PENNSYLVANIA

Michael Mele, a convicted sex offender, admitted to killing Texan dancer Laura Garza after he met her at a Manhattan nightclub three years ago. A judge agreed to sentence him to 23 year on manslaughter charges and 16 months to four years on evidence tampering.

Newt Gingrich has risen like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes to become a top-tier contender for the 2012 Republican Party nomination for U.S. president. But is he too old to serve in the most demanding, elected, public office in the world?

On the 39th anniversary of landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, President Obama and Republican presidential candidates who hope to challenge him in November spoke for and against the controversial Supreme Court ruling Sunday and Monday.

The Westboro Baptist Church, known for its infamous God Hates Fags slogan and unwelcome funeral pickets, has announced that it will protest at the funeral of renowned Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno.

The funeral for former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno will be held at Koch Funeral Home in State College. The funeral home is expected to announce details about Paterno's memorial later on Monday. Details about Paterno's funeral arrangement can be viewed on the funeral home's Web site.

The famed coach deserves better than to be immediately connected to Jerry Sandusky.

Joe Paterno, Penn State's former head football coach, died on Sunday, at the age of 85. He was battling lung cancer. Big Ten commissioner and several college head coaches have reacted to the news of Paterno's passing. Here are some of their statements as reported by NBC Sports:

Many athletes and coaches have issued statements about Joe Paterno's death on Sunday, but it is accused child molester Jerry Sandusky's statement that is making the most noise.

Joe Paterno, the 85-year-old former Penn State coach who was battling lung cancer, died on Sunday, after suffering further health complications the day prior, the family told the media. Since news of Paterno's death began spreading on Sunday, Sandusky and Penn State officials have issued statements. Read the statements here.

The famed Penn State head football coach died on Sunday at State College Hospital due to complications from lung cancer.

Joe Paterno, a man whose shining career as Penn State University's head football coach was overshadowed by recent child sex-abuse allegations against one of his former assistants, has died. He was 85.

After a bruising clash in South Carolina, Republican presidential front-runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich will take their battle to a bigger stage when the campaign moves to Florida on Sunday. The Palmetto State's primary-election results indicate their fight may last quite a few more rounds.

Scott Paterno, the son of former Pennsylvania State University football coach Joe Paterno has refuted reports that his father has died. CBS report is wrong -- Dad is alive but in serious condition, he tweeted. We continue to ask for your prayers and privacy during this time.

Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is dead, according to reports.Paterno, known affectionately as JoePa, died at the age of 85 of lung cancer, according to CBS Sports.

The winner of South Carolina's Republican presidential primary has gone on to secure the party's nomination in every election since 1980. Mitt Romney must overcome Newt Gingrich in the South Carolina primary on Saturday to retain his aura of inevitability as the GOP's eventual nominee.

With the crucial Republican presidential primary in South Carolina just hours away, longtime front-runner Mitt Romney is acknowledging what some opinion polls are suggesting: He could lose Saturday.

Lara Stone has resumed her role as the face of Calvin Klein Jeans. The new ad campaign will, without a doubt, work wonders for the brand's spring collection. The results are sweltering hot with Stone posing topless in numerous shots.

Pro-life activist Elizabeth Leichert released a flier this week slamming Santorum for allegedly being a wolf in sheep's clothing in his opposition to abortion. But in was Leichert's attack on the GOP candidate's wife Karen, whom she accused of having a six year affair with an older abortionist, that forced the former Pennsylvania senator to strike back.

The number of Americans filing for new jobless benefits dropped to an almost four-year low last week, and factory activity in the mid-Atlantic expanded moderately, suggesting the economy carried some momentum into the new year.

Gingrich exploded at CNN's John King for opening the debate with questions about his ex-wife, Santorum stepped up to the plate, Romney floundered and Paul desperately tried to get attention. How did the four candidates measure up?

The South Carolina primary is on Jan. 21, 2012, and GOP candidates Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich were gunning for every vote during tonight's second debate. Who do you think won this round, and who do you support for the 2012 GOP nomination? Vote here to let us know.