NPR People: Howard Berkes http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2783201&ft=1&f=2783201 Howard Berkes became NPR's first rural affairs correspondent in March 2003. His focus includes the politics, economics, and culture of rural America. Some stories are unique to non-urban communities. Some provide rural perspective on major issues and events. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:52:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Howard Berkes http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2783201&ft=1&f=2783201 yes Google's Voice Is Silent In Some Rural Areas Google Voice, the phone management service offered by Google, is blocking customers' calls to about 100 phone numbers that were generating excessive long distance fees in the Midwest. Lawmakers and AT&T have cried foul, and the dispute is renewing focus on a controversial practice that lets some phone companies charge inflated fees. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:52:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114341718&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114341718&ft=1&f=2783201 Google Voice, the phone management service offered by Google, is blocking customers' calls to about 100 phone numbers that were generating excessive long distance fees in the Midwest. Lawmakers and AT&T have cried foul, and the dispute is renewing focus on a controversial practice that lets some phone companies charge inflated fees. 256 no Google Voice, the phone management service offered by Google, is blocking customers' calls to about 100 phone numbers that were generating excessive long distance fees in the Midwest. Lawmakers and AT&T have cried foul, and the dispute is renewing focus on a controversial practice that lets some phone companies charge inflated fees.

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]]> USOC Under Fire For Olympic-Sized Missteps Three weeks after Chicago's first-round rejection in the bidding for the 2016 Summer Games, Olympic athletes and sports executives are demanding major change in the U.S. Olympic Committee. At stake, some say, is support for American athletes and the quest to host Olympic Games in the United States. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114150824&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114150824&ft=1&f=2783201 Three weeks after Chicago's first-round rejection in the bidding for the 2016 Summer Games, Olympic athletes and sports executives are demanding major change in the U.S. Olympic Committee. At stake, some say, is support for American athletes and the quest to host Olympic Games in the United States. 266 no Three weeks after Chicago's first-round rejection in the bidding for the 2016 Summer Games, Olympic athletes and sports executives are demanding major change in the U.S. Olympic Committee. At stake, some say, is support for American athletes and the quest to host Olympic Games in the United States.

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]]> Mystery Endures: Remains Found Not Those Of Artist Everett Ruess, a legendary Utah explorer, writer and artist, has been missing for 75 years. Earlier this year, it seemed the cold case had been solved when human remains found in the Utah desert apparently tested positive as his. But doubts lingered, and now the mystery of the missing artist lives again. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114123077&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114123077&ft=1&f=2783201 Everett Ruess, a legendary Utah explorer, writer and artist, has been missing for 75 years. Earlier this year, it seemed the cold case had been solved when human remains found in the Utah desert apparently tested positive as his. But doubts lingered, and now the mystery of the missing artist lives again. 216 no Everett Ruess, a legendary Utah explorer, writer and artist, has been missing for 75 years. Earlier this year, it seemed the cold case had been solved when human remains found in the Utah desert apparently tested positive as his. But doubts lingered, and now the mystery of the missing artist lives again.

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]]> U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Resigns The acting CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee has stepped down five days after Chicago's stunning first-round elimination in the bidding for the 2016 Olympics. Stephanie Streeter took the helm of the USOC just seven months ago; she was the group's fifth CEO in nine years. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:47:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113586585&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113586585&ft=1&f=2783201 The acting CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee has stepped down five days after Chicago's stunning first-round elimination in the bidding for the 2016 Olympics. Stephanie Streeter took the helm of the USOC just seven months ago; she was the group's fifth CEO in nine years. 221 no The acting CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee has stepped down five days after Chicago's stunning first-round elimination in the bidding for the 2016 Olympics. Stephanie Streeter took the helm of the USOC just seven months ago; she was the group's fifth CEO in nine years.

