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4:26 am
Tue February 5, 2013

FCC Proposes Public WiFi Network

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The federal government has proposed an ambitious plan to build public WiFi networks throughout the country. The idea is to boost innovation and make the Internet cheaper and more accessible.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

The Federal Communications Commission wants to do this by acquiring wireless spectrum from television broadcasters, including certain airwaves and set them aside for public use.

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National Security
4:26 am
Tue February 5, 2013

DOJ Paper: When Its OK To Kill Americans In Al-Qaida

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

President Obama's administration is trying to work out its legal rational for a controversial policy. It's the killing of American citizens suspected of terrorism. A newly obtained Justice Department document lays out a rational. That document argues the United States has authority to target Americans who are senior al-Qaida figures even without evidence they are about to carry out a specific attack.

NPR's justice correspondent Carrie Johnson is here to talk about this document. Carrie, good morning.

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Politics
4:26 am
Tue February 5, 2013

Obama Speech Expected To Flesh Out Climate Proposals

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

President Obama delivers his State of Union address a week from today. That speech is expected to expand on proposals the president put forth at his inauguration. One surprise in his inaugural address was a call to do more on climate change - that after a campaign that mostly ignored concerns about the environment. NPR's Ari Shapiro looks at what environmental groups are expecting now.

ARI SHAPIRO, BYLINE: President Obama's inaugural address spent a full eight sentences on climate, more than any other subject.

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NPR Story
4:10 am
Tue February 5, 2013

Texas Court Of Inquiry To Decide If Prosecutor Lied

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

In Texas, a court of inquiry has been convened to consider prosecuting a Texas judge. He's Ken Anderson. He used to be the district attorney in Williamson County, Texas, and he could face criminal charges for concealing exculpatory evidence. That's evidence that could clear a defendant of guilt. The inquiry concerns his conduct during what has become an infamous case - the prosecution and conviction of Michael Morton. Morton was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife. NPR's Wade Goodwin reports.

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NPR Story
3:56 am
Tue February 5, 2013

The Last Word In Business

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And our last word in business is: America's pizza crisis solved.

For decades, Pizza Hut has been researching ways to improve the flawed pizza consumption process. Until recent years, Americans were forced to hold the slice two-handed, you know, with the finger up under the point, or fold it in half like Spike Lee in "Do the Right Thing." Pizza Hut has never felt that was good enough, and they're trying for something better.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

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NPR Story
3:56 am
Tue February 5, 2013

In Minn., Obama Appeals For Movement On Gun Background Checks

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Now, on the same as that funeral, President Obama continued his push for tougher gun laws. He was talking yesterday in Minneapolis on a subject he is expected to address in next week's State of the Union speech.

NPR's David Welna reports.

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NPR Story
3:56 am
Tue February 5, 2013

Business News

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Transcript

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

NPR's business news starts with a slip for BP.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

The British oil company, BP, announced its 4th quarter earnings today, and its net profit was about a billion dollars lower than a year earlier. BP has been shrinking as assets have been sold off to pay for its liabilities tied to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

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Middle East
1:25 am
Tue February 5, 2013

In Syrian Conflict, Real-Time Evidence Of Violations

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

There are growing calls for Syria's leaders to face war crimes charges for the fierce assaults against rebel targets and civilian areas. If that happens, veterans of past war crimes prosecutions say, Syrians will have one big advantage: The widespread gathering of evidence across the country is happening often in real time.

After visiting a Syrian refugee camp in southeastern Turkey recently, Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador to Syria, reacted sharply to a question that suggested Washington, D.C., has kept quiet about the Syrian regime's attacks.

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Health
1:24 am
Tue February 5, 2013

FMLA Not Really Working For Many Employees

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

Twenty years after President Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act, workers' rights groups say many employees still must choose between their family or their job.

They're marking the anniversary with calls to expand the law, and for Congress to pass a new one that would provide paid leave.

What Falls Under The FMLA?

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U.S.
1:22 am
Tue February 5, 2013

One-Way Tickets To Florida: Puerto Ricans Escape Island Woes

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 4:09 pm

Puerto Rico's population is dropping. Faced with a deteriorating economy, increased poverty and a swelling crime rate, many citizens are fleeing the island for the U.S. mainland. In a four-part series, Morning Edition explores this phenomenon, and how Puerto Rico's troubles are affecting its people and other Americans in unexpected ways.

