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Topics by NPR Staff

Author Interviews

'A Wedding In Haiti': Making Good On A Promise



By NPR Staff
When Julia Alvarez told a lonely Haitian boy that she would attend his wedding someday, she didn't expect that she would be held to her word. Her new memoir tells the story of her journey to a remote village in Haiti to make good on her promise.
Arts & Living

When Dick Cavett Shared Carnegie Hall With Groucho



By NPR Staff
Forty years ago Sunday, history was made when talk show legend Dick Cavett introduced Groucho Marx at Carnegie Hall. The night marked Groucho's debut at the famed New York venue and became the record, An Evening with Groucho Marx.
Author Interviews

Caro's 'Passage of Power': LBJ's Political Genius



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By NPR Staff
Robert Caro's fourth book on the life of Lyndon B. Johnson documents the master statesman's most tumultuous years — from his dismal vice presidency to his ascent to the presidency and triumphant shepherding of the 1964 Civil Rights Act through Congress.
Pop Culture

Blasts From The Past: The Art Of Video Games


MORE ARTS NEWS
By NPR Staff
Author Interviews

'Hot Dog' Meets 'Bun': Famous Food Discoveries



MORE FOOD & WINE NEWS
By NPR Staff
Josh Chetwynd's new book, How the Hot Dog Found Its Bun, chronicles the quirky history of kitchen favorites.
Author Interviews

'Steinbeck In Vietnam': A Great Writer's Last Reports



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By NPR Staff
The last piece of published writing from one of America's greatest writers was a series of letters he sent back from the front lines of war at the age of 64. John Steinbeck's dispatches shocked readers and family so much that they've never been reprinted — until now.
Movies

Jason Segel: Creating Comedy With The Tone Of Life



MORE ARTS NEWS
By NPR Staff
Weekend Edition's Rachel Martin talks with actor and writer Jason Segel about his new film The Five-Year Engagement and the evolution of Jason's affable onscreen persona.
Author Interviews

Carole King, From Co-Sine To Chart Topper



By NPR Staff
Singer-songwriter Carole King started young: She was just 15 when she founded a doo-wop group with her high school classmates. The act never took off, but King eventually became one of the biggest-selling artists of all time. She tells the story of her career so far in a new memoir, A Natural Woman.
Movies

James Cameron: Diving Deep, Dredging Up Titanic



By NPR Staff
Filmmaker James Cameron has just returned from a successful submersible expedition to the deepest spot in the ocean — and he's also gearing up for the 3-D rerelease of his 1997 epic, Titanic.
Food

4,258 Miles Of Meat: Chef, Dad On A Quest For BBQ



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By NPR Staff
Chef Molly Baz was working at a Michelin-starred restaurant when she decided to give that up to go on a road trip through barbecue country. She and her dad set out to learn everything they could about variations in classic American barbecue. They came back with a couple favorites — and in serious need of raw vegetables.
Politics

Will The Real Ronald Reagan Please Stand Up



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By NPR Staff
Republican presidential candidates are vying for the mantle of Reagan conservatism. But some observers say today's Republican Party is dramatically different than the one Ronald Reagan took charge of in the 1980s. So what exactly is a Reagan conservative, and if he were alive, could Reagan get the GOP nod?
U.S. News

Is It Time For You To Go On An 'Information Diet'?



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By NPR Staff
"If we want to make media better then we've got to start consuming better media," says open-source-Internet activist Clay Johnson. His new book, The Information Diet, makes the case for more "conscious consumption" of news and information.
Music News

Will The Show Go On At New York City Opera?



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By NPR Staff
The struggling company says it's surviving "one day at a time." But after failed mediation with its unions and a lockout in place, the clock is running out.
Politics

Door-To-Door In N.H., Mormon Youth Get 1 Question: 'Huntsman Or Romney'?



