OBAMA TAKES STANCE ON FISCAL CRISIS – After his big win and re-election, President Obama begins negotiations with Republican leaders in Congress to resolve the fiscal crisis. At the end of the year, the law that cuts taxes for the rich and middle class will expire, and if no agreement is reached on removing this privilege, a tax hike and massive public spending cuts will be put into place. This so-called “fiscal cliff” could generate even more bankruptcy and unemployment. Obama took a stance and said he is not willing to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans. José López Zamorano reports from the Capitol.

FLORIDA COULD COOPERATE WITH “OBAMACARE” – The deadline for states to decide if they want to establish their own health insurance exchange markets for the Affordable Care Act is only weeks away. Several states under Republican control had previously said they would not cooperate with the health reform law, and they waited until the last minute to decide on exchanges. Some of those state governments now appear to have changed their plans. That is the case of Florida. Javier Aparisis has more details from Miami.

DESERT AMERICA – Award-winning journalist Rubén Martínez has written about gang members in El Salvador and Los Angeles, rockeros in Mexico, dissidents in Cuba, and immigrants in the Midwest. Now he publishes Desert America, a tragic and at the same time hopeful reflection on the U.S.-Mexico desert. Raúl Silva spoke with Martínez and has this story.