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Eric Niiler Eric Niiler reports for NPR's national desk. His work can be heard on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and other NPR newsmagazines.
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Eric Niiler

Story Archive

Monday

The Impact of War

At Age 42, He's in the Army Now

Russell Dilling always wanted to join the military. So when the Army raised the age limit last year to attract more recruits, Dilling signed up. He's 42, twice divorced, with four grown kids. Is this the new face of the Army?

At Age 42, He's in the Army Now

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Saturday

Sports

Tour Champ Landis Still Fighting Drug-Test Rap

2006 Tour de France champion Floyd Landis is mounting a very public challenge to the results of his drug test from last year's race. He tested positive for testosterone.

Tour Champ Landis Still Fighting Drug-Test Rap

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Monday

World

Third Tour in Iraq Claims Virginia Marine

Nicholas Rapavi was fascinated with the Marines from high school and joined immediately after graduation. The Virginia native was on his third tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed last month.

Third Tour in Iraq Claims Virginia Marine

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Monday

National

New Civil War Museum Takes the Wide View

A new $13 million museum in Richmond, Va., allows visitors to learn about the Civil War from the perspective of the Union, the Confederacy, and black people of the time. Housed in a restored gun foundry on the banks of the James River, the museum has received rave reviews from historians.

New Civil War Museum Takes the Wide View

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Wednesday

Law

Day Laborers Fight for Katrina Cleanup Money

Some immigrant day laborers say they were cheated out of back pay while cleaning up storm debris from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and along the Mississippi coast. They are going to court to try to get the money they say they're owed. The subcontractors who rounded up the workers say their actions are legal.

Day Laborers Fight for Katrina Cleanup Money

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Sunday

Tour de France 2006

Americans Snub a Lance-Less Tour de France

The Tour de France is under way, but after the retirement of Lance Armstrong last year, many Americans have lost interest in the legendary race. And new fees from the Tour itself mean fewer tourist dollars in French and American pockets.

Americans Snub a Lance-Less Tour de France

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Wednesday

Religion

Bible-Based Prison Treatment Program Shelved

The Federal Bureau of Prisons says it will suspend plans for a Bible-based treatment program at six penitentiaries. The announcement came after a federal judge ruled that the a prison-ministry program in Iowa was unconstitutional.

Bible-Based Prison Treatment Program Shelved

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Friday

Law

Sudan Sued by Families for Sponsoring Terrorism

Seventeen families representing USS Cole bombing victims are suing the government of Sudan in federal court. A federal judge in Norfolk, Va., has scheduled the case for trial. This lawsuit is one of many attempting to make it very expensive for countries to sponsor terrorism.

Sudan Sued by Families for Sponsoring Terrorism

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Monday

Sports

George Mason Stuns NCAA with Place in Final Four

George Mason University is the Cinderella team of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The 11th seed Patriots stunned top-ranked Connecticut on Sunday to make it to the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis.

George Mason Stuns NCAA with Place in Final Four

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Wednesday

Education

Online Education Growth Prompts Quality Concerns

The industry of online education has seen explosive growth in recent years. One reason is that Congress has quietly lifted a rule that limited the number of online students eligible for federal financial aid. But some worry that schools capitalizing on the increased demand may become online "diploma mills."

Online Education Growth Prompts Quality Concerns

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Thursday

Morning Edition

Homeland Security Releases Kids' Preparedness Plan

The Department of Homeland Security launched a disaster preparedness program for children. Critics of the new program say it is duplicating the information distributed by FEMA's already existing children's preparedness program.

Homeland Security Releases Kids' Preparedness Plan

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Saturday

The Impact of War

Peace Activist Fox Remains Captive in Iraq

A deadline set by kidnappers of American reporter Jill Carroll passed Friday with no word of her fate. Other Americans are also being held hostage in Iraq, including peace activist Tom Fox.

