DIED
Geraldine Rhoads, 98, editor of Woman's Day from 1966 to 1982, who opened the magazine to topics like women's health and domestic violence. RELEASED
George Ryan, former Illinois governor, from federal prison. He served more than five years for corruption before qualifying for early release. CONFIRMED
John Kerry, Democratic Senator from Massachusetts, to be the next U.S. Secretary of State, by a 94-to-3 vote of his colleagues in the Senate. Kerry, who succeeds Hillary Rodham Clinton, has been a Senator since 1985.
DIED
Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner, 69, lead singer for the Ohio Players. The funk band was best known for its 1970s hits "Fire," "Skin Tight" and "Love Rollercoaster."
APPROVED
By a federal judge, a criminal settlement against BP stemming from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. BP pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will pay $4 billion in penalties.
ANNOUNCED
By Jim Nabors, best known as TV's Gomer Pyle, his Jan. 15 marriage in Seattle to his partner of 38 years, Stanley Cadwallader, a former firefighter.