National

The Story Of Calif. Senator's Arrest Reads Like Pulp Fiction

4:04pm March 31, 2014

by Richard Gonzales

In a case that has stunned California's political community, Sen. Leland Yee is charged with trafficking shoulder-fired missiles and plotting with a character known as "Shrimp Boy."

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Marijuana plants grow at a farm near Medellin. Tony Dokoupil's father made hundreds of thousands of dollars smuggling marijuana into the U.S. from Colombia.

Son Of A Secret Smuggler Digs Up The Truth About His Dad

3:47pm March 31, 2014

Tony Dokoupil's father was once busted for distributing enough marijuana "to roll a joint for every college-age person in America." In The Last Pirate, Dokoupil reflects on his dad's time as a dealer.

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National

Air Force To Release Results Of Cheating Probe

12:18pm March 31, 2014

by Tom Bowman

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Lt. General Stephen Wilson report Thursday on the results of an investigation involving aobut 100 nuclear missile launch officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

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National

Landslide Debris Makes Search And Recovery Excruciating Slow

12:12pm March 31, 2014

by Martin Kaste

It's day six of the search and recovery operation at the site of the landslide in Oso, Washington. Ninety people are reported missing and that's left many families in limbo, waiting for news.

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National

Taking Chances With Lottery For High-Skilled Workers' Visas

5:06pm March 30, 2014

The deadline for H-1B Visa applications is April 1. In the week after that deadline, a lottery system will determine which high-skilled workers are able to stay and work in the US. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Bhavik Bhatt, who has already struck out once before in the lottery, but is taking his chances again.

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Mary-Claire King says obscurity gave her the freedom to spend years looking for breast cancer genes.

How Being Ignored Helped A Woman Discover The Breast Cancer Gene

9:17am March 30, 2014

by Nancy Shute

Twenty years ago, many scientists didn't think that genes could cause diseases like cancer. The discovery of the BRCA gene for hereditary breast cancer changed that. Mary-Claire King tells how.

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Members of a coalition of Latino groups rally outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Activists say they plan more rallies and demonstrations across the country to push for action on immigration reform.

Activists: We Want An Emancipator, Not A 'Deporter In Chief'

6:59pm March 29, 2014

by Richard Gonzales

Latino activists have changed their strategy, tired of waiting for Congress to pass immigration legislation. Instead of pursuing lawmakers, many are calling on the White House to act on its own.

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Members of the Arivaca, Ariz., community monitor an immigration checkpoint about 25 miles north of the Mexican border. Some residents say border agents go beyond their legal authority.

National

In Arizona, Citizens Keep Close Eye On Immigration Checkpoint

6:59pm March 29, 2014

by Ted Robbins

Residents of a small town in southern Arizona say a local Border Patrol checkpoint is unnecessary and that agents have overstepped legal bounds. So now they conduct their own form of surveillance.

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Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., high-fives her teammate Rep. Martha Roby, R-Ala. during the annual Women's Congressional Softball Game last June.

For Women, Being A Jock May Also Signal Political Ambition

6:59pm March 29, 2014

by Alexandra Starr

Women who play competitive sports in college are more likely to go into politics, a study says, suggesting that increased opportunities for women under Title IX may help boost interest public office.

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Al Franken's campaign website allows users to download b-roll of the candidate, including a file called "Franken reading to children."

What's With This Video Of McConnell Doing Stuff?

6:59pm March 29, 2014

by NPR Staff

Congressional campaigns have been releasing b-roll of their candidates, which can then be used for superPAC ads in their favor. Footage of Sen. Mitch McConnell got some extra attention online.

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