National News Roundup for Dec 10. – Dec. 17

This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from Reuters, USA Today, The Washington Post and CNN. Silver Chips Online posts this news summary to provide readers with a forum for discussion.

Tallahassee, Florida

Dec. 12 - The National Alumni Association of Florida A&M University held a press conference on Dec. 18 about Florida Governor Rick Scott's recommendation to suspend the University's president, James Ammons. Scott's request comes in deliberate timing amidst an investigation of the death of Robert Champion Jr, a Florida A&M drum major who was killed last month after a suspected hazing incident. While Champion's death has been ruled a homicide, no charges have been made. Florida A&M University's board of trustees publicly reprimanded Ammons on Dec. 8 by an 8-4 vote, after a call was made by trustee Rufus Montgomery to place him on administrative leave pending the outcome of police investigations into the student's death.

Los Angeles, California
Dec. 14 - Following several days of rumors, speculation and gossip, the Los Angeles Clippers have acquired National Basketball Association (NBA) All-star point guard, Chris Paul, from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and center Chris Kaman. The Clippers will also receive two future second round draft picks to complete the trade. Paul who averaged 18.7 point per game last season, joins fellow NBA All-star power forward Blake Griffin in Los Angeles. Paul's trade to the Clippers draws a mixed amount of delight and fury as NBA commissioner, David Stern rejected a possible trade of Paul to the 16 time NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers days prior.

Khabari Crossing, Kuwait

Dec. 18 - The last U.S. soldiers moved out of Iraq across the border to neighboring Kuwait on Dec. 18. Their exit marks the end of the nine year war in Iraq. The mission cost nearly 4,500 American lives, 100,000 Iraqi lives and $800 billion from the U.S. Treasury. At the war's peak, there were 170,000 US troops in Iraq and more than 500 bases.

Washington, D.C.
Dec. 17 – On Dec. 17, the United States Senate agreed to a two-month extension in a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits that will expire Jan. 1 of next year. A day later, House Speaker John Boehner said that he opposed the Senate's plan to extend the payroll tax cut for two months. The Senate plan passed Saturday was an emergency proposal after Democrats and Republicans were unable to reach a comprehensive agreement to extend the cuts and unemployment benefits for a full year. Failure to pass the payroll tax would cost working Americans an average of $1,000 in higher taxes next year.