Every big murder case has a few amateur sleuths, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Dave Sale is different. The rock musician’s obsession with a 1990 murder case has actually granted him with access to court documents, and his knowledge of the details has lent him an air of authority in the case. After he suggested a key piece of evidence was planted, a judge and an appeals court eventually agreed, tossing the evidence from the case.

After a disappointing showing by U.S. speedskaters at the Winter Olympics, speculation grew that the new Under Armour suits they were wearing was to blame. But in USA Today, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank says the suit was the scapegoat. He says he’s so confident in his company, he’s announcing plans to sponsor the U.S. speedskating team through 2022.

Should you ever come across an Olympic curler - don’t ask if they’re good at sweeping the floor. The New York Times asks Olympians about some of the inane questions they face. Bobsled drivers would like you to know that they, in fact, are driving the sled and yes, they have seen Cool Runnings.

The Los Angeles Times says homeowners are once again borrowing against their homes, despite the costly lessons of the housing market collapse. Bank of America saw its home equity business surge 75% nationwide last year compared with 2012. The difference this time around is applicants who are getting approved have high credit scores, ample savings and equity in their homes.

USA Today has a profile of Pharrell Williams. He’s coming off a huge year with his hits like Blurred Lines and Get Lucky. His song Happy from Despicable Me 2 is up for an Oscar. USA Today calls him the music industry’s “most impressive multi-hyphenate: rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, drummer, fashion designer, philanthropist. And hat enthusiast.” He says he’s happy to be part of a movement of music that is pushing feel-good themes.

The Cincinnati Enquirer says researchers are looking into whether boosting the volume of blood in the brain may help avoid concussions. More blood means the brain more completely fills the skull, reducing the area the brain has to bounce around in the event of a blow to the head. Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital are testing a device to boost the amount of blood in the brain to what you’d find in someone who was been lying down for 8 hours.

The San Jose Mercury News says Facebook’s $19 billion deal to acquire mobile-messaging service WhatsApp sets a record for Silicon Valley. The deal took just 10 days to complete. While the price tag seems astronomical, the Mercury News points out WhatsApp already has double the user base of Twitter.

After a miserable winter for air travelers, researchers are renewing efforts to figure out ways to economically heat runways or develop pavement that resists freezing. The Wall Street Journal says it’s an idea that’s been around since the 1970s. Airports can’t use salt because it corrodes the planes and snow clearing operations take too much time.

In the New York Times, Steven Kurutz examines several new devices that he says are aiming to glamorize home security. Canary and Piper offer an array of features, including video, audio, temperature and motion sensing - all accessible through your smart phone. One of the creators of Piper says it gives homeowners and apartment dwellers peace of mind. But one expert says the devices could undermine trust in family relationships.

Researchers at UC Berkeley say they’ve uncovered the keys to a long marriage. While it’s no surprise that couples who are better at resolving conflicts stay together, researchers also found that certain genetic markings may predict marital success. The San Francisco Chronicle says the study found that people with a certain gene variant experienced greater highs and lows in marriage than those without the variant.

The Detroit Free Press says the Great Lakes are 88% covered by ice. That’s close to the record of 95% set in 1979. The ice cover has some interesting effects, like eliminating lake-effect snow, making it sunnier in parts of Michigan and limiting evaporation. It could also delay the spring warm up which would keep certain crops dormant longer, helping farmers avoid a damaging spring frost.

With American speedskaters struggling in Sochi, the Wall Street Journal says team officials have identified a possible culprit: New, high-tech racing suits manufactured by Under Armour. Vents on the back of the suit designed to allow heat to escape are also allowing air in, creating drag. Under Armour says the suits were wind tunnel tested and designed by Lockheed Martin engineers.

With the addition this year of team figure skating and a luge relay, New York Times columnist Christopher Clarey asks if we have too many sports in the Winter Olympics. He says it doesn’t appear the games are done growing either. Most of the new sports are different takes on old sports, like mixed biathlon, where you don’t need a new venue and you only need the approval of the International Olympic Committee’s board to gain acceptance.

Ladies, don’t be disappointed if you don’t get any flowers today. The massive snowstorm that slammed the East Coast has made a mess of the Valentine’s Day flower delivery schedule. Florists are having trouble making deliveries. And some distributors haven’t even been able to get flowers to the florists. The Washington Post suggests we call it Valentine’s Weekend.

The Dallas Morning News says local sports anchor Dale Hansen is surprised at all the attention he’s received since his on-air segment in support of Michael Sam, the University of Missouri player who came out as gay prior to the NFL draft. Hansen has been asked to appear on several national television shows. He’s received more than one thousand emails - and more than a dozen phone messages, and he says no one leaves those anymore. VIDEO

Progressive Insurance is testing a device that tracks a policy holder’s location. Drivers who stay close to home or avoid travel during the times of day when there are more accidents would be eligible for discounts. The company says it’s aware of privacy issues and it won’t share information unless ordered by a court.