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By NPR Staff
Two Mormon missionaries in New Hampshire are often asked about their political loyalties while they proselytize. But the young men try to keep church separate from Granite State.
U.S. News

Celebrity Endorsements: What Happens When Reality TV And Politics Collide



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By NPR Staff
With primary season fully underway, Republican presidential hopefuls are competing not only for voters but also high-profile endorsements. A parade of celebrity supporters has added some levity, and oddball moments, to the campaign trail.
Author Interviews

Stephen Hawking: Exploring An 'Unfettered Mind'



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By NPR Staff
Stephen Hawking is known as much for his scientific contributions to theoretical cosmology and quantum gravity, as he is for his willingness to make science accessible for the general public. His work is the topic of a new biography by science writer Kitty Ferguson.
U.S. News

Iowa's Cold Doesn't Stop Campaigns From Heating Up Ahead Of Caucuses



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By NPR Staff
Six GOP candidates — most with family members in tow — shook voters' hands and made their final arguments on the eve of the Iowa caucuses.
Education

An Amazing Trickeration?: Banished Words For 2012



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By NPR Staff
At Lake Superior State University, college officials have been releasing a list of banished words since 1976. Words that you're not allowed to say this year include "baby bump" and "occupy." It's a list destined to receive some "blowback."
Home Page Top Stories

The News Tip: Takeaways From 2011



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By NPR Staff
2011 was a year of intense and compelling news stories: from the Arab Spring, to the nuclear disaster in Japan and the killing of Osama bin Laden. This year, media consumers did not shirk from the magnitude of the events. Instead, they embraced them.
Home Page Top Stories

Peace Game Puts 'Weight Of The World' On Students



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By NPR Staff
Teacher John Hunter invented the World Peace Game to get his elementary students to think about major world issues. He also wanted to teach them compassion and kindness. At least two of his former students are on the path he helped to pave.
Music News

X-Rays Re-Create 307 Year-Old Violin



By NPR Staff
It all started with a gunshot and a love for an original Stradivari Betts violin.
Politics

Postmaster: Postal Service In Dire Financial Straits



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By NPR Staff
U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe appealed to Congress to help him reform the Postal Service, but he rejected the bills that have passed House and Senate committees. He says they don't address the big picture at the Post Office.
Music News

How Opera Helped Create The Modern Media World



By NPR Staff
The Metropolitan Opera just opened a show that uses cutting-edge 3D projection technology. Historian Mark Schubin says that's just one of the opera world's many tech-savvy innovations, some of which helped give rise to modern radio and TV.
Music News

How Opera Helped Create The Modern Media World



MORE NEWS
By NPR Staff
The Metropolitan Opera just opened a show that uses cutting-edge 3D projection technology. Historian Mark Schubin says that's just one of the opera world's many tech-savvy innovations, some of which helped give rise to modern radio and TV.
Television

'60 Minutes' Andy Rooney Dies



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By NPR Staff
A distinctive voice and character in television news has died, according to CBS. Andy Rooney, who was 92, was a signature essayist for CBS News for decades — and part of the WGBH family as the father of our host Emily Rooney.
Food

Food For Thought: Chefs Pick Their Last Meal On Earth



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By NPR Staff
If you had to pick one last thing to eat, what would it be? Here's how a few chefs responded.
U.S. News

Finding Common Ground Between Two Movements



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By NPR Staff
Members of Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party may disagree on many issues, but there's one thing that unites both groups: distrust in concentrated power. Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig says there's good reason both the left and the right agree that there is too much power in too few hands — whether it's in the government or corporations.
Your Money

Income Disparity And The 'Price Of Civilization'



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By NPR Staff
The Occupy Wall Street movement has been criticized for lacking focus — but its main slogan seems to be resonating. That slogan, "We are the 99 percent," highlights the issue of income disparity. It's something economist Jeffrey Sachs has been tracking for a long time.
Health

Eating Healthy: Whose Choice Should It Be?



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By NPR Staff
Restaurants are introducing calorie counts on menus and smaller portions to help consumers make healthier choices. But some consumers think that limits choice, and food experts say we need to change the culture, not the menu.
Author Interviews

Harry Belafonte: Out Of Struggle, A Beautiful Voice



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By NPR Staff
The singer's new memoir reveals a man who has packed enough life for 10 people into his 84 years.
Business

When A Country Defaults, Who Comes Knocking?



