(The Putin campaign’s “Have Dinner with Vladimir Putin!” events are more somber than their American counterparts. Guests are asked not to smile and only bread is served. via CNN.com)

Good morning! Here’s the news you may have missed:

The Lead Story: 

It’s a slow news week. Congress is — inching would be too fast of a word — towards compromise in the debt talks. So instead of zooming in on political gridlock again, check out CNN’s Year in Pictures. When you’re finished with the gallery, you’ll feel like you’ve just landed after an international trip.

Everything Else:

Pakistan has confirmed the death of a senior Al-Qaeda commander via drone on Sunday. How are we still allowed to do this?

Bill Clinton: the War on Drugs “hasn’t worked.” Obama in April: “legalization is not the answer.”

For the first time, same-sex couples in Washington are getting married.

Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy.

The Long Read: In the age of Anonymous and hacktivism, Rolling Stone chronicles the federal government’s pursuit of hacker Jeremy Hammond.

The Weather: Expect rain today, but the rest of the school week should be pretty clear with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the mid-20s. This weekend will be pretty gross if you’re outside, but you’ll be in the library when you’re not at Midnight Breakfast, right? Still no sign of snow.