![Brad Plumer](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130106050037im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Staff-Bio/Images/Brad%20Plumer114x80.jpg)
- Brad Plumer
- Reporter
Brad Plumer is a reporter at the Washington Post writing about domestic policy, particularly energy and environmental issues.
America's prison population is shrinking. But will it last?
![America's prison population is shrinking. But will it last?](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130106050037im_/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/prison.jpg)
The U.S. prison population shrunk in 2010 and 2011. But most of the drop is taking place in California, and it's still not clear whether other states will follow.
Reconciliation
![Reconciliation](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130106050037im_/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/newspapers.jpg)
Newt Gingrich does movie review, awkward first days in the Senate, and other links we missed today.
Why the fights over disaster relief in Congress keep getting worse
![Why the fights over disaster relief in Congress keep getting worse](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130106050037im_/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/2012-10-30T172221Z_01_AAL105_RTRIDSP_3_STORM-SANDY-1356.jpg)
The federal government now plays a much bigger role in disaster relief than it used to. But Congress has never prepared for this fact.
Justice Dept. settles Transocean’s punishment for 2010 spill: $1.4 billion
![Justice Dept. settles Transocean’s punishment for 2010 spill: $1.4 billion](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130106050037im_/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/01/04/National-Economy/Images/103216146.jpg)
Owner of drilling rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico agrees to pay a mix of civil and criminal fines.
- Reconciliation
- The fiscal cliff deal helped wind power. But our wind policy is still insane.
- U.S. now on pace for European levels of austerity in 2013
- A tour of the International Space Station
- From NASCAR to rum, the 10 weirdest parts of the 'fiscal cliff' bill
- Auto sales saved the economy in 2012
- Auto sales saved the economy in 2012
- Graph of the day: Americans are drinking less and less milk
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Carolyn Hax Live: Advice columnist tackled your problems
Live Q&A transcript
Carolyn Hax gave readers advice in this weekly live discussion.