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Many political watchers say the 2012 presidential campaign is shaping up to be the most expensive election cycle in American history. One reason: the growing influence of political action committees, independent groups that raise money largely from corporations, trade unions and the wealthy. Host Scott Simon talks with Bill Burton, co-founder of the Democratic Super PAC Priorities USA Action, about his group's fundraising efforts for the 2012 presidential election.

A turning point in World War II came in June 1942, when the U.S. surprised and defeated the Japanese in the Battle of Midway. That victory was possible, in large part, because of the work of a little-known naval codebreaker named Joe Rochefort. Elliot Carlson tells his story in Joe Rochefort's War.

Mitt Romney had a handy counterargument for all those who have called him a political flip flopper: his apparent steadfastness in all his personal commitments, like his 42-year marriage to his wife Anne. Turns out, that argument can do double duty since it helps Romney draw a contrast with Newt Gingrich who is on his third marriage.

Michele Zagaria is the head of one of the bloodiest clans of the Neapolitan mafia. He had been one of Italy's most wanted.

A new report by the Environmental Working Group finds that the vast majority of popular cereals marketed to kids exceed guidelines that call for no more than 26 percent added sugar by weight.

In the latest reminder that he's still in the race (if apparently not in the hunt) for the Republican presidential nomination, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has a new TV ad in Iowa in which he makes a naked appeal to the state's religious conservatives who are expected to play an important role in the upcoming caucuses.

As leader of Europe's most powerful economy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is one of the most influential figures on the world stage. Supporters say she is trying to reshape Europe for the long term. But critics have derided her response to the debt crisis as too slow and unimaginative.

The Health and Human Services secretary overruled the FDA's opinion that the "Plan B" emergency contraceptive pill is safe and effective enough to be sold without a prescription — and without any age restrictions. Women's health advocates say the action reminds them of how the Bush administration treated the issue.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison following his bribery and extortion convictions. He is expected to begin serving the sentence in February.

The former senator and governor of New Jersey is back on Capitol Hill to testify about the collapse of the investment firm he led and an estimated $1.2 billion in clients' money that's missing. He says he doesn't know where the money is.