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By NPR Staff
We all know what happens when individuals stop paying their bills. It's an onslaught of angry letters, pestering phone calls and bankruptcy paperwork. But what about when an entire country can't pay the bills? Argentina's default in 2001 is a nightmare scenario for lenders warily looking at Europe's crisis.
Author Interviews

Modern Horror Defined By Edgy Realism Of The 1970s



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By NPR Staff
By the late 1960s, classic horror movies pioneered by Vincent Price and Boris Karloff had run out of steam. What took their place was something different, edgier and altogether more terrifying.
Around the Nation

A Losing Battle? The Fight To Save The Postal Service



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By NPR Staff
Today, only three percent of what the Postal Service handles is actually letters. Just in the last four years mail volume is down 20 percent, so the agency is struggling to re-invent itself.
Intelligence Squared Debate

Are Men Finished?



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By NPR Staff
Last year, women made up the majority of the U.S. workforce for the first time ever. There are more women earning college degrees than men. Are women taking over the position of power in society, or are things just balancing out after years of male domination? A panel of experts debates.
Around the Nation

Soul Singer Helps Shoeshiner 'Get On The Good Foot'


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By NPR Staff
As a young man in Virginia, Earl Reynolds once shined James Brown's shoes. And that chance meeting helped prod him into making a tough choice about his own future. For a while, Brown's advice even led to a rift between Reynolds and his father.
Around the Nation

Miami Invaded By Giant, House-Eating Snails



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By NPR Staff
A Miami neighborhood has been invaded by Giant African Land Snails, 10-inch long pests that eat everything from garbage to the walls of houses. "It's us against the snails," says the local official leading the eradication effort.
Author Interviews

American History, Seen Through A Shot Glass



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By NPR Staff
The United States as we know it was born in a bar, according to a new history of drinking in America. Author Christine Sismondo says most of the major events of the Revolution were plotted in colonial taverns, the start of a grand old American tradition
Around the Nation

Nation's Jails Struggle With Mentally Ill Prisoners



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By NPR Staff
More Americans receive mental health treatment in prisons and jails than in hospitals or treatment centers, yet the criminal justice system was never built to handle people with mental illnesses. A judge in Miami-Dade County is trying to prevent those with mental illnesses who have committed minor crimes from ending up in jail.
Television

Alton Brown Takes A Final Bite Of 'Good Eats'



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By NPR Staff
The long-running Food Network staple Good Eats has taped its final episode. The show ends with 250 fun, educational and tasty episodes to its name. The secret ingredient? Entertaining storytelling.
World News

A Beautiful View, But Still A Battle Zone



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By NPR Staff
For troops in eastern Afghanistan, the mountain view from Observation Post Mustang comes with a cost.
Fine Art

Dream Weaver: This Guy's Quilts ROCK!



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By NPR Staff
Ben Venom has turned heavy metal shredding into an art form, the kind you can cuddle up with on a cool night. He cuts up his old concert T-shirts and creates quilts that are way more Ozzy Osbourne than Ozzie and Harriet.
Author Interviews

The Inside Track On New York's High Line



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By NPR Staff
A decade ago, residents thought an old elevated rail line above the city was an eyesore and wanted it torn down. Today, it's one of Manhattan's most popular public spaces. A new book gives the inside story of how Joshua David and Robert Hammond saved the abandoned track.
Around the Nation

N.J. Chef: 'It's A Disaster In Here' After Irene



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By NPR Staff
Hurricane Irene tore a path through some big coastal tourist destinations. That means some restaurants will miss out on Labor Day, usually a big weekend. In Monmouth Beach, N.J., Sallee Tee's Grille was flooded. And its chef-manager says it may take weeks to rebuild.
Music News

Songs Of The Summer: How To Win The Season



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By NPR Staff
Ann Powers lays out three ways of thinking about the perfect summer song.
Health

