JONES, MICH. — Winter enthusiasts can now set their alarms for 3 p.m. (Eastern), Jan. 7.

ABU-SIR, EGYPT — Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed the tomb of a previously unknown queen, Egyptian officials say.

NETHERLANDS — Parts of the Netherlands have turned into a winter wonderland, tempting locals to skate on ice-covered roads.

BALTIMORE —Parents of newborns go through a lot of anguish trying to determine why their baby is crying. Now, that anguish could possibly go away with a simple $3 app that was developed to decode crying and tell parents exactly what their baby’s crying means.

FREEPORT, MAINE — Man’s best friend has a different meaning for a little girl and her pet in Freeport, Maine.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Powerball jackpot has grown to $500 million Wednesday.

GREENVILLE, S.C. —The FBI, state and local law enforcement agencies are looking for a woman in connection with jewelry store robberies in multiple states with a man whom they believe is working with her.

INDIANAPOLIS — Thirteen grants totaling $9,609,702 were awarded to organizations and colleges to support programs that recruit, prepare, place and retain educators in schools with teacher shortages in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subject areas, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced today.

SOUTH BEND — This morning the Indiana Department of Education released the 2015 ISTEP scores.

BUCKS COUNTY, PENN. — Police plan to review video of a high school basketball coach appearing to head-butt a referee during a game in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Tuesday night.

CLINTON, UTAH — Firefighters in Utah got a special thank you from a dog they rescued after it fell through the ice on a frozen pond.

FORT WAYNE — Planning for your pregnancy is one of the most important steps you can take to give your baby a healthy start in life, health experts say, and the New Year is a great time to start developing good health habits.

ERIE, PENN. — It’s been a busy few weeks for Todd Burchanowski, of Erie, and his 8-year-old dog, Reyes, an outgoing mixture of poodle, beagle and best friend.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND — British primary school students have been treated to a real-life ancient history lesson after their playground unexpectedly turned into an archeological site.

SOUTH BEND — “Did you see that dress?” It’s a common question among “Downton Abbey” fans after catching the latest episode of the hit TV show.

GOSHEN — Goshen Community Schools will again be offering United Way Reading Camps to 20- 25 children at Chandler, Parkside, Model, Waterford, and West Goshen.

ELKHART COUNTY — A grass roots effort is underway in Elkhart to help the homeless during the winter months.

DULUTH, MINN. — The story of a man who saved a deer’s life by pulling the animal out of an icy Minnesota river is being circulated widely online.

HONOLULU — It’s not uncommon for the governor of Hawaii to declare a state of emergency, but the one the governor declared recently was a little different.

MORAGA, CALIF. — When a group of firefighters met 6-year-old Finley Brown at a summer festival in Moraga, California, they were instantly charmed.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — A St. Joseph County disabled veteran, battling terminal brain cancer, is starting the new year with more mobility thanks to an organization gaining a foothold in our area.

ST. CLOUD, FLA. — Police in St. Cloud said a woman mistook her daughter for an intruder, fatally shooting her late Tuesday night.

NDIANAPOLIS — Uncle Sam needs you to eat Army food, better known as “Meals, Ready to Eat” or MREs.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It doesn’t take much to turn Robyn Adams into the so-called Sparkle Lady. She dons a bright fuschia wig, a necklace and some bracelets and starts her journey visiting each women getting chemo treatment at the Levine Cancer Institute.

SOUTH BEND — An inmate who escaped from a Wisconsin prison at the end of November could be in South Bend, according to Michiana Crime Stoppers.

NEW YORK CITY — During Tuesday night’s broadcast of the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, the Queen of Soul walked out onstage with the most casual grace imaginable.

SAN PABLO, PHILIPPINES — A Catholic priest in the Philippines has been forced to repent after he took a spin on a hoverboard — during Christmas Eve Mass.

DETROIT, ORE. — On Oct. 29, Marion Sheriff Deputy Dave Zahn went to Detroit Lake to take pictures of Old Detroit, the 200-person town abandoned and flooded in the 1950s after the Detroit Dam was built.

COLUMBUS, OHIO — A Clintonville man is getting his second chance, after a life-saving heart transplant on Christmas Eve.

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis bail bondsman has been charged with the murders of two teens who haven’t been seen since Christmas Eve.

SOOAM, SOUTH KOREA — A British couple have been celebrating after a second cloned puppy was born using DNA from their beloved pet dog who died earlier this year.

RICHMOND, VIRG. — Temperatures may have felt like spring on Christmas Day in Richmond, Virginia, but there was snow on one of the city’s lawns, thanks to a husband who surprised his wife.

SARSTEDT, GERMANY — No matter where he is in the world, Santa Claus appears to be a popular guy.

NEW YORK — Netflix claims most parents fool their kids (or try to, anyway) into believing that midnight happens earlier than it actually does on New Year’s.

