(Photo: REUTERS/Lee Celano)

In today’s top news,  the nation’s ERs are standing at the ready for New Year’s mayhem, some warn that shopping while intoxicated may cause damage to your wallet this season and Colorado is the latest state to ask for marijuana to be considered medicine.

U.S. emergency rooms getting ready for the busiest weekend of the year. [AP]

FAMU may lose accreditation. [Washington Post]

Eddie Long’s New Birth Academy closes. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

New York City Muslims snub Mayor’s annual dinner over police surveillance gripes. [AP]

Online retailers profit from consumers who shop “under the influence.” [New York Times]

More than one million have visited the 9/11 memorial since its opening. [FOX News]

New island rises in the Red Sea. [MSNBC]

Arizona Mexican-American studies program ruled unlawful. [CNN]

Chinese language instruction on the rise in nation’s classrooms. [CNN]

Jamaicans to vote in a close election. [BBC]

Colorado asks Feds to make way for medical marijuana in the state. [AP]

(Photo: AP Photo/Office of U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo)

In today’s top news, a Black WWII veteran finally gets his due, Nigeria fights to fend off terrorist attacks, and a post-Christmas shopping day at the Mall of America turns into an all-out brawl.

Black Navy veteran receives medal for WWII action. [BET]

More than 100 Sears and Kmart stores to close soon. [MSNBC]

Some members of Congress just keep getting richer. [NYT]

Nigeria is still reeling from deadly Christmas Day bombings. [BET]

Egypt puts an end to “virginity tests” for detained female protesters. [CNN]

A fired man catches a lawsuit from his former company over his Twitter followers. [BBC]

Post-Christmas shopping turned into a brawl at the Mall of America. [StarTribune]

Man returns $10,000 to teach his children a lesson about honesty. [AP]

Atlanta rapper Young Vito surrenders in Slim Dunkin murder case. [BET]

Iran seeks the death penalty for an alleged U.S. spy. [FOX]