Peace Activist Fox Remains Captive in Iraq

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Tuesday

Obituaries

Capt. Christopher Petty: Military Was in His Blood

Capt. Christopher Petty will be buried Tuesday in Arlington National Cemetery. He died earlier this month when an IED detonated near his convoy in Najaf, Iraq. Captain Petty, from Fort Hood, Texas, was on his second tour in Iraq.

Capt. Christopher Petty: Military Was in His Blood

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Thursday

Morning Edition

D.C. Program Would Compensate Grandparents for Child Care

At least 25 states have a reimbursement program for relatives who care for kids who otherwise might end up in foster care. In Washington D.C., city officials are considering making payments to grandparents who take over custody of their grandkids.

D.C. Program Would Compensate Grandparents for Child Care

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Monday

National

Modern Moonshine Manufacture on the Rise

Virginia's Whiskey Control Unit tracks down and prosecutes makers of illegal alcoholic beverages. They report bootlegging is on the rise. Eric Niiler joins them on a stakeout looking for backyard stills.

Modern Moonshine Manufacture on the Rise

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Friday

The Impact of War

Virginia Town Mourns Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Bubb

Lance Cpl. Daniel Bubb died in combat in Iraq during his second tour of duty, one day shy of his 20th birthday. He was honored this week at a candlelight vigil in one of his favorite places, a cave in his hometown of Grottoes, Va.

Virginia Town Mourns Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Bubb

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Sunday

Millions More Movement March

Millions More March Draws Black Activists

Black leaders, politicians, musicians and supporters gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March on the National Mall Saturday. The Millions More Movement included an address by Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan, who criticized the response to Hurricane Katrina.

Millions More March Draws Black Activists

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Friday

National

Pay Problems Plague Returning Soldiers

Many wounded soldiers are fighting another battle at home: dealing with pay problems created by the military. In many cases, the Army is "adding" debt to soldiers' paychecks. The problem has continued for years despite government inquiries and complaints by veterans groups.

Pay Problems Plague Returning Soldiers

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Sunday

Katrina & Beyond

Independent Volunteers Join Katrina Aid Effort

As horrific scenes of human suffering unfold on the television, many Americans are heading to the Gulf region to assist with hurricane relief efforts. Some are heading their own independent missions, against advice from established aid organizations such as the Red Cross.

Independent Volunteers Join Katrina Aid Effort

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Sunday

World

Sunnis Reject Newly Signed Iraq Constitution

Shiite and Kurdish negotiators formally sign a new constitution for Iraq 13 days after the original deadline, but Sunni representatives have been vocal critics of the final draft.

Sunnis Reject Newly Signed Iraq Constitution

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Sunday

Protests in Crawford

Sheehan Ad Creates Controversy

A Salt Lake City television station is refusing to air an ad featuring anti-Iraq war activist Cindy Sheehan. The station says the ad is inappropriate, but critics say the station can't take the political heat.

Sheehan Ad Creates Controversy

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Wednesday

Education

Sex-Segregated Classes Spark Flap at University

Virginia Tech University is hosting professors from Saudi Arabia for summer classes -- sessions that are divided by gender. The female professors say they prefer it that way. But some object, saying the approach violates U.S. laws against discrimination.

Sex-Segregated Classes Spark Flap at University

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Sunday

National

Baltimore Housing Boom Leaves Less Room for Poor

After decades of urban decay, Baltimore is experiencing a real-estate boom, with investors pouring money into abandoned properties. But some worry the speculation may lead to a financial meltdown. Others note it has already displaced some poor residents.

Baltimore Housing Boom Leaves Less Room for Poor

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Tuesday

Technology

Netscape's IPO Anniversary and the Internet Boom

Netscape held its initial public offering of stock 10 years ago Tuesday, a moment considered by many to mark the start of the Internet boom. Eric Niiler looks back on those heady days, and the economic consequences of the boom -- and later, the bust.

Netscape's IPO Anniversary and the Internet Boom

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