NPR Most Emailed: NPR Most Emailed Stories http://www.npr.org/templates/common/mostPopularPage.php?rss=1 NPR's most emailed stories for the past 24 hours. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:01:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif NPR Most Emailed Stories http://www.npr.org/templates/common/mostPopularPage.php?rss=1 College Graduates Struggle To Repay Loans The abysmal job market is making it hard for some to start making student loan payments, which come due this month for May graduates. A new law could ease the pain for some: It limits monthly payments to 15 percent of a graduate's income. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120455239&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120455239&ft=1&f=100 The abysmal job market is making it hard for some to start making student loan payments, which come due this month for May graduates. A new law could ease the pain for some: It limits monthly payments to 15 percent of a graduate's income.

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]]> Genetic Testing Reveals Devastating Illness Journalist Charles Sabine watched his father die from the degenerative illness Huntington's disease. After watching his brother struggle with the disease for years, Sabine decided to be tested. "Nothing that I've experienced compares with that test in terms of the terror that it inflicted on me," he says. Sabine says his young daughter does not have the Huntington's gene. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120610850&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120610850&ft=1&f=100 Journalist Charles Sabine watched his father die from the degenerative illness Huntington's disease. After watching his brother struggle with the disease for years, Sabine decided to be tested. "Nothing that I've experienced compares with that test in terms of the terror that it inflicted on me," he says. Sabine says his young daughter does not have the Huntington's gene.

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]]> A Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Because holiday meals traditionally are laden with flour-heavy foods, the season can be tough for those new to a gluten-free lifestyle. But it's easy to leave out wheat products and still have delicious favorites like stuffing and pie. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:09:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120503651&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120503651&ft=1&f=100 Because holiday meals traditionally are laden with flour-heavy foods, the season can be tough for those new to a gluten-free lifestyle. But it's easy to leave out wheat products and still have delicious favorites like stuffing and pie.

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]]> 'The Vibrator Play': Why Yes, It Is About Exactly That Any short list of important young American playwrights would have to include Sarah Ruhl, who at age 35 has had work performed at major theaters around the country. She made her Broadway debut Nov. 19, with a period drama called <em>In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play.</em> But as Jeff Lunden reports, it's as much about intimacy and honesty as about sexuality. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120463597&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120463597&ft=1&f=100 Any short list of important young American playwrights would have to include Sarah Ruhl, who at age 35 has had work performed at major theaters around the country. She made her Broadway debut Nov. 19, with a period drama called In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play. But as Jeff Lunden reports, it's as much about intimacy and honesty as about sexuality.

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]]> Study: Political Bent Affects How We View Skin Tone These three photos of President Obama were among images shown to college students as part of a study that suggests political attitudes can impact the way people perceive skin tone. The photos on the left and right have been altered. Self-described liberals were most likely to rate lightened photos as most representative of Obama. Conservative students tended to pick darkened photos. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:50:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120691088&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120691088&ft=1&f=100 These three photos of President Obama were among images shown to college students as part of a study that suggests political attitudes can impact the way people perceive skin tone. The photos on the left and right have been altered. Self-described liberals were most likely to rate lightened photos as most representative of Obama. Conservative students tended to pick darkened photos.

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]]> 'Teach For America' Teachers Learn On The Job New science teacher Tim Cooper trained with Teach For America for five weeks before flying solo in the front of his own classroom. Cooper couldn't wait to get into the classroom, so the group's short but intense training program working for him. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676335&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676335&ft=1&f=100 New science teacher Tim Cooper trained with Teach For America for five weeks before flying solo in the front of his own classroom. Cooper couldn't wait to get into the classroom, so the group's short but intense training program working for him.

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]]> Go Pink: Stamberg And Reichl Make Cranberry Relish In an NPR tradition, the Friday before Thanksgiving is the time for Susan Stamberg to share her weird-sounding &mdash; but delicious &mdash; recipe for cranberry relish. This year, she's found a real fan: food expert Ruth Reichl. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120545671&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120545671&ft=1&f=100 In an NPR tradition, the Friday before Thanksgiving is the time for Susan Stamberg to share her weird-sounding — but delicious — recipe for cranberry relish. This year, she's found a real fan: food expert Ruth Reichl.

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]]> NPR's Kasell Leaving Newscasts; Remains On 'Wait Wait' NPR's Carl Kasell announces he's leaving the network's newscasts Dec. 30. But he'll still be on <em>Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me</em>. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114410176&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114410176&ft=1&f=100 NPR's Carl Kasell announces he's leaving the network's newscasts Dec. 30. But he'll still be on Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me.

