December 2012 Headlines

Docs 'Confident' Clinton Will Make Full Recovery

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton developed a blood clot in her head but did not suffer a stroke or neurological damage, her doctors said Monday.

Former President Bush Moved Out of Intensive Care

Former President George H.W. Bush's condition continued to improve Saturday, prompting doctors to move him out of intensive care, a spokesman said.

Hobby Lobby Won't Violate Faith over Abortion Drugs

The owners of Hobby Lobby say they must remain true to their faith, despite the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to block the Obamacare contraception mandate.

Urbana Mobilizes Youth for God's Global Mission

The Urbana Student Missions Conference is underway in Saint Louis with about16,000 registered to attend the event, Conference Director Tom Lin said.

CBN, Toys for Tots Bring Christmas to Va. Families

The Christian Broadcasting Network helped spread Christmas cheer to families in need this holiday season.

Desert Storm's Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Dies at 78

Retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s, has died. He was 78 years old.

Storm Pounds Arkansas, Leaves Thousands in Dark

Parts of Arkansas may be in the dark into the New Year after a massive winter storm knocked out power to more than 2,000 customers.

Supreme Court Won't Block Contraception Mandate

Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor has denied a request to immediately block part of Obamacare that requires employers to provide abortion-inducing drugs.

'Les Miserables' Musical a Holiday Hit

Many Americans spent Christmas Day in the theater, flocking to see the latest cinematic version of Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Miserables.

Fmr. President Bush in ICU after Series of Setbacks

Former President H.W. Bush has been admitted to intensive care at a hospital in Houston after a "series of setbacks including a persistent fever," his spokesman reported.

Nor'Easter Plays Havoc with Post-Christmas Travel

Winter storms caused at least 1,500 flight cancellations Wednesday and more are already being called off Thursday.

Tragedy Sparks Debate on Guns, Mental Health

Lawmakers are renewing their cry for tougher gun laws. But critics say the focus shouldn't be on gun laws but mental health.

Gabby Douglas: Grace, Gold, and Leaps of Faith

Gymnast Gabby Douglas became the darling of the 2012 Summer Olympics, but her journey contained many bumps. She shares her story with CBN News.

Group Pushes Rare Moment to Solve Immigration Issue

Leaders from 26 states came to the nation's capitol this week, saying right now is a rare moment when reforming immigration can be a win-win for all sides.

God and Scrooge: Finding the Faith of Charles Dickens

Who was Charles Dickens, the man who brought us characters like Scrooge and Tiny Tim? His work is still studied today, but few know about his faith.

Texas Town Allows Teachers to Carry Concealed Guns

In tiny Wichita Falls, Texas, the Harrold Independent School District allows teachers with concealed handgun licenses to carry guns in the classroom. 

Hobby Lobby Denied Request for Abortion Drug Exemption

 Federal appeals court denies Hobby Lobby's request for an injunction on the abortion drug mandate while the company challenges the law in court.

Conn. Town in Mourning Inundated with Gifts

The Connecticut town in mourning over the loss of 20 children and six school workers in the December school massacre has been overwhelmed by gifts from across the world.

Author Ace Collins on The Christmas Lights

Author Ace Collins talks about the origins of Christmas lights tradition.

Newtown Tragedy Marked with Moment of Silence

One week after the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings, people across the state marked the event with a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m., the exact time the massacre took place.

Deadly Blizzard Menaces Midwest, Moves Northeast

A deadly monster storm is marching across the country and delivering an early white Christmas to millions.

'Decorate a Vet' Brings Holiday Cheer to Vets' Homes

As businessman Jeff Jones discovered, acting on an idea is all it takes to be a blessing. His volunteer project is bringing Christmas to vets, one decoration at a time.

More Funerals, Wakes Ahead for Newtown

One by one, the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shootings in Newtown, Conn., are being laid to rest.

Midwest Snowstorm Could Gum Up Holiday Travel

Bad weather across the Midwest could make Christmas travel difficult for millions of Americans.

Former Supreme Court Nominee Robert Bork Dies

Judge Robert Bork, best known for his contentious Supreme Court nomination battle, died Tuesday in Arlington, Va.

Anti-Trafficking Advocates: 'Our Work Has Just Begun'

The anti-trafficking movement is just beginning in many ways. That's why advocates recently gathered in Washington to define the smartest way to help victims. 

Fla. Man Plotted NY Terror Attack but 'Lacked Funds'

A Florida man is accused of plotting a terror attack on a landmark in New York City.

