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Solutions

Hawaii: Frontline for Conservation

Botanists will go to great lengths to track down and capture their prey. In the first of two reports this week from the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, one botanist battles knee-deep mud and curtains of fog in search of a rare orchid. His goal is to preserve its seed.

Hawaii: Frontline for Conservation

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Diversions

What's Ahead in 2008

On this last day of 2007, rather than look back at the year that was, All Things Considered is getting a jump on events to come in 2008. There are the biggies of course: the U.S. presidential election in the fall and the summer Olympics in Beijing. But there are a host of other milestones and commemorations to note.

What's Ahead in 2008

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Katrina & Beyond

Mississippians Divided on How to Spend Katrina Aid

There's a debate in Mississippi over how to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in federal money granted after Hurricane Katrina. Advocates for low-income people claim Mississippi is not providing enough of the funds to its poorest residents.

Mississippians Divided on How to Spend Katrina Aid

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Election 2008

Huckabee Wavers, Then Shows Critical Romney Ad

Three days before the Iowa caucuses, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee had an unusual news conference. He had promised to unveil a negative ad about Mitt Romney. But at the conference, Huckabee said he would take the high road by not airing the ad. But then he played it.

Huckabee Wavers, Then Shows Critical Romney Ad

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Election 2008

Edwards in Iowa's Spotlight as Finish Line Nears

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards lags in national polls, but he remains very much in the race in Iowa, where he has a tight organization and strong rural support. Will that translate into a top-two finish in Thursday's caucuses, as it did in 2004?

Edwards in Iowa's Spotlight as Finish Line Nears

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Research News

NASA Releases Cryptic Airline Safety Study

NASA on Monday dumped 29,000 lines of raw data onto the Internet to fulfill a promise to release information about the safety of air travel. NASA declined to say what the data meant, but the space agency previously had refused to release the information at all because it feared scaring the public and hurting the aviation industry.

NASA Releases Cryptic Airline Safety Study

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Election 2008

Iowa Songwriter: 'Get Outta Our Town'

Kyle Munson of the Des Moines Register and songwriter Jason Walsmith discuss their song which begs politicians to leave them alone. The pair is fed up with political ads, but admits to enjoying the attention on their state.

Iowa Songwriter: 'Get Outta Our Town'

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Election 2008

Obama Campaign Sets Up Office in Alaska

Presidential candidates rarely pay much attention to Alaska. Sen. Barack Obama has shocked and delighted residents, therefore, by opening a site in Anchorage. It's part of a grassroots strategy to reach states that will choose a nominee on Feb. 5.

Obama Campaign Sets Up Office in Alaska

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Grandson Tells of 'Debaters' Coach Tolson's Legacy

Ken Tolson is the real-life grandson of Melvin B. Tolson, whose work as an educator, mentor and poet is highlighted in the new film The Great Debaters. The story gives moviegoers a look at the life of Tolson, and the all-black debate team that historically defeated an all-white team in the 1930s.

Grandson Tells of 'Debaters' Coach Tolson's Legacy

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Fascinating in '07

The Year of Gonzales

San Diego Tribune columnist Ruben Navarrette discusses former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, his ascent to power, his eventual resignation, and how being the first Hispanic U.S. attorney general changed him and the nation.

The Year of Gonzales

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The Opinion Page

Columnist Predicts 'Gloom' and 'Ungloom' in 2008

Los Angeles Times columnist Joel Stein peers into his crystal ball and offers his list of predictions — both good and bad — for 2008. His op-ed, "And You Don't Want to Know What's Going to Happen to Britney," speculates about the future of the White House, the writers' strike, Facebook and more.

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A Look Back at the Top Stories of 2007

Guests from the Pew Research Center, National Geographic and Foreign Policy magazine talk about the major news stories of 2007. They'll also touch on stories that made headlines in other countries but didn't attract attention in the United States.

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Help Ahead for Black Farmers

A Senate-approved farm bill will give thousands of black farmers a chance to seek compensation over allegations that they were denied loans because of their race. For more, Farai Chideya talks with John Boyd, president of the Black Farmers Association.

Help Ahead for Black Farmers

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Environment

Bureaucracy Floats Through the Everglades

Seven years ago, the federal government announced grand plans to help the state of Florida restore the Everglades. Since then, almost nothing has been accomplished, frustrating environmentalists and officials in Florida alike.

Bureaucracy Floats Through the Everglades

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