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Some politicians believed the mass shooting in Newtown would be a tipping point leading to new gun restrictions. That may still happen, but the NRA and other groups have made clear their belief that guns aren't the problem.

The Republicans' blowup leaves the path to avoiding automatic tax hikes and spending cuts in the new year unclear. Leaders seem to agree that a bipartisan solution is the only way — but, as House Speaker John Boehner said, "How we get there, God only knows."

After a 1996 mass shooting, the country changed its gun laws and the government bought back roughly 20 percent of all guns. Since then, gun violence has been down, and there have not been any mass killings.

How does a post-industrial city manage property that no longer generates tax revenue but still needs the grass cut? One entrepreneur says he has a solution: He's buying up 1,500 empty city lots and planting thousands of trees. But where backers see a visionary proposal, critics see a land grab.

If John Kerry leaves the Senate to become secretary of state another Kennedy could fill his Senate seat — at least on an interim basis. And ousted Republican Scott Brown could have fighting chance of returning to the Capitol.

It was a strange and wonderful year for young adult fiction, says critic Maggie Stiefvater. This list rounds up five magical books for young adults and grown-ups alike.

While some cities push measures that drive immigrants away, some cities are doing exactly the opposite. Dayton, Ohio, adopted a plan to rebuild its battered economy by attracting immigrants — an approach that's influencing the way other cities deal with immigration.

Eastern Oregon is known more for ranching than abstract sculpture, but some residents are venturing into the world of fine art. For the last five years, Whit Deschner has been organizing the Great Salt Lick Contest, which gathers salt blocks artfully licked by local farm animals.

With Christmas on Tuesday this year, stores may be jam-packed this weekend. Those busy stores are also going to be on the lookout for shoplifters, especially at self-checkout machines, where it is a big problem.

Yesterday came and went, but I never finished Ulysses. I never took up skydiving. Come to think of it, I didn't even really finish cleaning up my closet before the "Mayan Apocalypse." Yet even a failed apocalypse still has value, in reminding us that life is fleeting, fragile and unpredictable.