Sandy Hook Unveils the Reality of Spiritual Warfare

There's one topic most politicians and media won't mention as a root cause behind tragedies like Newtown: The reality of evil and spiritual warfare.

Examining Newtown: Battle Brews on Guns, Mental Health

All mass shootings spark gun debates but Newtown coming on the heel of other tragedies with young victims is sparking a debate Washington didn't expect.

Conn. Community Aching over 'Little Coffins'

The small town of Newtown, Conn., has begun what's hard to comprehend: Begin to bury 20 of its children and six adults.

CBN's Lee Webb Steps Down from Newswatch

After more than a decade, CBN News' Lee Webb is stepping down from anchoring CBN's Newswatch program.

Christian Colleges Score Victory against HHS Mandate

In a major victory Tuesday, a court has ruled in favor of two Christian colleges, saying they can challenge the Obamacare contraception coverage mandate.

Out-of-Wedlock Births Society's 'New Normal'

More children are now being born outside of marriage, according to a new study by the National Marriage Project and the Institute for American Values.

Lecrae Tops Hip Hop Charts with Gospel Message

Hip hop artist Lecrae used to spout the negative lyrics glamorized on the rap scene. But after committing to Christ, he now makes music from a different perspective.

Christian Radio Host Frank Pastore Dies of Injuries

Christian radio host Frank Pastore died Monday of injuries he received in a motorcycle accident last month.

Chaplains, K-9s Help Comfort a Broken Newtown

It's going to take a long time for the town to heal, but a group of chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, along with a comfort dog ministry is helping ease the pain.

Shootings a Result of Violent Culture or Mental Health?

The massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School is the latest many in recent years. Are they spurred by a culture of violence or does it come down to mental health?

New School Day Starts amid Fresh Safety Concerns

Parents across the country are hugging their children tighter as many head back to school today. But Friday's Newtown shooting has raised new worries about safety.

Grieving Town Begins Funerals for Sandy Hook Victims

Churches are working overtime to help comfort a grieving town as funerals begin today for victims of the school shooting that left 20 children and six adults dead.

Shock, Anger Continue as Shooting Details Emerge

Connecticut's governor said the man suspected of killing 26 children and adults at a Newtown elementary school committed suicide just as authorities closed in.

'Always Smiling': Portraits of Conn. Victims

Most of the victims of Friday's shooting spree died at the very start of their young lives, tiny victims taken in a way not fit for anyone regardless of age.

NY Atheists' Holiday Billboards Denounce as 'Vile'

Atheists are spreading their version of holiday cheer with a billboard that's raising more than a few eyebrows in New York City's Times Square.

Review: Hollywood Revisits JRR Tolkien in 'The Hobbit'

Lord of the Rings director ventures into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien with his latest cinematic creation "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

'Evil Visited' Newtown Community; 20 Children Killed

Twenty children who had simply come to learn at Sandy Hook Elementary School Friday are dead, along with eight adults, in one of the worst shootings in U.S. history.

Operation Blessing Still Helping Sandy Victims

It's been six weeks since Hurricane Sandy battered the eastern shore, but FEMA officials say some people may have to wait months before they can go back to their homes.

School District Drops Palm Scanners after Outcry

A Maryland school district has suspended its biometrics program after receiving pressure from the public and a civil liberties group.

Oregon Mall Closed after Gunman Opens Fire

A Portland mall remains closed a day after a gunman wearing camouflage and a mask opened fire on shoppers, killing two people before killing himself.

CAIR Urges Mich. Governor to Veto Anti-Sharia Bill

Michigan lawmakers are working on a bill that could ban Sharia law in their state. Now a Muslim activist group is fighting back.

Grad Student Expelled for Gay Stance 'Vindicated'

Eastern Michigan University has settled a lawsuit with a woman who was kicked out because of her opposition to affirming homosexuality.

California Braces for Fiscal Cliff Fallout

Washington lawmakers have gotten nowhere in their negotiations to avoid the huge tax increases and budget cuts set to hit Jan. 1.

Unions Routed, Mich. Becomes ‘Right-to-Work’ State

It's something many thought they'd never see: Michigan, one of the nation's strongest union states, is now a right-to-work state -- and it happened with lightning speed.

Severe Storms, Record Snow Cripple Parts of US

Monster storms and heavy snowfall has wreaked havoc across the Northern Plains, upper Midwest, and parts of the South.

Justice Scalia Defends Conservative Views

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia defended his conservative legal views during a speaking engagement Monday at Princeton University.

Illinois Won't Appeal Pro-Life Pharmacist Ruling

Pharmacists in Illinois will not face punishment for refusing to sell abortion-inducing drugs.

