National

After DOMA Ruling, Government Scrambles To Adjust

8:12pm July 02, 2013

by Scott Horsley

After the Supreme Court ruling overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, President Obama ordered federal agencies to revise their rules regarding benefits for same-sex spouses. But that will be simpler for some federal agencies than others.

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Participants in the Becoming a Man (BAM) program gather for a session in the gym at Little Village Academy in Chicago. BAM focuses on mentoring at-risk boys to prevent them from turning to violent crime.

Therapy Helps Troubled Teens Rethink Crime

10:30am July 02, 2013

by Shankar Vedantam

Many violent crimes are hastily planned and poorly considered, researchers at the University of Chicago's Crime Lab find. Training troubled teens to slow down and put a more benign spin on what they imagine the other guy is thinking significantly reduced the kids' likelihood of committing a crime.

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You Ask, We Answer: Demystifying The Affordable Care Act

10:25am July 02, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Think buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will be confusing? You're not alone. NPR listeners asked questions that have been bugging them about state insurance exchanges and other new options. NPR health policy correspondent Julie Rovner explains how it's going to work.

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Texas Democrats See Opportunity In Changing Demographics

8:36am July 02, 2013

by Don Gonyea

For most of the 20th century, Democrats were the only game in town when it came to Texas politics. But that changed and Republicans have been in charge for decades. For Democrats to return to power, they'll have to hold together a coalition of minority voters.

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Republicans celebrated when California Gov. Pete Wilson was re-elected in 1994. But his divisive campaign led to a backlash, especially among the growing Latino population in the state.

How To Turn A Red State Blue: California Edition

6:11pm July 01, 2013

by Ina Jaffe

Democrats who want to change the dynamics in Texas are turning to California for inspiration. Here's a look at how things went so wrong for the Republicans in the Golden State.

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Between 3,000 and 4,000 people die each year in large truck and bus crashes. New rules that go into effect Monday aim to reduce those numbers.

National

New Rules Put Brakes On Truck Drivers' Schedules

11:51am July 01, 2013

by NPR Staff

Department of Transportation statistics show that between 3,000 and 4,000 people die annually in large truck and bus crashes in America. Starting July 1, new regulations limiting the hours commercial vehicle drivers can be on the road will be enforced.

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Alabama County Files Plan To Exit Bankruptcy

10:57am July 01, 2013

by Jim Zarroli

Creditors are going to lose up to 70 cents of every dollar they're owed by Jefferson County, Ala. The county earned the title of largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history after a sewer financing deal went awry.

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A bilingual sign stands outside a polling center at a public library ahead of local elections on April 28 in Austin, Texas.

Big Growth Could Shake Up Texas' Old Political Equation

9:36am July 01, 2013

by Scott Horsley

The state is growing fast, and most of that growth is in the Hispanic population. If Democrats could capture a large share of Hispanic votes — as they have elsewhere — they would be a lot more competitive in Texas. But the state's GOP leader says he's not worried.

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National

The First President To Travel Abroad

7:35pm June 30, 2013

President Obama is in Africa this week on a three-country tour. But who was the first president to go abroad? Biographer Edmund Morris tells us about President Teddy Roosevelt's historic trip to Panama in 1906.

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Anthony Nicodemo is head basketball coach at Saunders High School in Yonkers, N.Y.

'I Am A Gay High School Basketball Coach'

5:03pm June 30, 2013

by NPR Staff

When Anthony Nicodemo finally worked up the courage to tell his players he was gay, he was prepared for the worst. He didn't expect what happened next.