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Andy Bowers Andy Bowers oversees Slate?s collaboration with NPR?s daytime news magazine, Day to Day. He helps produce the work of Slate?s writers for radio, and can also be heard on the program.
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Andy Bowers

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Wednesday

Politics

How 'Hail To The Chief' Became Presidential

"Hail to the Chief" is a tune that President Barack Obama will hear quite a bit in the next four years. How did this song become the presidential serenade?

How 'Hail To The Chief' Became Presidential

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Friday

Analysis

Media

'Slate' Explainer: Figures on Missing Children

Many news accounts covering the Missouri kidnapping case claim that more than 800,000 are missing in the United States. The figures are fairly reliable, but often misinterpreted.

'Slate' Explainer: Figures on Missing Children

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Tuesday

Analysis

Science

Explainer: Why Cruise Ships Harbor Viruses

Reports of virus outbreaks on cruise ships have increased in recent years. Why are cruise ships a breeding ground for these viruses? Andy Bowers of the online magazine Slate offers this "explainer."

Explainer: Why Cruise Ships Harbor Viruses

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Monday

Day to Day

The Truth About British Spies

Fictional British spies like James Bond are agents of the British National Intelligence Service. But do real British secret agents really have a license to kill? Andy Bowers of the online magazine Slate offers this "explainer."

The Truth About British Spies

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Monday

Day to Day

Slate's Explainer: Are Weekend Polls Skewed?

Polls from the past weekend point to a Democratic advantage on Election Day. But some Republicans reject the results because they say weekend polls skew toward Democrats. Andy Bowers of the online magazine Slate explains the logic behind this claim.

Slate's Explainer: Are Weekend Polls Skewed?

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Monday

Analysis

Sen. Lieberman's Future Democratic Relations

Longtime Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman switched his party affiliation from Democrat to independent after he lost the Democratic primary in August. Which leads to the question: Will Lieberman be welcomed back by Democrats in the Senate if gets re-elected?

Sen. Lieberman's Future Democratic Relations

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Tuesday

Analysis

World

North Korea's Confusing Brand of English

English speakers might be justified for their confusion over the wording of North Korean reports of its alleged underground test of a nuclear device. Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains the roots of the fractured English spoken in North Korea.

North Korea's Confusing Brand of English

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Wednesday

Opinion

Religion

'Allhu Akbar': When to Say It, and Why

The four men who attacked the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday reportedly cried out "allahu akbar!" -- which translates to "God is great" -- during their assault on the embassy's main gate. Three men were shot and killed and the fourth died later.

'Allhu Akbar': When to Say It, and Why

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Friday

Analysis

Who Would Make a False Confession?

Statements by a former school teacher concerning the death of JonBenet Ramsey have not settled the case, but instead have raised serious doubts about the man's confession. Some observers now think John Mark Karr may have fabricated his story. But why would anyone admit to a crime they didn't commit?

Who Would Make a False Confession?

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Thursday

Analysis

The Immigration Debate

Law Enforcement vs. Church 'Sanctuary'

Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains whether church claims of "sanctuary" from law enforcement are recognized under law. An illegal immigrant has taken refuge in a Chicago-area church in hopes of avoiding deportation.

Law Enforcement vs. Church 'Sanctuary'

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Tuesday

Analysis

Blood Alcohol and Gibson's Impaired Judgment

Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson issued a statement asking the Jewish community to help him battle his problems with alcohol. The statement comes days after his arrest for drunken driving, when he reportedly launched into an anti-Semitic tirade in front of deputies. Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explores how Gibson's blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest might have affected his judgment.

Blood Alcohol and Gibson's Impaired Judgment

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Wednesday

Analysis

The Best Way to Drop Propaganda Leaflets

Israeli planes are dropping leaflets onto Beirut bearing anti-Hezbollah messages and warning residents to avoid Hezbollah facilities or gathering places, for their own safety. Slate senior editor Andy Bowers discusses whether the best way to use propaganda.

