National

President Obama talks with Texas high school student Ahmed Mohamed during the White House's Astronomy Night event on the South Lawn Monday night.

Clock-Making Texas Teen Visits White House For Astronomy Night

12:53pm October 20, 2015

by Bill Chappell

After Ahmed Mohamed was arrested, he received thousands of messages of support — including one from President Obama, who tweeted, "Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House?"

Rep. Paul Ryan has said he doesn't want to be the next speaker, though many Republicans have been urging him to run.

Ryan Runs, Boehner Stays Or A New Star Rises? 6 Ways The House Could Go

12:01pm October 20, 2015

by Ron Elving

Rep. Paul Ryan could run, with or without support from the Freedom Caucus. Or he could choose not to run, leaving Boehner or perhaps a new candidate to fill the speaker's chair.

If humans went up against the rest of the animal kingdom in most physical challenges, they wouldn't do that well.

Here's How You Can Outrun A Horse

12:01pm October 20, 2015

by Adam Cole

Humans are pathetic at athletic feats compared to animals. We get outrun by ostriches and outswum by penguins. But human physiology makes us aces at one sport: endurance running. Sorry, horse.

McCarthy shocked Washington by dropping out of the speaker's race on Thursday.

What Just Happened To The Speaker's Race, In 2 Charts

11:49am October 20, 2015

by Danielle Kurtzleben

To be nominated for speaker, Kevin McCarthy would have needed just a majority of House Republicans' votes, but getting through a vote with the full House would have been a much higher hurdle.

A researcher is trying to figure out why black male teachers are leaving the profession.

Keeping Black Men In Front Of The Class

8:14am October 20, 2015

by Elissa Nadworny

Studies show high rates of teacher turnover — especially among minorities. One researcher is trying to figure out why and how schools can reverse the trend.

Seminarians attend a theology class at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.

At U.S. Seminaries, A Rise In Millennials Answering God's Call

6:47am October 20, 2015

by Maureen Pao

The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been aging, along with its dwindling priestly ranks. But in the increasingly secular world, there's been a recent uptick in younger men studying to become priests.

Face-to-face with Pope Francis: What do you say? Here, the pope arrives for his general audience at St. Peter's Square on Oct. 1, 2014, at the Vatican. He arrives in the U.S. on Tuesday.

So You're Going To Meet The Pope ... A Primer On The Pontiff

6:46am October 20, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

What do you wear? What do you do? And if you get more than a few moments to speak straight into the pontiff's ear, what do you say?

Pope Francis' embracing of the digital world and social media has given new meaning to the word "followers" for the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis' Digital Reach Helps Put Him In Your Pocket

6:45am October 20, 2015

by Heidi Glenn

Pope Francis' social media feeds have blossomed while he's been pontiff, allowing followers to access his messages via Twitter, YouTube and also an app on their smartphones.

The church of Our Lady Queen of Angels in New York City's East Harlem neighborhood closed in 2007, but parishioners still congregate outside the parish for service every Sunday.

'It's All About Church Closings': Catholic Parishes Shrink In Northeast, Midwest

6:43am October 20, 2015

by Hansi Lo Wang

Pope Francis is set to visit a Catholic school in New York City that used to have a sponsoring church. The parish was closed in 2007 in a region that has been a traditional Catholic stronghold.

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A stained-glass window depicting Father Junipero Serra in the Basilica Parish in Mission Dolores.

Savior Or Villain? The Complicated Story Of Pope Francis' Next Saint

6:41am October 20, 2015

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

The pope will canonize 18th-century Spanish priest Junipero Serra in the U.S. later this month. But descendants of the Mission Indians in California say Serra destroyed their traditional way of life.

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