21 Top News Stories of the Year

4. More Bullying, More Teen Suicides
Despite a year of It Gets Better videos, including his own, gay 14-year-old upstate New York student Jamey Rodemeyer killed himself after unceasing taunting at school. His death highlighted frustration with a bullying and suicide problem that isn’t going away. Outrage led Lady Gaga to raise the issue with President Obama, Anderson Cooper hosted televised specials on bullying, and everyone agreed that more needs to be done. Next year could be the time. 

 (RELATED: Anderson Cooper, Rodemeyer Parents Confront Bullies)