Jersey Shore: Federal examiners are looking into whether Gov. Chris Christie’s administration improperly used a portion of $25 million given the state to promote tourism following Hurricane Sandy. The winning bid of $4.7 million for an advertising campaign was $2 million more than the nearest bid. The winning campaign features Christie and his family.

A Trillion Here: House and Senate negotiators agreed on a $1.1 trillion spending bill that will keep the government running through September. Rather than risk another unpopular shutdown, Republicans gave up on efforts to eliminate Obamacare and restrict the EPA’s ability to reduce greenhouse gases and protect clean water.

Batter Up: Documents filed in federal court yesterday reveal the drug regimen of suspended Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez. He drank what were described as “energy” cocktails and “therapy” cocktails while using various creams, including testosterone “as needed”. The drug report was part of an arbiter’s decision to suspend Rodriguez for a season. Swinging for the fence, A-Rod’s lawyers filed in federal court to block the suspension. It would be unusual for a judge to interfere in a decision reached by mutually agreed arbitration.

Nation: Americans signing up for Obamacare are older and less healthy than underwriters had hoped to hold down insurance rates. Only 24 percent of the people who bought health insurance are 18-34 years old. Obamacare policies could be more expensive next year if more young people don’t sign up.

>A Florida man was shot to death in a movie theater yesterday during the previews after refusing repeated requests by another patron to stop texting on his cellphone. The victim was shot dead in front of his wife. The accused shooter is a retired Tampa police captain.

World: Two hundred people, mostly women and children fleeing the war in South Sudan, drowned when their boat sank crossing the Nile River. Refugees have been building enormous plywood pirogues to make the crossing.

>Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (Yes, it’s true) confirms he’s signed a law making it a crime in his country to enter a same-sex union or marriage, and even to show same-sex affection in public. The penalties: Gay marriage, 14 years, PDA, 10 years. Actual same-sex sex is already illegal in Nigeria. The new law also makes it a crime to join a gay rights advocacy group.

You Gotta Have Art: Philanthropic groups have pledged a pool of $330 million to save the collection at the Detroit Institute of Art from the auction block. The money would go to the city’s pension fund, relieving the museum of its obligation to help make up a deficit that led to the city’s bankruptcy. Creditors had said the museum’s collection was not a vital city asset and should be put up for sale. Detroit’s emergency manager said the institute would have to save itself by raising up to $500 million.

Cuppa Joe: Caffeine can improve attention, focus and short-term memory, according to a new study published in Nature Neuroscience. Study subjects given caffeine after memorizing images remembered them better. And memory is improved for at least 24 hours after caffeine is consumed, according to the study. After that, you can’t recall where you put your car keys.

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