Police in New York City have tightened security after a recent string of attacks against Jews. Officials say they can handle that and New Year’s Eve security, including the Times Square celebration they’ve been preparing for all year. Mola Lenghi reports. Source

More than one billion people will ring in the new year tomorrow night while watching Time Square’s crystal ball drop. Preparations for the big night began Friday with crews installing the crystals that make up the nearly 12,000-pound ball. The man in charge of it all, Waterford’s master artisan Tom Brennan, joined CBSN with more on the new design. Source

The religious celebration comes on the heels of violent attacks on the Jewish community in the New York City area. Source

More than 90,000 Jewish people gathered at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to celebrate the reading of the entire Talmud in an event called Siyum HaShas. It comes in the wake of a string of violent attacks against Jews in the area. Marc Liverman reports from East Rutherford, New Jersey. Source

The move will likely delay any trial until after the March elections, when he hopes to have a majority coalition that will shield him from prosecution. Source

Half of U.S. states are raising their minimum wage this year, benefiting almost 7 million workers, by one estimate. Source

Stern died from a brain hemorrhage he suffered several weeks ago, the NBA said. Source

According to an end of the year CBS News Poll, support for legal pot hit a new high in 2019, with 65% of U.S. adults saying marijuana should be legal. Source

Hard-line, black-clad youths broke off from the main group of marchers and attacked banks and ATM machines with spray paint, hammers and Motolov cocktails. Source

Violent mass demonstrations that spilled onto the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad have ended after two days. Iran-backed protesters withdrew from the compound and claimed victory. CBS News foreign correspondent Holly Williams reports from Istanbul, and CBS News national security correspondent David Martin joined CBSN to discuss the latest. Source