Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. NEWLY FREED CUBAN WHO SPIED FOR US PORTRAYED AS VITAL ASSET
Before he was caught and jailed, his information was so good, officials say, that it helped American authorities ferret out a number of Cuban spies in the U.S.
2. WHY CASE AGAINST NORTH KOREA IN SONY HACKING ISN’T AIRTIGHT
Experts caution that hackers notoriously employ disinformation to throw investigators off their tracks.
3. DOW MAINTAINS UPWARD MOMENTUM
The index soars more than 420 points, its second straight triple-digit gain.
4. BOSTON BOMBING SUSPECT IN COURT FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2013
Tensions run high outside, with one bombing victim confronting protesters holding signs supporting Dzhokhar Tsarnaev .
5. WHO’S SUING COLORADO OVER ITS MARIJUANA LAW
Nebraska and Oklahoma allege that pot is being brought from Colorado into the neighboring states.
6. STEPHEN COLBERT RETIRES HIS ‘REPORT’
His next step: playing himself as the new host of CBS’ “Late Show” replacing David Letterman, who exits next May.
7. WHAT WHITE HOUSE IS LACKING
A security review done after a man with a knife stormed the building concludes that better fencing is needed.
8. IRS WARNS OF WAITS FOR TAX REFUNDS
The head of the agency says budget cuts could delay people’s refunds next year.
9. VETERAN AP COURTS REPORTER CALLS IT A CAREER
Over 48 years, Linda Deutsch covered the cases of Charles Manson, O.J. Simpson and countless others, both famous and infamous.
10. GET SET TO BE BOWLED OVER
Over the next three weeks, 38 college football bowl games and a national championship game will be played from Boise to the Bahamas.