Around the Nation

Gun Hearing Airs Issues, Disagreements On Solutions

6:33am January 31, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

More than 200 people crowded into a Senate building on Wednesday for the first hearing on gun violence since the tragic shootings at a Connecticut elementary school. Lawmakers have proposed any number of new regulations — from banning assault rifles to closing loopholes in the background check system.

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International ships call at the busy Port of New Orleans. It's a major shipping convergence point on the Mississippi River. Ships come upriver from the Gulf of Mexico with imports from abroad, and barges come downriver, bringing U.S. goods for export.

Drought Causes Ripple Effect Along Mighty Mississippi River

8:30pm January 30, 2013

by Debbie Elliott

Low water upstream threatens cargo traffic, and saltwater has encroached on the mouth of the river. Now, officials up and down the river are talking about the need for a comprehensive water resources plan.

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When Superstorm Sandy came ashore, Bellevue Hospital was quickly submerged. Inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency marked the flood line in the basement with orange tape or spray paint. In some areas, water was 14 feet deep.

Bellevue Hospital's Slow Comeback After Superstorm Sandy

6:18pm January 30, 2013

by Fred Mogul

Repairs to the New York City hospital are expected to allow a full reopening in early February. Engineers have been working around the clock to make everything is ready. Bellevue hasn't been able to care for trauma patients since the storm. That has put a strain on neighboring hospitals.

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During the Vietnam War, more than 58,000 Americans died, as well as more than 2 million Vietnamese soldiers and civilians.

War And Foreign Policy Through The Eyes Of Vietnam Veterans

3:25pm January 30, 2013

by NPR Staff

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmed Sen. John Kerry as the next secretary of state. Former Sen. Chuck Hagel is set to become the next secretary of defense. Critics and supporters of the men point to their service in Vietnam as a critical qualification.

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To Fight Addiction, FDA Advisers Endorse Limits On Vicodin

2:38pm January 30, 2013

by Rob Stein

Painkillers containing the drug hydrocodone have provided relief to many in pain. But a panel recommended the federal government place restrictions on access to the drugs to lessen the odds of addiction.

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Politics & Government

Immigration, Gun Legislation And The Shakeup In Iowa

2:27pm January 30, 2013

NPR's Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics, from the new proposals for immigration policy, to the Senate testimony on gun control legislation. Kathie Obradovich, political columnist for the Des Moines Register, about the retirement of Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and the politics of Iowa in 2014.

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Ongoing beach nourishment, like this project in Viriginia Beach, has been the topic of debate. Some people say it's needed to protect beach communities; others decry the costs.

National

Debate Over Rebuilding Beaches Post-Sandy Creates Waves

12:49pm January 30, 2013

by Jennifer Ludden

Federal disaster aid could mean billions more for rebuilding eroded beaches. Supporters say doing so offers crucial protection against storms. But longtime critics charge it's counterproductive and a waste of taxpayer dollars, especially in an era of sea-level rise.

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Nearly 44 percent of Americans don't have enough savings or other liquid assets to stay out of poverty for more than three months if they lose their income, according to the Corporation for Enterprise Development.

Study: Nearly Half In U.S. Lack Financial Safety Net

11:03am January 30, 2013

by Pam Fessler

In his inaugural address, President Obama envisioned a nation where even "the poorest child knows she has the same chance to succeed as anyone else." But a new report finds that 44 percent of Americans do not have the savings to cover basic expenses for three months if they lose their income.

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Politics & Government

Latino Voters Help Push Immigration Changes Forward

10:44am January 30, 2013

by Scott Horsley

President Obama told a friendly audience in Las Vegas Tuesday that the prospects are bright for an overhaul of immigration laws, now that bipartisan congressional leaders are on board. The new sense of urgency comes after Latinos turned out in large numbers last fall to help re-elect the president.

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Competition, High Bills Hurt Cable Companies

10:44am January 30, 2013

by Neda Ulaby

It's called cord-cutting when people give up their cable TV subscriptions because they feel they get enough to watch over the air and the Internet. Cord-cutting is a big fear for cable TV companies. But there's something new for them to worry about: Young people who never get cable subscriptions in the first place.

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