Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and playwright Jules Feiffer has died at 95
Satirical cartoonist, playwright and screenwriter Jules Feiffer has died at the age of 95. He was the illustrator of the children's classic "The Phantom Tollbooth."
Boehner Proposes 6-Week Increase In Debt Limit
House Speaker John Boehner is proposing a six-week debt ceiling increase to his Republican caucus. If adopted, it would take away the immediate threat to financial markets.
Canadian Alice Munro Wins Nobel's Literature Prize
Alice Munro, "master of the contemporary short story," has won the Nobel Prize in Literature," the Royal Swedish Academy announced Thursday morning. In 2009, she won the Man Booker International Prize for her lifetime work.
Colorado Ethics Watch To Get To The Bottom of Free Pot
Some people in Colorado opposed a measure to tax marijuana, which is now legal. Opponents of the pot tax have been giving away free joints at their campaign events. Ethics Watch says somebody is paying for the weed, and says tax opponents should disclose who made the contribution.
Hawaiian Company Adds Spam Flavored Macadamia Nuts
The Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company says the new Spam flavoring is meat free. Good news for any Spam loving vegetarians out there. President Richard Schnitzler said Spam has a cult following in Hawaii.
10 Days Into Shutdown, 'We've Got To Do Better Than This'
A partial federal shutdown has prompted angry debate nationwide. Sen. Michael Bennet, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, tells Steve Inskeep that on the budget impasse issue, "The divide between Democrats and Republicans is less than the divide that exists in the Republican Party."
Texas Couple Props Up Head Start While Government Is Closed
Laura and John Arnold of Houston have pledged up to $10 million to keep the Head Start program running in six states. The preschool program for children from low-income families abruptly closed in some areas last Friday because of a lack of funding.
Foundation To Pay Military Death Benefits During Shutdown
The partial government shutdown has forced the Pentagon to delay payments to the families of troops killed while serving in the U.S. military. Normally these families would receive a $100,000 payment three days after the death of member of the Armed Forces. More than 20 have died since the shutdown began. A private, non-profit group called the Fisher House Foundation will pay the death benefits during the shutdown.