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]]> Gigantic Cruise Ship Buoys Company's Hopes We're headed into the year's biggest travel week, and there's not much bigger than what's sitting in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., right now. It's called the Oasis of the Seas, and it's the largest cruise ship ever built &mdash; five times the size of the Titanic, with a price tag of $1.5 billion. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:25:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120666381&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120666381&ft=1&f=100 We're headed into the year's biggest travel week, and there's not much bigger than what's sitting in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., right now. It's called the Oasis of the Seas, and it's the largest cruise ship ever built — five times the size of the Titanic, with a price tag of $1.5 billion.

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]]> Who's Gaming Now? Seniors Turn To Wii Bowling The introduction of the Nintendo Wii and its sports and fitness games has greatly expanded the appeal of video games &mdash; especially among senior citizens. From California to New York, dozens of teams and more than 1,000 bowlers are in the throes of a virtual Wii bowling competition. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:46:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120705467&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120705467&ft=1&f=100 The introduction of the Nintendo Wii and its sports and fitness games has greatly expanded the appeal of video games — especially among senior citizens. From California to New York, dozens of teams and more than 1,000 bowlers are in the throes of a virtual Wii bowling competition.

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]]> A Son's Premonition, And A Final Baseball Game Dr. Gregg and Kathryn Korbon tell the story of the Brian C. Korbon Field in Charlottesville, Va., named in honor of their son. Before his ninth birthday, Brian told his parents he wouldn't make it to his "double digits." He died months later. "That's what he was trying to tell us all that time," Kathryn recalls. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:21:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120580047&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120580047&ft=1&f=100 Dr. Gregg and Kathryn Korbon tell the story of the Brian C. Korbon Field in Charlottesville, Va., named in honor of their son. Before his ninth birthday, Brian told his parents he wouldn't make it to his "double digits." He died months later. "That's what he was trying to tell us all that time," Kathryn recalls.

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]]> When Your Boss Wants Your DNA The University of Akron said it could ask new workers for a DNA sample to run background checks. But an anti-discrimination law that went into full effect Nov. 21 prevents employers from requiring workers to share genetic information. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120587756&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120587756&ft=1&f=100 The University of Akron said it could ask new workers for a DNA sample to run background checks. But an anti-discrimination law that went into full effect Nov. 21 prevents employers from requiring workers to share genetic information.

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]]> GlobalPost: A New Experiment In Foreign Coverage In recent years, budgets for permanent foreign staffs have been slashed in all but a handful of newsrooms. GlobalPost, an upstart online news outlet that relies on a network of more than 70 part-time contributors in 50 countries, is making the case for a new for-profit model for covering the world. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120629644&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120629644&ft=1&f=100 In recent years, budgets for permanent foreign staffs have been slashed in all but a handful of newsrooms. GlobalPost, an upstart online news outlet that relies on a network of more than 70 part-time contributors in 50 countries, is making the case for a new for-profit model for covering the world.

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]]> Mama Stamberg's Cranberry Relish Recipe Every year as Thanksgiving approaches, fans ask Susan Stamberg for her mother-in-law's recipe for cranberry relish. Read that recipe and a bonus recipe for garlicky cranberry chutney. Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4176014&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4176014&ft=1&f=100 Every year as Thanksgiving approaches, fans ask Susan Stamberg for her mother-in-law's recipe for cranberry relish. Read that recipe and a bonus recipe for garlicky cranberry chutney.

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]]> Who Needs College, And Who Shouldn't Go? Many parents and teachers view college as the natural path to success. But diplomas are getting more expensive, and many people succeed without a bachelor's degree. Guests address the value of a college degree, and whether the fields projected to grow require them. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120700162&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120700162&ft=1&f=100 Many parents and teachers view college as the natural path to success. But diplomas are getting more expensive, and many people succeed without a bachelor's degree. Guests address the value of a college degree, and whether the fields projected to grow require them.

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]]> Golden State Highways Are A California Nightmare California roads once were the envy of the world. But like a lot of things in the Golden State these days, they’re not what they used to be. Federal Highway Administration data show that of the 20 major urban areas with the worst roadway conditions, eight are in California, with 64 percent in "poor condition." Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:14:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120585057&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120585057&ft=1&f=100 California roads once were the envy of the world. But like a lot of things in the Golden State these days, they’re not what they used to be. Federal Highway Administration data show that of the 20 major urban areas with the worst roadway conditions, eight are in California, with 64 percent in "poor condition."

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]]> Larry David's Dysfunctional Family Reunion The seventh season finale of <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em> capped a year-long storyline about Larry finally agreeing to a produce a reunion episode of <em>Seinfeld</em> which he co-created with Jerry Seinfeld. TV critic David Bianculli explains how both programs &mdash; the show and the show within the show &mdash; were a comedic coup and a perfect end to the season. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120695386&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120695386&ft=1&f=100 The seventh season finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm capped a year-long storyline about Larry finally agreeing to a produce a reunion episode of Seinfeld which he co-created with Jerry Seinfeld. TV critic David Bianculli explains how both programs — the show and the show within the show — were a comedic coup and a perfect end to the season.

