2. The federal government says an Arizona sheriff committed a wide range of civil rights violations against Latinos. The feds say there is a pattern of racial profiling, discrimination and heavy-handed immigration patrols. The report follows the Justice Department's three-year investigation into Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office.

 

 

 

3. Federal forecasters predict the first three months of 2012 will start off warmer than normal in the East, but cooler than normal in the West. January is expected to be toastier than usual east of the Rockies, with the exception of New England.

 

 

 

4. An ice skating rink has opened for Christmas on the first level of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The rink is more than 2,000 square feet in size, 187 feet above ground, showing a skater a panorama of the Parisian skyline.