5 Things to Know This Morning

Dec. 18, 2012 — -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. First Children's Funerals Held in Newtown
Funeral services were held Monday for two of the victims of Friday's school shooting in Newton, CT. CT State Police Lt. Paul Vance said that the investigation into the shooting could take months.

2. Powerful Storm Slams Northwest
A powerful storm has hit the Northwest, slamming Washington and Oregon with wind gusts of more than 80 miles per hour and blizzard conditions in the mountains. Snow is forecast along the Rockies as far south as Denver on Tuesday and Wednesday.

3. Split of Fiscal Cliff Narrowing
The two sides in the fiscal cliff debate are apparently getting closer. The White House presented a new offer to Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner on Monday, making concessions such as fewer tax increases and more limits on entitlement spending.

4. Judge Denies Apple's Request Over Samsung Phones
A federal judge denied Apple's request to stop the sale of Samsung smartphone models that a jury in August said illegally used Apple technology. Apple was awarded $1.5 billion in damages after Samsung was judged to have copied features of the iPhone and iPad.

5. Hawaii Senator Daniel K. Inouye Dead at 88
Hawaii Senator Daniel K. Inouye has died. Senator Inouye had served as a member of the House and Senate since 1959, when Hawaii became a state. He was 88-years-old.