Law High Court Considers Disability Access on Cruise Ships February 28, 2005 • Are cruise ships legally required to be accessible to physically disabled passengers? The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in a case testing whether the federal Americans with Disabilities Act applies to foreign-registered cruise ships that dock in the United States.
Politics Texas Candidates Sue DeLay PAC over Campaign Contributions February 28, 2005 • A civil trial begins in Austin, Texas, involving a political action committee associated with House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Five defeated Democrats allege that illegal corporate campaign contributions were funneled by DeLay to Republican opponents.
Political Analysis Following Europe Trip, Bush Looks to Domestic Issues February 28, 2005 • NPR's Cokie Roberts talks about President Bush's European trip and where his domestic agenda stands.
Padilla Must Be Charged or Released, Judge Rules February 28, 2005 • A federal judge rules that the government must either charge Jose Padilla with a crime or release him. The Bush administration has been holding Padilla as an enemy combatant since 2002.
Milwaukee Police Officers Charged in Man's Beating February 28, 2005 • Felony charges have been filed against three white Milwaukee police officers for their alleged roles in beating of a black man at a party last fall. The police officers were off-duty and attending the party at the time of the alleged attack.
Law Opening Arguments Begin in Jackson Case February 28, 2005 • Opening arguments begin in the child molestation case against Michael Jackson. The prosecution accuses Jackson of exposing a 13-year old boy to "strange sexual behavior." Jackson's attorneys counter that the boy's family is only after money and has no credibility.
World U.S. Considers Incentives to Combat Iran Nuclear Production February 28, 2005 • The Bush administration is weighing the possibility of offering Iran incentives to continue negotiating with Europeans, who have been attempting to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Opinion A Winter Lament from the Central Plains February 28, 2005 • Our commentator says the good people of Kansas have always had to put up with their share of terrible weather, without getting any credit for it.
Environment Pacific Lumber Seeks Right to Cut More Redwoods February 28, 2005 • One of Northern California's oldest and most controversial timber companies says it needs permission to harvest more of its ancient redwoods. Pacific Lumber Company says its fate rests with its ability to cut more trees, but critics say the company's proposal threatens the local environment.
Law High Court Weighs Cruise-Ship Disability Access February 28, 2005 • A case before the Supreme Court tests whether foreign-flag cruise ships operating in U.S. waters must comply with federal disability access law.
Business Federated Buys Department Store Rival May February 28, 2005 • The merger of Federated and May will bring together well-known department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field's under one corporate roof. But the new company faces formidable obstacles, ranging from the power of Wal-Mart to the waning influence of department stores in general.
Environment Biologists Train Dog to Hunt Everglades Python February 28, 2005 • Biologists are training a beagle dubbed Python Pete to catch Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park before they eat native wildlife. The snakes are the progeny of pets dumped there by their owners.
Media News Outlets Choosing their Words Carefully February 28, 2005 • Some news organizations are giving extra thought to how they use words and phrases like reform, moral values, and war on terror. Brooke Gladstone of NPR's On the Media explores how some media outlets decide what to say, and how to say it.
The Michael Jackson Trial Jackson's Child Molestation Trial Gets Underway February 28, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with NPR's Carrie Kahn about the commencement of the trial of pop icon Michael Jackson on child molestation charges.
Books Other Cultures, 'In Other Words' February 28, 2005 • Every language has words that express unique ideas — words that just don't translate very well into English. At the same time, those can be the exact ideas that tell us the most about another culture. Author Christopher J. Moore discusses these concepts and his new book In Other Words.