1. A gunman identified as Joe Jackson fatally shot 3 people and held a hostage at gunpoint in Chicago over what authorities are calling a patent dispute surrounding a toilet seat invention. Police shot and killed Jackson, freeing the hostage without injury.

2. Will there be a space flight tonight? NASA officials are hoping to launch Space Shuttle Discovery this evening, but a windy forecast threatens the lift-off.

3. Two US pilots detained in Brazil arrived in Long Island today to a rousing welcome from family and friends. The pilots are accused of playing a role in the crash that killed 154 people in the Amazon jungle.

4. Even though a Savanna man shivered for hours to create this scene, it's really a heart-warming story. Jim Long, bundled in his winter jackets, spread machine-made snow all over his lawn to create a winter wonderland for his wife

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. hold at gunpoint : PHR
If you are held at gunpoint, someone is threatening to shoot and kill you if you do not obey them.

2. rousing : ADJ
Lively, exciting, inspiring, moving, spirited, stimulating, stirring...

3. savanna : N-VAR
A savanna is a large area of flat, grassy land, usually in Africa.

4. wonderland : N-COUNT
You can refer to a place as a wonderland when it is strange and very beautiful or exciting.