The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a veteran's conviction Monday for wearing military medals he did not earn, ruling that it is protected free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The specially convened 11-judge panel affirmed Supreme Court precedent that says people are allowed to wear military medals and claim military accomplishments even if it is a lie.

[The President] shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. -- Article II, Section 3 U.S. Constitution

George Washington set the precedent that the president should deliver a speech to both houses of Congress annually, yet history also shows a rich and varied approach to the SOTU -- a time honored tradition that really isn't set into stone.

Gallup released the results of a new survey Monday which shows that the number of self-identifying Republicans and Democrats is stuck near historic lows. According to the results, over 4 in 10 Americans continue to self-identify as independent of the Republican and Democratic parties, leaving Democrats at 29 percent and Republicans at 26 percent of the voting population.

Hillary Clinton's support among Democrats nationwide may be taking a serious hit, according to a recent IBD/TIPP poll. While Clinton's support hovered at around 50 percent going into December, it has dropped to 43 percent, while Sanders' support has climbed to 39 percent.

"As a result, Clinton's lead over Sanders, which had been 18 points, is now just four points," IBD reports.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Activists at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System are calling for congressional oversight into the operation of the system charged with caring for our nation's veterans in the Bay Area. Chronic short staffing in direct patient care roles and staff support have led to a demoralized environment that undoubtedly impacts the veterans being served, says AFGE Local 1216.