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Health Care

Senate Dems Get Needed Votes For Health Bill

A big breakthrough amid Saturday's blizzard on Capitol Hill: Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson said he will support the health care bill, giving Senate Democrats the 60 votes they need to pass it. What did it take to win Nelson over? Changes in abortion language and in Medicaid money for his home state, Nebraska.

Senate Dems Get Needed Votes For Health Bill

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Politics

'Public Option' Remains Possible Snag As Vote Looms

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs 60 votes — that's every Democrat and both Independents — to clear the way for a vote on historic heath care legislation Saturday. The final two Democrats fell in line Saturday afternoon — Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. But the holdouts still expressed strong reluctance about the "public option" in Reid's bill.

'Public Option' Remains Possible Snag As Vote Looms

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National

Army Policies Re-Examined After Ft. Hood Shooting

Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered a series of investigations in every military branch this week to examine the process used to identify potentially violent troops. Military officials are still puzzled over the shooting at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead and dozens more injured. They're trying to figure out how alleged shooter Nidal Hasan might have slipped through the cracks, and whether the real problem is the military's policies or leaders not following them.

Army Policies Re-Examined After Ft. Hood Shooting

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'Lo' And Behold: A Communication Revolution

Charley Kline (left), working at UCLA, sent the first transmission over ARPANET to Bill Duvall at the Stanford Research Institute. Guy Raz/NPR hide caption

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The Net At 40

'Lo' And Behold: A Communication Revolution

The Internet began with a whimper, not a bang. And not everyone agrees on when that whimper occurred. But 40 years ago Thursday, the first communication over a computer network called ARPANET was sent — a message that said simply "lo."

'Lo' And Behold: A Communication Revolution

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First Listen: R.E.M. Live At The Olympia

First Listen

First Listen: R.E.M. Live At The Olympia

Rather than create a live album spanning its greatest hits, the legendary Athens, Ga., band picked out an unlikely assortment of 39 songs known mostly to R.E.M. diehards. Hear Live at the Olympia in its entirety for the week leading up to the collection's Oct. 27 release.

First Listen: R.E.M. Live At The Olympia

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Author Interviews

One Battle Ensured U.S. Return To Iraq, Author Says

On a single day in Feb. 1991, an American Army squadron defeated an elite Iraqi brigade almost twice as large in what is now regarded as the largest U.S. Army tank battle since World War II. To history buffs, the "Battle of 73 Easting" is legendary. To the man who led the squadron, the battle was a omen of things to come.

One Battle Ensured U.S. Return To Iraq, Author Says

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Books

A Tribute To Writer Damon Runyon

A famed sportswriter and chronicler of Broadway lowlifes, Damon Runyon was born 125 years ago Sunday. He's best known for the musical Guys and Dolls, which was based on two of his short stories.

A Tribute To Writer Damon Runyon

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Every Plant Has Meaning On 'Island Of Bar Codes'
Melisa Goh/NPR

Science

Every Plant Has Meaning On 'Island Of Bar Codes'

Islands are often the playgrounds of imaginary scientists, from Dr. Moreau to the researchers on the TV show Lost. But this place is real: an island where every single plant species has had its DNA analyzed and cataloged.

Every Plant Has Meaning On 'Island Of Bar Codes'

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Farmers Markets: Fresh, Local, Government-Approved

Peppers for sale at what locals are calling the White House Farmers Market, in Washington, D.C. Matt Sennewald/NPR hide caption

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Fitness & Nutrition

Farmers Markets: Fresh, Local, Government-Approved

Just steps away from the Obama family's home is what locals are calling the White House Farmers Market. It's both an experiment and an undisguised statement. The market and a handful of others around the country are part of a pilot project that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hopes will help people understand where their food comes from, so they can make informed choices.

Farmers Markets: Fresh, Local, Government-Approved

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National

Black President Stands Out At Mostly White College

Just 40 years old, Chris Howard is Hampden-Sydney College's first black president. He comes with a resume most people can't match in a lifetime — and he's keeping his expectations high.

Black President Stands Out At Mostly White College

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Obituaries

Spain's Diminutive Virtuosa De Laroccha Dies

Classical pianist Alicia de Laroccha, whose remarkable career spanned three-quarters of a century, died Friday night in Barcelona, the city of her birth. She was 86. A giant on the international music stage, she was only 4-foot-9.

Spain's Diminutive Virtuosa De Laroccha Dies

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Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009

Arlington Prepares To Lay Kennedy To Rest

Sen. Edward Kennedy's body was flown from Boston to Washington, D.C., Saturday afternoon for burial across the Potomac River in Arlington National Cemetery.

Arlington Prepares To Lay Kennedy To Rest

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Books

Searching For Christian Imagery In 'Harry Potter'

When the Harry Potter books were first released, the conservative Christian community condemned them for glorifying witchcraft, spells and potions. Now that the series is completed, some religious scholars argue that the books actually follow the plot of the Gospel and use Christian imagery.

Searching For Christian Imagery In 'Harry Potter'

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Music Interviews

Van Morrison Revisits His 1968 Classic

In 1968, Van Morrison released what would become a seminal recording in the history of popular music: Astral Weeks. It is Van Morrison's most praised album — although it was almost shelved by his record label. This year, he's performing every song from the album in select cities, and host Guy Raz caught up with him during his stop in Washington, D.C.

Van Morrison Revisits His 1968 Classic

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Music Interviews

Zee Avi: Jazz, Americana And Island Pop

Take one part Billie Holiday, two parts Doris Day, toss in a little island indie-pop and you get Zee Avi, a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Malaysia who's just released her eponymous debut album. Avi talks to Guy Raz about her musical influences.

Zee Avi: Jazz, Americana And Island Pop

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