In the Nation

HAWAII

A blizzard - yes,

a blizzard - warning

Some people in Hawaii are dreaming of a White Christmas.

A blizzard warning remained in effect Wednesday for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. While snow on the mountains is common, a blizzard with significant accumulation is unusual.

Up to eight inches of snow could accumulate above 11,500 feet, the National Weather Service said. "Usually it's just a dusting or up to an inch or two," Weather Service meteorologist Norman Hui said. "Right now we have a pretty powerful winter storm."

The earliest the public can go up will likely be Friday, as road-clearing crews won't be working on Christmas, said Ryan Lyman, forecast meteorologist for the Mauna Kea Weather Center.

The last time there was a white Christmas was in 2008, he said. - AP

LOUISIANA

Fatal mall shooting

A Christmas Eve shooting left one person dead at a mall in suburban New Orleans, and police said a suspect was in custody. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said it happened about 4:21 p.m. Wednesday, less than two hours before the mall in Gretna was scheduled to close for the holiday. Normand said the victim had just bought something from Foot Locker and had turned from the cash register when a man walked to within three or four feet of him and began shooting. The sheriff said at least three shots were fired. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. - AP
CALIFORNIA

USS Peleliu docks

Families eagerly greeted crew members as the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu made a Christmas Eve homecoming to Naval Base San Diego after a six-month deployment in the western Pacific. It was the final homecoming for the Peleliu, which will be decommissioned in March.

- AP