Topic: South Carolina
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Election 2012: top seven super PACs
Decoder profiles the seven top super PACs, the organizations that have spent the most trying to influence the elections – and still have the most money in the bank.
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Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 3 ways they differ on regulation
Wall Street is a big target – blamed for the financial crisis that led to the Great Recession. Mitt Romney says efforts to rein in financiers via more regulation are an attack on “economic freedom.” President Obama says new regulations would make it “more profitable to play by the rules than to game the system.” Here are three specifics on which the two differ.
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Karl Rove: 5 deep thoughts at start of GOP convention
Karl Rove has resuscitated his political career and now runs Crossroads GPS and American Crossroads, two political organizations that could spend $1 billion combined to promote Republicans during the coming election. Here are five political pearls from arguably the No. 1 conservative powerbroker in America.
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5 top childcare options: costs and value, from day care to nanny
Which childcare option is right for you?
All Content
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Robert Reich
After the fiscal cliff comes the debt ceilingThe battle over the fiscal cliff was only a prelude to the coming battle over raising the debt ceiling – Reich writes – a battle that will likely continue through early March, when the Treasury runs out of tricks to avoid a default on the nation’s debt.
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GOP governors waver on Obamacare
Republican governors like Rick Scott in Florida, and Chris Christie in New Jersey, are struggling on how to handle President Barack Obama's remake of the health insurance market. While some have said they won't set up state-run exchanges, others say they're open to having a 'conversation.'
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Focus
Immigration reform: Is 'amnesty' a possibility now?Congress seems primed to address immigration reform in 2013, and even a path to citizenship – which critics deride as 'amnesty' for illegals – may be on the table. The shift in the national conversation came suddenly. Here's why.
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Shaking off the shock, Newtown begins to look to the future
After mental-health professionals and therapists leave, and the headlines fade, what will happen to Newtown, Conn., the site of the horrific Sandy Hook school shooting? The community may never be the same, but it still has a future.
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NRA’s LaPierre doesn’t back down from ‘crazy’ guns-in-schools proposal
On Sunday, NRA chief Wayne LaPierre repeated his claim that 'the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.' Opponents of armed guards in schools pushed back, but passing stricter gun control laws is an uphill fight.
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Former SC Gov. Mark Sanford eyes US House bid
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who left public life two years ago after mysteriously disappearing to visit his then-mistress in Argentina, is poised to re-enter the political arena.
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Is the NRA push for guns in schools crazy? It depends on where you live.
Reaction to the NRA’s controversial proposal to have armed guards in all schools illustrates the regional divide over guns – how and even whether to control the nation’s private arsenal.
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John Boehner plays down setback of his fiscal 'fallback' plan
House Speaker John Boehner acknowledged Friday that too many GOP lawmakers saw his bill, which would have let tax cuts lapse for millionaires, as a tax hike. But the setback won't affect 'fiscal cliff' talks with Obama, he says.
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How will NRA respond to the Sandy Hook shooting? (+video)
After a long silence, the NRA plans a press conference Friday morning to address the fresh push for gun controls in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting.
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Change Agent
Nonprofits' message: Keep firewood close to homeEnvironmental groups are sending out a warning that transporting firewood across state lines can spread insects and diseases, wiping out swaths of forest and causing economic and environmental damage.
- Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Who is Tim Scott? Black senator-to-be should make tea party proud.
Rep. Tim Scott has been appointed to the seat held by retiring Sen. Jim DeMint. As a Republican African-American, Scott is a historic choice – and one likely to please the tea party.
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Decoder Wire
Susan Rice: Was she pushed to end secretary of State bid?With the 'fiscal cliff' unresolved and other big issues still on the table, President Obama didn't need a confirmation battle. Realistically, Susan Rice had little choice but to take her name out of the mix.
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Why Susan Rice withdrew her name as secretary of State (+video)
Republican senators had vowed a fight if Obama nominated Susan Rice to be his next secretary of State. Their opposition centered on her erroneous public statements about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
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Foreclosures hit nine-month high, but starts drop
Foreclosures completed by banks rose to a nine-month high in November, but there's some good news: The number of homes starting on the path to foreclosure fell to the lowest level in six years.
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Decoder Wire
Is Stephen Colbert trying to buy Senate seat in South Carolina?Stephen Colbert's decision to campaign for the seat being vacated by GOP Sen. Jim DeMint gives the famous funnyman yet another chance to educate Americans on how to game the US campaign finance system.
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Decoder Wire
Senator Jenny Sanford? Why it might be a smart pick.Jenny Sanford, ex-wife of South Carolina's ex-governor, is reportedly on the short list to fill outgoing Sen. Jim DeMint's seat. It could present the GOP with a much-needed opportunity to appeal to women.
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Jenni Rivera, the 'Diva de la Banda,' lost in Mexico jet crash (+video)
Jenni Rivera died Sunday when her Learjet 25 crashed. Jenni Rivera was a mother, grandmother, and the queen of the grupero music scene in Mexico. Her death was confirmed by US officials Monday.
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Michigan to join 'right to work' states. A blow to unions?
Michigan is set to become the 24th state with a 'right to work' law prohibiting unions from collecting fees from nonunion workers. Data on such laws' economic impact are mixed.
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Why did Sen. Jim DeMint quit the Senate? (+video)
Tea party hero Sen. Jim DeMint will head the conservative Heritage think tank, and some say freedom from party politics could make him an even bigger player on the right.
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Diggin' It
Christmas decorating with snowballs from the gardenFat flowers from mophead hydrangeas dry on the bush and are easy to transform into natural Christmas decorations for tree, mantle, or table.
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Trader Joe’s recall: Suspect frozen chicken affects 14 states
Trader Joe's recall involves a batch of Butter Chicken with Basmanti Rice frozen dinners, which may be contaminated with listeria. Trader Joe's advises customers to throw away the affected product or return it for a full refund.
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Saving Money
'Tis the season for free gift cardsFreebies attached to full-price gift cards are abundant during the holidays. Now is a good time to stock up on gift cards, both for you and for others.
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New Jersey derailment: How safe are hazmat rail shipments? (+video)
The New Jersey derailment on Friday sent tank cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride off a collapsed bridge and into a creek, reviving safety concerns. But hazmat rail accidents are down.
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Powerball lottery jackpot hits record $550 million
With Powerball lottery drawing hours away, Americans are snapping up tickets for the estimated $550 million jackpot. The record Powerball jackpot is renewing questions about its burden on lower income groups, but it may be less burdensome than other lotteries.
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