>>Russians Hack Vermont Utility
(Burlington, VT) — U.S. officials say a code associated with Russian hackers has been detected in a Vermont utility system. Officials told the “Washington Post” that the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations, but the discovery underscores vulnerabilities in the nation’s electrical grid. A statement from Burlington Electric says the company detected the malware code in a laptop not connected to the company’s grid systems. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said the incident highlights the urgent need for the federal government to “vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling.”
>>Judge Blocks Law That Strips Power From NC Governor
(Raleigh, NC) — A judge is blocking a North Carolina law that removes power from the state’s incoming Democratic governor. North Carolina’s Republican Assembly passed the law after Roy Cooper’s narrow victory over Republican Governor Pat McCrory. It removes control of the State Board of Elections from the Governor and gives it to the Assembly. Cooper says the law is unconstitutional. The law was to go into effect this weekend. A temporary injunction is now in place and another hearing on the matter is set for next week.
>>Retrial Set For Former South Carolina Cop In Walter Scott Shooting
(Charleston, SC) — A former South Carolina police officer charged with killing an unarmed black man will go on trial again this spring. A state judge set March 1st as the retrial date for Michael Slager in the 2015 shooting death of Walter Scott. The original case ended in a mistrial after a jury deadlocked earlier this month. The former North Charleston cop is charged with murder for shooting the 50-year-old Scott after a traffic stop. Cellphone video shows Scott being shot in the back as he ran away.
>>Nunes Stuns Rousey, Retains Title
(Las Vegas, NV) — Ronda Rousey’s return to the ring is over in less than a minute. Amanda Nunes scored a technical knockout 48 seconds into their bantamweight title fight from Las Vegas. Rousey was pounded with vicious blows to the head until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight. Nunes retains the title and improves her record to 14-and-4. Rousey is now 12-and-2 with two straight losses.
>>CFP Semifinals Kick Off Today
(Undated) — The College Football Playoff semifinals get going today. Top-ranked Alabama battles number-four Washington in the Peach Bowl from Atlanta, with the kick-off coming at 3 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Second-ranked Clemson clashes with number-three Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona at 7 p.m. Eastern, also on ESPN. The winners will meet in the CFP National Championship Game on January 9th in Tampa, Florida.
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John Abrahamsen
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