NC Pro-life Plate Ruled Unconstitutional

North Carolina drivers who wanted to carry a pro-life message on their vehicle's license plate may never get a chance to do so.

Educators Hopeful over Future of Christian Colleges

Christian higher education finds itself in a spiritual fight because of  rising secularism. But despite hostility and a tough economy, educators are optimistic.

Deadly Snowstorm Wreaks Havoc in Minn., Wis.

A slow moving storm system has dumped more than 16 inches of snow in some areas of the Midwest and left at least one person dead.

Virginia County Continues Annual Battle over Nativity

A battle over Christmas displays is becoming an annual event in Leesburg, Va. Local atheists said the display is unconstitutional and are now pressing to have a permanent holiday display of their own.

Man Shoots Woman, Himself Outside Miami Church

A gunman in Miami opened fire in a church parking lot as members walked to their cars after Sunday morning service.

Christmas Strains Echo in Wisconsin's Cave of Mounds

Wisconsin musicians have started a new tradition of performing at one of the state's natural caverns, "Cave of the Mounds."

High Stakes: Supreme Court to Weigh in on Prop 8

In what could be one of the most important Supreme Court rulings in U.S. history, the high court will decide whether California's gay marriage ban is constitutional.

Same-Sex Weddings Begin in Washington State

Same-sex Weddings Begin in Washington State

President Wants $60 Billion in Sandy Aid

President Barack Obama's proposes $60.4 billion in aid for states hit by Superstorm Sandy.

Pot, Gay Marriage Votes Spur Complex Legal Dance

What happens when state laws collide with the government? That scenario unfolded in Maryland and Washington state this week over pot and gay marriage. 

Supreme Court Will Hear Two Gay Marriage Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday it will hear two cases in March dealing with gay marriage. Will the court decide to make gay marriage legal in all 50 states?

Charlie Brown Play Cancelled after Atheists Complain

Agape Church in Little Rock, Ark. canceled a performance of "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" after a complaint by an atheist group.

Review: Gerard Butler 'Playing for Keeps'

Actor Gerard Butler stars as George Dryer, a former international soccer star who's trying to reassemble the pieces of his broken life.

Flags Fly at Half Mast in Memory of Pearl Harbor

Today is the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii that brought America into World War II.

Tufts Reinstates Christian Ministry after Policy Spat

A student religious group at Tufts University was first told it violated the schools non-discrimination policy by requiring its leaders to follow "basic biblical truths."

Private Company Suing over Obamacare Mandate

A private Christian-owned company in Pennsylvania is joining a long list of companies and religious groups filing suit over the contraception coverage mandate

Cadet Quits West Point over Alleged Religious Coercion

A cadet is quitting West Point less than six months before graduation to protest what he calls "unconstitutional proselytism."

Faith Groups Hold Live Nativity in front of US Capitol

Religious groups held a live nativity scene in front of the United States Supreme Court and the Capitol building in order to declare the true meaning of Christmas.

Miami Commission Reinstates Prayer at Meetings

The Miam-Dade commission banned the prayers eight years ago, but after a lengthy debate commissioners voted 8-3 to reinstate the opening prayer.

Harvard University Recognizes Kinky Sex Club

The nation's oldest university has formally recognized an alternative sex club on campus that promotes discussions and safe practices of kinky sex.

Santa Monica Nativity Moving to Private Property

A disputed Santa Monica nativity scene in California is moving to private land after a federal judge ruled the city could ban religious displays on public land.

Advocates Explore Strategies to Aid Trafficking Victims

Advocates for trafficking victims recently met in Washington to evaluate the best way to help them.

Capitol Christmas Tree Represents 'Everlasting Light'

A little bit of peace came to Capitol Hill Tuesday with the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree.

Parents Seek Answers over Carbon Monoxide Scare

Parents in Atlanta want answers after a health scare created panic at a local elementary school Monday.

Federal Judges at Odds over Calif. Gay Therapy Ban

Two judges have issued different rulings on California's law banning reparative therapy for minors.

Clinics Quit Pl. Parenthood over Abortion Push

Several Planned Parenthood clinics are breaking away from the organization due to an abortion mandate.

Historic Church Auctioning Off Rare Psalm Book

An historic church in Boston, Mass., is hoping to raise $20 million by auctioning off one of the first books published in America.

Tyndale Wins Injunction against Abortion Drug Mandate

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the president's healthcare mandate on behalf of Bible publisher Tyndale House.

West Point Academy Hosts First Same-Sex Weddings

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point hosted its first same-sex weddings over the last two weekends.