News

The Straight Dope: The use of steroids and blood doping traces back at least into the 1970s.

Sports

Love Of Victory In The Time Of Steroids

12:18pm October 02, 2013

by Frank Deford

On Sept. 27, 1988, Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his 100-meter gold medal when tests showed a performance-enhancing drug in his system. As Alex Rodriguez appeals his illegal doping ban from Major League Baseball, Frank Deford reflects on a historical moment of drug use among athletes.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Did Kenyan Soldiers Loot Mall During Fight With Terrorists?

11:00am October 02, 2013

by Gregory Warner

The allegations have shaken people in Nairobi, who just a week ago were hailing the soldiers as heroes after Islamic militants stormed an upscale mall and killed dozens. President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to set up a commission to look into lapses in intelligence and security, and to investigate the accusations.

Queue Listen Now

A sign warns would-be buyers at the Annapolis Gun Show in Annapolis, Md., in September of the state's pending gun control law. The new law, which took effect Tuesday, bans the purchase of many types of assault rifles.

National

New Maryland Firearms Law Rides In On A Wave Of Gun Sales

8:05pm October 01, 2013

by Jacob Fenston

Gun sellers in the state say they couldn't keep their shelves stocked in the days leading up to the implementation of the law, which takes effect Tuesday. The legislation requires gun buyers to be fingerprinted, limits bullet purchases and bans the sale of many assault weapons.

Queue Listen Now

In Florida, Insurer And Nonprofits Work On Enrollment

7:05pm October 01, 2013

by Greg Allen

Florida resisted implementing the Affordable Care Act. Now, in the absence of the state encouraging people to sign up for insurance on exchanges set up under it, other groups have stepped in.

Queue Listen Now

The Religious Alternative To Obamacare's Individual Mandate

4:54pm October 01, 2013

by NPR Staff

The new federal health law has a few exemptions from its insurance mandate, including health care sharing ministries. Members pay a monthly fee to help cover some of each other's medical costs — but there are no guarantees.

Queue Listen Now

Who's peering through your digital data?

Your Digital Trail, And How It Can Be Used Against You

4:43pm October 01, 2013

NPR and the Center for Investigative Reporting are documenting just how vivid the typical person's digital picture has become — and how easy it can be for others to see it.

Queue Listen Now

Steve Inskeep interviews President Obama in the Oval Office on Monday for NPR's Morning Edition.

After Shutdown, A Familiar Feeling At The White House

11:17am October 01, 2013

by Steve Inskeep

In his interview with President Obama on Monday, NPR's Steve Inskeep says some of the president's remarks were reminiscent of what he said in 2011 during the debt ceiling crisis. One stark difference, however, was the president's firmness. "Absolutely I will not negotiate," the president said.

Queue Listen Now

Then-Gov. Mitt Romney signs the Massachusetts health care bill in Boston on April 12, 2006.

Lessons For The Obamacare Rollout, Courtesy Of Massachusetts

9:23am October 01, 2013

by Richard Knox

Seven years ago, Massachusetts launched its own experiment with health insurance exchanges. Those involved in that experiment say it's gone smoothly, and as a result, 97 percent of the state's residents now have health coverage. Some called the program Romneycare; some still do.

Queue Listen Now

Phantom Vibration Syndrome: That phenomenon where you think your phone is vibrating when it's not.

National

Phantom Phone Vibrations: So Common They've Changed Our Brains?

10:09pm September 30, 2013

by Elise Hu

The feeling that your phone is vibrating when it isn't has been around long enough to warrant scientific research. One psychologist recommends taking regular breaks from our phones to keep anxiety down.

Queue Listen Now

President Barack Obama talks about the government shutdown during a media availability following Obama's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Obama On The GOP: 'I Shouldn't Have To Offer Anything'

10:09pm September 30, 2013

by Eyder Peralta

In an interview with NPR, President Obama said Republicans can still avert a government shutdown, but when asked if the House has come up with a bill he would approve of, he answered flatly, "No."

Queue Listen Now