Mary Dooe

President Obama continues his quest to extend payroll tax cuts, and delivered a big speech on the economy yesterday in Kansas. Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich is ahead in the polls, but far behind in raising funds for his campaign. The fate of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau remains unknown, and today the FDA decides whether one drug should be sold over-the-counter.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees for 2012 were announced today. The Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Guns N' Roses made the cut.

The latest threat for Europe comes from Standard & Poor's: a possible downgrade of 15 countries if the debt problems continue. Irish citizens are bracing for the fourth year of austerity. Author Robert Neuwirth says the informal economy could soon make up two-thirds of the world's workforce. Pollution in China could be a benefit for the U.S., and Microsoft sets out to revamp XBox Live.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti unveiled a firm austerity plan for his country. In the wake of a tempestuous month for leadership, we take a look at accountability, both in Europe and at American universities. Allan Sloan explains the payroll tax cuts, and reporter David Gura spotlights the increasing wealth gap.

The big monthly jobs numbers come out today. Dan Gorenstein finishes his two part series on unemployment, speaking with employment officials about what citizens can do. As the European debt crisis continues, it could start affecting U.S. exports. The Green Bay Packers are publicly owned, but those shares are really more about sentiment than actual value. And new car share programs in Germany are aimed at younger drivers.

Markets are finally smiling again following the news yesterday that coordinated action will be taken by the world's central banks to ease credit and increase liquidity. In Illinois, state lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have offered millions of dollars in tax breaks to keep the Chicago Mercantile Exchange from leaving the state. And some economists say long-term benefits help the unemployed avoid reality.

The European debt crisis spreads to American banks. The National Labor Relations Board could speed up the process for elections. In light of recent scandals, universities are taking a closer look at candidates before hiring them on. And the end of Napster has finally come.

What would a doomsday scenario in Europe look like? The Occupy movement has led protesters to take over a UBS building in London's financial district. In China, the government has put a ban on advertisements during primetime TV shows. And American Airlines flies towards... bankruptcy.

The national retail federation says sales over the last 4 days jumped 16 percent from last year. Consumers spent an average of 398 dollars on Black Friday-- and Black Thursday, and all Black Saturday and Sunday. And about 40 percent of that shopping was done online.

More and more mobile devices like iPads are handling our purchases, but the makers of computers and cash registers aren't ready to give up the industry yet. TV sets are among the most discounted items for Black Friday this year. New York City's Grand Central Station is about to become home to Apple's newest store, and we speak to the CEO of Macy's on this year's holiday season.