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Jennifer Ludden Jennifer Ludden helps edit energy and environment stories for NPR's National Desk, working with NPR staffers and a team of public radio reporters across the country.
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Jennifer Ludden

Jennifer Ludden is a National Correspondent.

Science

Life in the Land of the Midnight Sun

This time of year the sun never sets in far northern climes. Host Jennifer Ludden talks with Bob Bulger from the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium in Barrow, Alaska, to find out what it's like.

Life in the Land of the Midnight Sun

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Technology

Digital TV Switch Looms

By July 1, all large TVs and half of all midsize sets sold in the United States must have digital receivers. The requirement is part of a government-mandated switch to digital TV transmission. Technology reporter Mike Grebb tells Jennifer Ludden what it all means to consumers.

Digital TV Switch Looms

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Middle East

Criticism from Expats Helped Boost Iranian Turnout

Siamak Namazi, an economist and political analyst in Tehran, says a number of reasons fueled high turnout in Friday's Iranian presidential elections. Among them, he tells Jennifer Ludden, is that many Iranians were insulted by calls from expatriates in the United States, who were calling for a boycott.

Criticism from Expats Helped Boost Iranian Turnout

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Research News

Science on 'Extinct' Species Remains Inexact

In recent months, scientists have discovered that some plant and animal species they thought were extinct are not. Dr. Jim Carlton, a marine biologist at Williams College in Massachusetts, tells Jennifer Ludden how scientists determine that a species is extinct.

Science on 'Extinct' Species Remains Inexact

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Race

Trial to Begin in 1964 Killing of Rights Workers

Edgar Ray Killen goes on trial Monday, charged with orchestrating the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi. It would be the second time Killen, 80, faces a jury on charges related to the case, but the first time murder charges have been filed.

Trial to Begin in 1964 Killing of Rights Workers

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Middle East

Blasts Hit Iran Ahead of Presidential Vote

A series of explosions rock two cities in Iran, killing at least five people and injuring dozens. Bombs hit first in Ahvaz, near the Iraqi border, and later in Tehran, the capital. Iran is preparing for presidential elections this week.

Blasts Hit Iran Ahead of Presidential Vote

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Technology

Seattle Coffee Shop Turns Off Weekend Wi-Fi

A Seattle coffee shop pulls the plug on its wi-fi network. How have the caffeinated Internet-junkie customers reacted? David Latourell, the manager of Victrola Coffee, fills Jennifer Ludden in on the details.

Seattle Coffee Shop Turns Off Weekend Wi-Fi

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Author Interviews

Telling the Full Story of 'The Genius Factory'

In Genius Factory, author and Slate columnist David Plotz traces the history of a so-called "Nobel Prize" sperm bank. Plotz tells Jennifer Ludden of his quest to find the bank's "genius" donors — most weren't what they were represented to be — and their offspring.

Telling the Full Story of 'The Genius Factory'

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Children's Health

Clowning Around over R. McD's Fitness Role

This week McDonald's announced that mascot Ronald McDonald will expand his role to include promoting fitness for children. Jennifer Ludden turns to health and exercise guru Richard Simmons for his reaction. Simmons says he's plenty fried.

Clowning Around over R. McD's Fitness Role

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Business

N.C. County Rebounds from Loss of Employers

When companies or industries go under, local officials are tasked with helping their communities adjust. Carolyn Carpenter, a commissioner in North Carolina's Cabarrus County, tells Jennifer Ludden how the county recovered from the loss of the textile industry. NASCAR has helped.

N.C. County Rebounds from Loss of Employers

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59th Annual Tony Awards

Varied Field Vies for Tony Awards

There will be winners and losers on Broadway Sunday, when the annual Tony Awards are presented. NPR's Jennifer Ludden has a preview chat about this year's Tony Award nominees with The New Yorker's senior drama critic, John Lahr.

Varied Field Vies for Tony Awards

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County May Sue Over Workers

Robert Vasquez, an Idaho county commissioner, is considering suing local companies that he claims knowingly hire illegal immigrants. He argues that the county foots the bill for various social services that the undocumented workers need.

County Threatens Suit Over Illegal Workers

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New Intel Setup Downplays Role of CIA Chief

A new White House memo has redefined the duties of the head of the CIA. A report on the memo in the latest issue of Time magazine says the CIA chief is being sidelined in favor of the National Director of Intelligence, John Negroponte. NPR's Jennifer Ludden discusses the development with Time reporter Timothy Burger.

New Intel Setup Downplays Role of CIA Chief

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National

A Search for Deep Throat's Garage

Somewhere in Virginia is the hotel parking lot where the anonymous source lurked, and where Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward went for information. But alas, some secrets of Watergate persist despite tenacious reporting.

A Search for Deep Throat's Garage

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