. >>> general william kipp ward is being demoted from a four- star general to a three-star general and will retire. he's accused of spending tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money on lavish travel and unauthorized expenses. defense secretary leon panetta said ward will have to repay the government $2,000 -- $82,000. >>> president obama is scheduled to hold a press conference today to discuss the fiscal cliff. he's been meeting with business and labor leaders ahead of fiscal cliff negotiations with congress, but the president is sure to be questioned about the scandal surrounding general petraeus and allen. he's also likely to be questioned about his plans to replace general petraeus. secretary of state hillary clinton and treasury secretary timothy geithner. >>> today democrat national pelosi will announce whether she'll continue in her role as house minority leader or step down. she's asked female democrats in the house including incoming freshmen to join her at the conference. she became the first woman to lead a party caucus in the house and senate. after the mid-term electi