U.S.

David Goldhill (second from left) talks with Dan Hilferty of Independence Blue Cross, Kevin Nazemi of Oscar Insurance and Sam Nussbaum of WellPoint in a conversation about health costs. Moderator Avik Roy is at far left.

Making The Human Condition Computable

5:03pm December 11, 2014

by Eric Whitney

Technological advances are making it easier for you and your doctor to track your health and to find treatments for complex diseases. But the technology may be costly and there are privacy pitfalls.

Kentucky Says Noah's Ark Theme Park Won't Get Tax Breaks

4:31pm December 11, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

Kentucky says the Christian group behind the project wouldn't commit not to discriminate in its hiring on the basis of religion. The group says it will challenge the state's decision.

A shipment of experimental Ebola vaccine is opened at a hospital in Geneva.

Unexpected Joint Pain Seen In Test Of Experimental Ebola Vaccine

4:00pm December 11, 2014

by Richard Harris

A major donor has pledged $300 million to distribute an Ebola vaccine in Africa, as soon as one is available. Vaccine development is proceeding, but there have been hiccups.

Lame Duck Congress Waddles Up Against A Deadline

2:52pm December 11, 2014

As Congress wraps up, it still must pass a federal budget, address immigration and release a torture report. NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Washington correspondent Mara Liasson about the agenda.

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GOP Unseats Sen. Mary Landrieu In Louisiana

2:52pm December 11, 2014

Republicans have reason to party in New Orleans this weekend. The GOP picked up a ninth Senate seat in Louisiana's runoff election Saturday — and by a wide margin.

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National

'Rolling Stone' 'Blurred The Lines' In Its Campus Rape Story

2:52pm December 11, 2014

Rolling Stone has backed away from a story that put the University of Virginia under scrutiny. NPR's Rachel Martin talks with Emily Renda, who handles sexual misconduct response and prevention at UVA.

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Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, pictured at a gathering last week of African-American clergy, academics and activists outside Washington D.C.

In Troubled Times, Does 'The Black Church' Still Matter?

2:52pm December 11, 2014

by Michel Martin

As the nation endures a season of racial tension, NPR's Michel Martin talks about the mission of the black church and whether it remains relevant in the social justice movement.

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National

Talking Point Or Proof Of Value: CIA Tactics And The 'Second Wave' Plot

2:15pm December 11, 2014

by Steve Inskeep

The CIA and its defenders disagree with the Senate Intelligence Committee report on whether enhanced interrogations prevented a group of 17 Pakistanis from attacking the U.S. just after Sept. 11.

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A weather map showing a rain forecast for the next seven days.

National

'Pineapple Express' Brings Winds, Rain To Northern California

2:02pm December 11, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

There are power outages and school closures, as well as flight and transit delays. But the system will provide some relief to farmers affected by a three-year drought.

There's a real lack of math learning in pre-K. In one study, in fact, just 58 seconds out of a full preschool day was spent on math activities.

Why Math Might Be The Secret To School Success

2:01pm December 11, 2014

by Anya Kamenetz

A new study is focusing on what works best to prepare kids for school. Math may be what really counts, say researchers; one of them describes it as "a lever to improve outcomes for kids longer term."

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