In today’s top news, students returned to school in Newtown, Connecticut, today, but Sandy Hook Elementary remained closed; members of the Electoral College cast final votes confirming President Obama’s re-election; and a fake Morgan Freeman post about the Newtown school shooting went viral.

Students returned to school in Newtown, Connecticut, today, but Sandy Hook Elementary remained closed. [BET]

Members of the Electoral College cast final votes confirming President Obama’s re-election. [AP]

A fake Morgan Freeman post about the Newtown school shooting went viral. [Grio]

Baltimore’s gun buyback program took in 461 firearms in the weekend after the Newtown shooting. [Baltimore Sun]

A sporting goods store has suspended the sale of certain semi-automatic weapons. [CNN]

Black GOP Rep. Tim Scott has been tapped to replace Jim DeMint in the U.S. Senate. [BET]

The FBI says hate crimes declined in 2011. [Grio]

Gas prices have reached a two-year low. [CNN]

Katt Williams canceled a show 15 minutes before showtime. [BET]

South African President Jacob Zuma is re-elected as head of the African National Congress political party. [AJE]

The International Criminal Court acquitted former Congolese militia leader Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui. [BBC]

In today’s top news, a family friend of Usher is under investigation for the Jet Ski incident that left his stepson brain dead, Romney outspends Obama this month once again and a report reveals that 70 percent of African-American children cannot swim.

Usher’s family friend is placed under investigation for the jet-ski incident that left his stepson brain-dead. [NYDN]

A new survey shows that Black women are the most religious group in America. [BET]

Romney campaign outspends Obama by about $30 million in June. [FOX]

Comedian Steve Harvey plans to perform his final stand-up act at this year’s Hoodie Awards. [BET]

Trayvon Martin’s street memorial has been removed by the city of Sanford, but preserved in the local museum. [CNN]

The ICC sentences Congolese warlord to 14 years for recruiting and using child soldiers. [BBC]

Report: Only 30 percent of African-American children can swim, drowning at a rate three times higher than their white peers. [GRIO]

First results are due in Libya’s historic parliamentary election. [CNN]

Texas is one of several states to reject major provisions of Obama’s signature health law [REUTERS]

Egypt’s recently dissolved parliament meet in court, increasing tension with military leaders and the Supreme Court. [ALJ]

In today’s top news, the NAACP is looking into Pastor Creflo Dollar’s arrest, George Zimmerman’s wife says she fears for her life after her mug shot was published and a steelworker was awarded $25 million from his employer for racial discrimination.

The NAACP is looking into Pastor Creflo Dollar’s arrest. [Citizen]

George Zimmerman’s wife says she fears for her life after her mug shot was published. [GMA]

A steelworker was awarded $25 million from his employer for racial discrimination. [BuffaloNews]

The U.S. military is expanding its secret military operations across Africa. [WaPo]

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes is slated to launch a fashion line. [BET]

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant are calling off their divorce. [BET]

Burglars hit Kanye West’s L.A. home. [BET]

Detroit may not send any Black representatives to Congress. [Bloomberg]

The ICC seeks a 30-year jail term for Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga. [BBC]

A South African transgender pageant winner was found murdered in his home. [MSNBC]

In today’s top news, former Liberian president Charles Taylor is sentenced to 50 years in prison for war crimes, co-hosts Terrence J and Rocsi to leave 106 & Park and after a Texas vote, Mitt Romney is now the official Republican presidential nominee.

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is sentenced to 50 years in prison for war crimes. [BET]

Terrence J and Rocsi to leave 106 & Park. [BET]

After a Texas vote, Mitt Romney is now the official republican presidential nominee. [Miami Herald]

Serena Williams is eliminated in the first round of the French Open. [MSNBC]

Black pilots are suing United Continental alleging racial discrimination. [Bloomberg]

Emory University acquires a vast collection of historical African-American photos. [Emory]

Louis Farrakhan critiques President Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage, calling it a “sin.” [HuffingtonPost]

Police seek witnesses to the infamous face chewing incident. [BET]

U.S. student is killed while filming the violence in Syria. [MSNBC]

The FBI is now helping Kenyan officials investigate a bomb that exploded in downtown Nairobi. [AP]

The U.N. confirms that Sudan has pulled its troops out of the disputed Abyei border region also claimed by South Sudan. [BBC]

New poll shows President Obama’s approval rating is up 50 percent, Black female lawmaker proposes bill to limit men’s access to Viagra and Harlem churches see gospel tourism boom.

Poll shows Obama’s approval rating is up 50 percent. [Reuters]

Black female lawmaker introduces bill to limit men’s access to Viagra. [YahooNews]

Harlem churches see gospel tourism boom on Sundays. [BET]

Rick Santorum takes in two more primary victories. [FOX]

Majority of New Yorkers agree with NYPD spying on Muslims. [USATODAY]

Study shows sex education actually delays sexual activity. [BET]

Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga is found guilty at the Hague. [AllAfrica]

Oprah’s Houston family interview breaks OWN viewership records. [BET]

African-American smokers face additional barriers to quitting. [Florida Times-Union]

Libya seeks to become the next hot tourist destination. [MSNBC]

(Photo: John Amis-Pool/Getty Images)

In today’s top news, Bishop Eddie long’s wife files for divorce, rough winds batter parts of California, the ICC hires an African at the helm and Cain’s latest accuser has a bleeding heart.

Black unemployment increased slightly in November. [BET]

Bishop Eddie Long’s wife files for divorce. [AJC]

Wild winds wreak havoc in California. [CNN]

Honda recalls hundreds of thousands of airbags. [MSNBC]

NYC Mayor admits he “smoked up” in college. [MSNBC]

Some McDonald’s to charge for Happy Meal toys. [CSM]

First Family lights national Christmas tree. [Reuters]

Cain accuser’s “heart bleeds” for his wife Gloria. [CNN]

A Gambian woman will take over as prosecutor for the ICC [BBC]

Rich nations pledge climate donations to developing world. [AJE]