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Just before dawn Thursday morning, the wall around a mountaintop reservoir gave way in southern Missouri. More than a billion gallons of water roared down the mountain, sweeping away the home of the parks superintendent who lived below. Ben Meredith, chief of the Lesterville Fire Department, discusses the causes of the flood and the latest developments.

James Bamford, author of two books about the National Security Agency, talks about what the agency does, the constraints it's supposed to operate under and how some of its veterans feel about the charges that President Bush authorized domestic spying with warrant.

President Bush confirms he authorized secret domestic eavesdropping by the National Security Agency. But he lashed out at those who object, saying the spying is aimed only at people believed to have a clear link to terrorist organizations.

The White House has approved the release of oil from the nation's strategic petroleum reserve. The move is designed to offset the large production cuts caused by Hurricane Katrina. The storm has idled most of the region's refineries.

John Langstaff, the founder of the Christmas Revels, died Tuesday in Basil, Switzerland, after suffering a stroke. He was 84. The Christmas Revels is a show that explores the roots of the Christmas and winter solstice celebrations from a different era or country each year.

The IRS has stepped up its investigations of churches accused of endorsing political candidates. The agency is examining about 60 churches over complaints about endorsements from the 2004 election alone. The groups could lose their tax-exempt status.

A Justice Department statement says recent National Security Agency activities -- such as tapping domestic calls without a warrant -- are vital to the defense of the nation.

Shiite leaders say no agreement has been reached on Iraq's draft constitution, citing failed negotiations with minority Sunnis. In a sign the debate may be at an end, Shiite officials say they plan to submit a revised draft to parliament, possibly by Saturday.

An independent panel votes to keep open South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base. The base closing commission voted to reject a Pentagon plan to close the state's second largest employer.

An independent panel votes to keep open Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The base is home to half the nation's fleet of B-1 bombers -- and it's the second largest employer in the state. The panel's decision is a major victory for the state's political leaders, including freshman Sen. John Thune.