When Wanting Beauty Becomes An Unhealthy Obsession



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By NPR Staff
A third of people seeking reconstructive nasal surgeries have body dysmorphic disorder, according to a new study. Those with BDD are preoccupied with an imagined physical defect or a minor defect. These concerns interfere with their daily life, and it's something others can't see. To learn how BDD affects communities of color, host Michel Martin speaks with board-certified plastic surgeon Anthony Youn.
History

Thirty Years Later, Say Hello To "Operation Farewell"


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By NPR Staff
Thirty years ago this summer, French president Francois Miterrand pulled President Ronald Reagan aside at an economics conference and revealed a surprising secret: the French had a high-placed mole in the KGB. The consequences were explosive.
Books

Dealing With Hard Times The American Way: In Song



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By NPR Staff
The arc of American culture can be found in the nation's music. Author Tom Piazza shares that story in his new collection of essays, called Devil Sent the Rain: Music and Writing in Desperate America.
World News

Photo Makes Somalia's Famine Front Page News



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By NPR Staff
On Aug. 2, when most U.S. papers ran a front page photograph of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' return to the House, The New York Times went with Tyler Hicks' photo from Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. Hicks tells of what else he saw in Somalia and how photographing the horror may help.
Arts & Living

In Your Ear: Vernice 'Flygirl' Armour



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By NPR Staff
As part of Tell Me More's occasional series "In Your Ear," the first African-American female combat pilot shares her musical inspirations. They include Jill Scott's "Golden," Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity" and Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning."
World News

A Year Later, Chilean Miners Sift Through Trauma



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By NPR Staff
A year after a copper mine in Chile trapped 33 men underground for 69 days, almost all of the miners battle with post-traumatic stress. An upcoming movie about the miners' experience may offer a new chance to unify them and bring back the attention they received following the collapse.
U.S. News

A New Way Around Internet Censorship?



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By NPR Staff
New software being developed at the University of Michigan aims to defeat Internet censorship by turning the entire Internet into an anti-censorship device.
Business

Entrepreneur Bets On Happiness With Grilled Cheese



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By NPR Staff
Jonathan Kaplan, self-described "serial entrepreneur," has moved from his Flip camera venture to a chain of grilled cheese restaurants called The Melt. He sought out everyday Americans and discovered their reaction to grilled cheese was pretty much the same: They love it.
Arts & Living

Rieslings Strike Right Balance For Summer



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By NPR Staff
Award-winning sommelier Paul Grieco shares three Rieslings that are great for the next barbecue — whatever your budget — and explains why it's not true that all Rieslings are sweet and sugary.
U.S. News

The First Lady's Calories...Why Do They Count?



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By NPR Staff
The "Beauty Shop" women discuss Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's divorce announcement, the criticism Michelle Obama received for eating a 1,700 calorie meal, and the merits of using an alleged rape victim's name in mainstream media. 
Political History

GOP's Return To The Right Goes Too Far For Some



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By NPR Staff
Productivity slips when Congress is split, but the trickle of bills passed this year suggests a new kind of logjam. What may make this period more challenging — and not just for Obama, but even for some congressional Republicans — is a group within the party that sees compromise as a four-letter word.
Arts & Living

Through The Static, The Voice Of History



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By NPR Staff
Scientists have recovered the oldest known commercial recording — an anonymous young woman reciting a nursery rhyme. The 1888 cylinder record was a prototype for a talking doll designed by Thomas Edison.
US News

Moms, Kids Hit Hard As Medicaid Faces Scalpel



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By NPR Staff
As government officials work on reducing the federal deficit, over 12 states are lowering pay for doctors, health care providers and hospitals treating the poor. To learn how the cuts started and what consequences they bear for the public, host Michel Martin speaks with NPR Health Policy Correspondent Julie Rovner and Dr. David Ellington, who practices in one of the states imposing cuts.
Science

Rethinking The Shuttle: Carrying People, And Cargo



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By NPR Staff
The shuttle's triangular shape has represented manned space flight for the past 30 years. But if it were to be built today, the shuttle would likely be entirely different. For starters, it would carry either people or cargo — but not both.
US News

