5 things you need to know Monday
2017 kicks off with a celestial pairing...
A host of special sights are in store for sky gazers in 2017. The new year began with a cool conjunction of the waxing crescent moon and the dazzling planet Venus on Jan. 1. On Monday, they’ll be back for an encore — except this time the moon will have shifted between Venus and Mars. You’ll be able to watch the planets of love and war sticking close together all through January. But the major astronomical event of 2017 will be the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21 when the moon completely blocks the sun. Best of all, this can be witnessed in the United States, from sea to shining sea. We haven't had a total solar eclipse in the mainland U.S. since 1979. alia wrote, Steph edited
...and some big kick-offs.
Monday marks another day of crème de la crème college football. Iowa and Florida kick things off in the Outback Bowl at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. Wisconsin and Western Michigan will duke it out — also at 1 p.m. ET — in the Cotton Bowl Classic on ESPN. Penn State takes on USC at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN) in the Rose Bowl. Oklahoma and Auburn hope to end the day on a sweet note in the Sugar Bowl at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). For those who plan to continue the holiday weekend cozied up on the couch (and screaming at the TV), we've got your bowl game needs covered, from predictions to the scores of match-ups you might have missed. And don't forget: The season doesn't end here. Clemson and Alabama go head-to-head Jan. 9 in the College Football Playoff title game. taylor wrote, steph edited.
Once-bullish January has become treacherous for stock market
January used to be a bullish month for U.S. stocks. But not so in recent years. Since 2000, the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has posted losses in January in 10 of the past 17 years, including a 5.1% drop in the first month of 2016. January now ranks No. 6 out of the 12 months in terms of performance, says The Stock Trader’s Almanac. The good news? The S&P 500 has posted an average January gain of 0.7% in year one of a president’s term since 1950. So with President-elect Donald Trump set to move into the White House in January, the chances are good that positive gains in the first month of 2017 will translate into a full-year gain. That said, how the S&P 500 fares in the first five trading days of January 2017 could serve as an “early warning” signal as to how the full year will play out. alia wrote, all facts lifted from Adam Shell's story, steph edited
The manhunt goes on for assailant behind the Istanbul club attack
Authorities continue to search for the gunman behind the New Year's attack on Istanbul's Reina club on Tuesday. Officials have investigated possible links to the Islamic State, which were bolstered overnight by a statement circulating on social media reportedly from the Islamic State. The terror group takes credit for the attack, claiming it was payback against Turkey for its role in airstrikes in neighboring Syria. Investigators are looking into whether the assailant is linked to a group within the Islamic State that orchestrated the attack at the Ataturk Airport in June. Steph wrote, needs edit and update
A winter storm to start the new year
In the first few days of 2017, parts of the Plains, Midwest and Northeast can expect a "wintry mess of snow, sleet and freezing rain," according to The Weather Underground. By Monday, snow, sleet or freezing rain is likely into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with sleet or freezing rain from northern Pennsylvania to New York and into New England.alia wrote, needs edit, and will need updated forecast
Bonus: What to buy (and skip) in January
If finding deals is your New Year’s resolution, January is a great time to start. For those who want to make saving money a priority in 2017, we have recommendations for what to buy (and skip) this month based on NerdWallet’s analysis of historical sales cycles. Buy: Christmas decoration, TVs, fitness gear and bedding. Skip: Smartphones, toys and mattresses. If you need at least one paycheck in your checking account before you start shopping, don't forget about Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 16, when you can anticipate deals on clothing and home goods. alia wrote, Steph edited
And the essentials:
Weather:
Stocks:
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at
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Contributing: Associated Press.