Around the Nation

As Vermont expands addiction treatment services, it is also coming to grips with one of the most difficult and emotional aspects of the problem: pregnant women addicted to opiates.

In Vermont, A Network Of Help For Opiate-Addicted Mothers

10:44am January 29, 2014

by Steve Zind

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin attracted national attention this month when he devoted his entire annual State of the State speech to heroin addiction in Vermont. As the state expands addiction treatment services, it's also trying to come to grips with one of the most difficult and emotional aspects of the problem: pregnant women addicted to opiates.

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Education

Political Rivals Find Common Ground Over Common Core

12:25pm January 28, 2014

by Eric Westervelt

Tea Party conservatives and some liberals agree on key criticisms as the new education standards roll out in 45 states: that they're a one-size-fits-all approach, create a de facto national curriculum, put too much emphasis on standardized tests and undermine teacher autonomy.

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Politics & Government

Capitol Hill Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Farm Bill

8:20am January 28, 2014

After a more than two-year stall, lawmakers have reached a compromise on the Farm Bill. That mammoth piece of legislation deals with agriculture policy and governs the federal food stamp program. For more on the legislation, Steve Inskeep talks to Derek Wallbank of Bloomberg News.

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The Annual Awards For Children's Books Are Out

8:20am January 28, 2014

by Lynn Neary

Flora & Ulysses, written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated in black and white by K. G. Campbell, is this year's best children's book. The American Library Association made the announcement Monday. Locomotive, by Brian Floca, is the most distinguished picture book.

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The Healthy, Not The Young, May Determine Health Law's Fate

12:37pm January 27, 2014

by Julie Rovner

Much has been made of the need for young, healthy people to sign up if the Affordable Care Act is going to work. But it may be that the key word here is not young, but healthy. Insurance companies get paid more for older people, regardless of their health.

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This handout provided by the Santa Monica Police Department shows ammunition, magazines and guns believed to have been dropped by a suspected gunman during a mass shooting at Santa Monica College in June 2013.

Education

Violence Abroad Threatens Students, As Do Guns At U.S. Schools

12:06pm January 27, 2014

by Jacki Lyden

Suicide bombings like the one that killed two university colleagues in Kabul prompt many Americans to tell themselves they're safe from targeted violence in the U.S. We know that isn't true, says NPR's Jacki Lyden.

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Taking Stock Of The Northern Plains Oil Boom

6:20pm January 26, 2014

Beginning next week, NPR News will be taking an in-depth look at the unprecedented oil drilling boom happening on the Northern Plains, where the state of North Dakota has fast become one of the nation's most productive drilling regions. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with NPR reporter Kirk Siegler, back from a recent reporting trip in North Dakota for the series.

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Cleveland police are testing thousands of rape kits, some dating back to 20 years ago.

Tested At Last, Rape Kits Give Evidence To Victims' Stories

6:20pm January 26, 2014

by NPR Staff

Like many cities nationwide, Cleveland is sending thousands of decades-old rape kits for testing. Investigators expect to reopen as many overlooked rape cases, but for some, justice comes too late.

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Published in 1943, The Little Prince is one of the world's most beloved books. AuthorAntoine Saint-Exupery wrote and illustrated the book in New York, between Long Island and Manhattan.

Books
Arts

Before He Fell To Earth, 'The Little Prince' Was Born In N.Y.

1:31pm January 25, 2014

by Margot Adler

Author Antoine Saint-Exupery was French, but his beloved book, The Little Prince, wasn't written in Paris. Saint-Exupery wrote it in New York, and even included references to the island in his original manuscript.

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Sports

In The Super Bowl Ad Game, One Small Business Will Win Big

8:55pm January 24, 2014

by Elizabeth Blair

This year, one lucky little company's professionally produced commercial will air during the Super Bowl's third quarter — all free — thanks to a contest held by the software firm Intuit. The four finalists include an organic egg farm and a natural compost supplier. For Intuit, it's a smart way to drum up more business.

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