National

National

NSA's Reach Leads To Calls For Updated Eavesdropping Laws

10:18am July 05, 2013

by Tom Bowman

The nation's largest intelligence agency has seen its power — and abilities — greatly expand over the past decade. Both privacy advocates and security experts agree that the laws governing electronic eavesdropping have not kept pace with technology.

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Advocates for Common Core standards say it will be harder for states to hide their failing schools.

Education Reform Movement Learns Lesson From Old Standards

10:08am July 05, 2013

by Cory Turner

Under the No Child Left Behind law, states saw low test scores and the lowering of score standards. Advocates for the more rigorous Common Core standards say it will be harder for states to hide their failing schools.

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Mary Ann Rollings (from left), Gloria Kelley and Linda Lee Stacy were bursting in red, white and blue as they turned out to hear their beloved Boston Pops.

National

Stars, Spangles And Lots Of Security At Boston's July 4 Events

1:43pm July 04, 2013

by Tovia Smith

This year has been anything but routine in Boston, after the deadly marathon bombings and the chaotic manhunt. But tonight, the traditional July Fourth show will go on as the Boston Pops performs amid bursts of fireworks. While the music and pyrotechnics will be familiar, the scene and mood are different.

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Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas delivers remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting to work on the immigration legislation in May.

Immigration Debate In Congress Riles Up Texas Republicans

9:48am July 04, 2013

by David Welna

In a state with a fast-growing Latino population, the fight over immigration is especially relevant. There's scant backing for the Senate's immigration bill among Texas Republicans in Washington, but some Texans say those lawmakers are "behind the curve."

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Row 1: Maryam Saif, Austin, Texas; Michael Dubberly, Savannah, Ga.; Nadine Pourier-Blumenshine, Fresno, Calif. Row 2: Timothy Jon Eaton, Kingsport, Tenn.; Kara Milton, Greensboro, N.C.; Thomas Horsley, Boston.

National

The Declaration: What Does Independence Mean To You?

9:48am July 04, 2013

by NPR Staff

We ask visitors on the National Mall about independence and they tell us about the freedoms that are the most important to them.

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National

American Soldier Pleads Guilty In Afghan Massacre

10:26pm July 03, 2013

Army Sgt. Robert Bales pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing 16 Afghan civilians in a nighttime massacre. Audie Cornish talks with NPR's Martin Kaste, who listened to Sgt. Bales recount the killings at a military court hearing in Washington state. Bales has struck a deal with prosecutors that will spare him the death penalty.

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National

The Reaction To Michelle Obama's Reaction To A Heckler

10:26pm July 03, 2013

by Karen Grigsby Bates

First lady Michelle Obama's confrontation with a heckler at a Democratic Party fundraiser Tuesday night has sparked a dramatic range of reaction.

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One of the attorneys in the California Proposition 8 case, David Boies (center), speaks outside the Supreme Court as he's surrounded by plaintiffs in the case, couples Paul Katami (from left) and Jeff Zarrillo, and Sandy Stier and Kris Perry.

Reporter: In Court Rulings, Roberts Takes Long-Term Approach

12:07pm July 03, 2013

Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times, says that in the years Chief Justice John Roberts has led the court, his patient and methodical approach has allowed him to establish a robustly conservative record.

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Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles second round match against Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine on day three of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26.

Roger Federer: Leave While He's Good Or Play Because He Can?

9:52am July 03, 2013

by Frank Deford

After a rough loss at Wimbledon last week, many fans are wondering if this is the end for the Swiss tennis star.

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Kyle Fronke inventories the wine in Kahn's Fine Wines and Spirits in Indianapolis last year. Only liquor stores in the state can sell cold beer, and on Sunday, practically all carry out alcohol sales are prohibited.

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Guess Who's Fighting To Keep Indiana Dry On Sundays?

9:52am July 03, 2013

by Sara Wittmeyer

Indiana is the only state where you can't buy packaged beer, wine and liquor on Sundays and the only state that regulates alcohol sales based on temperature. Convenience stores want to change the laws, but the state's liquor stores — who would seem to have the most to gain — are fighting back.

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