National

National

Texas Gov. Calls Special Session, Reigniting Abortion Debate

5:44pm June 27, 2013

by John Burnett

The fight over abortion rights has heated up in Texas. A dramatic late night filibuster session derailed the passage of new abortion restrictions on Tuesday night. The next day, Gov. Rick Perry, an abortion rights opponent, called for a special legislative session to start July, 1, to reintroduce the legislation.

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Caryn Lantz and her husband Chuck were surprised to learn that costs associated with adopting black children were much lower than for white or mixed race children. They ultimately went with an adoption in which the fee was based on their income, not skin

National

Six Words: 'Black Babies Cost Less To Adopt'

9:46am June 27, 2013

by NPR Staff

In the U.S., more prospective parents seek to adopt white and mixed race children than black children. As a result, many agencies levy lower fees to make it easier for parents to adopt from among the large numbers of black children waiting for placement.

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Conservative Religious Leaders Condemn Same-Sex Marriage Rulings

5:34am June 27, 2013

by John Burnett

We talk to religious conservatives about their response to Wednesday's Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8.

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New Bugs In Florida Stymie Researchers, Threaten Crops

5:34am June 27, 2013

by Greg Allen

Researchers usually identify natural predators or parasites to combat invasive bugs like the brown marmorated stink bug and the psyllid. But after not finding immediate solutions, they are turning to pesticides and nutrient sprays.

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National

Gay Military Spouses To Benefit From Supreme Court Ruling

5:01am June 27, 2013

by Larry Abramson

Gay spouses of service members have long been denied the substantial benefits available to heterosexual couples. Now, Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act means gay married couples can look forward to more equal treatment from the Pentagon.

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In the current New Yorker, Michael Specter explores the conflict among some people who suffer from Lyme disease, and the doctors who study it.

'The Lyme Wars' That Tiny Ticks Have Wrought

4:50pm June 26, 2013

Since Lyme disease was first identified in the late 1970s, it has become the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the country. Journalist Michael Specter talks about his New Yorker article on the disease and its controversial history.

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The testimonies of James "Whitey" Bulger and his Winter Hill Gang cohort have been filled with well-preserved mob lingo.

National

The 'Time Capsule' Of Mob Lingo At The Whitey Bulger Trial

11:39am June 26, 2013

by NPR Staff

The trial of the notorious gangster has been filled with well-preserved jargon like "vig," "shylock," and "boiler." Linguist Ben Zimmer says some of that lingo has been around for at least a century or so.

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National

Service Members Receive Sexual Assault Prevention Training

11:13am June 26, 2013

by Larry Abramson

All this month, service members around the world are taking time out for training on how to prevent and respond to sexual assault. The move is a statement by the military that it's serious about addressing this problem.

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President Obama unveils his plan on climate change Tuesday at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The president laid out his plan to reduce carbon pollution and to prepare the country for the impacts of climate change.

Obama's Climate Strategy Doesn't Require Congressional Approval

7:06pm June 25, 2013

by Richard Harris

The sweeping plan calls for the Environmental Protection Agency to tighten carbon dioxide emissions on power plants and is designed to foster cleaner forms of electricity. The initiative also aims to help the nation cope with droughts and other weather related changes that are already happening.

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National

What's Next For The FBI: A New Generation Of Challenges

6:06pm June 25, 2013

As Robert Mueller's tenure at the director FBI comes to a close, the Obama administration narrows the global war on terror. The White House is expected to nominate former deputy attorney general James Comey. The new leader will face a host of new challenges.

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