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Linda Wertheimer As NPR's senior national correspondent, Linda Wertheimer travels the country and the globe for NPR News, bringing her unique insights and wealth of experience to bear on the day's top news stories.
Linda Wertheimer
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Linda Wertheimer

National

Missouri Voters Refect Obama's Year In Office

Voters in Clayton, Mo., reflect on the Obama administration one year after the president's inauguration. Some Obama supporters are disappointed at the pace of change in health care and his foreign policy, but they say they would still vote the same way.

Missouri Voters Refect Obama's Year In Office

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Politics

1 Year Later: Has America Been Remade?

It's been almost one year since President Obama took office. On his 100th day in office, the president said the work of remaking America had begun. How has 2009 treated the administration? What are the turning points, highlights and troubles for the Obama administration?

1 Year Later: Has America Been Remade?

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Asia

Thailand Begins Forcibly Repatriating Hmong

Thailand is trying to evict some 4,000 ethnic Hmong asylum seekers and send them back to Laos despite strong objections from the United States and human rights groups. They fear that the Hmong will face persecution. Thailand is using army troops to move the Hmong to the Lao border.

Thailand Begins Forcibly Repatriating Hmong

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Alcott: 'Not The Little Woman You Thought She Was'

Elizabeth Marvel as Louisa May Alcott, who loved to run. Liane Brandon hide caption

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Liane Brandon

American Lives

Alcott: 'Not The Little Woman You Thought She Was'

For many readers, Louisa May Alcott is synonymous with her most famous character, Jo March, the spirited sister in Little Women. But author and filmmaker Harriet Reisen says Alcott's life "was no children's book." Reisen's The Woman Behind 'Little Women' premieres Monday night on PBS.

Alcott: 'Not The Little Woman You Thought She Was'

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Health Care

Senate Health Care Bill Passes Without GOP Votes

Senate Democrats passed a historic health care bill early Christmas Eve. The 60-39 vote ended months of negotiations and 24 days of floor debate. Not one Republican voted for the measure. The Senate bill must now be reconciled with a version passed by the House of Representatives last month.

Senate Health Care Bill Passes Without GOP Votes

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World

Penalties Imposed For Soldiers Who Get Pregnant

A recent military policy implemented by an Army general commanding U.S. forces in northern Iraq, subjects soldiers to disciplinary actions for becoming pregnant, or impregnating a servicemember. Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo already has disciplined four women and three men — among them — two married couples. Cucolo says a pregnant soldier who goes home weakens the unit.

Penalties Imposed For Soldiers Who Get Pregnant

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Analysis

Senate Rushes To Get Health Overhaul Bill Passed

Senate health care legislation has taken another step forward. Democrats had enough votes to keep Republicans from being able to filibuster. It was an incredibly hard-fought vote, and senators are on track to vote on it Christmas Eve.

Senate Rushes To Get Health Overhaul Bill Passed

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Middle East

Iran Warned To Come Clean On Nuclear Plans

The leaders of France, Britain and the United States are warning Iran that it'll be "held accountable" unless it comes clean about its nuclear ambitions. The statements at the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh came after the disclosure that Iran had kept a secret nuclear facility hidden from weapons inspectors.

Iran Warned To Come Clean On Nuclear Plans

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Health Care

Senate Panel Slogs Through Health Bill Amendments

The Senate Finance Committee is working though more than 500 amendments offered to the health care bill proposed by Chairman Max Baucus. One of the amendments defeated Thursday would have unraveled a key element in the deal struck between the Obama administration and drug companies — a deal that helped the bill get this far.

Senate Panel Slogs Through Health Bill Amendments

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Health Care

Will Taxing 'Cadillac Plans' Hold Down Health Costs?

Some people have insurance that is so generous the coverage is called a "Cadillac plan." There are those who believe these kind of gold-plated medical coverage should be taxed. Some economists believe the generous plans encourage people to overuse health care, and taxing them is one way to hold down costs.

Will Taxing 'Cadillac Plans' Hold Down Health Costs?

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Health Care

Will Health Care Changes Affect Federal Workers?

Federal employees have a lot of choices when picking their health care options. While the choices of plans may be better than most, they are not necessarily the cheapest. How will proposed health care legislation affect the insurance available to federal employees?

Will Health Care Changes Affect Federal Workers?

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Ted Kennedy: The Last Of A Family Power Dynasty

In this photo taken circa 1962, U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy (from left) talks with his brothers, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy. Hulton Archive/Getty Images) hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009

Ted Kennedy: The Last Of A Family Power Dynasty

Sen. Edward Kennedy's death effectively ended the Kennedy political dynasty. Although Kennedy's son Patrick is a member of Congress and Bobby Kennedy Jr. is an outspoken advocate of causes, others in their generation have shunned politics. And those who did hold office have lost their seats, retired or died.

Ted Kennedy: The Last Of A Family Power Dynasty

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Politics

'80s Tax Bill Has Lessons For Health Care Overhaul

In negotiating health care legislation, lawmakers ought to look back to 1986. That was the year that a Democratic House and a Republican Senate worked together to pass a tax simplification bill. A full-court press by lobbyists is usually enough to stop a bill — but not in 1986.

'80s Tax Bill Has Lessons For Health Care Overhaul

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Politics

New, Old Tactics Used To Oppose White House

Opposition to President Obama and his plans for the economy, health care and energy is taking a variety of forms. Some are as new as Twitter, while others are as old as politics itself.

New, Old Tactics Used To Oppose White House

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