Morning news brief
Officials are investigating at least 24 possible deaths from the LA-area wildfires, an update on cease-fire talks between Hamas and Israel, and NPR holds an exit interview with DHS Secretary Mayorkas.
Santa Suits Are Getting Bigger
ABC polled a few Santa suit makers, who say Santa's girth has been steadily increasing. The man known for excess can now order suits up to size quadruple X. That's a 70-inch waistline.
Ill. Chef To Make Gigantic Green Bean Casserole
Mark Shoopman is into green beans. The Illinois chef is cooking 270 pounds of beans and 75 pounds of onions. His goal, according to WMBD in Peoria, is the largest green bean casserole in Central Illinois.
Time To Address 'Fiscal Cliff' Narrows
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."
In Cornwall, Lisa Simpson Rivals Queen Elizabeth
In Britain, every year on Christmas Day, the Queen delivers a speech to her subjects. Recently in Cornwall, which is part of England, a new royal tradition has taken root based on an episode of The Simpsons.
Gun Ownership Is A 'Responsiblity To Be Proud Of'
Following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, the debate over gun control has been reignited. Many have said that if there is going to be any action on gun control, law-abiding, responsible gun owners will need to be a part of the conversation. Morning Edition's Steve Inskeep talks to Steven Rinella, a writer and avid hunter, about how he views the current debate.
Why Some Kids Have An Inflated Sense Of Their Science Skills
A massive analysis of some 350,000 students in 53 countries has uncovered a paradox: Students in many countries that are mediocre at science have an inflated sense of good they are.
Medicare Starts To Reward Quality, Not Quantity, Of Care
The nation's biggest insurer is starting to dole out bonuses and penalties to nearly 3,000 hospitals as it ties almost $1 billion in payments to the quality of care provided to patients.
Sen. Kerry Gets Obama's Nod For Secretary Of State
President Obama is expected Friday to nominate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., as his next secretary of state. Kerry would replace Hillary Clinton, who's planning to leave the post after four years as the president's globetrotting emissary.
Boehner Answers Questions About Withdrawing 'Plan B'
House Speaker John Boehner had a news conference Friday, after he had to withdraw his "Plan B" for avoiding the tax increases and spending cuts due at the end of the year. Many of his fellow Republicans wouldn't support it because it included higher taxes for millionaires.
A Moment Of Silence To Remember Newtown Victims
Connecticut officials and residents and others across the nation on Friday observed a moment of silence and the ringing of bells to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown.