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Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro will step down on Dec. 14. President Obama has designated SEC Commissioner Elisse Walter to be her successor.

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.

The state's otter population has exploded from 100 just a few decades ago to more than 15,000. They're eating their fill at ponds and fish farms, and are expected to soon double again in population if left unchecked. That's led Illinois to open the first otter trapping season in 83 years.

See how much Americans owe, what they're borrowing money to pay for, and how much of each paycheck goes to pay off debt.

The attacks bear the hallmarks of Boko Haram, but the Islamist group, which has killed 760 people this year, has not claimed responsibility.

Egypt brokered a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Palestinian militants, after eight days of fighting in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel. The Israeli blockade continues, both parties remain implacably opposed and talks on the fundamental issues appear no closer.

A fake press release about a $400 million purchase sent one company's penny stock up sharply. News outlets that reported the story missed some telltale signs that it might be a hoax.

After early reports that the singer known for party anthems like "Party Til You Puke," was headed to the restive Gulf country hosted by the U.S. embassy, the State Department decided it wasn't an appropriate use of government money.

Thanksgiving weekend spending shot up nearly 13 percent from last year, and there's more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year for people to shop. And if a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff comes just before Christmas, as some expect, it could brighten the economic mood of last-minute shoppers.

Comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele have become well-known for their humorous take on race relations. Their video series featuring a cool President Obama and his Vesuvian "anger translator" Luther has become a viral sensation. The duo talks about using comedy to explore touchy racial issues in the 2012 campaign.