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One of the earliest primary states is South Carolina, which holds its primary on Jan 21. South Carolina is a Republican stronghold — with a strongly conservative voting base. A sample of Republican voters tell NPR they favor Herman Cain — and they especially like his 9-9-9 plan.

Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir, the alleged target of the Iranian plot, told U.S. officials in 2008 the king wanted the U.S. to attack Iran and "cut off the head of the snake." From Tehran that could have been interpreted as targeting Iran's leader for assassination.

An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll out this week puts a new name at the top of the race for the Republican presidential nomination: Herman Cain. The poll shows the former head of Godfather's Pizza is at 27 percent, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney just 4 points behind. Cain spoke with Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon about his surge to front-runner status.

The president toured a General Motors plant with South Korea's leader Friday in Michigan and spoke to workers about the new agreement. The two leaders tried to address a concern by some that the deal will cause the U.S. to lose manufacturing jobs to overseas workers.

Baseball playoffs are heating up with pennants on the line. Over in the NFL, the game everyone's watching this week is a battle of rising teams. Meanwhile, the NBA is still locked out, and if it stays that way, it could mean no Christmas games. Host Scott Simon and NPR's Tom Goldman talk sports.

Restaurants are introducing calorie counts on menus and smaller portions to help consumers make healthier choices. But some consumers think that limits choice, and nutrition experts say we need to change the culture, not the menu.

Economic disparities and race are closely aligned issues in America. Host Audie Cornish talks with Harvard economics professor Roland Fryer, who recently won a MacArthur genius grant for his research on the subject.

There are $1,000 prizes to be had for the best essays about how medical decisions affect the cost of care. There are separate categories for patients and clinicians. And the essays can reveal cost horrors or smart ways the system does more with less.

His attorneys say they'll challenge ballistics evidence. The convicted killer is due to be executed in Georgia this evening. Other top stories: Afghans mourn Rabbani, the Federal Reserve's "operation twist" is explained, and Reno death toll is 11.

The department's been guilty of some "extravagant" spending at conferences in recent years, its inspector general says. Justice officials say reforms have already begun.