Today in Polar Vortex: After yesterday brought freezing temperatures to all 50 states, today sees the cold lessening slightly in the eastern U.S. At least 21 deaths across the country have been attributed to the record-breaking cold.

New Jersey Politics: "Bombshell documents show that decisions that caused days of traffic jams near the George Washington Bridge — possibly in retaliation against a Democratic mayor who wouldn't endorse Gov. Chris Christie for reelection—reached closer to Christie than he has previously acknowledged."

Feds Crack Down on Bogus "Diet Aids": "[T]he weight loss products targeted by FTC both waste consumers' money and prevent them from seeking out legitimate treatments."

Ayatollah Cracks Down on Coed Cyberchat: Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a fatwa banning unrelated men and women from chatting online.

34-Year-Old Port Orchard Woman Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison for Torturing 13 Year Old: "[The victim] told sheriff's deputies they beat him with a baseball bat, sliced his skin with a heated knife, forced him to remain naked in a portable dog kennel without food and water and once drove a nail through his palm."

Issaquah Father Arrested in Attack on 6-Week-Old Son: "His head was placed between the defendant's forearm and bicep, and the defendant squoze his head while still pushing down on his face, in order to stop his cries."

"One college athlete can't read sports stories about himself. Another has to be taught to sound out Wis-con-sin": CNN on near-illiteracy of certain college athletes.

South Seattle Hash Bomb: "The Seattle Fire Department says an explosion linked to the production of marijuana extracts blew a one-story building off its foundation, but didn't cause any injuries."

Dig In!: Tests show Puget Sound geoduck clams safe to eat.

Finally, in case you missed it, here's Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox eloquently shutting down Katie Couric's invasive questions on transgender issues. I love her.