1. A winter storm is sparing the nation's capital from heavy snow. Federal offices were closed over predictions of up to 10 inches of snow. But only an inch or two fell in the DC area and most have melted as soon as it hit city streets.

 

2. A week of national mourning is underway in Venezuela after the death of President Hugo Chavez. Chavez's body remains at a military academy until the funeral on Friday.

 

3. Actress Valerie Harper has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The 73-year-old told People magazine she has as little as three months to live. Harper played Rhoda Morgenstern on TV's "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spinoff, "Rhoda". 

 

4. And many dogs and their owners share the same problem: they are overweight. So this Chicago area gym has started offering classes for pets and owners to work out together.