John Burnett http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1936301&ft=1&f=1936301 John Burnett has served as NPR's Southwest correspondent based in Austin, Texas. Currently, he is serving as NPR's correspondent in Nairobi, Kenya. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:41:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif John Burnett http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1936301&ft=1&f=1936301 Controversy Brews Over Church's Hallucinogenic Tea Ritual A U.S. transplant of a Brazilian sect drinks <em>huasca</em> tea and then finds spiritual exploration in the visions it induces. The Supreme Court has granted the group full rights as a church to sip all the tea it wants, but some neighbors in Santa Fe, N.M., are trying to block construction of a house of worship. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/177315132/controversy-brews-over-churchs-hallucinogenic-tea-ritual?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/177315132/controversy-brews-over-churchs-hallucinogenic-tea-ritual?ft=1&f=1936301 A U.S. transplant of a Brazilian sect drinks huasca tea and then finds spiritual exploration in the visions it induces. The Supreme Court has granted the group full rights as a church to sip all the tea it wants, but some neighbors in Santa Fe, N.M., are trying to block construction of a house of worship.

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]]> Plant Explosion Unites Small Texas Community In West, Texas, investigators are trying to find out what caused the fire and subsequent explosion at a fertilizer plant last week. Meanwhile, the small town is mourning those killed — most of them first responders. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/22/178367810/explosion-fails-to-divide-texas-community?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/22/178367810/explosion-fails-to-divide-texas-community?ft=1&f=1936301 In West, Texas, investigators are trying to find out what caused the fire and subsequent explosion at a fertilizer plant last week. Meanwhile, the small town is mourning those killed — most of them first responders.

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]]> Two Decades Later, Some Branch Davidians Still Believe Twenty years ago, federal agents clashed with David Koresh's Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas. The standoff ended with a raid and fire in which some 80 children, women and men perished. It's remembered as one of the darkest chapters in American law enforcement. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:21:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/20/178063471/two-decades-later-some-branch-davidians-still-believe?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/20/178063471/two-decades-later-some-branch-davidians-still-believe?ft=1&f=1936301 Twenty years ago, federal agents clashed with David Koresh's Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas. The standoff ended with a raid and fire in which some 80 children, women and men perished. It's remembered as one of the darkest chapters in American law enforcement.

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]]> 12 Dead In Texas Fertilizer Plant Blast, Authorities Say The Texas Department of Public Safety says the bodies of 12 people were recovered after the Wednesday night explosion, and 200 people are hurt. Rescuers are still searching houses for victims. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/177932571/12-dead-in-texas-fertilizer-plant-blast-authorities-say?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/177932571/12-dead-in-texas-fertilizer-plant-blast-authorities-say?ft=1&f=1936301 The Texas Department of Public Safety says the bodies of 12 people were recovered after the Wednesday night explosion, and 200 people are hurt. Rescuers are still searching houses for victims.

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]]> Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion 'A Nightmare Scenario' The search and rescue operation continues after a massive fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. Crews are going through the wreckage of some 75 homes and other buildings. Officials are not giving a death toll — though they are repeating the estimate between five and fifteen. More than 160 people were injured. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177825281/texas-fertilizer-plant-explosion-a-nightmare-scenario?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177825281/texas-fertilizer-plant-explosion-a-nightmare-scenario?ft=1&f=1936301 The search and rescue operation continues after a massive fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. Crews are going through the wreckage of some 75 homes and other buildings. Officials are not giving a death toll — though they are repeating the estimate between five and fifteen. More than 160 people were injured.

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]]> Search And Rescue Ongoing After Texas Plant Explosion A fertilizer plant exploded near Waco, Texas, Wednesday night. Officials report between five and 15 people were killed, and more than 160 wounded. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177770148/search-and-rescue-ongoing-after-texas-plant-explosion?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177770148/search-and-rescue-ongoing-after-texas-plant-explosion?ft=1&f=1936301 A fertilizer plant exploded near Waco, Texas, Wednesday night. Officials report between five and 15 people were killed, and more than 160 wounded.

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]]> Blast Rips Through West, Texas, Fertilizer Plant A fertilizer plant exploded near Waco, Texas, Wednesday night. The explosion at West Fertilizer in downtown West, a community about 20 miles north of Waco, happened around 7 p.m. and could be heard as far away as Waxahachie, 45 miles to the north. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177721479/blast-rips-through-west-texas-fertilizer-plant?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177721479/blast-rips-through-west-texas-fertilizer-plant?ft=1&f=1936301 A fertilizer plant exploded near Waco, Texas, Wednesday night. The explosion at West Fertilizer in downtown West, a community about 20 miles north of Waco, happened around 7 p.m. and could be heard as far away as Waxahachie, 45 miles to the north.

