NSA Questioned on Scope of Domestic Spying Domestic Spying Leak Draws Justice Department Probe December 31, 2005 • The Justice Department has begun an investigation into the source of The New York Times report that the National Security Agency was spying on American citizens within the United States without court approval.
Health Care Medicare Drug Program Goes Live December 31, 2005 • Medicare's new prescription drug program takes effect Sunday. People who have already signed up will begin paying monthly premiums. A look at five potential beneficiaries illustrates retirees' approach to the program.
Terror War Changes Role of Police Chiefs December 31, 2005 • Hurricane Katrina forced us all to reflect on responsibilities of federal and local law enforcement. But Miami Police Chief John Timoney and Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton both say that their attention is more focused than ever on protecting their cities from terrorist attack.
Waiting to Watch the Walleye Drop December 31, 2005 • Proud of its fishing prowess, the Lake Erie town of Port Clinton, Ohio, calls itself the walleye capital of the world. Eleven years ago, Mayor Tom Brown began a New Year's Eve tradition: the town drops a 600-pound fiberglass walleye to ring in the New Year. He tells Linda Wertheimer about the = custom. =20
Politics Wisconsin Likely to Remain a Battleground State December 31, 2005 • Wisconsin is a politically divided state highly contested by Republicans and Democrats. Gov. Jim Doyle, a first-term Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, a conservative Republican, both believe they represent the state's future.
Dakar Rally Off to a Roaring Start December 31, 2005 • The annual Dakar Rally, an off-road race from Europe to Africa, may be the world's toughest motorsport event. This year, a long line of cars, trucks and motorcycles set out from Lisbon, Portugal, on the 5,619-mile journey.
Northern California Rains Flood Highways December 31, 2005 • Torrential rain in Northern California causes rivers to flood and prompts officials to close many highways in the region. Steve Sharpe of the Sonoma County Emergency Operation Center speaks with Debbie Elliott.
World National Guard Unit Helps Ailing Iraqi Baby December 31, 2005 • Members of a Georgia National Guard unit are helping make sure an Iraqi infant is treated for a severe spinal defect. Photojournalist Bill Putnam is following the story for North Country Public Radio.
Familiar Voices, Fresh Hopes December 31, 2005 • How to measure a year? In storms and votes and battles, in song, in literature and in poetry, and in the voices of people who lived through it all. Debbie Elliott speaks again with subjects interviewed in 2005 -- among them Allen Toussaint, at left -- to hear about their hopes for a new year.
Lost & Found Sound Big Mamma Revisited December 31, 2005 • Quest for Sound curator Jay Allison reviews our year in listener contributions, which all were entered into a database we called "Big Mamma."
Poetry End-of-Year Reflections from Ted Kooser December 31, 2005 • As we reach the end of the year, U.S. poet laureate Ted Kooser joins host Melissa Block to read a reflection — in prose — on welcoming in a new year, from his book Local Wonders.
Global Returns Building a University, and Hope, in Ghana December 30, 2005 • After nearly 20 years in the U.S., Patrick Awuah left his job at Microsoft and returned to his native Ghana. His goal: to help educate Africa's future leaders in ethics and entrepreneurship.
NSA Questioned on Scope of Domestic Spying Justice Department Confirms Hunt for Spy-Story Source December 30, 2005 • The Justice Department confirms it is investigating the source of a New York Times' story on a National Security Agency program that includes domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens without a warrant. The story broke earlier this month after the newspaper delayed publication for more than a year.
Day to Day The Year in Fashion December 30, 2005 • Writer Najwa Moses reviews what worked and what didn't in the world of style -- from diamonds in your teeth to cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles...
Politics Memorable Moments on the Senate Floor December 30, 2005 • The U.S. Senate prides itself on being the greatest deliberative body in the world, and few would question its devotion to deliberating. Senate speechmaking is a part of that process, and this past year has brought performances on the Senate floor that will not soon be forgotten.