Republicans Launch Mission To Turn Up Their Digital Game
Democrats are winning the digital arms race, a recent GOP report concludes. Republicans say Democrats have a built-in advantage: that many technology and social media experts aren't Republican. Now, the GOP is taking distinct steps to improve its digital strategy and online presence.
From Leadership Posts, Women Said To Be Changing Senate Tone
The 20 women in the U.S. Senate this year is the largest number in history. Female senators also now claim an unprecedented number of leadership positions. And several female senators interviewed say that is causing a change on Capitol Hill in the tone and process of legislating.
Are Younger Catholics Abandoning Fish On Fridays?
Seafood consumption typically increases during Lent in the U.S. The jump is traditionally attributed to Catholics observing the church's Lenten ban on eating meat on Fridays. But data suggest younger Americans aren't keeping up the fish tradition.
Doubts Raised About Cutting Medicare Pay In High-Spending Areas
An influential panel panned an idea to pay hospitals and doctors less under Medicare if they happen to be in regions that are heavy users of medical services. The approach has been popular with some in Congress.
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FAA Announces Tower Closures Coming In April
The FAA has trimmed the number of towers it plans to close as it shrinks its budget in response to sequestration. Officials spared 40 airport towers it had previously planned to shutter.
As Support For Gay Marriage Grows, An Opponent Looks Ahead
Maggie Gallagher is one of the nation's most public opponents of gay marriage. These days, she's thinking more about how to continue advocating for marriage between one man and one woman, even as society's views — and laws — are shifting rapidly.
Chinua Achebe And The Bravery Of Lions
The world-famous Nigerian author Chinua Achebe has died. Annalisa Quinn reflects on the legacy of Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart.
Talk Globally, Go Locally: Cellphones Vs. Clean Toilets
Six billion people around the world now own cellphones, while only 4.5 billion people have a safe place to use the bathroom, the United Nations said Thursday. Improving sanitation could help prevent thousands of kids from dying each day of waterborne diseases.
Some Toddler Foods Come With A Megadose Of Salt
Packaged toddler foods have surprisingly high amounts of sodium, with some packing almost half of a child's daily limit, according to a new survey. Too much salt early on could be setting children up for a lifetime of high blood pressure.
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Bloomberg: Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum Talked About A 2012 'Unity Ticket'
Bloomberg reports a Santorum strategist wanted Gingrich to announce a joint ticket during a debate. Had that happened, the 2012 race for the presidency could've looked different.
HBO: Programming Could Be Sold Directly Through Internet Providers
The television network's CEO, Richard Plepler, says the company is mulling over a move that could end-run the cable companies.
'Severing Love From Diapers': The Other Case Against Gay Marriage
Detractors say extending recognition to same-sex couples will weaken a bedrock institution meant to protect women and children. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding gay marriage next week.
Legalized Marijuana Forcing Old Dogs To Learn New Tricks
Law enforcement agencies in Washington state are having to make lots of adjustments as the state implements a ballot initiative that legalized the use of marijuana. One surprise change has been the need to re-train dogs used for sniffing out illegal drugs.
Should There Be Sympathy For Steubenville Rapists?
Two teens accused of rape in Steubenville, Ohio were convicted and sentenced this week. Host Michel Martin talks to the Barbershop guys about how the victim — and the perpetrators — were treated in the press. Writer Jimi Izrael, political science professor Lester Spence, civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar and Republican strategist R. Clarke Cooper discuss the week's news. ADVISORY: Please note, this conversation includes a discussion about rape and may not be suitable for all listeners.
Remembering Chinua Achebe, Who Defended Africa To The World
Chinua Achebe, widely considered the grandfather of modern African literature, has died at the age of 82. His popular book, Things Fall Apart, tackled the effect of colonialism on Africa, and has sold more than 10 million copies. Host Michel Martin is joined by NPR Africa Correspondent Ofeibea Quist-Arcton to look back on his life and work.
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Congo Warlord Faces War Crimes After Turning Himself In
Bosco Ntaganda is heading to The Hague to face the International Criminal Court. He has been wanted since 2006 for alleged crimes against humanity.
Britain Goes After Pot Growers With 'Scratch And Sniff' Cards
More than 200,000 marijuana-scented cards are being sent out to help educate the public on the smell of cannabis.
Israel Apologizes To Turkey Over 2010 Flotilla Raid
At one point, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the incident a "cause for war." Nine people died in 2010, when Israeli commandos boarded a flotilla that was trying to break an Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.
Scientists Use Antacid To Help Measure The Rate Of Reef Growth
There's some evidence that carbon dioxide we pump into the atmosphere has slowed the development of coral reefs. So researchers are adding antacid to the water in a tiny part of the Great Barrier Reef, to see whether the corals will grow faster if their water supply is less acidic.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Says He Will Step Down
Genachowski's resignation will leave the commission evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. President Obama has not announced a replacement.