WATCH: 'One Today,' An Inaugural Poem
Richard Blanco became the fifth poet to read at the inauguration of a United States president.
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Gun Background Checks Need Fixes, Experts Say
One of President Obama's gun control proposals appears to have widespread support — universal background checks for gun purchases. Some experts on mental health and gun violence find problems with the current laws, and they say the system doesn't do a very good job of predicting and preventing gun crime.
A Look At Memorable Moments From Past Inaugurations
Stories of complications and quotations abound, from Nixon's second inauguration till today.
A Chilly, Musical Morning As Inauguration Crowds Gather
Staten Island's PS22 student choral group performs as people file onto the National Mall hoping for a glimpse of President Obama later.
'A Number Of Crises' Facing Obama In W. Africa, Beyond
Steve Inskeep talks with Michele Flournoy, who served as undersecretary of defense for policy in the Obama administration. Flournoy weighs in on foreign policy challenges facing the president in his second term.
Will The Grass Be Greener In Obama's Second Term?
One of the chief expectations of those who voted for President Obama is that he moves assertively to pass climate change legislation, whatever the political climate in Washington. But that won't be easy given the polarization in Washington.
Former Anti-GMO Activist Says Science Changed His Mind
For years, British environmental activist Mark Lynas vandalized genetically modified food crops. Then, he had a change of heart. He went in front of the world to reverse his position, telling the anti-GMO lobby to "get out of the way and let the rest of us get on with feeding the world sustainably."
New Reading Standards Aim To Prep Kids For College — But At What Cost?
Almost the entire country has signed onto the Common Core Standards Initiative. The standards incorporate more nonfiction texts across all subjects to improve reading scores. But some fear the push for nonfiction reading could lead students away from passionate engagement with literature.
On Campaign Promises Report Card, Obama Did 'Pretty Well'
The president's record on keeping his campaign promises over the last four years: 47 percent, according to the watchdog PolitiFact. A boon to Obama's promise-keeping came from the passage of big-name programs like the economic stimulus package and the education program Race to the Top.
Figuring How To Pay For (Chimp) Retirement
The National Institutes of Health owns or supports almost 700 chimps. But the question of where they go when no longer needed for research is a thorny one: NIH money to support retired chimps in sanctuaries has been limited by Congress.