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In Case You Missed It - Immigration dominated the conversation this week, as senators and President Obama offered plans to overhaul the system. Gun control also was a hot topic, Cory Booker to the rescue, and more. — Joyce Jones

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Giffords Speaks Out - Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords appeared at a Senate Judiciary hearing on gun control on Jan. 30. "Too many children are dying," said Giffords, who still has difficulty speaking. "We must do something. It will be hard, but the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you."  (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Gang of Eight, Plus One - In a rare show of bipartisanship, a group of eight senators introduced this week a blueprint for comprehensive immigration reform. Obama supports the effort and said that "now is the time" to fix the broken system.  (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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You Go, Mo! - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick made history this week when he appointed his former chief of staff William "Mo" Cowan to fill Sen. John Kerry's seat. For the first time, two African-Americans will serve at the same time in the upper chamber. (Photo: Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

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The Breakup - Tea party favorite Sarah Palin and Fox News have parted ways. When the former Republican VP nominee joined the network in 2009, she was a hot commodity. Since then, however, her star power and influence have faded, and the network is unwilling to pay her the big bucks she once commanded. (Photo: FOX)

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Still Here - Failed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has no plans to run for office again. He does, however, hope to still have a voice in upcoming elections. “We lost, but I’m not going away,” Romney told GOP donors and others at a meeting in Washington on Jan. 25. “I will continue to help.” (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Make the Grade - Tennessee state Rep. Stacey Campfield has introduced a bill that would tie welfare benefits to the academic success of recipients' children. TANF payments would be reduced if certain standards aren't met. Campfield says it will motivate parents to push the importance of education. (Photo: Courtesy of Stacey Campfield for State Senator)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Stacey Campfield for State Senator

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Under the Gun - Debbie Halvorson, a former House member and leading contender in the race to replace Jesse Jackson Jr., earned an A from the National Rifle Association. But, "when it comes to preventing gun violence, she gets an F," says the narrator in an ad run by Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Independence USA PAC. (Photos from left: Spencer Platt/Getty Images, Jeff Haynes/Getty Images)

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Oh, Yeah? - In a New Republic interview, President Obama claimed that he and guests at Camp David "do skeet shooting all the time." Now Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) is challenging him to a skeet-shooting contest. She and other naysayers think he's bluffing. (Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)

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Less Furious - Attorney General Eric Holder was set to appear in court next week for a hearing related to efforts by the House to get records related to the Fast and Furious gun-tracking program. Both sides have requested a postponement to give them a chance to work out a deal. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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Booker to the Rescue - You can add another item to Newark Mayor Cory Booker's list of heroic feats. After learning from a tweet about a dog freezing outdoors, Booker rescued the mutt and delivered a warning to its owners. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images