Around the Nation

Fixing Long Lines At The Polls May Be Harder Than You Think

5:00am February 12, 2013

by Pam Fessler

President Obama is expected to once again address Election Day problems in his State of the Union address, this time with some possible solutions. But some worry that involving Congress will just make things worse. And one MIT professor says it's not yet clear what would fix the problem.

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Obama Speech To Set Second Term's Tone

5:00am February 12, 2013

by Mara Liasson

President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night will pick up where his inaugural speech left off. He's expected to bring up the issues of the economy, overhauling immigration, gun control and the budget.

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Gas, Oil Booms Bring Complications To Small Towns

3:39pm February 11, 2013

The discovery of oil and natural gas in Wyoming, Colorado and North Dakota has created a new generation of boomtowns. The explosive growth generated by the oil and gas drilling is often accompanied by an influx of new labor. The small towns near the fields wrestle to balance the economic advantages of the boom with the dramatic changes it brings to these tight-knit communities.

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Blizzard Conditions Don't Stop Happy Events

11:41am February 11, 2013

Donna Ambrosia went into labor in Norwich, Ct. She inched toward the hospital in an ambulance behind a snowplow. The baby was born in the parking lot. In Maine, Karen Willis and Greg Beal went ahead with their wedding.

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Romance Can Be Tricky For Fortune Cookie Messages

11:41am February 11, 2013

The New York Post reports that Brooklyn-based Wonton Food is nixing its slightly suggestive fortunes after parents complained about children reading them.

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Turkey vulture droppings can strip paint, kill grass and sicken pets. The droppings also smell really bad.

Vultures Beware: Virginia Town Targets Flock Of Unwanted Visitors

7:34am February 11, 2013

by Liz Baker

In the town of Leesburg, Va., a flock of 200 turkey vultures takes over suburban backyards every few years. Despite their seeming abundance, the birds are protected by federal law, so the residents called in backup for some official vulture harassment.

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Rise Early And Shine: Teachers And Students Try Out Longer School Days

4:58pm February 10, 2013

by Charles Lane

Kids may not like the idea of extending the average six-hour school day, but some educators and politicians do. They are experimenting with ways to increase enrichment classes and make it affordable for school districts.

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National

Crews Clean Up Northeast Blizzard

6:51pm February 09, 2013

by Jeff Brady

As crews dig out from a record-breaking snow storm in New England, there are new worries about flooding. The National Weather Service reported waves three stories high off the coast. NPR's Jeff Brady reports from Boston.

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National

For Some In Minneapolis, National Gun Debate Hits Close To Home

12:11pm February 09, 2013

by David Welna

Earlier this week, President Obama was in Minneapolis advocating new limits on guns; no law or set of laws, he said, can keep children completely safe. NPR's David Welna sent this reporter's notebook about what he heard from some of those engaged in the gun debate in his home state.

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Brookfield, Vt., residents fear that Postal Service changes will eventually lead to the closing of their small town post office. About 1,300 people live in Brookfield, according to 2010 U.S. Census figures.

For Rural Towns, Postal Service Cuts Could Mean A Loss Of Identity

12:11pm February 09, 2013

by Steve Zind

The U.S. Postal Service's decision to end Saturday delivery comes on the heels of a plan to reduce hours at many rural post offices. In Vermont, residents of small towns are worried the change is another step toward the eventual demise of their local post offices.

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