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]]> Why Chicago Failed To Win The Olympics The Windy City's political talents were offset by new rules meant to protect International Olympic Committee voters from the sort of influence peddling that might have worked in the past. Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113468287&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113468287&ft=1&f=2783201 The Windy City's political talents were offset by new rules meant to protect International Olympic Committee voters from the sort of influence peddling that might have worked in the past. no The Windy City's political talents were offset by new rules meant to protect International Olympic Committee voters from the sort of influence peddling that might have worked in the past.

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]]> Elizabeth Smart Testified She Was Raped Daily Six years after being rescued, Elizabeth Smart had never told her story in public or in court until Thursday. The 21-year-old publicly described the nine months in which she was held as a plural wife and sexually assaulted by Brian David Mitchell, an itinerant preacher declared mentally incompetent by a state court. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113423315&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113423315&ft=1&f=2783201 Six years after being rescued, Elizabeth Smart had never told her story in public or in court until Thursday. The 21-year-old publicly described the nine months in which she was held as a plural wife and sexually assaulted by Brian David Mitchell, an itinerant preacher declared mentally incompetent by a state court. 237 no Six years after being rescued, Elizabeth Smart had never told her story in public or in court until Thursday. The 21-year-old publicly described the nine months in which she was held as a plural wife and sexually assaulted by Brian David Mitchell, an itinerant preacher declared mentally incompetent by a state court.

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]]> Elizabeth Smart Describes Ordeal Of Rape, Abuse Six years after being rescued, 21-year-old Elizabeth Smart for the first time publicly described the nine months in which she says she was held as a plural wife and sexually assaulted by Brian David Mitchell. The itinerant preacher has been declared mentally incompetent by a state court. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113405209&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113405209&ft=1&f=2783201 Six years after being rescued, 21-year-old Elizabeth Smart for the first time publicly described the nine months in which she says she was held as a plural wife and sexually assaulted by Brian David Mitchell. The itinerant preacher has been declared mentally incompetent by a state court. 248 no Six years after being rescued, 21-year-old Elizabeth Smart for the first time publicly described the nine months in which she says she was held as a plural wife and sexually assaulted by Brian David Mitchell. The itinerant preacher has been declared mentally incompetent by a state court.

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]]> Olympic Caveats: Host Cities Risk Debt, Scandal The Obama administration says Chicago winning its bid for the 2016 Olympics would be good for the city's economy. The same argument has been made by many Olympic bidders — but the proof is sketchy. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113351145&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113351145&ft=1&f=2783201 The Obama administration says Chicago winning its bid for the 2016 Olympics would be good for the city's economy. The same argument has been made by many Olympic bidders — but the proof is sketchy. 235 no The Obama administration says Chicago winning its bid for the 2016 Olympics would be good for the city's economy. The same argument has been made by many Olympic bidders — but the proof is sketchy.

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]]> Prosecutor: Let Elizabeth Smart Speak Prosecutors asked a federal judge to allow Smart to testify in the competency hearing of the itinerant street preacher who allegedly forced her at knife point from her bedroom in 2002 and held her for nine months as a second wife. Ed Smart says his daughter's testimony will help show Brian David Mitchell is sane. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113221842&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113221842&ft=1&f=2783201 Prosecutors asked a federal judge to allow Smart to testify in the competency hearing of the itinerant street preacher who allegedly forced her at knife point from her bedroom in 2002 and held her for nine months as a second wife. Ed Smart says his daughter's testimony will help show Brian David Mitchell is sane. no Prosecutors asked a federal judge to allow Smart to testify in the competency hearing of the itinerant street preacher who allegedly forced her at knife point from her bedroom in 2002 and held her for nine months as a second wife. Ed Smart says his daughter's testimony will help show Brian David Mitchell is sane.

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]]> Bad Boy Skier Bode Miller Set To Return To Slopes Bode Miller announced his skiing and Olympic plans at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. Miller quit the U.S. Ski Team two years ago and formed his own ski training team. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113168548&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113168548&ft=1&f=2783201 Bode Miller announced his skiing and Olympic plans at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. Miller quit the U.S. Ski Team two years ago and formed his own ski training team. 220 no Bode Miller announced his skiing and Olympic plans at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. Miller quit the U.S. Ski Team two years ago and formed his own ski training team.

