National

The Biggest Threats To Birds And How You Can Help

8:29am December 26, 2015

It's not easy being a bird. There are windows, cell towers, wind farms, habitat destruction and especially cats. NPR's Linda Wertheimer speaks with Talkin' Birds host Ray Brown about avian dangers.

The American Political Invention That 'Let The People Rule'

8:29am December 26, 2015

NPR's Linda Wertheimer speaks with Geoffrey Cowan, author of "Let the People Rule," on Teddy Roosevelt's invention of the modern political primary.

National

Toy Stories: When Some Assembly Is Required

7:15am December 26, 2015

by NPR Staff

Lots of Christmas toys mean lots of work putting them all together. Our listeners share some of their best and worst experiences.

Rep. Mike Quigley, whose Washington, D.C. office doubles as his home away from Chicago, lays his mattress onto the floor before going to sleep. While some see a political benefit, "it's not something I'm thrilled about," Quigley said. "It's just circumsta

Meet The Lawmakers Who Sleep, Shower, Work — All On Capitol Hill

6:57am December 26, 2015

by Susan Davis

Call it the "couch caucus." At least 40 members of Congress sleep in their offices — from freshman Kristi Noem to Speaker Paul Ryan. It's one way to save a buck, until you see a mouse.

If Doctors Learned To Cook, They Might Give Better Advice

6:05am December 26, 2015

by Christina Farr

Most doctors have no training in nutrition, but that's starting to change. Medical schools want future doctors to be able to communicate the value of cooking and eating healthy food.

International travelers wait to have their passports checked at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport last year.

U.S. Visa Rules May Burden Relatives Abroad, Advocates Say

4:12pm December 25, 2015

by Brian Naylor

Some dual citizens who used to be able to visit the U.S. under a "visa waiver" program no longer qualify. The new law requires extra screening for people with Iraqi or Syrian citizenship, for example.

The Year In Congress: How Did Republicans Do?

4:12pm December 25, 2015

Republicans had something to prove when they took over both houses of Congress at the beginning of 2015 — that they could govern. So, did they prove it?

National

Elizabeth Laird, Who Gave Hugs To Soldiers At Fort Hood, Dies At 83

4:12pm December 25, 2015

by Ina Jaffe

Elizabeth Laird was known as the hug lady because she met every deployment — coming or going — from Fort Hood and gave each soldier a hug. She died Thursday on Christmas Eve.

National

'New York Times' Report Finds Most Americans Live Close To Mom

4:12pm December 25, 2015

A new report shows that Americans live surprisingly close to home. According to the new analysis, a person in the U.S. lives on average just 18 miles away from his or her mother. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Quoctrung Bui of The New York Times about his research.

Rural Wyoming Town's First Mosque Sparks Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

4:12pm December 25, 2015

by Miles Bryan

The first mosque recently opened its doors in the rural town of Gillette, Wyo. It didn't get much attention at first, but then a group of locals started a Facebook group called "Stop Islam in Gillette." This has been hard for a Muslim family with deep roots in the area.