Around the Nation

Shifts In Race Relations Since Obama's Election

2:34pm January 15, 2013

President Barack Obama's election in 2008, sparked many discussions about how race relations would change in the United States. Many Americans hoped that the election of a black man to the highest office would provide opportunities for breakthroughs in racial equality and understanding.

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Minnesota National Guard Capt. Jeff Pratt, who has nearly 20 years of military service under his belt, found a civilian job with the help of a new jobs program led by the Minnesota National Guard.

Training Program Aims To Prep Soldiers For Civilian Jobs

10:11am January 15, 2013

by Jess Mador

Thousands of Minnesota soldiers deployed in Kuwait woke up to a surprise last spring. Just weeks before the end of their tour, a group of corporate recruiters showed up on base. The visit was part of a new strategy to help returning service members find jobs after they've hung up their uniforms.

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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Speaks

7:46am January 15, 2013

Thomas had gone seven years without saying a word in oral arguments. Then, on Monday, Justice Thomas made a remark. Several justices were talking at once, leaving his exact words unclear. But a detailed contextual analysis by The New York Times suggests he told a joke.

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James Truman inspects a grapefruit tree for frost damage on his 21-acre citrus farm northwest of Phoenix.

National

Homeless Seek Shelter, Crops Suffer Amid Southwest Cold Snap

6:33pm January 14, 2013

by Peter O'Dowd

With consecutive days of subfreezing temperatures, homeless shelters say they're short on supplies and their budgets are stretched. Meanwhile, farmers are working to fight freezing temperatures that could affect the size and quality of this year's crops.

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Florida's Python Problem: Snakes Reshape The Everglades

4:01pm January 14, 2013

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission launched its first ever "Python Challenge." More than 800 hunters have registered for the month-long competition aimed at harvesting Burmese pythons. University of Florida professor Frank Mazzotti talks about the threat they present to the ecosystem of the Everglades.

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As religious as this country may be, many Americans are not religious at all. The group of religiously unaffiliated — dubbed "nones" -- has been growing.

Losing Our Religion: The Growth Of The 'Nones'

3:27pm January 14, 2013

by Heidi Glenn

As religious as this country may be, many Americans are not religious at all. The group of religiously unaffiliated – dubbed "nones"-- has been growing. One-fifth of Americans say they're nones, as are one in three under 30. They're socially liberal and aren't looking for an organized religion.

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Better Bring Your Own: University Of Vermont Bans Bottled Water

3:27pm January 14, 2013

by Kirk Carapezza

When students at the University of Vermont resume classes on the snow-covered Burlington campus Monday, something will be missing. UVM is the latest university to ban on-campus sales of bottled water.

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Denver Mayor Must Dance Like Ray Lewis

3:27pm January 14, 2013

The mayors of Denver and Baltimore made a friendly wager when their teams met in the NFL playoffs. When Baltimore won in overtime Saturday, it was disaster for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The mayor must now dance like Ray Lewis. The soon-to-retire Baltimore star does an awkward but enthusiastic sideline dance before games.

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Couple With Same Name Files For Divorce

3:27pm January 14, 2013

Kelly Hildebrandt became famous in 2009 for marrying a man with the identical name. But the Hildebrandts have separated and filed for divorce. Miami's WTVJ quotes Mr. Hildebrandt saying, "She's a Florida girl, and I'm a Texas guy." He says they're from different worlds.

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Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, has retired. He'll start working with the Center for American Progress, a progressive research and policy organization, on issues of faith and gay rights.

Retired Bishop Gene Robinson On Being Gay And Loving God

2:25pm January 14, 2013

The first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church will start work with the Center for American Progress, focusing on issues of faith and gay rights. "Gay is not something we do," he says. "It's something we are." His book God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage was published in September.

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