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]]> Elizabeth Smart May Face Alleged Abductor In Court Smart is scheduled to testify Oct. 1 at a federal competency hearing in the case of street preacher David Mitchell, accused of kidnapping her from her Salt Lake City home when she was 14. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112966689&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112966689&ft=1&f=2783201 Smart is scheduled to testify Oct. 1 at a federal competency hearing in the case of street preacher David Mitchell, accused of kidnapping her from her Salt Lake City home when she was 14. no Smart is scheduled to testify Oct. 1 at a federal competency hearing in the case of street preacher David Mitchell, accused of kidnapping her from her Salt Lake City home when she was 14.

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]]> Mother, Daughter Get Probation In Artifacts Theft A federal judge in Utah will not send Jeanne Redd, 59, and Jericca Redd, 37, to prison for digging up and trafficking in ancient American Indian artifacts from federal and Indian land. They instead received probation in the first guilty pleas resulting from a two-year federal sting targeting an artifacts black market. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:34:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112905188&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112905188&ft=1&f=2783201 A federal judge in Utah will not send Jeanne Redd, 59, and Jericca Redd, 37, to prison for digging up and trafficking in ancient American Indian artifacts from federal and Indian land. They instead received probation in the first guilty pleas resulting from a two-year federal sting targeting an artifacts black market. no A federal judge in Utah will not send Jeanne Redd, 59, and Jericca Redd, 37, to prison for digging up and trafficking in ancient American Indian artifacts from federal and Indian land. They instead received probation in the first guilty pleas resulting from a two-year federal sting targeting an artifacts black market.

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]]> U.S. Ski Champs Sell Sweet Smells Of Success Shannon Bahrke and Michelle Roark are turning heads at the U.S. Olympic Media Summit in Chicago. The moguls ski champs aim to be business moguls off the slopes: Bahrke is taking a turn at coffee-roasting, while Roark is turning out "Phi-nomenal" perfumes. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:51:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112735544&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112735544&ft=1&f=2783201 Shannon Bahrke and Michelle Roark are turning heads at the U.S. Olympic Media Summit in Chicago. The moguls ski champs aim to be business moguls off the slopes: Bahrke is taking a turn at coffee-roasting, while Roark is turning out "Phi-nomenal" perfumes. no Shannon Bahrke and Michelle Roark are turning heads at the U.S. Olympic Media Summit in Chicago. The moguls ski champs aim to be business moguls off the slopes: Bahrke is taking a turn at coffee-roasting, while Roark is turning out "Phi-nomenal" perfumes.

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]]> Report Questions Finances Of Chicago's Olympic Bid An International Olympic Committee report released Wednesday boils Chicago's drive for the 2016 Summer Olympics down to a simple and familiar point: Show us the money. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112484624&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112484624&ft=1&f=2783201 An International Olympic Committee report released Wednesday boils Chicago's drive for the 2016 Summer Olympics down to a simple and familiar point: Show us the money. no An International Olympic Committee report released Wednesday boils Chicago's drive for the 2016 Summer Olympics down to a simple and familiar point: Show us the money.

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]]> U.S. Alert Level Raised Amid Calif., Utah Blazes With thousands of homes threatened in six states, the nation's wildfire response system has kicked into a higher level of alert and preparedness — even though it has been a relatively mild year for the blazes. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112451301&ft=1&f=2783201 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112451301&ft=1&f=2783201 With thousands of homes threatened in six states, the nation's wildfire response system has kicked into a higher level of alert and preparedness — even though it has been a relatively mild year for the blazes. no With thousands of homes threatened in six states, the nation's wildfire response system has kicked into a higher level of alert and preparedness — even though it has been a relatively mild year for the blazes.

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