Top Stories: Earth-Size Planets, Partisan Brawl, Tired Pilots

By Mark Memmott

Published December 21, 2011 at 9:13 AM EST

Good morning.

We've already written about:

-- First 'Earth-Size Planets Beyond Our Solar System' Discovered.

-- Mood In North Korean Capital Is 'Subdued But Calm,' U.K. Diplomat Says.

-- Accused Of Sexually Abusing Children Decades Ago, Sportswriter Retires.

Other stories making headlines:

-- "In A Year Of Partisan Brawls, Congress Goes One More Round" Over Payroll Taxes, Long-Term Jobless Benefits. (It's All Politics and Morning Edition)

-- "Defense To Start In Manning Leaks Hearing." (CNN Justice)

-- "8 U.S. Soldiers Charged In Death Of Comrade In Afghanistan." (The Washington Post)

-- "FAA To Issue Rules Aimed At Tired Airline Pilots."(The Associated Press)

-- Great Plains Interstates "Reopening After Plains Snowstorm."(Weather.com)

Mark Memmott

Mark Memmott is NPR's supervising senior editor for Standards & Practices. In that role, he's a resource for NPR's journalists – helping them raise the right questions as they do their work and uphold the organization's standards.

See stories by Mark Memmott