Cruz, Clinton win IA caucuses
The New York Times has declared Texas Sen. Ted Cruz the winner of the 2016 Iowa Republican caucus and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the winner of the Democratic caucus with 100 percent of precincts reporting. Cruz beat out businessman Donald Trump with a better-than-expected turnout for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Clinton won by a razor thin measure of just 0.3 percent. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley dropped out of the Republican and Democratic races respectively following weak Iowa turnout.
— Compiled by Mary Ramsey, New Editor
Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring
For just the 18th time since the tradition began in 1887, the famed Pennsylvania groundhog Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow Groundhog Day morning, according to The Washington Post, signaling an early spring. There are varying records of the groundhog's accuracy, with some reports saying he has been right as much as 80 percent and others as low as 39 percent.
— Compiled by Mary Ramsey, News Editor
S.C. senator endorses Marco Rubio following strong Iowa finish
The State reports that South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. The endorsement came shortly after Rubio's stronger-than-expected finish in the Iowa caucuses. Scott highlighted that he believes Rubio is the GOP's best shot at beating Hillary Clinton in the general election. It is believed that Scott was influenced by another member of the South Carolina congressional delegation, Spartanburg Rep. Trey Gowdy, who had already endorsed Rubio.
— Compiled by Mary Ramsey, News Editor