Story of the Day

Don Gonyea (far right, in vest) interviewing Johnny Cash in 1981.

Music & Culture

The Man In Black Goes To The County Fair

10:26pm February 23, 2013

by Don Gonyea

Working as a DJ at his local radio station in 1981, NPR's Don Gonyea snagged the interview of a lifetime. Johnny Cash stopped to answer questions before taking the stage at the Monroe County Fair in Michigan.

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At A Trade Show, Power Tools Fit For The Amish

9:59pm February 22, 2013

by Robert Smith

The Amish don't drive and don't connect to the electrical grid. Yet a growing number of Amish people are leaving farming for manufacturing. That means they need tools — and power.

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The recession put a dent in Sims-Wood's savings, and she expects she'll have to stay in the workforce "forever."

When A Bad Economy Means Working 'Forever'

8:34pm February 20, 2013

by Ina Jaffe

Janet Sims-Wood, 67, is like millions of other seniors still working in order to make ends meet. For the part-time librarian, the recession put a huge dent in her savings, so she expects she'll have to work as long as her health allows.

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As part of homecoming ceremonies at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state in January, Army Spc. Tyler Jeffries — with crutches and prosthetic legs — joins his unit in formation as the national anthem is played. The homecoming marked the first t

National

A Wounded Soldier Stands Tall At Reunion With His Platoon

8:18pm February 19, 2013

by Quil Lawrence

U.S. Army Spc. Tyler Jeffries lost both legs in a roadside bombing last October in Afghanistan, and he has been learning to walk on prosthetic legs. But Jeffries was determined to meet his buddies when they returned from duty in January.

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The Baby Doll Ladies pose during Mardi Gras in New Orleans on Tuesday.

National

The 'Baby Dolls' Of Mardi Gras: A Fun Tradition With A Serious Side

1:17pm February 19, 2013

by Tina Antolini

The baby dolls were born from racial segregation in New Orleans in 1912. A group of African-American prostitutes decided to express themselves through dance and costumes, challenging taboo by parading during Mardi Gras.

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Vernon Hugh Bowman lives outside the small town of Sandborn, Ind.

National

Farmer's Fight With Monsanto Reaches The Supreme Court

8:35pm February 18, 2013

by Dan Charles

On its surface, the case is about whether farmers can use seeds derived from patented crops. But the bigger question is, how much control does a company have over its patented products once they're in the hands of consumers?

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Wooden angels memorialize the victims of Adam Lanza's shooting spree in Newtown, Conn., last December. An upcoming Frontline documentary seeks to provide new details about Lanza and his mother, Nancy.

National

The 27th Victim: Nancy Lanza Is Subject Of 'Frontline' Documentary

8:13pm February 15, 2013

The documentary Raising Adam Lanza seeks a more complete view of Nancy Lanza and her son, a young man who was described as smart and awkward as a teen — and who later killed 27 people in Newtown, Conn. The documentary is built on the work of PBS Frontline and The Hartford Courant.

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John David, 73, teaches fitness classes to help older people stay healthy and fit. Here he teaches an hourlong class at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.

For One Senior, Working Past Retirement Age Is A Workout

8:29pm February 13, 2013

by Ina Jaffe

John David, 73, is one of the many faces of a growing group of Americans: seniors who work. The former TV producer switched careers in his 50s, becoming a fitness instructor. "This turned out to be the real calling," he says.

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Capt. Art Gaeten holds a blue shark that was caught during a research trip in Nova Scotia. Scientists are studying the impact of swordfish fishing methods on the shark population.

Is Sustainable-Labeled Seafood Really Sustainable?

1:19pm February 13, 2013

Industry demand for the "sustainable seafood" label, issued by the Marine Stewardship Council, is increasing. But some environmentalists fear fisheries are being certified despite evidence showing that the fish population is in trouble — or when there's not enough information to know the impact on the oceans.

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Chris (right) and Renee Wiley pose for a wedding photo on Times Square in New York in December. Same-sex marriage in New York state became legal in July 2011.

National

Amid Daily Struggles, Gay Rights Movement Embraces Watershed Moments

10:22pm February 09, 2013

by NPR Staff

Support for gay marriage is growing, and the Supreme Court is set to take on the issue this spring. But while some in the gay community say equal rights are in sight, issues like employment discrimination can still dominate on the ground.

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