NEW MUSIC DISCOVERY - The Mowgli's "San Francisco"

Today's New Music Discovery is from The Mowgli’s! In keeping Close to Home for the Holidays, local group The Mowgli’s have been on our radar since our friend Nic Adler from the Roxy tipped us off about them. Self described “rock ‘n roll with southern California soul” 5 childhood friends from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, augmented by 3 mid-western transplants, The Mowgli's are a quintessential California band. Inspired by the magnetism of San Francisco, the grind of Los Angeles and the serenity of the Big Sur Coast, their songs are a joyous revival of rock n' roll, a twisting indie-folk dance and a heartfelt protest ballad. Part 60's Laurel Canyon, part 70's Venice Beach and part 10's Silverlake, the band and the harmonies are held together by their message of universal love, peace and the belief that the highest form of consciousness is achieved by togetherness and unity. They'll also be our artist in resident next month! Catch "San Francisco" at 9a, 130p, 645p or right here on 987fm.com!

Winter Storm Creating Holiday Travel Nightmare

A powerful winter storm slamming the Northeast left thousands of travelers stranded on Thursday, as scores of flights were canceled or delayed. More than 400 flights within, into or out of the United States were canceled early Thursday. The Christmas storm unleashed heavy snow, bristling winds and tornadoes in the South and Midwest, killing six people, including two young children. Some flights arriving at New York’s LaGuardia Airport were delayed an average of an hour Thursday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Sixty flights were canceled Thursday at Philadelphia International Airport, after 300 flights were grounded the day before, an airport spokesperson said. Los Angeles International Airport was reporting delays Thursday morning for departures to Newark International Airport and JFK International of about an hour and 20 minutes. Travelers are being advised to check with their airlines before leaving home to see if their flights are postponed or canceled. For flight delay information by airport, visit: http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp. For real-time flight information for LAX, visit: http://www.lawa.org/fsw/. [KTLA]

Apple CEO Takes 99% Pay Cut

Apple CEO Tim Cook will see “only” $4.17 million this year, a 99 percent deduction compared to 2011’s $378 million compensation, due to a lack of stock awards, Forbes reports. As part of his pay package last year, Cook received $376.2 million in stock awards that he’ll get over the course of a decade. He received none this year which explains the seemingly drastic pay cut, although that actually isn’t the case at all, “it’s just a function of how pay has to be reported. His restricted stock (that $376 million) has to be reported in the company accounts as having been pay for last year.” Don’t feel too bad for the guy. Despite the fact the his compensation took such a hit, those stock awards are now valued at $750 million. [Paste]

Amazing Spider-Man No. 700 Marks Massive Change for Comic [SPOILER ALERT!!]

New Yorkers beware: no longer will you have the comfort of your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man. At least in the form of Peter Parker. After 50 years in publication, Parker ultimately loses a battle—sort of—with Doctor Octopus in Wednesday’s Amazing Spider-Man No. 700, according to the Hollywood Reporter. This may not be the end of Spidey just yet. As Marvel writer Dan Slott explains, Dr. Octopus takes on the life and exploits of the super hero for himself after transferring his mind into Parker’s body. With the comic’s darkest villain now living inside of its hero’s body and attempting to do good, it seems likely that the comic strip will now take on a more brooding tone. In light of this, Marvel will remove Amazing from its title in favor of a new word: Superior Spider-Man. [Paste]

 Whitney Houston Murdered Over Drug Debt, P.I. Claims

and out come the conspiracy theories… A Hollywood private investigator is now claiming that singer Whitney Houston was murdered by drug dealers over an outstanding debt. Private detective Paul Huebel says he pieced together the evidence using a network of drug informants and by taking another look at the coroner’s report. He also says that he has surveillance video to support his claims. “I have evidence that points to Whitney being a victim of high-powered drug dealers who sent thugs to collect a huge debt she owed for drugs,” he tells the National Enquirer. The statement, Huebel claims, referred to being harassed over her drug debt, which he says was in excess of $1.5 million. Huebel says is now handing over the evidence to the FBI in an attempt to have the case reopened. Toxicology reports showed that Houston, 48, died after she accidentally drowned due to the effects of chronic cocaine use and heart disease. She had taken cocaine shortly before her death, according to the L.A. County coroner’s office. Additional drugs including marijuana and Xanax were also present in her system. [KTLA]

Stores to recall 150,000 Nap Nanny recliners after deaths

Four national retailers agreed to recall more than 150,000 Nap Nanny baby recliners after at least five infant deaths and dozens of reports of children nearly falling out of the recliners, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. The recall covers Nap Nanny Generations One and Two, and the Chill model infant recliners. All were sold between 2009 and 2012. The Nap Nanny was designed to mimic the curves of a baby car seat, elevating an infant slightly to help reduce reflux, gas, stuffiness or other problems. The four retailers — Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com and Toys R Us/Babies R Us — agreed to voluntarily participate in the recall of the Nap Nanny because its manufacturer is unable or unwilling to participate, the government agency said in a statement. [NBC News]