LONG BEACH (CBSLA) — A dog that was found severely abused, tied up in a bag and left for dead in a Long Beach dumpster last month is making such a speedy recovery, she could be put up for adoption by the end of January.

more via Dog Left For Dead In Long Beach Dumpster Making Speedy Recovery — CBS Los Angeles

LONG BEACH (CBSLA) – With students away for winter break, thousands of dollars’ worth of electronics was stolen from an elementary school in Long Beach this week.

more via Burglar Steals Thousands Of Dollars In Electronics From Long Beach School — CBS Los Angeles

For the first time since 1997, the coming of a new year has introduced an entire library of culture into the public domain in the U.S. Public Domain Days used to be an annual event until 1998, when a new law named after Sonny Bono suddenly extended copyright protections by 20 years. Until now.…

Read more via Free stuff! All of these songs, book and movies just hit the public domain on Jan. 1 — National Post

As we await the ball to drop in Times Square to bring in the New Year in the eastern United States, countries around the world have already celebrated the start to 2019. One of the first countries to welcome the New Year is Samoa and some of the U.S. territories in the Pacific, including Midway Island…

via It’s Already 2019 Across the World: Here’s What the New Year Looks Like in Sydney, Tokyo and Other Cities — TIME

(AUSTIN, Texas) — A family member says the nation’s oldest World War II veteran who was also believed to be oldest living man in the U.S. has died in Texas. Richard Overton was 112. Shirley Overton, whose husband was Richard’s cousin, says the Army veteran died Thursday evening at a rehab facility in Austin…

via America’s Oldest World War II Veteran Has Died in Texas at Age 112 — TIME

A former United States Department of the Interior official warned on Friday that keeping U.S. national parks open during the partial government shutdown can be dangerous.

via Former Interior Department Official Warns Against Keeping National Parks Open During Government Shutdown — TIME

There’s going to be a lot more to see at the Aquarium of the Pacific than just the wildlife in the next couple of months. As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, the Long Beach aquarium is holding an ocean-inspired art exhibition through Feb.15 featuring the work from artists.…

via Why the Aquarium of the Pacific will also be an art gallery through February — Orange County Register