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Homeless women sit amid their belongings in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday. Democrats and Republicans say income inequality is a problem, but they disagree over a solution.

The War Over Poverty: A Deep Divide On How To Help

6:51pm January 13, 2014

by David Welna

On the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty" speech, the clash between Republicans and Democrats on how to alleviate poverty has come front and center. Republicans insist that anti-poverty programs have failed; Democrats say they have worked and should be expanded.

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Supreme Court Declines To Consider Arizona Abortion Law

12:19pm January 13, 2014

The high court declined the state's request to review a lower court ruling that struck down its ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. That effectively blocks the law permanently, since the appeals court found it unconstitutional.

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Balance Of Power At Stake In High Court Case

12:18pm January 13, 2014

by Nina Totenberg

At issue in the Supreme Court on Monday is whether the president's power to make temporary appointments during the Senate recess can be curtailed by the use of pro forma Senate sessions during which no business is conducted.

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Minister Ryan Bell has decided to "try on" atheism for a year. The former Seventh-day Adventist pastor was asked to leave his congregation in March.

Former Pastor Decides To Spend A Year Without God

6:50pm January 12, 2014

by NPR Staff

Ryan Bell was asked to step down from his Seventh-day Adventist congregation in March, after questioning his faith. For his New Year's resolution, Bell has decided to "try on" atheism and put his role as a religious leader — and follower — on hold.

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Will The Colts Run Out Of Luck Against Patriots?

12:53pm January 11, 2014

Saturday's NFL playoffs pits Tom Brady's Patriots against the Colts and the Seahawks against the Saints. Over on the other side of the world, will Serena serve herself into history — again? NPR's Scott Simon talks with Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine, about the sports stories of the week and sports to come.

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Ross Miner skates during the men's short program at the 2013 Skate Canada International last year. He hopes to qualify for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

A Story Of The Boston Marathon Bombing, As Told On Skates

7:48pm January 10, 2014

by Tovia Smith

Figure skater Ross Miner hopes to qualify for the Winter Olympics, and the final competition starts Friday night in Boston, where Miner will perform his experience of last year's bombing, through moves and music.

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Marijuana 'Hash Oil' Explodes In Popularity, And Kitchens

7:19pm January 10, 2014

by Martin Kaste

A potent, syrupy extract of marijuana has become a popular way to ingest pot among young people, particularly in places where pot use has been liberalized. That has public safety officials worried, in part because making the substance can have explosive side effects.

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(From left) Joseph McNeil and Franklin McCain, two of the Greensboro Four who the day before had sat at the "whites only" counter of a Woolworth store, came back on Feb. 2, 1960, with two others — Billy Smith and Clarence Henderson.

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Franklin McCain, One Of 'Greensboro Four,' Dies

2:08pm January 10, 2014

by Mark Memmott

In February 1960, four young black men sat down at a whites-only lunch counter in North Carolina. Their protest would be followed by others across the nation and become a key moment in the civil rights movement. McCain once said that he wasn't scared. He was angry.

Amiri Baraka's Legacy Both Controversial And Achingly Beautiful

10:31am January 10, 2014

by Neda Ulaby

The former New Jersey poet laureate, born LeRoi Jones, died Thursday at age 79. Much of his work — including well-regarded poetry and plays — reflected his commitment to Black Nationalist ideals. He co-founded the Black Arts movement, and wrote poems that were as controversial as they were influential.

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Edward Snowden 'Did The Crime, He Should Do The Time'

10:21am January 10, 2014

There's been a vigorous debate over the fate of Edward Snowden, who leaked classified details about the activities of the National Security Agency. Some believe he started an important debate over privacy and security. David Greene talks to former NSA general counsel Stewart Baker, who believes having that debate so openly is dangerous.

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