AP 2010-12-04（在线收听）

1. Members of the president's deficit commission will begin weighing in on a controversial plan being presented by the panel's co-chairman today. The plan calls for cuts to social security, curtailing tax breaks and deep cuts in spending. However, it appears unlikely the plan will win enough bipartisan support to be approved for a vote in Congress.

2. Senate Republicans apparently intend to block all Democratic-backed legislation unrelated to tax cuts and government spending. Officials say the GOP leadership has quietly collected signatures, pledging to carry out the strategy that could doom some Democratic initiatives, including repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and immigration reform.

3. The family of a 15-year-old who held a Wisconsin classroom hostage for hours says their son never showed any signs that something was wrong. Samuel Hengel's family issued a statement Tuesday, saying they are devastated and heart-broken. Hengel fatally shot himself as police stormed the classroom.

4. The holiday season is officially underway in New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg helped light the Rockefeller Center tree Tuesday with thousands of revelers in the crowd. There was extra security in place for the tree lighting. Police blocked off streets and searched bags.