State

• Chicago fire kills 3 children; 1 sibling rescued

• Ill. panel to grill Burris on Senate appointment

• Democrats misstepped in handling Burris matter

  • Fact check: Senate rule fuzzy on seating Burris

  • Ill. sec. of state feels the heat in Burris flap

  • Congressional Black Caucus wants Burris seated

• Report: Schools spent $67K on cappuccino machines

National

• Fla. couple share tale of accidental trip to Cuba

• Fatal Calif. train station shooting sparks anger

• Firefighters battle wildfire near Denver

• Tax compliance costly for individuals, businesses

• Extreme Alaska cold grounds planes, disables cars

• His US sentence served, Noriega fights extradition

International

• Attack on Israel from Lebanon threatens 2nd front

• US to head anti-pirate patrols off Somalia

• Ukrainian, Russian gas companies hold talks

• Police: Roadside bombs kill 6 Iraqi soldiers

Politics

• Obama warns of dire consequences without stimulus

• Obama, security aides, still debating BlackBerry

• Congress meets to count electoral votes

ODD & Extraordinary

• Seal turns hatchery into all-you-can-eat buffet

• Weighty load: Police say man steals $800 in change

• Angry smoker accused of burning 'no smoking' sign

• Pa. man opens neighbor's door with chain saw

• Police: Woman tries to firebomb neighbor's house

• N.Y. man demands estranged wife pay him for kidney

• Woman being arrested accused of faking birth pains

Science, Technology & Environment

• More species invasions feared for Great Lakes

• How big Jurassic flying reptiles got off ground

• Study: Black holes seem to form before galaxies

Entertainment, Entertainers, Media & Arts

• 'Dark Knight' sweeps People's Choice Awards

• Lautner back as Jacob Black in 'Twilight' sequel

• Private funeral set for Travolta's son in Fla.

Today

• This day in history

• The nation's weather