Oil Train Crash, Obama Blocked

Nation: The governor of West Virginia declared a state of emergency after a train pulling 109 cars of North Dakota crude oil derailed yesterday, setting tanker cars on fire and spilling oil into the Kanawha River, a source of local drinking water. The crash happened along a flat stretch of rail about 30 miles southeast of Charleston. At least 15 of the cars burned, creating explosions and fireballs. Two small towns had to be evacuated.

There have been a series of bad oil train accidents in recent years, the worst in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec in 2014 that killed 47 people. Every disaster raises questions about oil train safety, but little has been done. The tank cars tend to break like eggs when they crash.

>A federal judge in south Texas has blocked President Obama’s executive order on immigration that would spare as many as five million illegal immigrants from deportation. Judge Andrew S. Hanen, who’s been a critic of immigration policy, wrote in his decision that, “The court finds that the government’s failure to secure the border has exacerbated illegal immigration into this country.” It’s a big win for Texas and 25 other states suing the Obama administration over the president’s order on immigration.

The Bank Job: An international hacking ring has stolen a billion dollars from banks around the world in what is likely the biggest bank heist ever, according to the Russian security company Kaspersky Lab. Most of the targets have been in Russia, the US, Germany, China, and Ukraine.

The hackers attacked through ATMs and by setting up fake accounts. It’s “Ocean’s Eleven” with a keyboard. One bank lost $7.3 million through ATM fraud and another lost $10 million through its online banking portal.

Cold: A winter storm that dumped snow, sleet, and ice on the Southeast from Missouri to Virginia has slid into New York and New England, bringing several inches of snow. At least 300 customers were without power in the Southeast. The federal government in Washington is shut down. Several more inches of snow are expected from New Jersey up through Boston. Just over a thousand air flights have been cancelled so far today. And David Letterman said it’s been so cold he turned 50 shades of blue.

Ukraine: Two days after a ceasefire was supposed to take hold along the eastern Ukraine front, Russian backed rebels say that continued fighting has won them control of the rail hub of Debaltseve. Both the government and the rebels were supposed to withdraw their heavy weapons today but reporters say they see no evidence of it.

Bad Sports: Disgraced former cycling champion Lance Armstrong has been ordered to repay $10 million paid to him by a promotion company for the seven Tour de France wins that have been stripped form his record. Armstrong was paid $7 million by SCA Promotions even after he had been openly accused of doping to win. But SCA demanded the money back after Armstrong admitted he doped. The Armstrong side says the $10 million award is illegal under Texas law and will be thrown out.

The Obit Page: Singer Lesley Gore, known for the early 60s hit “It’s My Party” and other songs of teenage angst, died yesterday in New York at age 68. Her big song was about a girl whose boyfriend dumped her just before her big birthday party. “Until Johnny’s dancing with me I’ve got no reason to smile.” She hit it big in those last days innocent days before sex and drugs became a trio with rock and roll. Among her other hits: “Judy’s Turn to Cry” ; “You Don’t Own Me”; and “She’s a Fool.”

The Skin Trade: Roughly within the same week controversy is brewing over the exposure of skin by female models. Hannah Davis sparked the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue argument with a cover pose in a bikini bottom that reveals she is groomed in the style of the day. And then there’s the lingerie shot of 48-year-old Cindy Crawford that shows you can no longer bounce a quarter off her abdomen. In short, a model accused of being too perfect can look forward to being too imperfect.

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It's Been Said

"Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine, you won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians. I love you Christians. I'm a Christian. I love you, get out, you gotta get out and vote. In four years, you don't have to vote again, we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote."

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