Salute: Acts of Kindness Overwhelms Boston Marathon Runners, Community

Residents, students offered shelter and bathroom use to runners stranded after bombings

We can all agree how horrific the bombings were at the Boston Marathon on Monday. According to the latest updates, three people are dead and more than 140 were injured after the two explosions in the middle of the international event. Along with the gruesome pictures and video, reports of amazing acts of kindness have emerged. A Google Docs form was created to give Boston residents and students the ability to share their contact information and offer their beds, couches and bathrooms to marathon runners who had nowhere to go after the bombings. On the street, runners report being offered shelter and access to showers by complete strangers. At least one restaurant near the marathon finish line offered free WiFi, cellphone charging, food and drinks, saying “pay only if you can.” Marathon runners, who finished before the blasts, reportedly ran to local hospitals to donate blood. How inspiring, right?! Were you (or are you) in Boston? Do you have any stories to share? If so, please do so in the comment section below. (USA Today)

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Obama Inaugural: Ticket Peddling, Beyoncé & Million Dollar Donations

Ceremony shaping up for the second swearing in of nation’s first black president

As more news emerges about the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, the details are certainly a lesson in success for event planners. For starters, the Presidential Inaugural Committee on Wednesday announced that hit-makers Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson will perform some of the country’s most patriotic songs during the ceremony, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21. The big names joining the inaugural event perhaps explain why ticket peddlers are already selling the normally free tickets on eBay and Craigslist for up to $2,000 apiece. Organizers are trying to clamp down on the black market of inaugural tickets, which are distributed by members of Congress, either on a first-come-first-served basis or by lottery. About 250,000 tickets were issued to lawmakers for handout. Obama, through his committee, seems to have gone back on a pledge to limit the influence of money in politics. Inaugural event organizers are soliciting as much as $1 million from federal contractors and businesses for VIP access. Big donors are said to include AT&T, Microsoft, and a business that selling inauguration merchandise. (AP + Reuters)

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Other Firsts We’d Like To See In Congress

TWO OR MORE BLACK FEMALE SENATORS: There’s only ever been one black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. Her name is Carole Moseley Braun and she hails from the same place that President Barack Obama called home when he was a U.S. senator. In the 113th Congress, Republican Tim Scott becomes the first black senator from the south to serve since the 19th century. Loop 21 Composite/Getty

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Sure, this Congress is diverse, but how about a rapper, a GenXYer and others

As the 113th Congress was sworn in last week, talk was not of the tasks the new class of congressmen and women have ahead, but of its extraordinary diversity.

This Congress has its first openly lesbian senator, its first Hindu member, more Latino members and more female senators than ever before, and, of course, Tim Scott, the first black senator from the South since Reconstruction.

But there are more firsts to be had and records to break. What about swearing in two or more black female senators in a future session? What about an only gay black congressman? What about – GASP! – a black Speaker of the House?

And why does any of that matter, you might ask? This Congress is indeed the most diverse body to be sworn in, but it still comes up short when you compare it to the diversity of the entire U.S. In 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with over 311 million people living in the U.S., the country was 63 percent white, nearly 17 percent Hispanic, about 13 percent black and 5 percent Asian.

Given that spread, the U.S. Senate would need more than just Scott as the sole African American, and more than just the few Latinos, currently serving amongst the 100. The same could be said for the House of Representatives, which does a better job in terms of diversity, given candidates do not have to run statewide races, where the ethnic and political makeup can vary drastically from their home districts.

To be truly representative of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion, the nation’s political parties and voters have some work and candidate grooming to do. Here, a few ideas for "firsts" we’d like to see in a future session.

View them in the gallery above.

In The Loop: New Year's Resolutions

Matt Simon hits the streets in search of your opinion.

In the Loop: New Year's Wishes

Matt Simon hits the streets in search of your opinion.

D.C. Officials: Obama’s 2nd Inauguration Won’t Be As Big

Second inaugurations tend to drew fewer spectators

Looking for a D.C. hotel during President Barack Obama’s second inaugurations? You may not have trouble finding a good deal, says city officials bracing for the momentous occasion. Officials are expecting 600,000 to 800,000 visitors for the Jan. 21 inauguration, far fewer than the 1.8 million people who flooded the frosty National Mall four years ago. Still, Obama’s second inauguration could be the last time the country swears in a black president. In 2009, some hotels sold out months in advance and visitors paid an average daily rate of $600 for the night before the inauguration. Elliott Ferguson, CEO of the tourism bureau Destination DC, said he expected demand for hotels to pick up after Christmas. (Associated Press)

[ALSO READ: Inauguration Plans? A Guide To Getting A Deal]

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Jay-Z, Kanye West Lead in Grammy Nominations

Hip-hop’s biggest figures show dominance in kick off to awards season

Hip hop’s dynamic duo, rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, are among the lead nominees for next year’s Grammy Awards, which were announced in Nashville on Wednesday night. R&B newcomer Frank Ocean was also among the top nominees, rounding out a male dominated leader pack for the awards ceremony. The 55th annual celebration of music will take place Feb. 10 in Los Angeles. Trophies in 81 categories will be handed out. (Associated Press)

For a full list of the categories and nominees, click here.

[ALSO READ: Frank Ocean’s Same Sex Revelation]

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NJ Gov. Chris Christie Beating Potential 2013 Challengers, Poll Shows

Popular Newark mayor Cory Booker four points behind in potential match-up

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, with his 56 percent approval rating among state voters, faces few close Democratic challengers in potential reelection match-ups next year. According to a Quinnipiac poll release on Wednesday, Mitt Romney surrogate Christie holds a 46 to 42 percent advantage over Newark, N.J. mayor and Obama campaign surrogate Cory Booker. "A sneak peak at the 2013 election for governor shows Newark Mayor Cory Booker could give Governor Christie a run for his money, if the mayor decides to run," Quinnipiac’s Maurice Carroll said. Although neither men has made their 2013 plans official, Christie is expected to run for reelection. (Reuters)

[ALSO READ: Cory Book Delivers Uplifting HRC Speech]

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