2013/12/31/ted-cruz-to-chuck-canadian-citizenship/