The New York Times’ Bob Tedeschi says LED bulbs have come a long way in a short time. Now that incandescent bulbs are no longer being made, LED bulbs are improving rapidly. Tedeschi says if you haven’t made the switch, your patience (or laziness) will be rewarded by bulbs that are cheaper and emit much more pleasing light than early LED offerings.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has a profile of Carl Fantauzzo, a 40-year-old liquor store owner who hopes to become an American Ninja Warrior. After five seasons of the NBC competition show, no one has completed the entire course to earn the title. Fantauzzo has turned his home into a training center, with iron pipes to swing on, platforms to jump on and rock climbing holds over the basement staircase.

The Boston Globe says gun buybacks, a staple of urban crime fighting, may not be all that successful. Experts say there’s no evidence that they reduce crime. And they rarely net the guns most likely to be used in crimes. Some experts suggest the programs are mostly about public relations.

The New York Times says a new trend is emerging on the red carpet. Stars are opting for a more natural look when it comes to showing off their breasts. Instead of the traditional cleavage look, women are choosing plunging necklines that show off the sides of the breasts. Plastic surgeons say they’re noticing the trend too - as more women ask for a more natural, teardrop shape.

The Winter Games in Sochi are becoming known for their balmy temperatures. The Wall Street Journal puts it in perspective with a chart comparing the temperatures in Sochi to the temperatures during recent Winter Olympics. While the outdoor events are held outside of Sochi at elevation where it’s colder, athletes have still complained about the conditions.

A new app is getting a lot of attention for promising to take your prose and give it the Ernest Hemingway treatment. San Francisco Chronicle business reporter Caleb Garling tried out Hemingway App. It’s designed to flag adverbs, unclear sentences and use of the passive voice. He says for those purposes, it will likely help writers. But Garling says part of the beauty of Hemingway is his tone and cadence. The app has a long way to go before being able to replicate those attributes. For the record, this entry got a score of 8 out of 10.

It’s a tradition that seems to go back generations. At the first hint of snow, we rush out to the grocery store. What do we buy? Bread and milk. Kelly Kazek of the Birmingham News explores several theories as to why these are our go-to items. One theory is that bread and milk are symbolic - as old as life itself. One psychologist suspects buying perishable items before a storm is our way of exhibiting control over an uncontrollable situation. VIDEO

If you’re hoping to have a nice, romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, the Las Vegas Review-Journal says there are plenty of menu items you’ll want to avoid. Steer clear of any finger foods, especially messy ones like ribs. Avoid spinach or any greens that can get stuck in your teeth. And don’t mess with seafood that requires you to crack a shell. Pass up anything that can make you bloated or gassy afterward.

The 1929 Ford Tri Motor known as the Tin Goose was the first commercial passenger airliner, and the first plane to be made of metal. And if you’re in Miami, you can actually take a ride in it. The Miami Herald says the 15 minute flights will help pay for the plane’s upkeep. Rides cost $70 in advance and $75 at the gate.

New York Times dining columnist Jennifer Steinhauer explores the highly personal nature of the chili recipe. She calls chili tastes the political party of culinary offerings - “highly personal, often inflexible and loaded with preconceptions.” If you’re looking for a contest-winning chili, you’ll need to use beef. The CEO of the International Chili Society says they’ve never had a winner in 47 years of cook-offs that used any other meat.

I’m not sure how he finds time for all this, but the Wall Street Journal says Ryan Seacrest is launching his own clothing line. And while Seacrest is not the first celebrity to put his name on a clothing line, there is something unique about his. It features a color matching system to help guys match their shirts, ties and pants. Macy’s is rolling it out in 150 stores in time for the fall.

Yuengling, the 185-year-old Pennsylvania brewery, is once again producing ice cream. The New York Daily News says the company began making ice cream during prohibition. It’s back after a 30-year absence. There aren’t any beer flavors, though the black and tan flavor is a nod to the company’s brewing heritage.

Virgin America is offering passengers a way to connect with each other “on the fly.” The San Francisco Chronicle says the airline is rolling out a dedicated LinkedIn Network that will allow passengers to interact with other passengers during the flight. Virgin already has introduced seat-to-seat texting and a “flirting” feature that allows you to send drinks to another passenger.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune gets to the bottom of why Americans are enamored with British accents. Linguists say we associate that dialect with high status. Some experts believe it’s ingrained in our psyche from generations of being seen as inferior to the Brits. Even young children pick up on these cues, which is why even cartoons rely heavily on dialects to establish a character’s social status.