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NEW & DEVELOPING:

CONGRESSMAN-STOCK INDICTMENT, VAPING FLAVORS, TIMES LAWSUIT-EPSTEIN, FATAL STABBING-INDICTMENT, SYRACUSE-RACISM, BKC—CORNELL-ELMIRA

TOP STORIES:

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-WEINSTEIN

Supermodel Gigi Hadid is in the running to be a juror in Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial after telling a judge Monday that she thinks she would be able to “keep an open mind on the facts.” Hadid, who lives in Manhattan, turned heads as part of the latest pool of 120 potential jurors summoned for the case. By Tom Hays. SENT: 625 words, photos; video planned.

VAPING FLAVORS

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York lawmakers could ban flavored tobacco products amid growing concern over the tobacco and vaping industry's use of flavorings to attract young people and African Americans, though it's unclear whether a push to ban menthol cigarettes will succeed. By Marina Villeneuve. SENT: 625 words.

HANUKKAH STABBINGS

A man charged in a bloody attack at a Hanukkah celebration may need attorneys specializing in death penalty cases if a stabbing victim dies, a judge said Monday. U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel raised the subject during a court hearing for Grafton Thomas after he pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges. SENT: 405 words.

TREASURY EMPLOYEE-LEAK INVESTIGATION

NEW YORK — A former U.S. Treasury Department senior adviser pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy for leaking confidential banking reports related to special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. By Larry Neumeister. SENT: 425 words.

FARE EVASION-INVESTIGATION

NEW YORK — New York City's policing of subway fare beaters is drawing scrutiny from the state’s attorney general for possible racial bias. SENT: 550 words, photo.

TIMES LAWSUIT-EPSTEIN

BOSTON — A Harvard University law professor announced Monday that he is suing The New York Times for what he calls “clickbait defamation" over a story the newspaper published related to donations from financier Jeffrey Epstein. SENT: 250 words.

CONGRESSMAN-STOCK INDICTMENT

NEW YORK — Prosecutors say a former U.S. congressman should serve nearly five years in prison for feeding inside information about a biotechnology company to his son. Former Rep. Christopher Collins "came to embody the cynical idea that those in power who make the laws are not required to follow them,” prosecutors say. His sentencing is set for Friday. By Larry Neumeister. SENT: 500 words, photos.

WATER MAIN BREAK-MANHATTAN

A water main break flooded streets on Manhattan's Upper West Side near Lincoln Center and hampered subway service during the Monday morning rush hour. SENT: 250 words. With photos.

POLITICS:

ELECTION 2020-BLOOMBERG

Mike Bloomberg isn't going to be the loudest campaigner in the Democratic primary contest, and he's not planning to spend time talking about his rivals. With the first votes just weeks away, he acts more like he's running in a general election than a primary. By Kathleen Ronayne. SENT: 1,375 words, photos.

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION-NORTHEAST

A year ago, marijuana legalization looked like it was on a roll in the Northeast — it had already passed in three of the region’s states and was a priority for governors in three more, including the populous New York. Now, after legislative efforts stalled and a vaping sickness stirred new concerns, the governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut still want to make recreational pot legal. They and Pennsylvania’s governor have been comparing notes. By Jennifer Peltz. SENT: 986 words, photos.

IN BRIEF:

— SYRACUSE-RACISM: Syracuse University chancellor outlines anti-racism plans

— POLICE CHASE-CRASH: NY police chase ends when car hits tree: 1 dead, 2 injured

— FATAL STABBING-INDICTMENT: Man expected to be charged with murder in woman's death

— PAYROLL BILL: A New York lawmaker is working to push forward legislation that would ensure employees are protected from any future issues with payroll processing companies.

— CUOMO-PUERTO RICO: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is heading to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of earthquakes.

— MINOR EARTHQUAKE: Some northern New York residents were shaken by a small earthquake just north of the Canadian border early Monday.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

BOOKS-YOUTH AMBASSADOR

One of the country's most highly regarded children's writers will soon have a new honor: Jason Reynolds has been named the next National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, a two-year position. SENT: 321 words.

SPORTS:

HKN—ISLANDERS-RANGERS

NEW YORK — N.Y. Rangers 6, N.Y. Islanders 2. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

HKN—NHL COMBINE-BUFFALO

The NHL's top prospects will continue making their pre-draft stops in Buffalo for at least another three years. The league on Monday announced an extension of its agreement to hold its annual scouting combine in Buffalo at the Sabres downtown practice facility, LECOM Harborcenter, through 2022. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. SENT: 674 words, photo.

BBA—YANKEES-GARDNER

Outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees finalized his $12.5 million, one-year contract on Saturday. New York agreed to the deal Dec. 13 during the winter meetings, and the 36-year-old took a physical on Tuesday. SENT: 226 words, photo.

HKN—MULTIPLE ROLE PLAYERS

The Rangers’ Brendan Smith is is one of a couple of throwback-style players bouncing between forward and defense this season. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. SENT: 1114 words, photos.

STUDENT ATHLETES-FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers have begun considering whether they will allow college athletes to profit from their names and images. Similar efforts are underway in Georgia, Maryland, New York, South Carolina and Washington, among others. By Bobby Caina Calvan. SENT: 450 words, photos.

Also:

— BKC—CORNELL-ELMIRA: Defense shines as Cornell tops Elmira 70-33

— FBN—MANNING AWARD: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has won the 2020 Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award. SENT: 225 words.