The GOP takes over the Senate. Adrian Peterson avoids jail time. And a 90-year-old man is arrested for feeding the homeless.
It's Wednesday, and here are the "5 things to know for your New Day."
1. GOP WINS BACK SENATE
There's a new order: Six years after losing control of the Senate to the Democrats, the Republicans are back in charge. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has controlled the Senate since 2007, congratulated Republicans on their victory. But there was silence from the White House after yesterday's results became clear. President Obama will make a public statement today on an election many will see as a rejection of his presidency, and he will host bipartisan leaders at the end of the week to try to chart a way forward.
2. THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION
More GOP gains: Republican success didn't end in the Senate; the GOP picked up governor's mansions in some reliably Democratic states. President Obama's home state of Illinois elected a Republican governor. So did Massachusetts and Maryland. Wisconsin's Scott Walker and Georgia's Nathan Deal both narrowly won re-election in the face of well-financed Democratic challenges, according to CNN projections. Ohio's John Kasich, Iowa's Terry Branstad and New Mexico's Susana Martinez also dispatched weaker Democratic challengers. The lone bright spot for Democrats was in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race, where Republican Tom Corbett was unseated by Democrat Tom Wolf.
3. OREGON BRIDGE DEATH
Murder charge: A 6-year-old boy was found dead in the frigid waters of Oregon's Yaquina Bay after his mother told police she tossed him off a bridge. Authorities said they found the body of London McCabe about a mile from the bridge, about four hours after his mother called 911 Monday evening to say she'd thrown him from the span. The mother, Jillian Meredith McCabe, 34, was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, murder and first-degree manslaughter, Newport police said.
4. ADRIAN PETERSON
Plea deal: NFL star Adrian Peterson pleaded no contest yesterday in a Texas court to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault, avoiding jail time for whipping one of his children. As part of a plea agreement, the Minnesota Vikings star was sentenced to two years of probation, a $4,000 fine and 80 hours of community service. He'll record public service announcements to eat up half of that community service time. He also will take parenting classes.
5. FEEDING HOMELESS ARRESTS
Drop that plate: Arnold Abbott handed out four plates of food to homeless people in a South Florida park. Then police stopped the 90-year-old from serving up another bite. Abbott and two pastors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were charged for feeding the homeless in public Sunday, the city's first crackdowns under a new ordinance banning public food sharing, CNN affiliate WPLG reported. Now they face possible jail time and a $500 fine, WPLG said. Abbott says he'll take the city to court.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMvBySSj00c
Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a few others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.
- Feather and a bowling ball: When you get rid of all the air, this is what happens.
- How 'bout a hot dog? Milo the dachshund may look snack-sized to us, but is best buddies with this "King of the Beasts."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b-VQI5smMI
- Record-breaking golf club: Sometimes you just have to break out the long clubs. Michael Furrh set a Guinness World Record this week by swinging a 20-foot, 6-inch driver.
- Baby on board: Mara the hippopotamus surprised officials at the Los Angeles Zoo.
- Getting to the bottom of things: We hate to make anyone the butt of our jokes, but ... the person voting next to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon yesterday kind of stole the show.
There you go. All you need to know to get an early start to your morning.
Be sure to tune in to "New Day," from 6 to 9 a.m. ET, join us at NewDayCNN.com and go and have a GREAT NEW DAY!
Still awaiting moderation?
Wow, CNN. 5 Things to know for your new day and three of them are about murder, assault, and arrest. I get that there was more to the last story, but come on!
Why do I need to know about those last three? Do you want to make me depressed?
Dear heavenly father!!!!!!!! I can't stop crying!!!!!!!! If only I had been in Oregon that fateful day crossing that bridge at that exact moment maybe just maybe London McCabe would still be alive. I am so so sorry London that your young life had to end. May you have happiness and peace in heaven. I love you. RIP.
When did CNN become peopleofwalmart.com? Shame on you for posting that last picture.
The great thing about the outcome of these elections in that the American people agree that the 2-party system has had its day. Now, Republican legislatures all over the country can start abolishing the Democrat party. By 2016, only Republicans will be allowed to vote or run for office, and the United States will finally be united politically. One party. One law.
Just like the old Soviet Union, true, but we know what they did wrong, and we'll do it right.
"Going into the 2008 election, the Senate consisted of 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and two independents (Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut) who caucused with the Democrats, giving the Democratic caucus a 51-49 majority."
Nothing like starting your day by being incorrect, eh? It's EIGHT YEARS, not SIX, since the Republicans held control of the Senate. But nice try at rewriting history to make it look like it wasn't the DimRat's fault the last two years of GW's presidency were awful.
Close but no cigar CNN. You lowlifes!