Accessibility links
U.S. News and National Top Stories NPR coverage of national news, U.S. politics, elections, business, arts, culture, health and science, and technology. Subscribe to the NPR Nation RSS feed.

National

Wednesday

World

On Patrol in Iraq: Protecting Camp Victory

Security is paramount at Camp Victory, a U.S. base in Iraq, because of its proximity to Baghdad International Airport. Humvee-mounted soldiers patrol the nearby farms and towns around the clock.

On Patrol in Iraq: Protecting Camp Victory

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90041391/90078054" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Economy

Federal Reserve Trims Interest Rate Again

The Federal Reserve cuts a key interest rate by a quarter-point amid signs the Fed is wrapping up a rate-cutting spree meant to keep the economy out of a crippling recession. But the Fed's future course will depend on inflation and the weakness of the dollar.

Federal Reserve Trims Interest Rate Again

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90078092/90078056" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Race

Obama Seeks to Put Wright Behind Him

On the trail in Indiana, Sen. Barack Obama seeks to get his campaign message back on track. He has been mired in the controversy over remarks by his outspoken former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Obama Seeks to Put Wright Behind Him

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90078058/90078044" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Race

Indiana Town: From Racist Past to Primary Present

The Democratic presidential campaigns are crisscrossing Indiana, stopping in Republican strongholds such as Martinsville. In this town with a troubled racial history, voters share their views on the match-up between a white woman and a black man.

Indiana Town: From Racist Past to Primary Present

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90074719/90074854" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Katrina & Beyond

'Katrina Cottages' Wait to Become Homes

"Katrina Cottages" – the alternative to FEMA trailers — are kind of a cross between a trailer and a house. But barely 2,000 of them are in use. The federal program to distribute them has been mired in red tape — over contracts, permits and zoning.

'Katrina Cottages' Wait to Become Homes

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90037639/90078045" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Religion

Problems at Rev. Wright 's Church

Joyce Bristow has attended Trinity United Church of Christ for ten years. She tells Madeleine Brand that the Rev. Wright controversy is negatively affecting her spiritual life and is overtaking the work of her congregation.

Problems at Rev. Wright 's Church

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90067926/90067906" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Obituaries

Chemist Who Discovered LSD Dies at 102

Albert Hoffman discovered the psychedelic drug LSD in 1938 while seeking medicinal uses for a fungus found on grains. He was the first human to try the drug — by accident — when a small amount of the chemical was absorbed through his fingertips.

Chemist Who Discovered LSD Dies at 102

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90067943/90067913" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Battling Out the Farm Bill

Members of Congress continue to debate details of the latest farm bill, which covers much more than just farming. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) discusses whether there should be a cap on aid to large growers.

Battling Out the Farm Bill

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90067914/90067905" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Senate Passes DNA Discrimination Ban

A bill that would ban employers and insurance companies from using genetic information to make hiring and coverage decisions passed in the Senate 95-0 on Thursday. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), the bill's main sponsor, talks about genetic discrimination — she first proposed the legislation 13 years ago.

Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90072102/90072093" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Environment

Houston Tops L.A. for Most Carbon Emissions

The Texas town edged out notoriously toxic Los Angeles for the crown of America's biggest polluter. Offering his take on how Houston produced 18 million tons of carbon dioxide is Houston Chronicle writer Tim Fleck.

Houston Tops L.A. for Most Carbon Emissions

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90060615/90060561" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Who — and Where — Is Guam? A Pre-Caucus Tour

The tiny U.S. territory holds its usually quiet Democratic caucuses this weekend. But this year's tight presidential race means Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are both working hard to earn the four delegates at stake.

Who — and Where — Is Guam? A Pre-Caucus Tour

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90060575/90060550" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Business

So, You Want to Drive a New York City Taxi?

A taxi hack needs to know the city streets inside and out — and becoming an ace in cities like New York is no easy task. Noel Hidalgo lets the Bryant Park Project ride along on his first day as a member of Gotham's yellow fleet.

So, You Want to Drive a New York City Taxi?

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90060578/90060551" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Space

Why a Space Rock May Fetch $3 Million

Marvin Killgore is auctioning off his Fukang meteorite to the highest bidder on Wednesday. Fifty percent nickel iron and 50 percent peridot, the rock weighed more than a ton before it was cut in half.

Why a Space Rock May Fetch $3 Million

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90060609/90060559" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Business

After Avalanche, Juneau Races to Conserve Power

An avalanche wiped out a power line in Juneau, Alaska, two weeks ago, resulting in fivefold rate increases for electricity. Since then, residents have reduced energy use by 20 percent. Now the mayor hopes the efforts to conserve will become permanent.

After Avalanche, Juneau Races to Conserve Power

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90060569/90060548" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript