NPR Headlines
Mass School Closures Approved In Kansas City, Mo.
Facing potential bankruptcy, the board that governs the once flush-with-cash Kansas City school district is taking the unusual and contentious step of shuttering almost half its schools.
Rep. Obey Moves To Ban Earmarks To Corporations
House Democrats proposed yesterday to end earmarks — the practice of members of the Appropriations Committee assigning federal funds directly to a particular business.
Letters To Haiti Provide A Different Kind Of Help
To show support for schoolchildren devastated by the earthquake, fifth-graders in Northridge, Calif., sent the kids letters that included poems, comic strips and stickers. The students in California and those in Haiti say they'd like to be pen pals for life.
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'Al-Qaeda 7' Controversy: Detainees And Politics
Justice Department attorneys who once helped represent terrorism detainees are at the center of a raging dispute. Conservatives say that the politically appointed lawyers are influencing U.S. policy to help their former clients.
Talks With Taliban To Decide Afghanistan's Future?
The emerging consensus in Afghanistan is that military action alone will not win the war against the Taliban and a political solution will be necessary. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has reached out to some Taliban leaders. But analysts say the Taliban and the U.S. are not ready for full-scale negotiations — yet.
Disaster Experts Praise Chile Quake Response
A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake capable of tremendous damage struck central Chile early Saturday, shaking the capital for a minute and a half and setting off a tsunami.
Expert: House, Senate Democrats Have Trust Deficit
The divide on Capitol Hill is commonly depicted as Democrats versus Republicans and for good reason — the greatest rift in Congress is indeed partisan. But there's also a cleft between members of the same party, Democrats specifically, with a split between House and Senate members.
Obama: Time To Crack Down On Health Care Fraud
The president denounced waste, inefficiency and downright fraud in the government's health care system on Wednesday as he sought to rally public support for his revamped overhaul plan.
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As Lice Grow Treatment-Resistant, Drug Could Help
Lice in children have been treated for years with lotions, creams and shampoos. But the little critters are becoming more and more resistant. Now an oral drug already used to treat certain parasites in people appears to kill lice as well. Researchers say it could be an alternative when standard treatments fail.
Arab League Considers Dropping Support For Talks
The league's peace initiative committee said if Israel pursues new settlement building in east Jerusalem, the proposed indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians would be irrelevant. A final decision on whether to support the process must be made by the foreign ministers of the Arab nations.
Obama Would Hike Medicare Taxes On Wealthy
If President Obama's proposal to apply a Medicare levy to investment income had been in place in 2008, the Obamas would have paid roughly $75,000 more in taxes that year.
'Jihad Jane' Creates A Calamity For Authorities
In online chat rooms, she called herself "Jihad Jane." Her real name is Colleen LaRose. And she represents law enforcement's worst nightmare. A petite, 46-year-old blond from the leafy suburbs of Philadelphia, she is what investigators worry is the new face of terrorism.
Obama: Challenge To Prevent Second Disaster In Haiti
Masses of people are without shelter as the rainy season begins in the earthquake-devastated country. After a meeting at the White House with Haitian President Rene Preval, Obama said the situation remains dire and renewed America's commitment to the country's recovery and reconstruction.
Budget Deficit Of $220B Sets Record In February
The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the February deficit was 14 percent higher than the previous record set in February of last year. The administration says the huge deficits are necessary to get the country out of the deepest recession since the 1930s.
Senate Approves Measure To Extend Jobless Benefits
The legislation would give months of continued jobless checks to people who have been out of work for more than half a year and help the unemployed pay for health insurance. The 62-36 vote came over protests from conservatives who say the bill adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt.
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For Biden, A Case Of Heartburn In The Holy Land
Israel's announcement of plans to build new homes for Israelis in east Jerusalem caught visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden by surprise. Analysts say the incident is a stark reminder of the many obstacles to forging enduring peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
Video Games Hit Former NCAA Stars' Sore Spot
Ed O'Bannon and Sam Keller are involved in two class-action lawsuits against the NCAA and Electronic Arts Sports, so they're trying to make their pain palpable — to the point that it's measurable in dollars
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Roberts Slams 'Pep Rally' Scene At State Of Union
President Obama's criticism of a recent high court decision on campaign spending, delivered during his State of the Union address, has drawn a rebuke from the chief justice. Speaking to a group of law students, Roberts said officials are entitled to criticize the court's decisions, but he questioned the setting Obama chose, and the "decorum" of the House and Senate.
Bank Of America Drops Some Overdraft Charges
Bank of America says it will do away with overdraft charges on debit card purchases. When customers try to buy something but don't have enough in their account, the transaction will be be rejected. The move is in reaction to a new regulation that will require banks to get customers to "opt in" to automatic overdraft protection.
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Ahmadeinejad Denounces U.S. In Afghanistan
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid a visit to Kabul Wednesday and denounced the U.S. for "playing a double game" in Afghanistan. He was responding to remarks by Defense Secretary Robert Gates who left the city earlier in the day.