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Beginning Tuesday, federal contractors will be required to use an online security system to check whether employees are eligible to work in the U.S. Proponents of E-Verify say it's faster and more accurate than older methods, while critics say it costs time and money — and stolen identities can slip through the cracks.

The Mississippi River's floodwaters were bearing down on one of the most poverty-stricken parts of the country after cresting at Memphis, Tenn., just inches short of the record set in 1937. Meanwhile, officials were busy trying to patch up "sand boils," spots where the Mississippi River was undermining the levee defenses.

The Justice Department has decided to try the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York. Until now, military commissions at the Guantanamo Naval Base have been handling the legal case against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who has admitted to planning the attacks. Now, the Obama administration will hand the case to the federal criminal courts.

Republicans say they want the government-backed institutions to compete on a level playing field with the private sector. But Democrats say pulling government support for the struggling organizations will ultimately hurt average Americans.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday said a recent city-sponsored, three-state undercover investigation found widespread violations of federal gun sale rules. It's the latest tactic Bloomberg has used to push for tougher national gun laws. Gun advocates say what's needed is enforcement.

Black History Month: 2010 Honoree

If a congressional supercommittee fails to agree on $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction, it could trigger automatic across-the-board cuts in spending. Both conservatives and liberals fear the cuts could be draconian. But others say the automatic trigger is the only real hope for curbing government spending.

In 2011, savers earned almost no interest in savings accounts. That was painful because consumer prices were rising by nearly 3.5 percent. Investors also found it tough going. Most stocks declined, with prices falling by roughly 5 percent across the board. But there were some bright spots: gold and bonds.

If two Iranians, possibly with the support of some in Iran's government, did try to hire Mexican drug cartel members to kill Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S., it's a bold and ominous development, analysts say.

Senior Metro Reporter Alison St. John joins us for an update on food stamp participation in San Diego. And, the chairman of the San Diego Food Bank joins us to talk about the needs of low-income San Diegans during the holiday season.