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In Arizona, the architect of a controversial immigration law has been voted out of office. In Alabama, the nation's strictest immigration law has ignited a withering backlash expected to force major changes. "We overreached," admits one Republican supporter of the law.

Emily Dickinson is all over Tucson, Ariz. Reading, lectures, classroom lessons — it's all part of the Big Read Project, which is devoted to "inspiring people across the country to pick up a good book."

In 17 years of international play, American Samoa has scored just a dozen goals — compared to the 229 they've allowed. But they scored two this week to beat Tonga 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying match.

The late opera composer's delightful final work will be broadcast on many PBS stations.

There was a time when Greeks were proud of being Greek, of being a people known for dancing, being happy without material wealth, enjoying life. Now, Greeks are known for being deeply in debt, accused by some of living the high life on other people's money, of dragging Europe's economy to the brink of disaster.

Shoppers flooded stores across the country as the holiday shopping season officially got under way and people rushed to grab deals on electronics, toys and other merchandise. But retailers' big day was marred by reports of attempted robbery, fighting, and of a woman who allegedly pepper sprayed other customers.

The sides reached a tentative agreement early Saturday to end the 149-day lockout and hope to begin the delayed season with a marquee triple-header Dec. 25. Most of a season that seemed in jeopardy of being lost entirely will be salvaged if both sides approve the handshake deal.

In Russia's capital, hitchhiking is a part of life. To avoid the burden of finding a cab, most Muscovites just flag down a passing car and negotiate a price. Often the ride is an adventure, but that's about to change. NPR's David Greene goes hitchhiking in Moscow.

Many former members of Hosni Mubarak's National Democratic Party are running for parliament, creating stiff competition for newcomers seeking office across Egypt and prompting cries for the interim Egyptian government to ban their candidacy. The military rulers had said they would pass a so-called "treachery law" preventing their candidacy, but have not acted thus far. NPR's Soraya Nelson reports.

The failure of the congressional supercommittee to reach a deal on reducing federal government deficits is being called another example of dysfunction and gridlock in Washington. New attention is now focused back on the plan put forth last year by President Obama's bipartisan deficit reduction commission, a blueprint that a number of Democrats and Republicans endorsed. Host Scott Simon talks with former Sen. Alan Simpson, former co-chair of that deficit reduction commission, about the failed negotiations of the supercommittee.