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FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2011, file photo, charity workers dressed as Santa Claus walk up Fifth Avenue in New York during the Volunteers of America annual Sidewalk Santa Parade to raise money for holiday food for needy residents. Volunteers of America-Greater New York says the parade and its Sidewalk Santa fundraising efforts have been retired, and the organization is using other more effective ways to raise money for its "Hope and Hearth" food voucher program. The parade traditionally took place the Friday after Thanksgiving to kick off the organization's program that would have Santas trying to get donations from people passing by their sidewalk locations.

Strange but true

News that's a little off the beaten path.

Photos from the 20th Annual Jingle Ball hosted by the Capital City Clauses at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh.

Photos: Jingle Ball in Raleigh

See photos from the Jingle Ball at Marbles Kids Museum.

Sports

Duke's Jamison Crowder (3) celebrates his touchdown against North Carolina with teamamtes Jela Duncan (25) and Matt Skura (62) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. Duke won 27-25.

Does Duke have chance? DeCock, Jacobs debate ACC Championship

News & Observer sports columnist Luke DeCock and correspondent Barry Jacobs debate the issues surrounding Duke's appearance in the ACC Championship Game, from the Blue Devils' chances to the long-term impact on the conference. 19 minutes ago

Local/State News

A sign cautions visitors outside a "pump and treat" facility on the Marine base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. The sprawling installation is the site of one of the worst drinking water contaminations in U.S. history.

CDC: Water at Marine base linked to birth defects

A long-awaited study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a link between tainted tap water at a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina and increased risk of serious birth defects and childhood cancers. 1 hour ago

Business

FILE - This April 18, 2013 file photo shows a golden eagle flying over a wind turbine on Duke energy's top of the world wind farm in Converse County Wyo. The Obama administration will allow companies to seek authorization to kill and harm bald and golden eagles for up to 30 years without penalty in an effort to balance some of the environmental trade-offs of green energy. The change, requested by the wind energy industry and officially revealed Friday, will provide legal protection for the lifespan of wind farms and other projects that obtain a permit and do everything possible to avoid killing the birds. Companies will also have to commit to take additional measures if they exceed their permit limits or if new information suggests eagle populations

US to allow eagle deaths _ to aid wind power

Under pressure from the wind-power industry, the Obama administration said Friday it will allow companies to kill or injure eagles without the fear of prosecution for up to three decades. 2 minutes ago

Politics

Stacks of paperwork await members of the House Agriculture Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 15, 2013, as it meets to consider proposals to the 2013 Farm Bill, including small cuts to the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program in an effort to appease conservatives who say the food aid has become too expensive. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

U.S. farm bill has big impact in NC

North Carolina has a lot riding on the outcome of a closed-door drama now playing out in Washington as Congress works against a deadline this month to hammer out divisions in a new five-year farm bill.

Nation/World News

Dec. 7, 2005-former South African President Nelson Mandela, 87, is in a jovial mood at the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, where he met with the winner and runner-up of the local "Idols" competition.

Nelson Mandela, 20th century colossus, dies at 95

Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world's most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end to white minority rule in South Africa, has died. He was 95. 28 minutes ago

Living

Families wait to board the Santa Train at the Museum of Life & Science in Durham. The miniature train is decked out for the seasonal ride annually.

Take a jolly ride with Santa on New Hope Valley train, other tracks

New Hope Valley Railway in New Hill offers Santa Train Rides over the next couple of weekends, while miniature trains at Durham's Museum of Life and Science and Raleigh's Pullen Park also undergo seasonal transformations.

Entertainment

Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins in Warner Bros. Pictures' "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug."

Holiday movie preview

Get ready for "The Hobbit," "Anchorman 2" and more! A look at some of the movies getting a lot of buzz in December.

Opinion

Disturbing trends as colleges spend even more on athletics

A Knight Commission database offers disturbing trends in athletics versus academic spending at colleges and universities.

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Financial

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