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Books News & Features
1:20 am
Tue February 5, 2013

Woody Guthrie's 'House Of Earth' Calls 'This Land' Home

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:51 am

Woody Guthrie wrote thousands of songs in his lifetime — but as far as anyone knows, he only wrote one novel. Recently discovered, House of Earth is the story of a young couple living in the Texas Panhandle in the 1930s. They dream of building a house that will withstand the bitter winds and ever-present dust that constantly threaten the flimsy wooden shack they call home.

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Around the Nation
1:07 am
Tue February 5, 2013

Gun Violence Robs Chicago Mother Of Remaining Child

Credit John Gress / Reuters/Landov
Shirley Chambers cries during Monday's funeral for her son Ronnie Chambers, 33. She had four children, three boys and a girl, all victims of gun violence in Chicago over a period of 18 years.

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 1:40 pm

The gun violence that scars some Chicago neighborhoods has been a plague for one woman. Shirley Chambers first lost a child to gunfire in the mid 1990s. In 2000, a daughter and a son were shot to death just months apart. On Monday, Chambers buried her last child.

Nearly 500 people filled the pews, the choir lofts and hallways of St. Luke Church of God in Christ for the funeral of 33-year-old Ronnie Chambers, an aspiring music producer who died Jan. 26.

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World
5:58 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

In Moscow, Scandals Shake A Storied Ballet

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 11:47 am

It's a story right out of the movies: The artistic director of one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world is violently attacked. His attacker and the motive are shrouded in mystery. But behind these sensational headlines is a ballet company that is both legendary and plagued with scandals and infighting.

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The Two-Way
4:36 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Parisian Women Now (Officially) Allowed To Wear Pants

Credit Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images
French Minister for Women's Rights and Government Spokesperson Najat Vallaud-Belkacem wearing pants.

Originally published on Fri February 8, 2013 5:09 pm

Parisian women have finally caught up with the 21st century (and the end of the 20th century for that matter): They can now wear pants!

January 31, the 213-year-old ban was officially lifted.

"The repeal of the law... was made by France's Minister for Women's Rights, Ms. Vallaud-Belkacem," Digital Journal reports.

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Around the Nation
4:10 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Gun Control Divides County Sheriffs

Credit Rex Features / AP
President Obama and law enforcement officials meet in January to discuss gun violence. To the left of Obama is Hennepin County, Minn., Sheriff Richard W. Stanek; to the right is Charles H. Ramsey, commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

When President Obama announced new measures to prevent gun violence, one of the groups there to show support was the National Sheriffs' Association. The group represents more than 3,000 county sheriffs across the country.

But not all sheriffs agree with the group's support for what it calls "common-sense steps," like a universal background check for all gun purchasers.

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The Two-Way
4:05 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Study: Some Birds, Like People, Have Awareness Of Mates' Feelings

Credit University of Cambridge
A eurasian jay gives its mate a food gift.

Originally published on Mon February 4, 2013 4:22 pm

British scientists have discovered something remarkable: Like some of us humans, Eurasian Jays — who share a family with blue jays and ravens — seem to have the ability to recognize and ascertain the "internal life" or psychological states of others.

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Business
4:00 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

How One Company Reinvented The Hand Dryer

Credit Andrea Hsu / NPR
Craig McCarl dips Xlerator covers two at a time into a chrome bath. He has worked for Excel Dryer in East Longmeadow, Mass., for 31 years.

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 2:52 pm

There's a lot of talk in politics about the desirability of American manufacturing and "green" jobs. President Obama talks about both often, especially wind turbines and long-lasting batteries that are made on U.S. soil.

Robert Siegel, host of All Things Considered, recently visited a Massachusetts factory that makes a product that hits those same parameters. It's arguably a force for sustainability, nearly 40 Americans assemble it, and it's an interesting case study in innovation: the high-speed hand dryer.

'We Had A Product People Hated To Use'

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Politics
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Obama: Lawmakers Must Feel Like They Have To Act Against Gun Violence

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

And I'm Robert Siegel.

President Obama took his case today for revamping the nation's gun laws to the frozen streets of Minneapolis, in the first of what will likely be a series of similar events in the coming weeks. The president urged voters to turn up the pressure on Congress and take action to curb gun violence. NPR's David Welna has our story from Minneapolis.

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History
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Archaeologists Confirm Parking Lot Remains Are King Richard III

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

And I'm Robert Siegel.

A few months ago, the British were told that a royal skeleton might have been located under what the Brits call a car park. And they were told the remains might belong to the 15th century King Richard III. Many were skeptical, but now they can believe it. Today, experts confirmed that the bones belong to Richard III, a monarch immortalized by William Shakespeare.

NPR's Philip Reeves tells us more.