Shuttle Program's Next Trip: To The Museum



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By NPR Staff
With the space shuttle down to its final mission, items from the NASA program are destined to become exhibits in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The person curating those artifacts will be Valerie Neal, who first worked with NASA in 1980.
World News

'New Hero' Of Classical Guitar Shares His Passion



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By NPR Staff
Milos Karadaglich grew up during wartime, but no conflict on the Balkans could stop him from playing the guitar. He earned a coveted spot at London's Royal Academy of Music, and his debut album made a splash on the UK charts. Host Michel Martin speaks with the Eastern-European artist about his life, music and future goals.
US News

Expert Grilling: Barbecue, Peaches And Spicy Corn



WATCH PRIMAL GRILL ON WGBH
By NPR Staff
Tired of the same old burgers and hot dogs for July 4? Barbecue master Steven Raichlen explores some other options. The menu includes cinnamon-speared peaches, Mexican grilled corn, and pulled pork sliders.
Business

When Airfares Vary Wildly, Where Are The Deals?



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By NPR Staff
Climbing oil prices have led to higher airfares this summer. But not all passengers pay the same rate. Scott Mayerowitz, who covers airlines for The Associated Press, offers some tips on how to find a good fare.
Politics

The Political Purpose Of Obama And Boehner's Golf Game



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By NPR Staff
Host Michel Martin checks-in with NPR's Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving about developing stories in politics. They discuss which Congressional members are increasingly upset about the U.S. involvement in Libya, and why. They also talk about the impasse with the debt limit, and this past weekend's golf summit between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner.

Fact Is, Students Have Never Known History



By NPR Staff
Study Reveals Ignorance Of US History, a headline reads. Think it's a story from this week? You're wrong.
Arts & Living

Tweeting 'Ulysses': Fans Put A Twist On Bloomsday



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By NPR Staff
Today is Bloomsday, the annual celebration of James Joyce's novel Ulysses. The book details an epic day in the life of Leopold Bloom, on June 16, 1904. This year, the commemorations include Twitter, where Joyce fans turned the novel into tweets.
Digital Life

Does Freedom Of The Press Extend To State Secrets?



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By NPR Staff
Does the public's right to know interfere with the government's ability to protect citizens? Four experts go head to head on the issue in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate.
Science

How To Put A New Element On The Periodic Table



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By NPR Staff
Two new elements were officially added to the periodic table this month, after being approved by an international panel. The complicated process took years; now elements 114 and 116 just need official names.
Business

401(k) Fees Can Shave Thousands From Nest Egg


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By NPR Staff
Millions of Americans use 401(k) accounts to save for retirement. But the employer-based plans often include mutual funds and other investments that have high fees and hidden expenses. New York Times columnist Ron Lieber offers some tips for workers.
Around the Nation

Gay Writer Boycotts Straight Weddings



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By NPR Staff
As many people think about weddings this June, writer Rich Benjamin is boycotting weddings of his heterosexual friends and family. This is his effort to protest the lack of marriage rights for himself and other homosexual Americans. Host Michel Martin speaks with Benjamin about his boycott and how skipping weddings has affected his friendships.
Music News

The Rap Songs Of The Arab Spring



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By NPR Staff
Musical responses to the protests in the Arab world have been flowing out of countries like Egypt and Tunisia, and much of the music is hip-hop.
Science

Don't Believe Facebook; You Only Have 150 Friends



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By NPR Staff
According to "Dunbar's Number," human beings have enough mental space to keep track of only 150 meaningful relationships. But how deep can those bonds be when friends, family members and co-workers are scattered all over the globe?
US News

Aging Card Technology Drives Rise In Credit Fraud



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By NPR Staff
According to one survey, nearly a third of American consumers reported problems in the past five years, especially with debit cards. More secure systems have been used in Europe for 20 years.
Education

Spelling Bee Pregame: Why Are Some Words So Hard?



