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Congress likes to say it doesn't do earmarks anymore. And while that may be true, it's also a fact that targeted provisions are still useful in moving legislation — even critical legislation like the bill that pulled Washington back from the fiscal cliff last month.

Federal officials plan to sue the credit ratings agency, Standard & Poor's for fraud. S&P gave top ratings to many mortgage-backed securities in the years leading up to the financial crisis in 2008. The securities turned out to be far riskier than anyone imagined. S&P said the suit is without factual or legal merit.

President Obama's comments on gun violence Wednesday, and whether laws restricting access to assault weapons should be tightened, were followed closely in Newtown, Conn. Funerals and memorials for the victims of last week's mass shootings continue.

Congress had hoped to be out of town for the holidays by the end of this week. That's not looking likely anymore, with the negotiations on efforts to avert automatic tax hikes and spending cuts moving slowly, if at all. Tamara Keith talks to Audie Cornish.

First responders are trained to rescue, help and save. In Newtown, Conn., many of the police officers, firefighters and EMTs who rushed to Sandy Hook Elementary School last week are struggling to cope with the fact that there was little they could do to help.

On Friday, members of Congress went home without settling their differences over how to avoid the spending decreases and tax increases known as the "fiscal cliff."

A new documentary on PBS about the making of the Beatles' 1967 film Magical Mystery Tour features outtakes from the original and new interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. TV critic David Bianculli calls the film "wonderfully thorough."

With hours to go before the so-called fiscal cliff deadline, the House adjourned for the night and the Senate has yet to scheduled any vote. NPR's Julie Rover talks with All Things Considered host Audie Cornish about the latest.

California Democrat Eric Swalwell, one of the youngest new members of Congress, defeated a 40-year incumbent for his seat. But his first challenge in Washington might be getting people to pronounce his name correctly.

Quentin Tarantino's slavery revenge story Django Unchained, has been nominated for a number of Oscars. The spaghetti western is up for best picture, original screenplay and actor Christoph Waltz has been nominated for his supporting role in the film. The state of Mississippi plays a supporting role too, but Mississippians are tired of being typecast.