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]]> Berry Bad: Threat To Trees Lurks On Holiday Tables Its alluring crimson fruit makes it an enduring star of the Thanksgiving centerpiece, but Asiatic bittersweet is strangling trees across New England. In many states, it's illegal to collect or move the invasive vine. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120586883&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120586883&ft=1&f=100 Its alluring crimson fruit makes it an enduring star of the Thanksgiving centerpiece, but Asiatic bittersweet is strangling trees across New England. In many states, it's illegal to collect or move the invasive vine.

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]]> Imelda May: Madly In Love With Rockabilly Irish singer Imelda May is a walking, talking, singing embodiment of the 1950s. She wears leopard-print sweaters, tight bad-girl jeans and her hair in a ponytail. Although May has won numerous awards in 2009, her music harkens back to a style that was popular in the '50s: rockabilly. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:58:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120619554&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120619554&ft=1&f=100 Irish singer Imelda May is a walking, talking, singing embodiment of the 1950s. She wears leopard-print sweaters, tight bad-girl jeans and her hair in a ponytail. Although May has won numerous awards in 2009, her music harkens back to a style that was popular in the '50s: rockabilly.

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]]> He's All Ours Carl belongs to us! Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:43:20 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114410589&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114410589&ft=1&f=100 Carl belongs to us!

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]]> Zee Avi: Tiny Desk Concert The success of Malaysian-born singer-songwriter Zee Avi is an increasingly familiar but noteworthy story: Avi was discovered after she posted a few songs on YouTube. Within two months, she was signed to release her self-titled debut. Here in this intimate Tiny Desk Concert, Avi sings three hushed lullabies, including what has become one of her signature songs: a cover of Morrissey's "First of the Gang." Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:07:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120650097&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120650097&ft=1&f=100 The success of Malaysian-born singer-songwriter Zee Avi is an increasingly familiar but noteworthy story: Avi was discovered after she posted a few songs on YouTube. Within two months, she was signed to release her self-titled debut. Here in this intimate Tiny Desk Concert, Avi sings three hushed lullabies, including what has become one of her signature songs: a cover of Morrissey's "First of the Gang."

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]]> Russian Convents Face Obstacles To Restoring Past Russia has seen an explosion in the number of Orthodox convents in the decades since the end of communist rule. There are now more than 240. Most of the renovated convents &mdash; many in remote areas &mdash; are based on their distant history and devotion to their particular icons. But for many reasons, reviving the past is far from easy. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120363384&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120363384&ft=1&f=100 Russia has seen an explosion in the number of Orthodox convents in the decades since the end of communist rule. There are now more than 240. Most of the renovated convents — many in remote areas — are based on their distant history and devotion to their particular icons. But for many reasons, reviving the past is far from easy.

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]]> Chicago Teens Encourage Nonviolent Actions The brutal killing of a Chicago teenager in September brought U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to the city to speak out about youth violence. Now that the Cabinet members are back in Washington, what is happening in the effort to stop youth violence? Some Chicago teenagers are taking on the issue themselves. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676311&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676311&ft=1&f=100 The brutal killing of a Chicago teenager in September brought U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to the city to speak out about youth violence. Now that the Cabinet members are back in Washington, what is happening in the effort to stop youth violence? Some Chicago teenagers are taking on the issue themselves.

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]]> Alan Cheuse's Book Picks To Warm A Winter's Night Book reviewer Alan Cheuse selects the highlights of this holiday season: futuristic dystopias; things that go bump in the night; portraits from Norman Rockwell's America; gay New York; a celebration of our immigrant adventures; one writer's journey to manhood; and, of course, Long John Silver. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:15:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120539406&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120539406&ft=1&f=100 Book reviewer Alan Cheuse selects the highlights of this holiday season: futuristic dystopias; things that go bump in the night; portraits from Norman Rockwell's America; gay New York; a celebration of our immigrant adventures; one writer's journey to manhood; and, of course, Long John Silver.

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]]> Charity Tries Texting To Make Up For Donations Like many charities, donations are significantly down to the United Way in Charlotte, North Carolina. In June, it announced cuts to nearly every member agency. The problems have continued. Now the United Way is trying a new way to raise money: texting. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676323&ft=1&f=100 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676323&ft=1&f=100 Like many charities, donations are significantly down to the United Way in Charlotte, North Carolina. In June, it announced cuts to nearly every member agency. The problems have continued. Now the United Way is trying a new way to raise money: texting.

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