WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

A new report from the National Institute On Drug Abuse indicates that marijuana use among teenagers has risen slightly and an increasing number do not believe regular marijuana use is harmful. On the other hand, high school students are drinking less alcohol, and are less likely to be abusing prescription painkillers. Cigarette smoking is down, as well. Join Diane for an update with Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute On Drug Abuse on the trends in drug use among teens, the latest scientific research on addiction and what changes to medical marijuana laws in some states may mean for overall use of marijuana.

After the colossal success of her "Harry Potter" series, J.K. Rowling could have enjoyed an early retirement. But after years of creating a world of wizards and "muggles" for young readers, she felt compelled to try something different for a new audience. Her first novel for adults takes place in the fictional English village of Pagford. It centers around town council member Barry Fairbrother and chronicles the personal and political fallout from his sudden death. And while the book's setting is far from Hogwarts, its characters grapple with problems familiar to Harry, Ron and Hermione — mortality and the burdens that come with adulthood. Join Diane and her guests for a Readers' Review of J.K. Rowling's "The Casual Vacancy."

Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory for more than a century. In 1917, its people were granted American citizenship. Then in the 1970s, Congress granted special tax breaks to corporations locating on the island. This briefly led to an economic boom. But a change in U.S. tax laws combined with a global recession dramatically altered Puerto Rico's fortunes. For the past eight years, the island has been in recession with double-digit unemployment and a $100 billion debt burden. Only 40 percent of working-age Puerto Ricans are employed. And more than 100,000 have left for the U.S. mainland. Diane and her guests explore the troubled economy of Puerto Rico and what it means for the U.S.

U.S. negotiators are pushing to reach agreement on a major trade pact, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and a new deal with the European Union. But many unions, environmentalists and consumers are skeptical. Diane and her guests talk pros and cons over new trade agreements.

Whether you approve of it or not, pornography has been around for almost as long as humanity. But the arrival of the Internet has made it vastly more accessible. Many psychologists say occasional viewing by adults of online porn is not harmful. In some cases, it can even be a positive way for couples to rekindle romance in a long-term relationship. But for a growing number of online pornography users, it has become a problem. According to Psychology Today magazine, online porn addiction is now one of the most commonly reported sex addiction issues. Diane talks with an expert about the causes and consequences of online pornography addiction.

Last week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a budget bill which eases the impact of sequestration and would prevent another government shutdown. This week, the Senate is expected to take it up. But even though the bill easily made its way through the House, politics in the Senate have held things up. Several conservative Republicans have said they'll vote against the deal. And following the recent rule changes on the filibuster pushed through by Democrats, there's less appetite for compromise. What's in the budget deal and the politics of the negotiations.

After mounting protests, Ukraine's president says he intends to sign a trade agreement with the E.U. World leaders. Thousands of South African citizens pay respects to the late Nelson Mandela. And Time magazine names Pope Francis its "Man of the Year." A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

The House voted last night to approve a two-year budget deal. Its passage should reduce the chance of another government shutdown over Christmas break. The measure now moves to the Senate where Democrats have been busy confirming President Barack Obama's backlog of nominees. House Speaker John Boehner criticizes conservative groups for opposing the bipartisan deal, saying they have undermined their credibility. In the wake of its bungled rollout of the Affordable Care Act website, the White House makes some personnel changes. And a look at whether the gun control debate has changed a year after the Newtown shooting. A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top domestic news stories.

More than ever before, Americans want to be as active as possible as they get older. No longer willing to be hampered by aches and pains, Americans are demanding more mobility as they age and appear more willing to consider surgery. But some medical experts are concerned about the dramatic increase in spinal fusion surgery for back pain. Over the last 20 years, the procedure has risen six-fold in this country, becoming more common than hip replacements. Join guest host Susan Page for a panel discussion about worries that financial incentives for doctors may be influencing medical decisions.

America's favorite aristocrats are returning to the U.S. PBS' "Downton Abbey" is the British period drama that chronicles the lives of the Crawley family: Lord and Lady Grantham, their three daughters and a host of servants who keep their grand house running. The show digs into issues of class, gender and sexuality during an era of rapid change. Season four of the show premieres on Sunday, Jan. 5 on PBS stations around the country. Today on The Diane Rehm Show, catching up with the Crawleys of Downton Abbey.

The so-called "Volcker Rule" is aimed at reining in risky trading by banks. Details on the new rule and whether it's tough enough to prevent another financial crisis.

Germany recently published details about more than 100 artworks, including pieces by Picasso and C?zanne, discovered in Munich as part of a huge stash of suspected Nazi loot. Diane and her guests discuss why so little has been done to return stolen goods to Holocaust victims and their families and what this incident means for institutions and collectors in the U.S.

Eight East Coast states have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to impose tougher air pollution standards on the coal-producing Midwest. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on air quality mandates. Diane and her guests discuss the battle over cross-state air pollution.

Monday Night Football. Super Bowl Sunday. The big homecoming day game. New Year's college bowls. It's hard to imagine a sport more American than football. The game hasn't been embraced anywhere in the world quite like it has in the United States. Gregg Easterbrook, author of the new book, "King of Sports," says without football "there would still be 50 stars on the flag ... but America wouldn't be quite the same." But Easterbrook argues the game is in serious need of reform at all levels. Diane discusses football's impact on America and what it will take to clean up the sport.

Already this year, five states have raised their minimum wage. In a speech last week, President Obama vowed to make reducing income inequality a primary focus of his final years in office. He called on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage. Senate Democrats are promoting a measure that would hike it to just above $10 an hour. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and many Republicans are opposed to any increase in the wage floor. They argue it would be bad for business, impede job creation and do little to help the poorest Americans. We talk about the arguments on both sides of the issue.