LAPORTE COUNTY — Veterinarians are working to save a dog found over the Christmas holidays in Michigan City with its mouth duct taped shut.

INDIANAPOLIS — Just because we have the technology, doesn’t mean we know how to use it.

HOLLYWOOD — Disney said Sunday that its blockbuster broke the $1 billion mark around the world faster than any other film in history.

SAN DIEGO — Authorities Sunday identified a 33-year-old man from out of town who fell to his death at Sunset Cliffs Friday when he apparently became distracted by an electronic device he was monitoring.

INDIANAPOLIS — A year ago, Jordan McLinn became the youngest firefighter in America.

By MICHAEL SAN FILIPPO, MS Senior Media Relations Specialist, American Veterinary Medical Association SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Following a health checkup at the North Pole, Santa’s veterinarian has given the green light to Rudolph’s red nose and the rest of the reindeer that will be traveling the world this Christmas Eve. Dr. Joe Kinnarney, president of the …read more.

ORLANDO — Out at Walt Disney World, Star Wars has a major presence already, with shows featuring the characters from the beloved films. Sometimes, they’re even involved in a little “extra Disney magic.”

HAM LAKE, MINN. — A 76-year-old man living in extreme poverty received a new home for the holidays, thanks to a compassionate pizza delivery driver who inspired a community to help.

CHICAGO — Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, meant for the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, is the third best Christmas song behind Stevie Wonder’s “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Me” and the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Christmas Time Is Here.”

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. — A 7-year-old New Jersey girl called 911 in a panic when she did something that she thought would get her in trouble with Santa.

No matter what year, no matter what decade, there have always been must-have holiday toys.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. — A great story of generosity during this holiday season as waitress in Morehead City received quite a surprise and gift after a family of five dining at her restaurant left her a 1,000 dollar tip, the biggest she’s ever received.

FRANKLIN — It was the ultimate Christmas surprise for a woman in Franklin Sunday.

INDIANAPOLIS — Expect a rare sight in the sky overhead this Christmas, and no, we’re not talking about Santa Claus.

DENVER — This video was taken on Dec. 7 at the Denver International Airport, when the Santa Barbara-based troupe State Street Ballet was stuck at the airport for more than five hours.

A flight attendant was unable to hold back her fear when a mischievous cat escaped its carrier and roamed free in the cabin of a Delta Air Lines flight.

NEW BUFFALO, MICH. —The Four Winds in New Buffalo is lit up with Christmas lights for all the guests to enjoy. Including, one iconic piece that stands in the entrance way for all to see.

NEW YORK CITY — These vintage photographs capture a timeless energy and diversity that is characteristic of the sleepless streets of New York City.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA — A radio host was so determined to get listeners in the festive spirit he barricaded himself in a studio to play Wham’s Last Christmas, on repeat, 24 times.

PARADISE, UTAH — A father has started an adorable new holiday photography project. He’s dressing up his 4-month-old son in an “Elf on the Shelf’ outfit, taking daily photos and chronicling the photos online.

LAS VEGAS — A driver veered onto a crowded sidewalk several times on the Las Vegas Strip, injuring more than 30 people in what authorities described as an “intentional” act.

GARY — Youths wearing pants low enough that their underwear can be seen could be required to perform community service in the future.

HOLLYWOOD — A great Jedi master once said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” This weekend “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” did not try; it did.

SEARCY COUNTY, ARK. — A gruesome discovery was made on Thursday afternoon in southern Searcy County, just off of Arkansas 254 in the Chimes-Trace Ridge Area south of Marshall.

WILMINGTON, N.C. — A homeless woman living in the woods found out she’ll be going home just in time for the holidays, thanks to the kindness of strangers.

BENTON HARBOR, MICH. — It’s a family-owned store in Berrien County that’s been in business for nearly 30 years.

WASHINGTON D.C. — The killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe earlier this year by Walter Palmer, a US dentist, caused a global outcry against the hunting for sport of the animal.

LAS VEGAS — Beauty pageants are places where grace and poise are meant to rule, but a decidedly awkward moment stole the show Sunday.

WASHINGTON D.C. — The spending deal Congress reached Tuesday night includes an unprecedented increase in funding for Alzheimer’s research: $350 million in fiscal 2016. If approved by the White House, it will increase government spending on the disease by over 50 percent.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. — In a dimly lit room off Oak Island Drive, Sally Winey gets to work on her grandmother’s 1898 Singer sewing machine. As of this year, she’s mended over 30,000 stuffed animals, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

OMAHA, NEB. — A mosque, a church and a synagogue go up on the site of an old Jewish country club.

BRISTOL — Author Joy Hill depicts the importance of encouragement in one’s success in her new children’s book, “Berry the Bird’s Big Race.” Her delightful kids’ read is set for nationwide release this week.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. — Beneath a string of holiday lights, they rest by the dozen in the unusually chilly air.

