1. Investigations on California shooters

Since the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, investigators have speculated of a terrorism tie to the attack. The discovery that one of the shooters, Tashfeen Malik, was radicalized by ISIS two years ago in Pakistan sheds some light on the theory. Even though there was no direct order from the group itself, it appears Malik was inspired by ISIS. Read more from the Associated Press here.

2. Robert Dear faces juries

Robert Dear, the suspect who killed three people at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was declared guilty. As a result of his actions, the El Paso County prosecutors filed 179 charges. During the trial, Dear proclaimed he is a  “warrior for the babies,” surprising many in the courtroom on Dec. 9. Click here to read more on the issue.

3. Time’s Person of the Year announced

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was given the title of Time’s annual “Person of the Year” in their December issue. Her actions from the past year, including Merkel’s significant handling of terrorism threats, aid in the refugee migration and Europe’s debt crisis, convinced the Time magazine staff to pick her as the winner. Read more here.

4. Protesting in Chicago increases

Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago, apologized on Dec. 9 after the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by the Chicago police. However, a group of citizens were not pleased and protests have erupted on the streets of Chicago fighting for him to resign. Click here to read more from CBS News.

5. Founder of company dies

Co-founder of North Face and Esprit clothing lines Doug Tompkins died on Dec. 8 at age 72. After being active in environmental projects in both Chile and Argentina, Tompkins moved to Chile. While on a kayaking trip in Patagonia, Chile, he had an accident and later died of hypothermia. Read more from CNN here.