Stories to Watch: 1/9/14

A new government report shows that healthcare spending is growing at a rate slower than the rate of the economy for the first time since the 1990s -- i.e., post-Obamacare and in terms of constant dollars, healthcare costs are falling. The GOP might just rather you stay focused on the Christie debacle.


Speaking of Christie, ThinkProgress has a compendium of links to background and related stories. Really worth the time.


As Chico Esquela was fond of saying, "Keep'a you eye on de ball": Sen. James Inhofe goes off on a rant about climate change and God and who knows what all -- during a debate about unemployment benefits. Focus, Jimmy, focus.


When Israel adopts the "world's most liberal" abortion policy, the far right are willing to ignore it. It's a bit of congitive dissonance that's always interesting to watch -- if the US were as far left as Israel on social policy, these guys would be clawing their eyes out in panic.


FOX's John Stossel continues to be America's premier asshole -- now with added sexism.


New York Governor Andrew Cuomo uses his State of the State address to announce $1 billion in new funding for solar projects.


Finally, Russian authorities find "multiple unexplained deaths and explosive devices" in a region near where the Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi. A pretty disturbing story.


[cartoon via Truthdig]