Stormy Weather:  A massive storm system stretching from Georgia to Pennsylvania and New York promises to dump heavy rain, freezing rain and snow on the eve of Thanksgiving. As much as a foot of snow is expected in western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. High winds predicted for Thursday threaten to ground the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.

World: Afghan President Hamid Karzai added new demands to a security deal and the White House today threatened to pull out all troops if there isn’t a signed agreement by the end of December. Karzai wants the release of 17 Afghans held in Guantanamo Bay and a promise that US soldiers will never again enter an Afghan home.

Shooting Report: Newtown shooter Adam Lanza had a “preoccupation with mass shootings and a strong interest in firearms,” according to a detailed report released yesterday. The report says Lanza had Asperger syndrome and did not like light or being touched. He had a particular interest in the Columbine school shooting. At Lanza’s home investigators found computer bookmarks with links to firearms, the military, politics, and mass murder. They found two videos showing suicide by gunshot and commercial movies depicting mass shootings. They also found the computer game titled “School Shooting” in which the player controls a character who shoots students. What investigators did not learn is why Lanza became a mass killer.

National: The Steubenville, Ohio superintendent of schools and three other officials were indicted in connection with the rape of a 16-year-old girl last year. Superintendent Michael McVey, 50, was charged with felony counts of tampering with evidence and obstruction. The wrestling coach and an elementary principal were charged with failure to report child abuse, and a volunteer football coach was charged with making false statements and allowing underage drinking. Two members of the football team were convicted of rape in March.

It’s a Gas: The US is releasing about 50% more heat trapping methane than previously thought, according to a new scientific study. Methane has 21 times the heat trapping capability of carbon dioxide, the most common global warming gas. The report says much of the methane emissions in the US comes from Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, where it’s produced by livestock and the oil and gas industry. Yes, flatulent cattle contribute to global warming

The Obit Page: Merrell Williams Jr., a former paralegal who leaked industry documents acknowledging the health risks and addictiveness of tobacco, has died at age 72. While working for a Kentucky law firm, Williams released documents revealing that the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. knew that nicotine was addictive and cigarettes were bad for your health. He was instrumental in getting tobacco recognized as a public health risk.

Screen Gem: One of two lead statuettes of The Maltese Falcon cast for the 1941 Humphrey Bogart movie sold for more than $4 million yesterday at auction in New York. Two of the 45-pound statues were cast, but this was the only one known to have been used in the movie. One of the tail feathers was bent when an actor dropped the Falcon handing it to Bogie.

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