Gene Rosen shows some of the stuffed animals he entertained the children with during an interview with the Associated Press, Monday,Dec. 17, 2012 in Newtown, Conn. On the day of the shooting, Rosen took in four girls and two boys that were sitting at the end of his driveway; they had just run from the school, among the first to escape Friday's deadly shooting. He ran upstairs and grabbed an armful of stuffed animals he kept there. He gave those to the children, along with some fruit juice and sat with them as the two boys described seeing their teacher being shot. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about today:

1. WHY CONNECTICUT COULD BE THE TIPPING POINT IN GUN DEBATE

A Republican senator calls for a gun violence study and some Democrats push tighter restrictions.

2. CLOSING IN ON 'FISCAL CLIFF' DEAL

Obama softened his demand for higher upper-income taxes; Boehner said he would accept higher taxes on investment income.

3. BACK TO SOME ROUTINES AFTER DEADLY RAMPAGE

Most students are going back to school in Newtown, Conn.

4. WHERE NEWTOWN KIDS RAN WHEN THEY ESCAPED

Six children ran to neighbor Gene Rosen's driveway after their teacher was shot. He took them in and called their parents.

5. NBC CORRESPONDENT RELEASED UNHARMED AFTER KIDNAPPING IN SYRIA

The network says Richard Engel and his production team were held for five days by an "unknown group."

6. 50-YEAR SENATE VETERAN FROM HAWAII DIES

Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye, the WWII hero who played key roles in the Watergate and Iran-Contra investigations, was 88.

7. HOW NORTH KOREA'S SATELLITE IS DOING

Astronomers say it is tumbling in space, but could remain in orbit for several years.

8. IRAQI PRESIDENT SUFFERS A STROKE

Doctors at a Baghdad hospital are trying to stabilize Jalal Talaban's condition.

9. WHAT EASY-BAKE'S GENDER-NEUTRAL OVEN WILL LOOK LIKE

It's black, silver and blue, instead of purple and pink. A 13-year-old girl asked Hasbro to make a toy that appeals to all children.

10. WHY 'THE SOPRANOS' ENDED THE WAY IT DID

It's not about whether Tony lived or died, director David Chase tells the AP's Jake Coyle. It's "the idea of how short life is and how precious it is."