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History
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

King Richard III May Not Have Been The Tyrant Shakespeare Made Him Out To Be

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

And now a little memory jog about that rediscovered king. Here is Laurence Olivier in tights in 1955.

LAURENCE OLIVIER: (as Richard III) Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York, and all the clouds that glowered upon our house in the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

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Law
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Stolen California Petroglyphs Returned, But Many Questions Remain

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Well, now to the publishing past, the very ancient past. In California last fall, a set of petroglyphs was stolen from a sacred Native American site. They were brazenly sawed and chiseled out of the face of a rock formation. The petroglyphs are believed to be more than 3,000 years old. And now, they've been found. Still, authorities don't know who took them or why. Here's NPR's Kirk Siegler reporting from Bishop, California.

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Sports
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

49ers' Coach Questions Ref's Call On Pass Interference At Super Bowl

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Twenty-four hours after Super Bowl XLVII, the headlines are: superstar Beyonce and a midgame power outage. But in addition to the hip-shaking and the strange third quarter intermission, there was also some pretty good football played last night in New Orleans. The Baltimore Ravens proved they were no fluke. They held off a come-back by the San Francisco 49ers to win the pro-football championship, 34 to 31.

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Law
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Chicago Police Superintendent: Gun Laws Play Huge Role In Lowering Gun Deaths

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

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Law
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

DOJ Plans To Sue S&P Over Its Ratings Of Mortgage-Backed Securities

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

And I'm Audie Cornish.

Ever since the financial crisis erupted in 2008, fingers have been pointing at ratings agencies. Well, today comes news that the U.S. government plans to sue the largest agency, Standard & Poor's for fraud. The case has to do with how the S&P rated mortgage-backed securities. To explain, we're joined by NPR's Jim Zarroli. Hey there, Jim.

JIM ZARROLI, BYLINE: Hi.

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Around the Nation
3:55 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

New Jersey Shore Could Still See A Summer Packed With Profits After Sandy

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Today, is a big day for many people in Ortley Beach, New Jersey. Those with utilities were allowed to move back into their homes full-time this morning. It's the first time since Hurricane Sandy hit more than three months ago. New Jersey takes in an estimated $37 billion in tourism and shore towns are racing to rebuild by the start of the summer season.

The ones that are ready could see a sunnier-than-usual tourist season packed with profits. From member station WNYC, Janet Babin reports.

KATHY CIVOLI: Where can my shed be?

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The Two-Way
3:39 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Alabama Hostage Standoff Ends; Kidnapped Child Is Safe

Credit Butch Dill / AP
Posters for Ethan decorate power poles all over town, like this one outside the elementary school in Midland City, Ala.

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 5:09 am

Nearly a week after it began, the standoff in Midland City, Ala., where a 5-year-old-boy has been held captive in an underground bunker, has come to an end.

Citing a U.S. official, CBS News reports the "kidnapped child is alive [and the] kidnapper is dead."

CNN reports that an "explosion" was followed by "gun shots" shortly before the standoff came to an end.

State Rep. Steve Clouse said the boy is at a hospital seven or eight miles away from Midland City and he is "relatively healthy."

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Shots - Health News
3:32 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Aging Poorly: Another Act of Baby Boomer Rebellion

Credit iStockphoto.com
Health researchers say the proportion of people in their late 40s to 60s with diabetes, hypertension or obesity has increased over the past two decades.

Originally published on Wed February 6, 2013 8:40 am

Baby boomers have a reputation for being addicted to exercise and obsessed with eating well.

But that story didn't jibe with what physician Dana E. King and his colleagues see walking through the door of their family practice every day in Morgantown, W.Va.

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The Two-Way
3:31 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

How Do Israeli And Palestinian Textbooks Treat The Other Side?

Originally published on Sun February 10, 2013 6:48 am

There was some good news and bad news in a three-year study that tried to take an objective look at bias in Israeli and Palestinian textbooks directed against "the other."

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Music Reviews
2:46 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Is Fleetwood Mac's Expanded 'Rumours' A Bit Much?

Credit Courtesy of the artist

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

An expanded version of Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album Rumours comes out this week, to mark the 35th anniversary of one of the top-selling albums of the '70s. The deluxe set includes demos, outtakes from the recording sessions, live recordings and a documentary DVD, along with a vinyl pressing of the original album.

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Music News
2:09 pm
Mon February 4, 2013

Remembering Karen Carpenter, 30 Years Later

Credit Tim Graham / Getty Images
Karen Carpenter, of The Carpenters, performs in London in 1974.

Originally published on Tue February 5, 2013 8:29 am

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