The Best Way to Drop Propaganda Leaflets

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Thursday

Day to Day

Why Are We Calling It Mumbai?

India's financial capital used to be called Bombay. Now it's Mumbai. We get an explanation of the reasons behind the name change -- which not all media organizations have adopted -- from Andy Bowers of the online magazine Slate.

Why Are We Calling It Mumbai?

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Thursday

Analysis

Ken Lay, Stress and Heart Attacks

Ken Lay, founder and former chairman of Enron, died Wednesday of a heart attack. His death comes two months after he was convicted of conspiracy and fraud. Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains the link between mental stress and heart attacks.

Ken Lay, Stress and Heart Attacks

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Monday

Analysis

Law

Slate's Explainer: Long Verdicts in Russian Courts

Defendants on trial for the deaths of 300 people in the deadly Russian school siege at Beslan started hearing their verdict last Tuesday -- court officials are still reading it, almost a week later. Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains why it takes so long for a verdict to be read in Russian court.

Slate's Explainer: Long Verdicts in Russian Courts

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Monday

Analysis

Slate's Explainer: Concerts Sold Out in Minutes?

Fans of Madonna, Radiohead and Bruce Springsteen sometimes find that getting tickets for upcoming concerts a little frustrating. Often, within hours -- or even minutes -- of tickets going sale, breathless reports indicate the shows have already sold out. But can concerts really sell out in 10 minutes? Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains.

Slate's Explainer: Concerts Sold Out in Minutes?

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Monday

Analysis

Your Money

Slate's Explainer: Who Cashes Your Tax Check?

Taxpayers across the country are scribbling out checks to the United States Treasury. What happens to that check after it's dropped in the mailbox? Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains where the money goes.

Slate's Explainer: Who Cashes Your Tax Check?

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Friday

Friday

Analysis

Slate's Explainer: Iraq's Shiite and Sunni Muslims

Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains some of the key cultural differences between Iraq's Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities. They both share a core religion, but differ on important historical points that often escalate into violent clashes.

Slate's Explainer: Iraq's Shiite and Sunni Muslims

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Friday

Day to Day

Slate's Explainer: Lead Poisoning from Bird Shot?

Harry Whittington, the man accidentally shot by Vice President Dick Cheney during a recent hunting trip in Texas, continues to recover in a Texas hospital. He will still have bird shot lodged in his body when he's eventually discharged -- Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explores whether the bird shot could lead to lead poisoning.

Slate's Explainer: Lead Poisoning from Bird Shot?

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Wednesday

Analysis

Slate's Explainer: Filling Out a Terrorist Application

Prosecutors in the trial of terrorism suspect Jose Padilla say they've found a document that shows he "applied" to join the al Qaeda global terrorist organization. Slate senior editor Andy Bowers answers the question of whether would-be terrorists actually fill out applications before joining extremist groups.

Slate's Explainer: Filling Out a Terrorist Application

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Thursday

Analysis

Slate's Explainer: Rose Bowl Shirts Headed to Haiti

Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains what will happen to the thousands of USC Rose Bowl championship T-shirts merchants had hoped to start selling after Wednesday night's big game. The Trojans lost to the University of Texas Longhorns in an exciting finish capped by a rushing touchdown by Texas' quarterback in the final seconds.

Slate's Explainer: Rose Bowl Shirts Headed to Haiti

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Tuesday

Analysis

Slate's Explainer: Stealing Natural Gas from a Pipeline

Russia and the Ukraine continue to argue over increased fuel prices. If Russia cuts off its natural gas supply to Ukraine, as it has threatened to do, things could get tense -- Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains how to steal natural gas from a pipeline.

Slate's Explainer: Stealing Natural Gas from a Pipeline

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Thursday

Analysis

Slate's Explainer: Inmates on 'Suicide Watch'

Slate senior editor Andy Bowers explains what happens when an inmate is placed on "suicide watch." The increased monitoring of prisoners behind bars typically occurs in the days and hours before an inmate is scheduled to be executed.

Slate's Explainer: Inmates on 'Suicide Watch'

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