National

Americans Divided Over Donald Trump's Early Moves As President-Elect

6:33pm December 09, 2016

by Mara Liasson

President-elect Donald Trump is putting his own stamp on the role of chief executive, which has some people rejoicing and others worried about where he's going to take the country.

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Actress Sofia Vergara Sued By Her Own Frozen Embryos

6:33pm December 09, 2016

A lawsuit has been filed against actress Sofia Vergara on behalf of her two frozen embryos. NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Susan Crockin, who teaches assisted reproductive law at Georgetown University Law School.

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Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters Vow To Fight Through Fierce Winter

6:33pm December 09, 2016

by Tim Nelson

The teeth of winter are closing on the makeshift camp in North Dakota where demonstrators are trying to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Some are heeding tribal calls to leave, while others are digging in. But the company building the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline was in federal court Friday, trying to overturn a decision by the Army Corps of Engineers blocking the project.

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Economists Chart 'Index Of The American Dream' In 'The New York Times'

6:33pm December 09, 2016

New economic research shows Americans are no longer as likely to make more than their parents did at the same age. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to New York Times columnist David Leonhardt about what he calls the "Index of the American Dream."

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'Deadspin' Columnist Outlines Hater's Guide To Williams-Sonoma Catalog

6:33pm December 09, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro talk with Deadspin columnist Drew Magary about his hater's guide to the Williams-Sonoma catalog.

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Trump To Retain Credit As Executive Producer Of 'Celebrity Apprentice'

6:33pm December 09, 2016

by Eric Deggans

President-elect Donald Trump will retain a credit as executive producer of the reality TV show Celebrity Apprentice. The new season, with new "boss" Arnold Schwarzenegger, premieres January 2. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says no one but Trump knows how involved he will be, but the news seems to contradict NBC's past assertion that it has severed business ties with Trump.

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Jonathan Coleman and his son compare graphene-infused Silly Putty (left) with the unadulterated kids stuff.

Adding A Funny Form Of Carbon To Silly Putty Creates A Heart Monitor

5:49pm December 09, 2016

by Joe Palca

Graphene comes in sheets barely an atom thick and is extremely good at conducting electricity. By adding the unusual form of carbon to Silly Putty, scientists created flexible sensors.

A map of the U.S. shows children's chances of moving from the bottom fifth of income levels to the top fifth.

U.S. Kids Far Less Likely To Out-Earn Their Parents, As Inequality Grows

5:13pm December 09, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"It's basically a coin flip as to whether you'll do better than your parents," a Stanford economist says.

A sign in Washington, D.C., says "No matter where you're from, we're glad you're our neighbor," in three languages. It's a message that began at a church in Harrisonburg, Va., and is spreading to communities across the country.

A Message Of Tolerance And Welcome, Spreading From Yard To Yard

4:57pm December 09, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

A church in Harrisonburg, Va., posted a simple message last year: "No matter where you come from, we're glad you're our neighbor," in three languages. Now the signs show up from D.C. to Detroit.

National

Alabama Execution Raises Questions About Drug Used In Lethal Injections

4:40pm December 09, 2016

The execution of Ronald Bert Smith, Jr. in Alabama is raising more questions about a controversial drug used as a sedative in lethal injections. According to Kent Faulk, a reporter for the Birmingham News who witnessed the execution, Smith heaved and coughed 13 minutes into his execution.