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By NPR Staff
The 84th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee is under way, near Washington, D.C. Linguist Ben Zimmer explains what makes some words difficult to spell — and how the contestants learn to conquer them.
Around the Nation

Vermont Steps Closer To Single-Payer Health Care



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By NPR Staff
Vermont is about to accomplish something the federal government couldn't. Once Gov. Peter Shumlin signs a bill on May 26, the state will be on track to having a single-payer health care system. He says the new system will treat health care as a right — and be a huge jobs creator.
STORYCORPS

Forgiving Her Son's Killer: 'Not An Easy Thing'



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By NPR Staff
It would be easy — expected, even — for Mary Johnson and Oshea Israel to be enemies. After all, Israel killed Johnson's only son, in 1993. Israel went to prison for that — and toward the end of his sentence, he and Johnson made peace.
Around the Nation

Jazz Divas Pay Tribute To Abbey Lincoln



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By NPR Staff
Abbey Lincoln died at age 80 last year, and she is remembered as a legendary jazz icon, composer, lyricist and performer of the 20th century.
Music News

When The Levee Breaks: Ripples Of The Great Flood



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By NPR Staff
Along the mighty Mississippi River, rising waters carry musical echoes of the river's long history of floods. Many of those sonic tributaries reach back to perhaps the worst one in U.S. history: The Great Flood of 1927. Its history can be found in textbooks, but it comes to life in music.
Author Interviews

You Bug Me. Now Science Explains Why



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By NPR Staff
In their new book, Annoying: The Science Of What Bugs Us, NPR Science Correspondent Joe Palca and Science Friday's Flora Lichtman set out to examine why certain things — and people — drive us bananas.
World News

NATO: Bin Laden Death Won't Alter Afghan Mission



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By NPR Staff
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen tells NPR that terrorist networks in Afghanistan still exist and that the Taliban remains a threat. On NATO's other major mission, Libya, he says it's time for Moammar Gadhafi "to leave power."
History

50 Years Later: Learning From the Bay of Pigs



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By NPR Staff
Fifty years ago Sunday, a brigade of around 1,500 CIA-trained soldiers stormed the beach in Cuba's Bay of Pigs. It was the opening phase of a secret mission to overthrow Fidel Castro. Of course, things didn't go as planned, and the lessons learned could apply to U.S. foreign policy today.
Economy

Beyond 'Surviving': Defining Economic Security



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By NPR Staff
American families need to earn at least $68,000 a year to achieve basic economic security, a new report says. That's more than three times higher than the national poverty level. 
Author Interviews

'Lessons' From Deval Patrick: A (Not) Likely Story



GREATER BOSTON: EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH GOV. PATRICK
By NPR Staff
Even Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick himself describes the story of his life as "improbable." But he had lots of help, he says, from a loving family and supportive teachers.
Around the Nation

Straight Outta Compton... On Horseback



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By NPR Staff
Richland Farms is a neighborhood in the heart of Compton, Calif. — called the eighth most dangerous city in America last year. But in Richland Farms, you're more likely to find chickens, cows and goats than guns and drugs.
FRONTLINE

WikiLeaks Suspect Manning: A Troubled Home Life



WATCH FRONTLINE
By NPR Staff
A new Frontline profile depicts Bradley Manning, the Army intelligence analyst accused of leaking classified material to WikiLeaks, as an isolated young man with a troubled family life. Manning is being held in a Navy brig in Virginia.
Books

The Eichmann Trial: Fifty Years Later



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By NPR Staff
Fifty years ago one of the chief operators of the mass execution of Jews was tried for crimes against humanity. In her new book, The Eichmann Trial, author and historian Deborah Lipstadt explains how the trial transformed Jewish life and changed our perception of the victims of genocide.
Food

Cooking Up Healthy Winter Greens At Nora's



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By NPR Staff
Chef Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora in Washington, D.C., shows NPR Host Linda Wertheimer a fresh way to cook greens without resorting to a long, slow braise and a hamhock.
Science

Can Clean Energy Drive The Economic Recovery?



