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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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Around the Nation

Ike's Warning Of Military Expansion, 50 Years Later



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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.
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.
Television

'Masterpiece' At 40: Defying Cooke's Prediction


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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
FRONTLINE

WikiLeaks Suspect Manning: A Troubled Home Life



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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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Science

How To Put A New Element On The Periodic Table



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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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
US News

Expert Grilling: Barbecue, Peaches And Spicy Corn



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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.
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

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.
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

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.
Arts & Living

Through The Static, The Voice Of History



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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.
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.
U.S. News

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



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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. 
Arts & Living

Rieslings Strike Right Balance For Summer



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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.
Business

Entrepreneur Bets On Happiness With Grilled Cheese



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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.
U.S. News

A New Way Around Internet Censorship?



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New software being developed at the University of Michigan aims to defeat Internet censorship by turning the entire Internet into an anti-censorship device.
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.
Arts & Living

In Your Ear: Vernice 'Flygirl' Armour



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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

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.
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.
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.
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.
Music News

Songs Of The Summer: How To Win The Season



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Ann Powers lays out three ways of thinking about the perfect summer song.
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.
Author Interviews

The Inside Track On New York's High Line



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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.

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