National

Gay Lobbying On The Hill Has Short Yet Strong History

1:37pm March 25, 2013

by Peter Overby

One argument used by conservatives in the Supreme Court cases is that gay Americans have become so politically powerful that they don't need special attention from the courts. Whether or not that's true, it's clear that advocacy groups for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have built a strong network of lobbyists and political activists in Washington.

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National

Free Tax Help Protects Low-Income Filers From Pricey Loans

9:50am March 25, 2013

by Pam Fessler

As this year's tax deadline approaches, hundreds of thousands of low-income Americans are relying on free services to help with returns. The services are an alternative to schemes that often prey on people who need quick cash.

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Supreme Court Hears 'Pay To Delay' Pharmaceutical Case

9:39am March 25, 2013

by Nina Totenberg

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in a case worth billions of dollars to pharmaceutical companies and American consumers. The issue is whether brand-name drug manufacturers may pay generic drug manufacturers to keep their cheaper products off the market.

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Obama Leaves Middle East With Mixed Reviews

9:26am March 24, 2013

by Scott Horsley

President Obama heads home from the Middle East Saturday, after a mixed reception to his four-day visit. Obama spent much of that time in Israel, trying to lay the groundwork to revive the long-stalled peace process with the Palestinians. He also traveled to the West Bank and met with Jordan's King Abdullah. NPR's Scott Horsley has a recap from Amman, Jordan.

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The Value And Risk Of Drawing A Red Line

9:20am March 24, 2013

The term "red line" has been used by the U.S. and other countries to refer to unacceptable actions including Iran's development of nuclear weapons and North Korea, and the use of chemical weapons in Syria. While there is value in having clear-cut parameters for intervention, there is also great risk.

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Can Detroit Return To Its Former Glory?

7:07pm March 23, 2013

by NPR Staff

A population exodus, as well as bad financial management, has put the city on the brink of bankruptcy. These drastic times forced the governor to appoint an emergency financial manager, who has the Herculean task of reviving what was once the bustling car capital of the U.S.

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March Madness: Good For Fans, Bad For Business

6:34pm March 23, 2013

by NPR Staff

No matter what team wins, employers are losing out. A recent study estimated the NCAA Division I men's college basketball tournament has already cost American companies at least $134 million in the first two days alone.

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Supreme Court justices will hear arguments Tuesday on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. On Wednesday they'll hear arguments on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

They All Voted For DOMA, But Now These Senators Are Split

12:53pm March 23, 2013

by David Welna

When the Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996, it had strong bipartisan support. All of the 15 sitting Democrats who voted for it are now against it. But so far, Sen. Rob Portman is the only current Republican Senator to change his mind.

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Dr. Frank Dumont at his clinic in Estes Park, Colo.

How A Patient's Suicide Changed A Doctor's Approach To Guns

9:11am March 22, 2013

by Eric Whitney

Dr. Frank Dumont never thought of himself as being on the front lines of suicide prevention. But after the death of a patient he was particularly close to, he sees his role changing. He's seeking to reduce suicides by asking his patients about guns in their homes.

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Meet The 83-Year-Old Taking On The U.S. Over Same-Sex Marriage

8:34pm March 21, 2013

by Nina Totenberg

Edith Windsor's challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act will be heard by the Supreme Court next week. When her wife died, Windsor had to pay $363,000 in estate taxes because the federal government did not recognize their marriage. "If Thea was Theo," she says, "I would not have had to pay."

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