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By NPR Staff
President Obama and other leaders have called for investment in cleaner energy sources as a way to create jobs and spur U.S. economic recovery. But can it really work? A team of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate.
Health

Study: Diet May Help ADHD Kids More Than Drugs



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By NPR Staff
Kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be restless, impulsive, inattentive and difficult to handle. Many are treated with drugs, but a new study suggests that food may be the key. The study's author says a very restrictive diet can significantly reduce symptoms.
Around the Nation

Pickpocketing: An Art That's Stealing Away



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By NPR Staff
Few crimes have disappeared as dramatically as pickpocketing. These days, law enforcement officials don't even track statistics on pickpockets. What happened to it?
Economy

Debate Heats Up Over Public And Private Pensions



IN WIS. UNION BATTLE, FOCUS ON BILLIONAIRE TWINS
By NPR Staff
A leading pension expert says people in the private sector have pension envy because it seems their public sector peers are getting a better deal in retirement.
US News

Segregation In America: 'Dragging On And On'



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By NPR Staff
Racial segregation in the U.S. housing market has ebbed since it peaked around 1960. But even in 2011, few American neighborhoods are truly integrated, according to demographer John Logan. "Black-white segregation is a phenomenon that is dragging on and on," he says.
Politics

First Lady Making Strides One Year Into 'Let's Move'



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By NPR Staff
Since Michelle Obama launched the "Let's Move!" campaign to fight childhood obesity, she's negotiated with schools to put in salad bars and with Wal-Mart to reduce sugar, salt and fat in its foods. Obama tells NPR that fresh vegetables and fruit, and a little bit of dancing can help move the needle on the scale.
Arts & Living

In College, A Lack Of Rigor Leaves Students 'Adrift'



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By NPR Staff
According to one study, more than a third of college students don't measurably improve in critical thinking skills through four years of education. The study measured, among other things, how much students improved in writing skills and how much they studied.
Movies

Who Will Star In This Year's Oscar Nominations?



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By NPR Staff
We find out Tuesday whether or not Oscar will friend The Social Network, if The Fighter could be a contender and if Toy Story 3 will prove more than child's play. Boston Globe film critic Wesley Morris talks about the upcoming Oscar nominations.
Television

'Masterpiece' At 40: Defying Cooke's Prediction


WATCH THE UNSEEN ALISTAIR COOKE
By NPR Staff
A revealing portrait of Alistair Cooke, who is best known for hosting Masterpiece. Seen for the first time are extraordinary 8mm home movies shot by Cooke charting his discovery of America, his passions and his relationships with stars such as Charlie Chaplin.
Author Interviews

'American Rising': When Slaves Attacked New Orleans


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By NPR Staff
In January 1811, 500 armed slaves rose up from the plantations and set out to conquer the city of New Orleans. Host Guy Raz speaks with Daniel Rasmussen, author of the new book American Rising: The Untold Story of America's Largest Slave Revolt.
Around the Nation

Ike's Warning Of Military Expansion, 50 Years Later



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By NPR Staff
On Jan. 17, 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower gave the nation a dire warning about what he described as a threat to democratic government. He called it the military-industrial complex.
World News

Quake Crushes Haitian Violinist's Hand, But Not His Spirit



PART ONE OF THE STORY
By NPR Staff
Last January, Romel Joseph found himself trapped under the rubble of the collapsed school he founded in Port-au-Prince; his pregnant wife was killed. A year later, he has regained enough strength to start playing music again and is making good on a promise to rebuild the school.
Author Interviews

As The Facts Win Out, Vaccinations May Too



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By NPR Staff
25 percent of Americans believe vaccines could lead to development disorders in children.  How can so many people be wrong?
US News

Congresswoman Shot In Arizona



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By NPR Staff
A  gunman opened fire during a public forum in Arizona on Saturday,  shooting Democrat Gabrielle Giffords and at least five other people.
Around the Nation

A Pioneer Looks Back, 50 Years After Making History



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By NPR Staff
A half-century ago, the University of Georgia accepted its first two black students. One of them was Hamilton Holmes; the other was Charlayne Hunter. Back then, the future journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault called him "Hamp." And she has vivid memories of the day they walked onto campus in 1961.
Food

