Which political party do Americans prefer right now, and who are the year’s most admired men and women? Jeremy Hobson gets the answers in the latest Attitude Check with Gallup. U.S. ethanol subsidies are set to expire in January, and sustainability correspondent Scott Tong looks at the myths surrounding another energy source, Canada’s oil sands. A Chinese Internet company could try to buy Yahoo. The Occupy message is spreading to church sermons. Commentator Kristina Wong offers her predictions for what New Year’s Eve 2012 will be like. And Stephen Beard takes a look back at the tumulutous year for Europe.

Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz over new sanctions that could limit its oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, Poland wants to do business with China. Heidi Moore looks back on the year for the banking industry. U.S. states are cutting back smoking prevention programs. The city of Memphis, Tenn., continues on a slow recovery, while Texas is still dealing with the effects of a major drought. And commentator Robert Reich talks about what he thinks will be 2012’s defining political issue.

Looking back, 2011 was the year that gave rise to the people. Housing prices, though, continued to fall, while music sales had a surprisingly good year. Sears and Kmart are closing more stores around the country. The controversial practice of fracking moves into the suburbs. Congress lets 100-watt incandescent light bulbs live a little longer. Commentator Jennifer 8 Lee talks about the end of the book alongside the rise of downloads. And Freakonomics Radio’s Stephen Dubner discusses why friends don’t let friends walk drunk.

On this day after Christmas, the retail rush gets its final push with deep discounts for shoppers. Two families, from two different economic backgrounds, talk about how they spent their Christmas. We look back at the year in Washington and its gridlock. Simon Johnson, an economist at MIT, talks about global recessions. Hackers allegedly stole a bunch of credit card data but are promising to give all the money it steals to charity. And we look at the economic divide in Silicon Valley.

Congress passed the payroll tax cut extension. What does this mean for backers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? The “war on cancer” celebrates its 40th anniversary. Doula training programs are sprouting all over the country. Commentator Kat Ahn talks about what it’s like to have her parents move in. If you’re looking for frankincense this Christmas, the tree resin may be a little harder to find. And we look into why the NBA has become a Christmas tradition.

House Republicans agreed to the two-month payroll tax cut extension. Wall Street Journal reporter Jason Zweig talks about presidential candidate Ron Paul’s big investments. A new proposal wants law schools to disclose their graduates’ earnings. A group putting on ads trying to bring awareness to famine may not in fact be providing fundamental aid to Somalians. It’s been a rough year for Europe, but that’s not stopping Germans from celebrating the holidays. Commentator and podcaster Nate DiMeo writes an open letter to his daughter’s toys. And we hear about the science behind our gift preferences.

Gallup’s latest polls show consumer confidence is up for this holiday season. NBC, Verizon and the NFL are joining forces to live-stream the Super Bowl. Comic writer, producer, and actress Mindy Kaling shares a tale about the holidays. A bunch of new companies want to help you make money off your social networks. What if beer were a commodity at the bar? The European Central Bank announced it has given about 490 billion euros in cheap loans to European banks. And we hear from one unemployed worker whose benefits are ending next month.

AT&T has dropped its bid to buy T-Mobile. Kai talks to small business owners about how the payroll tax cut extension may affect them. A new website brings online learning into the classroom. Nonprofit hospitals receive tax breaks for charitable care, but it turns out most only spend 2 percent of that on actual charity cases. New home construction was up in November. Comedian Marc Maron reflects on holiday gifts. And we look at the past and present of Kodak.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has died, which leaves his country and its economy up in the air. Here in the U.S., Congress continues debating extending the payroll tax cut. Some have accused Congress of ‘kicking the can’ on some issues, but where does that phrase come from? Commentator John Steele Gordon says politicians are to blame for the failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A Saudi prince invested in Twitter. UPS is trying to go green. And migrant farmers in Guatemala are choosing between poverty, or pursuing a new life in an unfriendly U.S.