Russian President Vladimir Putin's New Year's message to President Obama is that Moscow is looking for a fair shake based on "equality and mutual respect." He says the upcoming 70th anniversary of the allied victory in World War II should serve as a reminder of U.S. and Russian responsibility for "maintaining peace and international stability."

Alabamians are signing up for health insurance through the federal marketplace at a much faster rate than they did last year with nearly 65,000 selecting plans between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15, compared to nearly 29,000 who had signed up through Dec. 28, 2013.

According to our daily, an 80-year old man is in serious condition after 28-year-old Joseph Ray Perkins hit him at his home on Keene's Mill road Monday night.  The victim is believed to have hit his head while falling. Perkins was arrested yesterday and charged with first-degree assault, first degree burglary, and first-degree robbery.

According to a recent poll, most Americans support the labeling of calories on menus in fast food and sit-down restaurants. This comes just after the Food and Drug Administration announced new rules that will require establishments that sell prepared foods and have 20 or more locations to post calorie information on menus.

Seventeen-year-old Corey Arrington, Jr. has been charged in the assault that led to the death of 63-year-old Najeh Masaeid, the Domino's Pizza delivery driver who was found dead on Dec 21. Arrington lived at the apartment complex where the murder took place. He is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.

The City of Tuscaloosa has announced dates for the second annual Mayor's Night Out series of town hall-style district meetings, which will begin on Thursday, Jan. 8 and conclude in August. Citizens will receive an overview on the latest happenings throughout the City, focusing on each district, and there will be a question-and-answer session. Each meeting will be from 5:15pm-6:30pm. The schedule for each district is as follows:

District 1: Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Mercedes-Benz Club
2710 Jack Warner Pkwy NE, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
District 2: Thursday, Feb. 5 at Fire Station 1
1501 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
District 3: Thursday, March 5 at the Phelps Center
2200 Rock Quarry Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
District 4: Thursday, June 4 at Tuscaloosa City Hall Council Chambers
2201 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
District 5: Thursday, July 9 at Fire Station 4
717 21st Avenue East, Tuscaloosa 35404
District 6: Thursday, July 30 at the McAbee Center
3801 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
District 7: Thursday, Aug. 20 at Holy Spirit Catholic School
711 James I Harrison Jr Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

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