Midday Roundup: NSA infiltrates North Korean computer system

In the know. The U.S. government could identify North Korea as the perpetrator of the hack attack against Sony because the National Security Agency has been hacking North Korea since 2010. A report in The New York Times today tells how the U.S. planted software in North Korea’s computing network that could trace the actions of its hackers. The account also says North Korea has an aggressive cyber-espionage program and details the methods it used to infiltrate Sony’s computer networks in retaliation for the movie The Interview.

Career change. Baylor University has named former U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf its Jerry and Susie Wilson Chair in Religious Freedom. Wolf retired from Congress this month after 34 years, during which he advocated to end religious persecution around the world. Wolf wrote the legislation that created an ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom in the State Department. WORLD Magazine recognized him as Daniel of the Year in 2014. In his new role for Baylor, Wolf will advocate for religious freedom, and particularly for Christianity’s role in solving social problems, in Washington and around the world.

Starting lineup. The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will face off in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 after winning their respective conference championships in two very different games Sunday. After trailing the Green Bay Packers the entire game, the Seahawks scored two touchdowns in the final minutes and another in overtime for a 28-22 win that secured their repeat trip to the Super Bowl. The Patriots, on the other hand, dominated the Indianapolis Colts throughout their game, winning 45-7. The National Football League is looking into allegations that the Patriots tampered with some of the footballs before the game, but even if those charges prove true, the penalty would not cost them their Super Bowl spot.

Behind bars. Two teenagers are in custody after running away from home and going on a two-week, interstate crime spree. Authorities finally caught up with 18-year-old Dalton Hayes and his 13-year-old female companion in Panama City Beach, Fla., where they were napping in a stolen car. The two started in Kentucky, where Hayes already faces burglary charges. Throughout the two weeks, they stole several cars and got into a chase with police. The 13-year-old will face charges in juvenile court.

Shooting scene. Someone in a vehicle fired shots at Vice President Joe Biden’s Delaware home from outside the secure perimeter Saturday. The vice president and his wife were not home at the time. The Secret Service is investigating the incident.