North Korea Claims To Have A Hydrogen Bomb
The rogue nation says it has conducted a powerful hydrogen bomb test. This defiant action would be a huge jump in Pyongyang's quest to improve its still-limited nuclear arsenal. There is no independent confirmation yet.

$450 Million Jackpot
The Powerball jackpot winning numbers will be drawn tonight. There's a 1 in 292.2 million chance of winning. You can buy a ticket for $2 anywhere in the U.S. except Nevada, Utah, Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska and Hawaii.

Epiphany

Gun Control For US?
President Obama proposes executive actions to curb gun violence targeting gun shows, flea markets and online sales without a license.

Oregon Wildlife Refuge
The feds's cautious approach thus far means that no one has been hurt in the faceoff, and no one's being held hostage.

Affluenza Mom Goes To Court
Tonya Couch, who is the mother of the so called Affluenza teen, Ethan Couch faces extradition in Los Angeles, as Texas seeks to bring that mother home on charges of helping her son flee to Mexico.

Following unseasonably warm weather in NYC, warm enough to bloom roses in December, and now a Polar Vortex ushers in a widespread freezing cold, with snow chances into US during mid-January.

A glancing blow from the polar vortex will direct cold air southward and could raise the chance of snow in the central and eastern United States toward the middle or by the end of January.

SAUDIS AND IRANIANS TENSIONS ARE HIGH AFTER EXECUTIONS
Riyadh cuts diplomatic ties with Tehran over attacks on the kingdom's embassy and consulate in the Islamic Republic after the execution of a Shiite cleric.

OBAMA TO PULL TRIGGER ON GUN CONTROL
US President will meet with Attorney General to discuss ways to use executive action to make it more difficult for a dangerous few to gain access to firearms.

DANGERS IN OREGON WILDLIFE REFUGE

Major flooding is occurring or forecast on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers & tributaries in Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, with record flooding at several locations. Major flooding is also occurring on the Arkansas River & tributaries in Arkansas. Floodwaters will move downstream over the next couple of weeks, with significant river flooding expected for the lower Mississippi into mid-January.

In the New York City area, it will finally be freezing tonight. Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind 9 to 11 mph.