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]]> Evangelicals Try To Soften Hearts On Overhauling Immigration The evangelical movement, historically, has not been supportive of overhauling immigration. But that stance is changing. The Evangelical Immigration Table has united a diverse section of religious groups — from the social justice organization Sojourners to the Southern Baptist Convention. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/15/177276881/evangelicals-try-to-soften-hearts-on-overhauling-immigration?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/15/177276881/evangelicals-try-to-soften-hearts-on-overhauling-immigration?ft=1&f=1936301 The evangelical movement, historically, has not been supportive of overhauling immigration. But that stance is changing. The Evangelical Immigration Table has united a diverse section of religious groups — from the social justice organization Sojourners to the Southern Baptist Convention.

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]]> Thousands Trek To New Mexico Chapel On Good Friday Every year thousands of people make a pilgrimage down the state highway toward the Catholic shrine in Chimayo, N.M. They gather there to pray for forgiveness and healing. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175722033/thousands-of-pilgrims-trek-to-new-mexico-chapel-on-good-friday?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175722033/thousands-of-pilgrims-trek-to-new-mexico-chapel-on-good-friday?ft=1&f=1936301 Every year thousands of people make a pilgrimage down the state highway toward the Catholic shrine in Chimayo, N.M. They gather there to pray for forgiveness and healing.

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]]> Texas Church Is A Battleground In Gay Marriage War The Supreme court set to hear arguments this week on same-sex marriage. Some conservative Evangelical Christians in El Paso, Texas, reflect on the increasing acceptance of gay marriage, and how American culture is changing in ways that make them uncomfortable and pessimistic. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/25/175234458/battleground-over-gay-marriage-el-paso-texas?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/25/175234458/battleground-over-gay-marriage-el-paso-texas?ft=1&f=1936301 The Supreme court set to hear arguments this week on same-sex marriage. Some conservative Evangelical Christians in El Paso, Texas, reflect on the increasing acceptance of gay marriage, and how American culture is changing in ways that make them uncomfortable and pessimistic.

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]]> The Life And Career Of Pope Francis Newly minted Pope Francis, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, was known for his humility, for standing with the poor, and for his staunch conservatism on church teachings. With no experience in Vatican administration, the strength of this first Jesuit pope is thought to be his intellectual vigor and his pastoral skills. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/14/174269201/the-life-and-career-of-pope-francis?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/14/174269201/the-life-and-career-of-pope-francis?ft=1&f=1936301 Newly minted Pope Francis, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, was known for his humility, for standing with the poor, and for his staunch conservatism on church teachings. With no experience in Vatican administration, the strength of this first Jesuit pope is thought to be his intellectual vigor and his pastoral skills.

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]]> American Catholics Divided On Pope Benedict's Legacy Catholics in the U.S. had varying reactions to Pope Benedict's surprise resignation on Monday. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/11/171737562/american-catholics-divided-on-pope-benedicts-legacy?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/11/171737562/american-catholics-divided-on-pope-benedicts-legacy?ft=1&f=1936301 Catholics in the U.S. had varying reactions to Pope Benedict's surprise resignation on Monday.

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]]> As Islam Grows, U.S. Imams In Short Supply The more than 2,100 American mosques are facing a challenge. There aren't enough imams, or spiritual leaders, to go around. Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:29:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/10/171629187/as-islam-grows-u-s-imams-in-short-supply?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/10/171629187/as-islam-grows-u-s-imams-in-short-supply?ft=1&f=1936301 The more than 2,100 American mosques are facing a challenge. There aren't enough imams, or spiritual leaders, to go around.

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]]> L.A. Cardinal Removed From Position For Role In Sex Abuse Scandal The Los Angeles Archbishop, Jose Gomez, has removed retired Cardinal Roger Mahony in the wake of revelations about how the Cardinal handled priest sex abuse cases. Mahony will be relieved of his remaining public duties. Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/01/170884712/l-a-cardinal-removed-from-position-for-role-in-sex-abuse-scandal?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/01/170884712/l-a-cardinal-removed-from-position-for-role-in-sex-abuse-scandal?ft=1&f=1936301 The Los Angeles Archbishop, Jose Gomez, has removed retired Cardinal Roger Mahony in the wake of revelations about how the Cardinal handled priest sex abuse cases. Mahony will be relieved of his remaining public duties.

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]]> Austin Measures Fallout From Lance Armstrong Scandal The City of Austin, Texas, is singularly attached its favorite son, Lance Armstrong. His bike shop and Livestrong foundation are there. Now that Oprah Winfrey has confirmed that Armstrong confessed to doping and lied about it, can his foundation recover from the doping controversy? Wed, 16 Jan 2013 04:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/16/169486534/measuring-the-fallout-after-lance-armstrong-talked-to-oprah?ft=1&f=1936301 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/16/169486534/measuring-the-fallout-after-lance-armstrong-talked-to-oprah?ft=1&f=1936301 The City of Austin, Texas, is singularly attached its favorite son, Lance Armstrong. His bike shop and Livestrong foundation are there. Now that Oprah Winfrey has confirmed that Armstrong confessed to doping and lied about it, can his foundation recover from the doping controversy?

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