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Congress comes back to work this week and the fiscal cliff is its top priority. Some Republicans have said they'll break a longstanding pledge not to raise taxes. Host Michel Martin talks politics with columnist Mary Kate Cary of U.S. News and World Report and The Root's political correspondent Keli Goff.

Russia's Young Guard has demonstrated outside Mormon meeting halls in Moscow. Members claim the Mormon church is a totalitarian cult that believes in multiple gods and has ties to the CIA and FBI.

David C. Hughart, former president of a Massey Energy subsidiary, is pleading guilty. The charges relate to a corporate culture that investigators say contributed to the nation's worst mine disaster in 40 years. Twenty nine miners died at one of Massey's West Virginia mines in a 2010 explosion.

The chemicals are meant to prevent a sofa from going up in flames, but there are concerns about health risks. With efforts to ban the chemicals moving slowly, the solution for now may be a simple vacuum cleaner.

The 2012 election shined a spotlight on the previously little-known religion of Mormonism. Many Americans have heard about the missionaries or baptism for the dead. But on the whole, the theology is shrouded in mystery. Mormons say their religion is often misunderstood because, unlike other faiths, it changes with time.

It's not just Twinkie hoarders and Ding Dong lovers that feel the pain of the Hostess factory closings. For the first time in about 40 years, Booches Billiard Hall in Columbia, Mo. has to go elsewhere to source the buns for its famous burgers. Regulars say they are adapting to the change.

U.S. Rep. Allen West came to Washington as part of the 2010 wave of Tea Party-backed candidates. He became known as aggressive and outspoken, but his tenure in Congress was short-lived. He recently conceded a close race for Florida's 18th District. West sits down with host Michel Martin to reflect on his term and his outlook for the future.

The fight over U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice's potential nomination for secretary of state has left Sen. John Kerry in an odd spot because he could be up for the Cabinet post, too. Once a vocal defender of Rice, Kerry has kept quiet lately.

Facing criticism over appointing an all male slate of chairmen to lead major House committees, Speaker John Boehner on Friday announced that Rep. Candice Miller of Michigan will head the House Administration Committee.

Residents of Summit, N.J., waited weeks for the power to return after Superstorm Sandy. That's in stark contrast to the nearby town of Madison, where the lights were on in just a few days. Madison owns its own utility company — and after its shining performance, Summit is weighing the idea, too.