Around the Nation

Birdstone (right), ridden by Edgar Prado, upsets horse Smarty Jones to win the Belmont Stakes in 2004. Smarty Jones was one of a dozen horses since 1978 to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown, only to lose at the Belmont.

Why Is It So Hard For A Horse To Win The Triple Crown?

10:38am June 04, 2014

by Joel Rose

It's been 36 years since a horse won racing's ultimate trifecta. For California Chrome to break the drought Saturday, the colt must contend with challenges that have stymied a dozen horses before him.

Queue Listen Now

RoboCop Throws Out First Pitch At Tiger's Game

8:32am June 04, 2014

Detroit fans may have wished he pitched the whole game. The Tigers lost to Toronto 5-3.

Queue Listen Now

Cesar Chavez Is Running For Congress In Arizona

8:32am June 04, 2014

The labor activist died more than 20 years ago. But in a heavily Latino district, a long-shot candidate in the Democratic primary sought to improve his chances by changing his name to Cesar Chavez.

Queue Listen Now

Sen. John McCain discussed the Veterans Choice Act at a news conference on Tuesday, with fellow Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.

Can Civilian Health Care Help Fix The VA? Congress Weighs In

8:03pm June 03, 2014

by Quil Lawrence

In response to the crisis in lengthy wait times for medical care, Congress and veterans groups again are debating the proper role of private sector solutions.

Queue Listen Now

Bursts Of Light Create Memories, Then Take Them Away

4:38pm June 03, 2014

by Jon Hamilton

Scientists seem to have answered a fundamental question about the nature of memory. They have found compelling evidence that memories are made by strengthening connections between certain brain cells.

Queue Listen Now

Do Autistic Kids Fare Better In Integrated Or Specialized Schools?

4:03pm June 03, 2014

by Deena Prichep

Some advocates say autism-only schools can be life-changing for autistic kids who struggle in traditional classrooms. Others say segregating kids with autism carries its own problems.

Queue Listen Now

Albuquerque's Weather? Cloudy With A Chance of Grasshoppers

7:57am June 03, 2014

The insects are swarming the city so densely that local radar is mistaking them for rain clouds. Officials say it's the worst infestation in 20 years.

Queue Listen Now

U.S. Ambassador Sworn In On E-Reader

7:57am June 03, 2014

Ambassador Suzi LeVine became the U.S. representative to Switzerland and Liechtenstein on Monday. She took the oath of office on an electronic copy of the Constitution.

Queue Listen Now

National

When A Bullet Misses Its Target, It Can Still Kill

1:08pm June 02, 2014

by NPR Staff

In places where bullets fly regularly, there's a new kind of "duck and cover" lesson for kids. The impact of stray bullets isn't widely studied, but their indiscriminate nature is known all too well.

Queue Listen Now

A sign announcing the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl sits outside the Power House restaurant in Hailey, Idaho.

Sgt. Bergdahl's Hometown Rejoices At His Long-Awaited Release

10:32am June 02, 2014

by Jessica Robinson

Bowe Bergdahl spent five years in Taliban captivity; he was released Saturday. He is still weeks away from returning to his hometown of Hailey, Idaho, where residents are celebrating his freedom.

Queue Listen Now