1. A Kentucky lawmaker accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in 2013 died in a probable suicide Wednesday, a day after he denied the allegations. Republican State Rep. Dan Johnson was found dead of a single gunshot wound near Mount Washington, Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said. (CNN)
2. A city-run homeless shelter will stay open around the clock beginning this week, offering new daytime refuge as winter weather begins to hit Portland. The Oxford Street Shelter on Wednesday will officially end its policy of asking people staying there to clear out in the early morning. The shelter began 24-hour-a-day service Monday as a “soft opening” and will remain open all day and night until a new shelter is built. As part to the shift to all-day operations, the city said it would hire additional staff, install lockers in the shelter and set up a portable bathroom next to it. (BDN)
3. Augusta native, Jessica Leclerc, will be officiating women’s hockey at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Leclerc, 32, will be one of only four American women to serve as an on-ice official during the women’s tournament, which opens Feb. 10 with preliminary round games. (Press Herald)
4.The security company Safewise released its top 10 pet-friendly states, and Maine is number one on the list. According to the list, the Pine Tree state has 76 dog-friendly beaches and nearly 1,000 pet friendly hotels. (WCSH)
5. The maker of Oreo cookies says three new flavors are coming next year.
The flavors are cherry cola, kettle corn, and pina colada. The three new variations will be available in May, and a winning flavor will be picked in the summer. (WGME)
