SOME NEWS: * " Only 2% of the counties in the U.S. have been responsible for the majority of cases leading to executions since 1976. Likewise, only 2% of the counties are responsible for the majority of today’s death row population and recent death sentences." * Andrew Cohen on the upcoming year in court battles . * Quietly, progressives take the driver's seat in America's cities. * Kevin Drum reminds us that Obamacare is doing fine. * "What killed the American anime industry?"