SEABURN, U.K. — Since Greyhounds are so notoriously lean, they don’t carry around much body fat. Thus, they tend to be super sensitive to the cold.

SOUTH BEND — Three professional runners and Notre Dame graduates qualified for the 2016 Olympic standard, and next summer they will be competing.

The Sky Zone Trampoline Park opens Thursday in Mishawaka. The park is located off of Grape Road.

GALT, CALIF. — A tiny kitten was discovered headed down a conveyor belt at a Galt recycling facility Tuesday, just as she was moving toward a potentially fatal compression.

BLOOMINGTON, MINN.— There have been some great basketball tandems over the years. Jabbar and Magic. Jordan and Pippen. LeBron and Wade.

PLAINFIELD — Plainfield schools have closed Thursday following an online threat overnight. Police say that same threat may have moved to Danville schools, also prompting that corporation to cancel classes for the day.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Christmas is a very special time of the year. Families gather to spend time with loved ones. It is also a time to decorate and enjoy other decorations around town.

APEX, N.C. — Simply keeping up a massive, 110-year-old home can be hard enough. Moving it a quarter of a mile down the road, across a bridge over the 540 Outer Loop and into a muddy field is a whole other level of complicated.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Several Hoosier colleges and universities are featured in the annual list of 300 best values in colleges and universities from “Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.”

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced that the Red Bull Air Race World Championship Series will be coming to Indy in 2016.

MECHANICSBURG, PENN. — Most people are familiar with Santa C., but in central Pennsylvania a man referred to as Santa B has created quite a buzz by getting in on the cause of Claus.

KISSIMMEE, FL. — For car collectors, it’s equivalent to finding a Picasso in the attic or a letter from Abraham Lincoln in their grandfather’s papers. A rare vintage car has been sitting in a barn for decades.

SOUTH BEND — How about re-naming the city of South Bend to Sith Bend?

ATLANTA — A group of patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) were in for a special treat when they had the opportunity to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole.

DETROIT — Detroit has been named to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Design.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y — In 2013, Sa’fyre Terry lost her father and three younger siblings in an arson fire which also left her with burns over 75 percent of her body and claimed her right hand and left foot.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Here are some things that did not yet exist when Susannah Mushatt Jones was born in Alabama on July 6, 1899: the Model T, and for that matter the Ford Motor Company. The teddy bear. Thumbtacks and tea bags. Puccini’s “Tosca” and Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag.” The Flatiron Building and the subway system beneath it. Emma Morano, an Italian woman born four months later, who is today the only other living soul who was around before 1900.

INDIANAPOLIS — Chances are you or your kids have a Star Wars toy or some kind of merchandise from the film series.

SOUTH BEND — South Bend Community School Corp.’s administration doesn’t have a solid enough plan for implementing later start times at intermediate schools and high schools to bring it to the board for approval yet.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A droid that was the constant companion of a little girl dying of a brain tumor will have a cameo in the upcoming “Star Wars” film.

NEW YORK — The story of a Syrian refugee has touched the heart of Edward Norton.

SOUTH BEND — Gun violence costs the U.S. roughly $229 billion dollars each year — or $700 a person, according to a Mother Jones report. But, then there’s the emotional cost.

CAVERSHAM, ENGLAND — A touching letter written to Father Christmas more than 60 ago is about to be reunited with the man who penned it as a young boy.

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. — The operators of Maggie Valley’s Ghost Town in the Sky say it’s time to change the old amusement park’s identity in order to continue running.

COLUMBUS — It took Zoey six months and several hundred miles to find her way home. But Sunday night, thanks to the chip in her shoulder and the help of several volunteers, she found her way back to Indiana.

CHAMPAIGN, ILLIN. — For one week in December, between finals and end-of-semester goodbyes, students in one college dorm take turns singing holiday tunes to strangers.

MORGAN COUNTY — A Morgan County family is spending the month of December doing nice things for other people.

BALTIMORE — A tip reporting a bad smell led authorities to confiscate dozens of sick snakes from a Baltimore apartment.

INDIANAPOLIS — In addition to a new dessert recipe or family vacation photos, bring an important gift home this holiday season and become educated about the warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

CANTON, OHIO — Another mall Santa went above and beyond, this time in Ohio.

GOSHEN — A massive fire at a Goshen farm killed at least five calves and destroyed two barns.

ITHACA, N.Y. — The world’s first puppies have been conceived using IVF — the same test-tube method that leads to the births of tens of thousands of human babies every year.

HUNTINGTON — ACRES Land Trust has expanded Tel-Hy nature preserve with a 6.9 acre donation by Phillip Smith, a friend and neighbor of Hy and Lorraine Goldenberg, donors of the existing Huntington County preserve. Smith, a 1968 wildlife management graduate of Purdue University, sees donating his land as a natural extension of his life.