NPR Topics: U.S. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1003&ft=1&f=1003 NPR coverage of national news, U.S. politics, elections, business, arts, culture, health and science, and technology. Subscribe to the NPR Nation RSS feed. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif U.S. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1003&ft=1&f=1003 Waging War On Distracted Driving Nineteen states have banned texting while driving. It's part of a growing movement to crack down on mobile phone usage behind the wheel that is reminiscent of earlier campaigns against drunk driving. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120778418&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120778418&ft=1&f=1003 Nineteen states have banned texting while driving. It's part of a growing movement to crack down on mobile phone usage behind the wheel that is reminiscent of earlier campaigns against drunk driving.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Young Latinos, Blacks Answer Call Of Mobile Devices Americans are increasingly using hand-held devices to access the Internet and for texting, sending e-mails, playing music and instant messaging. A large number of those hyperusers are young Latinos and blacks, who crave the convenience of staying connected wherever they go. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120852934&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120852934&ft=1&f=1003 Americans are increasingly using hand-held devices to access the Internet and for texting, sending e-mails, playing music and instant messaging. A large number of those hyperusers are young Latinos and blacks, who crave the convenience of staying connected wherever they go.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Personal Rapid Transit: Future Or Elevated Fantasy? Transportation planners are banking on a futuristic network of ecofriendly computer-automated pod cars as the next smart form of mass transit. Several U.S. cities are doing feasibility studies for personal rapid transit systems, and Britain's Heathrow Airport plans to launch its system in the spring. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:35:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590726&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590726&ft=1&f=1003 Transportation planners are banking on a futuristic network of ecofriendly computer-automated pod cars as the next smart form of mass transit. Several U.S. cities are doing feasibility studies for personal rapid transit systems, and Britain's Heathrow Airport plans to launch its system in the spring.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Virginia Couple Crashed White House Dinner the Obama White House held its first state dinner Wednesday in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It was an event full of pomp and circumstance, bringing together more than 300 dignitaries from the world of politics and entertainment. The guest list was exclusive, and the security tight. But a couple from Virginia managed to crash the event. Amy Zantzinger, social secretary for President George W. Bush from 2007-2009, says this might be the first time a White House party was crashed. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120872735&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120872735&ft=1&f=1003 the Obama White House held its first state dinner Wednesday in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It was an event full of pomp and circumstance, bringing together more than 300 dignitaries from the world of politics and entertainment. The guest list was exclusive, and the security tight. But a couple from Virginia managed to crash the event. Amy Zantzinger, social secretary for President George W. Bush from 2007-2009, says this might be the first time a White House party was crashed.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Automakers Help Aging Drivers Travel More Safely Some car companies are developing high-tech solutions to help older people drive more safely and let them hold on to their car keys longer. Ford uses special "aging suits" and virtual reality to help designers and engineers see aging drivers' limitations. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:29:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120766921&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120766921&ft=1&f=1003 Some car companies are developing high-tech solutions to help older people drive more safely and let them hold on to their car keys longer. Ford uses special "aging suits" and virtual reality to help designers and engineers see aging drivers' limitations.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> From Afghanistan To Space, Americans Give Thanks Thousands of people lined up for the spectacle of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York, while merrymakers gathered for massive parades in Philadelphia (above) and in other cities nationwide. President Obama phoned U.S. troops, and the space shuttle crew got a surprise feast. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:52:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120872528&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120872528&ft=1&f=1003 Thousands of people lined up for the spectacle of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York, while merrymakers gathered for massive parades in Philadelphia (above) and in other cities nationwide. President Obama phoned U.S. troops, and the space shuttle crew got a surprise feast.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Man Stuck In Utah Cave Dies Despite Rescue Efforts John Jones, 26, of Stansbury Park died nearly 28 hours after he became stuck 700 feet into the cave known as Nutty Putty, a Utah County Sheriff's Department spokesman said. Rescuers were next to Jones for much of the day, but he was wedged in a small hole too tightly to pull him out. He had been exploring the cave passages with a group of people. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:35:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120864256&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120864256&ft=1&f=1003 John Jones, 26, of Stansbury Park died nearly 28 hours after he became stuck 700 feet into the cave known as Nutty Putty, a Utah County Sheriff's Department spokesman said. Rescuers were next to Jones for much of the day, but he was wedged in a small hole too tightly to pull him out. He had been exploring the cave passages with a group of people.