Each year since 2000, the Spirit of Sharing, based in Oceanside, has run throughout the holiday season to provide seasonal comforts to active duty families throughout southern California. And this year’s fundraising season is well underway!

Editor's Update: 9:33 AM PST

Editor's Update: 9:33 AM PST

For the first time in 130 years, both legislative bodies in California and the state's executive branch will be fully controlled by one party. Democrats in the State Assembly and Senate now have the two-thirds majority needed to pass the budget they want, and raise taxes without a single Republican vote.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker endorsed the Republican legislature’s efforts to end same day voter registration in his home state.  Wisconsin is currently one of nine states in the country to have same day voter registration, a measure which is credited with producing traditionally high voter turnout.

While the fiscal cliff has been the main focus of recent news coverage regarding the national budget, it fits into a larger discussion about America's debt. While the conversation has largely been between Congress and the president, as well as some inclusion of business and union leaders, national debt organizations are using grassroots tactics to inform the public about the crisis.