According to the Department of Education, the average amount of an undergraduate student loan in this country is now more than $22,000. And sudden changes in lenders' terms and rates can quickly turn a personal debt into a financial sinkhole, grounding the dreams of many college graduates even before they've started. NOW follows the story of a single mother in Baltimore trying to dig herself out of a $70,000 student loan debt. While issues of personal responsibility are debated, there's no question the high price of higher education is creating an ocean of student loan debt for people who can least afford it -- and yet another frustrating complication for America's economic recovery.

As millions of Americans celebrate Christmas with their loved ones today, one group of people will commemorate the holiday in a state of virtual “siege.” Palestinian Christians in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, are living under an occupation that is squeezing the city’s only hope for economic recovery — [...]

Dec. 24: As Democrats took a victory lap after the Senate passed a massive health care overhaul on Christmas Eve, Republicans warned they were ready for another fight. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports. (Nightly News)

Christmas - NBC - Health care - Kelly O'Donnell - NBC Nightly News

Dec. 24: Hardball’s top political story of the decade was the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. (Hardball)

September 11 attacks - War on Terrorism - Warfare and Conflict - September 11 2001 - Terrorism

Dec. 24: The election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States made him the first African-American to hold such a high political office in America. (Hardball)

Barack Obama - United States - President of the United States - African American - Politics

Dec. 24: The 2000 recount in Florida between George W. Bush and Al Gore began on election night and led to much confusion over who won the Sunshine State and ultimately the election. (Hardball)

George W. Bush - Al Gore - Florida - United States - Presidents

Dec. 24: Hardball highlight specific moments from the war in Iraq and all the baggage that came with it including the Bush administration’s case for invasion. (Hardball)

2003 invasion of Iraq - Presidency of George W. Bush - United States - Iraq War - Warfare and Conflict

Dec. 24: When the floodwaters in New Orleans rose, former President George Bush appeared to be caught flat-footed and his presidency never recovered. (Hardball)

George H W Bush - New Orleans - President of the United States - United States - History

Dec. 24: The global financial meltdown of 2008 triggered a near collapse of the country’s financial system and the worst recession since the 1930s. (Hardball)

Recession - Business - 1930s - Economy - Financial services

Dec. 24: Hardball’s Chris Matthews recaps the top five political blunders of the decade including the infamous “Dean Scream” at the 2004 Iowa Caucus. (Hardball)

Chris Matthews - United States - Hardball: How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game - Government - Presidential

Dec. 24: Over the course of the decade, Nancy Pelosi became the first Speaker of the House; Hillary Clinton came closer to winning a major party nomination than any other woman in history and Sarah Palin became the first woman on the Republican ticket. (Hardball)

Sarah Palin - Nancy Pelosi - Republican - Hillary Rodham Clinton - United States

Dec. 24: Lawmakers heard the wrath of angry voters at town hall meetings across the country. (Hardball)

Town hall meeting - United States - Politics - Hardball with Chris Matthews - Connecticut

Dec. 24: Politicians capitalized on the potential of Internet sites like YouTube to get their message out, but in some cases the power of distribution on the Web was more of a liability than an asset. (Hardball)

YouTube - Website - Politics - Business - United States

Dec. 24: Hardball’s Chris Matthews and panel look at the top political sex scandals of the decade including former N.J. Jim McGreevey announcing that he was a “gay American” in August 2004. (Hardball)

Chris Matthews - United States - Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game - Gay Lesbian and Bisexual - Politics

World: Tire Change

American soldiers perform a high-speed tire change on a remote road in northern Iraq. Related Videos: bit.ly
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U.S.: Beyond Ping-Pong

At the India Community Center's Table Tennis facility in Milpitas, Calif., young players -- from novice to nationally ranked -- perfect their game. Related Article: bit.ly
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Early this morning, the Senate passed comprehensive health care reform legislation by a vote of 60-39 — with Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) not voting — ending more than four weeks of acrimonious floor debate. “This morning is not the end of the process,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) reminded progressives dissatisfied with the Senate [...]

Leading the fight to defend Christianity in the so-called “War on Christmas,” Rep. Henry Brown (R-SC) introduced congressional resolution 951, which “urges protection of the symbols and traditions of Christmas.” Despite criticism from House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) against frivolous legislation, Brown has pressed forward and collected 74 GOP cosponsors. The religious meaning of [...]

Dec. 24: NBC News' Tom Brokaw joins the panel to look back at the past decade, explaining that beginning with the contested election in 2000, all the rules people were used to were thrown out. (Other)

Tom Brokaw - NBC - United States - Politics - Television