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Couple Slipped Past Security, Crashed State Dinner The Secret Service is looking into its own security procedures after determining that a Virginia couple managed to slip into Tuesday night's state dinner at the White House even though they were not on the guest list, an agency spokesman said. The Secret Service learned about the breach after the couple posted photos on Facebook. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:06:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120863746&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120863746&ft=1&f=1003 The Secret Service is looking into its own security procedures after determining that a Virginia couple managed to slip into Tuesday night's state dinner at the White House even though they were not on the guest list, an agency spokesman said. The Secret Service learned about the breach after the couple posted photos on Facebook.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Plymouth And Provincetown, After The Pilgrims At Thanksgiving, most of us think of pious Pilgrims in black clothes landing at Plymouth, Mass. But they actually arrived at Provincetown, Mass., first. It's hard to imagine two places more different today. Plymouth makes money from its image as the home of righteous, hard-working, religious pilgrims. Provincetown makes money from its pounding disco beat and artist hangouts. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120863163&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120863163&ft=1&f=1003 At Thanksgiving, most of us think of pious Pilgrims in black clothes landing at Plymouth, Mass. But they actually arrived at Provincetown, Mass., first. It's hard to imagine two places more different today. Plymouth makes money from its image as the home of righteous, hard-working, religious pilgrims. Provincetown makes money from its pounding disco beat and artist hangouts.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Nuclear Radiation Worries? There's A Pill For That Fear turns out be a very good thing for certain businesses. When North Korea or Iran mentions the word "nuclear," orders pour in to NukePills.com — a Web site that sells potassium iodide. The government also stockpiles this FDA-approved drug. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120751935&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120751935&ft=1&f=1003 Fear turns out be a very good thing for certain businesses. When North Korea or Iran mentions the word "nuclear," orders pour in to NukePills.com — a Web site that sells potassium iodide. The government also stockpiles this FDA-approved drug.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> For Public, Affordability A Key Issue In Health Bill The debate in Washington over how much the health care overhaul bills will cost has largely centered on the bottom line for the federal government. But polls repeatedly show Americans are much more concerned about how a reshaped health care system will affect their own family's financial situation. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120723411&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120723411&ft=1&f=1003 The debate in Washington over how much the health care overhaul bills will cost has largely centered on the bottom line for the federal government. But polls repeatedly show Americans are much more concerned about how a reshaped health care system will affect their own family's financial situation.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> AIG Resolves Legal Battle With Former Chairman The insurance company has been fighting Maurice "Hank" Greenberg ever since he was ousted amid an accounting scandal in 2005. AIG said it will pay up to $150 million in past legal fees and expenses for both Greenberg and former Chief Financial Officer Howard I. Smith. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:58:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120856448&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120856448&ft=1&f=1003 The insurance company has been fighting Maurice "Hank" Greenberg ever since he was ousted amid an accounting scandal in 2005. AIG said it will pay up to $150 million in past legal fees and expenses for both Greenberg and former Chief Financial Officer Howard I. Smith.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Fla. Gov. Crist Fights Back In Battle For Senate Seat Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is hoping to move to Washington, but his first challenge is to win his party's nomination in next year's Senate race. His rival, conservative former state house Speaker Marco Rubio, has been gaining ground, but Crist's campaign has begun to fight back. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120725208&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120725208&ft=1&f=1003 Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is hoping to move to Washington, but his first challenge is to win his party's nomination in next year's Senate race. His rival, conservative former state house Speaker Marco Rubio, has been gaining ground, but Crist's campaign has begun to fight back.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Wholesale Market Highlights Real-Life Economics Hunts Point in Bronx, N.Y., is the largest wholesale food market in the country. The action there happens late at night. The ebb and flow at the market, who's buying when, and at what price, are a real-life economics lesson compressed into a single night. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120846020&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120846020&ft=1&f=1003 Hunts Point in Bronx, N.Y., is the largest wholesale food market in the country. The action there happens late at night. The ebb and flow at the market, who's buying when, and at what price, are a real-life economics lesson compressed into a single night.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> National Day Of Listening For the National Day of Listening project, contributor Katie Davis interviews a neighborhood acquaintance, Carlton Davis. The two struck up a friendship when they met outside the local Safeway. The two struck up a friendship when they met outside the local Safeway. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120846069&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120846069&ft=1&f=1003 For the National Day of Listening project, contributor Katie Davis interviews a neighborhood acquaintance, Carlton Davis. The two struck up a friendship when they met outside the local Safeway. The two struck up a friendship when they met outside the local Safeway.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]>