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MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP
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! KICKERS !
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CHRISTIE-SNOW DAYS
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Good thing kids can't vote, because New Jersey Governor Chris Christie might have some trouble at home. Christie says his three school-age kids have been lobbying not to extend the school year because of all the snow days. But Christie says he won't be waiving the requirement of 180 school days each year. Some school districts have had five or more snow days during this harsh winter. Districts will have to make up the time with shorter spring breaks or extra days at the end or year. Christie made the comments on his radio call-in show yesterday evening on TownSqure Media.
MARIJUANA IGLOO-UTAH UNIVERSITY
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Four University of Utah students found a cool way to smoke pot -- in an igloo. Campus security reports finding the igloo near some dorms. A campus security guard heard voices and smelled pot before finding the four male students inside the igloo. Sergeant Garth Smith says one of the students has been cited for marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. All four students face possible disciplinary measures from the university. Smith adds the igloo was destroyed with a sledgehammer.
HOT SAUCE CONTROVERSY
IRWINDALE, Calif. (AP) — It's a saucy controversy generating a lot of heat. Last night, officials in a Southern California city heard complaints about the factory where Sriracha (suh-RAH'-chuh) hot sauce is made. Some people in the area say the fiery concoction leads to eye-stinging air pollution. The Irwindale City Council is considering whether to declare a public nuisance. But the council decided to put off until April a decision on the plant. The company says it's working with pollution control officials on a new filtration system.
MUDDY ARREST
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — It's a dirty crime -- but authorities say muddy footprints helped the crack the case. Furniture and electronics were swiped from a Shreveport, Louisiana. thrift shop and deputies say an SUV with the stolen goods got stuck in the mud at the scene. A little later, a concerned citizen reported two suspicious men at a nearby business. Deputies say they matched up muddy footprints from both places. Now, John Patterson and Michael Anderson face burglary charges.
NATIONAL AQUARIUM OVERHAUL
BALTIMORE (AP) — Sharks! In Baltimore! Officials at the National Aquarium say their overhauled centerpiece exhibit is attracting new visitors. Attendance is up by nearly 9,000 since the opening of the new $12.5 million "Blacktip Reef" exhibit in August. The overhauled exhibit includes 779 animals and 3,000 hand-sculpted coral replicas. It includes sharks and a large sea turtle.
COOLEST SMALL TOWN
BERLIN, Md. (AP) — Berlin is cool. In this case, we're not talking about the capital of Germany but a small town in Maryland. Budget Travel says Berlin is "America's Coolest Small Town." It beats 14 other towns in an online poll with more than 28 percent of the votes. Budget Travel notes Berlin is good for beach lovers, hikers, bird watchers and history fans. It was also the backdrop for the films "Tuck Everlasting" and "The Runaway Bride."
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