National: Police in Southern California are on alert for a former Los Angeles cop wanted in the murder of one police officer today and the weekend killing of a young engaged couple. Christopher Dorner, 33, was fired from the LAPD for making false statements and police believe the murder of the couple was an act of revenge. The father of Monica Quan, found dead in a car with her fiancé, represented Dorner in front of the board that dismissed him. Dorner posted a “manifesto” on the Internet, which identified him as the suspect. A Riverside, Ca. officer was killed earlier today in a shootout with Dorner, who escaped.

• The Boy Scouts of America delayed until May a vote on whether to allow gay scouts and leaders in the organization. Facing strong opinions on both sides of the issue, the BSA released a statement saying, “due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review.” The scouts have deep relations with churches.
• Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong is being sued for the return of $12 million paid to him by a promotions company for winning his seven Tour de France titles. The company, SCA, says Armstrong doped to win and his titles have been stripped, voiding their agreement.

Winter Arrives: A major winter storm is moving into New York and New England with a blizzard watch in the Boston area. As much as two feet of snow are expected Friday night into Saturday.

Fiscal Cliff 2: Citing uncertainty over the federal budget, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta postponed deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf. Normally there are two in that troubled area. Automatic budget cuts of $48 billion that kick in March 1 could put a torpedo in the Navy and Panetta is planning ahead because Congress won’t.

World: Fierce fighting has broken out in Damascus, Syria, as rebels push to take the city. The government counter-attacked. Some of the fighting is centered on a critical intersection along the city’s ring road.

En Francais: The French government has repealed a 200-year-old ban on women wearing pants. Under the law women were supposed to ask the permission of local police to wear trousers. But France abandoned the law after realizing women have been wearing the pants for years.

Spoilers: The NY Times’ Brian Stelter reports that Netflix is stirring up the world of television with its popular streaming series “House of Cards”. Unlike regular television you can watch any or all episodes on demand, making it hazardous to talk about it with friends an episode behind. So if you don’t know, in a stunning development, Congressman Underwood ……

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