Stories of the Week | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

The average age of Vita Needle's workers is 74 years old, and that's no accident. The manufacturing company has intentionally hired seniors -- a decision that has increased profits and benefited older workers who often have a harder time finding a job. Paul Solman reports on their unique model for doing business.

Federal judge and former solicitor general Robert H. Bork died at age 85 of complications from heart disease. A World War II and Korean War veteran, he is best known for his failed nomination for a U.S. Supreme Court and his conviction that judges should interpret the Constitution with the founders' "original intent" in mind.

Judy Woodruff talks to Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., who is retiring after 24 years in Congress. Lieberman reflects on the mass shooting at Sandy Hook and his proposal for a commission to review possible gun control laws, as well as the budget deal negotiations and Washington partisanship.

In other news Wednesday, President Obama said in a press conference that he and John Boehner are close to a budget deal. Mr. Obama said he had offered a compromise to Republicans of raising the tax rate increase threshold to incomes of $400,000 or more.

While lawmakers discuss what legislation could help prevent mass shootings like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary, Ray Suarez talks with UCLA School of Law's Adam Winkler and economist John Lott for debate on what potential legislative action could make a real impact on rates of gun-related crimes and violence.

The White House stepped up its response to Sandy Hook by planning to give Congress recommendations on preventing mass shootings, from mental health services to gun control laws. Gwen Ifill talks to Gov. Pat Quinn, D-Ill., who is pushing for statewide bans in Illinois on assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines.

After the shooting in Newtown, a tiny bit of hope was found in a message from children's advocate Fred Rogers via social media. Ray Suarez talks to Washington Post writer Maura Judkis whose father Jim Judkis photographed Rogers over his career, including the image published on Facebook along with words from the late Mr. Rogers.

Two years ago, an Afghan peace process was not a realistic prospect for a region plagued by war. Margaret Warner talks to U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman about his role in making contact and engaging in talks with Taliban officials, and what to expect as U.S. prepares to withdraw troops by 2014.

Scientists have not found one master alcoholism gene in DNA but rather several that may affect a person's susceptibility. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien goes under the influence to examine the genetic science behind alcoholism and other addictions, and how the answers point to great challenges in curing substance abuse.

Having been an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia is now watching the leader lose ground to the rebels. Judy Woodruff talks to Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, who says that while Russia is not supporting Assad, it remains strong in its rejection of outside military intervention in Syria.

Virtuoso sitar player Ravi Shankar inspired a new fascination with and appreciation for classical Indian music in Western popular culture. Judy Woodruff remembers the man who tutored Beatles guitarist George Harrison, performed at Woodstock and won three Grammy awards. Shankar passed away at the age of 92.

Though Kim Jong-Il passed away in December 2011, his son Kim Jong Un continues his father's policies with the latest rocket launch. Margaret Warner talks to David Wright of Union of Concerned Scientists and Han Park of University of Georgia about the politics and consequences for the launch, including proliferation concerns.

Since 1986, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge has been signed by politicians promising to oppose increases to the marginal income tax rate. But some Republicans say they may be willing to break the pledge to avoid the fiscal cliff. Judy Woodruff talks to pledge creator Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

Investigations are underway to see if companies that make apps are violating the privacy rights of kids by collecting personal data and sharing it with advertisers. Ray Suarez talks to Jessica Rich of the Federal Trade Commission and the Association for Competitive Technology's Morgan Reed on how to ensure privacy for children.

When Hurricane Sandy hit a week before Election Day, it helped surface the issue of rising sea levels and resulting vulnerability of coastal cities to flooding. In conjunction with WHRO, Mike Melia travels to Norfolk, Va., where the mayor must decide whether or not to rebuild parts of the city that may be unlivable in 15 years.