2. The House has cleared the way for passage of short-term bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security and avert a partial agency shutdown, came just hours ahead the midnight deadline to fund the agency. 

 

3. Authorities say 7 people were shot to death and one was wounded in attacks in a small southeastern Missouri town. The suspected gunman was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Possible motive hasn’t been released. Authorities say the body of an older woman who died of natural causes was also found but they’re not calling her a victim at this time. 

 

4. And US Coast Guards ice breakers are helping clear thick ice from the Hudson river. The coast guard says they are helping commercial vessels carrying heating oil, gas and other things flowing. Much of the river has been frozen over in recent weeks.