Around the Nation

Peace Dove Fights Off Sea Gull At Vatican March

10:44am January 30, 2013

The Caravan of Peace is an annual march at the Vatican. As Pope Benedict looked on, two doves, symbolizing peace, were released into St. Peter's Square. It was beautiful until a sea gull assaulted one of the doves. But the dove fought off the much larger gull.

Queue Listen Now

Gnomes Allowed To Stay On Utility Poles

10:44am January 30, 2013

About 2,300 tiny painting of gnomes have appeared on utility poles all over Oakland, Calif. Since the little guys showed up last year, full-sized residents got into the spirit — blogging and tweeting new sightings. Pacific Gas and Electric was going to evict the bearded figures but when the anonymous artist appealed, PG&E backed off.

Queue Listen Now

Dan McKown, who confronted a gunman at a shopping mall in 2005, says he doesn't regret his actions, although he was shot five times and is now in a wheelchair.

National

Armed 'Good Guys' And The Realities Of Facing A Gunman

8:18pm January 29, 2013

by Martin Kaste

As the nation ponders how to stop the next mass shooting, the gun rights movement offers one controversial answer: armed civilians. In 2005, one such private citizen tried to stop a mass shooting at a mall in Washington state — and paid a heavy price.

Queue Listen Now

In Night Clubs, The Steps Taken To Prevent Tragic Fires

6:24pm January 29, 2013

The deadly nightclub fire in Brazil that claimed more than 230 lives is a tragic addition to an all-too long list of historic incidents. Ray O'Brocki, of the Baltimore Fire Department, explains how night clubs and other high-capacity facilities deal with fire safety.

Queue Listen Now

Jennie and Kristian Aspelin pose in a pumpkin patch with their children two weeks before three-month-old Johan died.

Health & Safety

Dismissed Case Raises Questions On Shaken Baby Diagnosis

3:27pm January 29, 2013

by Joseph Shapiro

Kristian Aspelin had one thing in his favor: enough money to pay for medical experts. The experts were able to convince prosecutors that his infant son's death was an accident.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

It's Time For 'A Rational Approach' To Immigration

8:36am January 29, 2013

An immigration plan announced Monday by a bipartisan group of senators would create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country and overhaul legal immigration. It also calls for improved border security and better tracking of individuals in the U.S. on visas. Steve Inskeep talks with one of the senators behind the plan, Republican Jeff Flake from Arizona.

Queue Listen Now

Two Is A Coincidence, Three Is A Trend

8:36am January 29, 2013

A house in Oklahoma City has been dubbed "the twin house" after a third consecutive couple living there had twins. The current tenants said they didn't believe in the twin mojo when they moved in.

Queue Listen Now

Virginia To Repeal 'Living In Sin' Law

8:36am January 29, 2013

In Virginia, it is illegal to be an unmarried couple in the same home. Since the 1870s, the state has banned "lewd and lascivious cohabitation." Now a state Senate committee has approved a measure to repeal that law.

Queue Listen Now

Miner Steve Ator cleans a drill bit inside the Lincoln Project Mine, in Sutter Creek, Calif.

National

New Gold Rush Has Little Luster For Some In The Golden State

6:23pm January 28, 2013

by Lauren Sommer

More than 150 years ago, prospectors moved to California hoping to strike it rich. Now, companies are reopening hard rock mines that have been shut down for decades, but past experiences with environmental damage have made some communities leery of gold diggers.

Queue Listen Now

The Silver Lining In Drought: 5 Upsides To Rain-Free Weather

6:23pm January 28, 2013

by Sarah McCammon

Drought is mostly seen as a bad thing — and for good reason. But the upsides include fewer mosquitoes, less polluted runoff and greater awareness of climate change.

Queue Listen Now