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Investors Endure Another Disappointing Year

By Marilyn Geewax

For Americans saving for retirement, 2011 was another lackluster year, filled with lots of risks but few rewards.

Savers who tried to avoid risks by putting money into federally insured savings accounts earned almost no interest. The money just sat there, even as inflation ate away at its value, with consumer prices rising nearly 3.5 percent this year.

And for those who invested in a broad array of U.S. stocks, the results were — at best — mixed.

10:01 am

Tue December 20, 2011

In Iowa, The Final GOP Ground Game Takes Shape

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Credit Scott Olson / Getty Images

A supporter of Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry passes out stickers on Dec. 16 in Cherokee, Iowa.

Credit Charlie Riedel / AP

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, with his wife Callista, speaks at a Hy-Vee store in Mt Pleasant, Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011.

Credit Charlie Neibergall / AP

Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks to local residents during a campaign stop at the Pizza Ranch restaurant, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, in Manchester, Iowa.

Credit Charlie Neibergall / AP

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., greets local residents during a campaign stop at the Merry Bees coffee shop, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, in Hampton, Iowa.

Credit Charlie Neibergall / AP

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum greets local residents during a campaign stop at the Monarch restaurant, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, in Pella, Iowa.

Credit Charlie Neibergall / AP

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas speaks during a town hall meeting at the Fisher Community Center, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Credit Chris Carlson / AP

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a rally at Missouri Valley Steel in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Dec. 16, 2011.

By Pam Fessler

Originally published on Wed May 23, 2012 9:11 am

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Two weeks from Tuesday, Iowa voters will head out to almost 1,800 caucus sites to help select a Republican presidential nominee. It could be cold. It could also be snowing. And the campaigns know they'll have to work hard to make sure their supporters show up. Those get-out-the-vote efforts could make all the difference in a race that now appears to be up for grabs.

9:51 am

Tue December 20, 2011

With Hanukkah Microbrews, A Taste of Jewish History

Credit Gift of Rose Sacks. Courtesy of the Jewish Museum of Maryland, 1988.227.1

An early predecessor to the Hanukkah brews of today, Russian Jew Max Lapides stands with his sons in front of the Bauernschmidt Brewery Saloon in Baltimore, circa 1900.

By editor

Originally published on Tue December 20, 2011 10:32 am

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During the holidays, many beer manufacturers roll out seasonal brews. But there's a relative newcomer for the festival of lights: Hanukkah beer.

Lompoc Brewing, in Portland, Ore., is one small, craft brewery that has added it to its winter lineup.

"We had a Jewish gentleman here ... and he wanted to make a Hanukkah brew," says David Fleming, the head brewer. "So we thought it was a great idea. We already had six Christmas beers going anyhow, so why couldn't we have a seventh one for Hanukkah?"

8:35 am

Tue December 20, 2011

Cool Video: Massive Cloud 'Waves' Roll Over Alabama

Credit ABC 33/40

Huge clouds roll over Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 16, 2011.

By Mark Memmott

7:59 am

Tue December 20, 2011

Flagging In Polls, Gingrich Urges Voters To Reject Negative Campaigning

Credit MIKE THEILER / UPI /Landov

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich makes remarks at a town hall meeting at Level 10 Apparel's screen-printing warehouse, in Hiawatha, Iowa, Dec. 19.

By Debra Rosenberg

New polls — both in Iowa and nationwide — show front-running GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich losing his edge. Over at the New York Times' blog FiveThirtyEight, Nate Silver's latest forecast shows Ron Paul taking the lead in Iowa.

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10:02 am

Tue December 20, 2011