How To Eat For A Lucky New Year



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By NPR Staff
Cultures around the world start the new year with different feasting traditions. Tanya Steel, editor in chief of Epicurious.com, dishes on what to eat, and not to eat, to make sure 2011 is a happy and lucky new year.
Politics

New Year's Resolutions For Politicians



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By NPR Staff
Don't you sometimes wish you could make resolutions for other people? In the realm of politics, Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank offers his suggestions for President Obama and Congress in 2011.
Author Interviews

These Architects Designed A Nation


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By NPR Staff
The architecture firm of McKim, Mead and White built some of this country's greatest buildings, from the original Penn Station in New York to Washington's National Museum of American History.
Fitness & Nutrition

Oh, That Hamburger Is 900 Calories? Yes, Please


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By NPR Staff
If you know how many calories are in a hamburger, will that knowledge influence your decision to order it? Dan Ariely, professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University, says most likely not. But you may order less of the side dish -- especially if you're asked.
Arts & Living

David Sedaris Reads From ‘Santaland Diaries'



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By NPR Staff
Morning Edition holiday traditions wouldn't be complete without author David Sedaris reading from his memoir, Santaland Diaries about his experience working as a department store elf.
Music News

Finding Simon & Garfunkel's 'America' In Saginaw, Mich.



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By NPR Staff
Simon & Garfunkel's "America" is a bittersweet tune about a couple leaving Saginaw, Michigan to discover their country. The lyrics to that 1968 song are now appearing on abandoned buildings around the city.
Around the Nation

Dear Santa: Please Make My Mommy Happy



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By NPR Staff
This year, postal workers opening and processing letters to Santa Claus have noticed a significant change in tone from years past. Pete Fontana, head elf of New York City's main post office, has been opening letters to Santa for 15 years. He says this year the letters are eliciting tears rather than laughter.
Politics

New Chair Of House Tax Panel Seeks Spending Cuts ?



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By NPR Staff
Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), the incoming chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, says he is encouraged by President Obama's calls for tax reform but says curbing government spending must come before higher revenue.
Health

It's All About Me: But Is Narcissism A Disorder?


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By NPR Staff
The American Psychiatric Association recently announced it's considering dropping narcissistic personality disorder and four other personality disorders from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Society

Little White Lies Of Online Dating Revealed



By NPR Staff
When looking for love online, dating sites know you're not telling the whole truth. Christian Rudder, co-founder of the dating site OkCupid, writes a blog for the site analyzing user data. He says people exaggerate their height and income, and also aren't as open-minded as they claim to be.
Children's Books

Finding 'Teachable Moments' In Animal Tales


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By NPR Staff
A snow leopard named Leo is just 7 weeks old when he's orphaned in the Himalayas. His journey is chronicled by writer Craig Hatkoff and his daughter, Isabella. It's the latest in a series of stories by the father-daughter team to use animal-rescue stories to tackle difficult subjects.

WikiLeaks Releases Cache Of U.S. Diplomatic Cables


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By NPR Staff
The website WikiLeaks has released hundreds of thousands of classified State Department documents in defiance of U.S. demands not to publish the files.
Food

How To Cook French, With Shortcuts


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By NPR Staff
In Around My French Table, cookbook author Dorie Greenspan revels in the idea that French home cooks take shortcuts just like Americans do -- they just don't talk about it as loudly. She demonstrates how people can make a French version of shepherd's pie -- with and without shortcuts.
Politics

GOP Leads Pew Poll, But Surprises Still To Be Found


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By NPR Staff
The headline of the latest poll -- no surprise -- is "Republicans Very Likely To Take Back The House." It's who's responsible for those votes that makes this race interesting.
Pop Culture

'I Love My Hair': A Father's Tribute To His Daughter


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By NPR Staff
A little Muppet girl has started a sensation. The brown doll with a beautifully kinky mop of hair sings "I Love My Hair." The song was written by Joey Mazzarino, Sesame Street's head writer. He wrote the song to help his adopted daughter celebrate herself and, of course, her hair.

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