The Gavel: A federal judge in Oklahoma has struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, but hold the wedding bells. The judge set aside his own order to give the state a chance to appeal. The decision was not greeted warmly in a state known as the “Buckle of the Bible Belt.”

>A federal judge struck down the FCC’s policy of “net neutrality” that requires Internet service providers to treat all traffic equally. Under the rules ISPs were not allowed to favor business partners or websites that pay a fee for speedier service.

>The $760 million settlement between the NFL and retired football players who sustained brain damage from concussions, was set aside by a federal judge who said it wasn’t enough. More than 4,500 players were plaintiffs, but as many as 20,000 could qualify for payments. The players contend that the league did not deal properly with the risk of concussions.  

Cyber Spying: The NY Times reports that the NSA has planted software in 100,000 computers around the world allowing the agency to spy on those machines and open the door for a cyber attack, if necessary. The paper says the NSA has even devised a way to enter computers not hooked up to the Internet by using surreptitiously implanted circuit boards and USB cards that transmit radio waves. Among the targets of the program, the Chinese army’s hacking center, the Russian Military, and Mexican police and drug cartels.

Garden State: Apologizing again for the debacle over closing entry lanes to the George Washington Bridge, Gov. Chris Christie in his State of the State address resorted to the political passive-voice, “Mistakes were made.” Actually, some people may have committed crimes. But Christie also said, “I am the governor and I am ultimately responsible for all that happens on my watch — both good and bad.” Christie is trying to put the bridge scandal behind him, but with investigations just beginning, the odor will linger.

Nation: A 12-year-old boy seriously wounded two students with a shotgun at a Roswell, New Mexico middle school before a staff member convinced him to put down the gun. An 11-year-old boy was in critical condition shot in the face and a 12-year-old girl was listed as serious with a wounded shoulder.  

Scandale: French President Francois Hollande told reporters he needs a month to figure out who is the First Lady of France. Hollande intended to talk about the economy at his traditional New Year’s press conference, but reporters wanted the lowdown on his love life instead. Hollande’s official girlfriend, and unofficial First Lady, is in the hospital with unspecified ailments since the disclosure that the president has something going on the side. His girlfriend, or mistress, or whatever you call it in France when a man’s got deux, is a prominent actress. Hollande refused to answer prying questions saying, “Private matters should be dealt with privately.” Hollande is scheduled to visit the US Feb. 11, mais, nous ne savons pas où la femme sera avec lui.

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