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National

Sunday

Is U.S. On The Verge Of A Nuclear Renaissance?

With concerns over energy costs, diminishing resources and climate control, the Obama administration is pushing for more nuclear power. This month, the president pledged $8 billion in loan guarantees, some of which would go to America's first new nuclear plant in nearly three decades. Host Guy Raz explores what advocates hope will be a nuclear renaissance — and the issues of safety and waste disposal that still concern opponents.

Is U.S. On The Verge Of A Nuclear Renaissance?

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Nuclear Plant Developers Thinking Small

As interest in nuclear power revives, plant developers are thinking small. They're working on modular reactors as small as a house. They could be built for a fraction of the cost of current large-scale ones. But what about safety and other concerns? Host Guy Raz looks into the mini-nuclear boom.

Nuclear Plant Developers Thinking Small

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Leak Soured Public's Confidence In Vt. Nuclear Plant

Vermont legislators voted to close the state's only nuclear power plant last week. It's one of the nation's oldest commercial reactors, and it is leaking radioactive tritium. The plant's owner wanted permission to extend Vermont Yankee's operating license, but the leak and other issues have damaged the public's confidence in the plant and the owners.

Leak Soured Public's Confidence In Vt. Nuclear Plant

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Sports

'Night Train' Delivers American Gold Medal Record

American Steve Holcomb and his four-man "Night Train" sled made bobsled history at the Olympic sliding track in Whistler Saturday. They won the gold medal, something Americans haven't done in the sport in 62 years. The finish also adds to the record medal haul for Americans at a single Winter Olympics.

'Night Train' Delivers American Gold Medal Record

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Health Care

A Health Care Issue Both Parties Can Agree On

Thursday's White House summit on health care highlighted the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans, but they do agree on some issues. One of them is that insurers should not be allowed to retroactively cancel health insurance policies.

A Health Care Issue Both Parties Can Agree On

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U.S., Mexico Join Efforts To Combat Drug Traffic

Last week, American and Mexican officials met in Washington to ramp up efforts to combat illegal drug use and the problems it causes. Some of those issues are all too visible in the U.S., where addiction touches the lives of millions, as well as in Mexico, where thousands of soldiers, police, prosecutors and civilians have been murdered in the battle between the government and drug traffickers. Liane Hansen speaks with Gil Kerlikowske, the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, about recent efforts to stem the flow of drugs from Mexican by decreasing the demand in the U.S.

U.S., Mexico Join Efforts To Combat Drug Traffic

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Food

Florida's Deep Freeze Puts The Squeeze On Tomatoes

WGCU

It's been a tough winter for Florida's tomato crop. A devastating freeze last month wiped out production by 70 percent. The state provides almost all of the tomatoes consumed in the U.S. during this time of year. Farmers are struggling, and soon consumers will notice it too.

Florida's Deep Freeze Puts The Squeeze On Tomatoes

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'Pesticide Drift' Eluding Efforts To Combat It

KQED

Pesticides carried from farm fields by the winds make hundreds of Californians ill each year — and advocates for stricter controls say many more cases go unreported. The state passed a law in 2004 to address the problem, but the law hasn't stopped people from getting sick.

'Pesticide Drift' Eluding Efforts To Combat It

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Saturday

Is Amnesty International Supporting a Jihadist?

Amnesty International defends the rights of detainees around the world — including those in Guantanamo Bay. Now the organization is defending itself from the reputations of some of those those same prisoners. Host Guy Raz speaks with Gita Sahgal, a senior official with Amnesty who was suspended after publicly criticizing the group's affiliation with one former Guantanamo detainee. He also talks with Amnesty's Widney Brown about the tension between protecting the rights of terror suspects and promoting their views.

Is Amnesty International Supporting a Jihadist?

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Chile Quake: Emergency Without Parallel

Tsunami Warnings Sound Around Pacific

The massive earthquake in Chile this morning set off a massive wave of tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Hawaii. Host Scott Simon speaks with Brian Shiro of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center about evacuation plans for Hawaii and his projections about potential tsunamis.

Tsunami Warnings Sound Around Pacific

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Chile Quake: Emergency Without Parallel

Voices From Chile's Quake

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile early Saturday. Host Scott Simon hears from Anita Herrera, a hotel operator in Santiago, the capital, and Carolina Millan, who is in Vina del Mar, near Valparaiso on the coast of Chile.

Voices From Chile's Quake

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Health Care

After Health Care Summit, Obama Prepares To Move Ahead

The White House says President Obama will make an announcement next week about how he wants to proceed with health care legislation. The move comes after a day-long meeting on Thursday with both Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders where Obama raised the profile and raised the stakes on the gap between Democrats and Republicans over health care. That doesn't get the bill done, but it may move the debate a decisive step closer to endgame.

After Health Care Summit, Obama Prepares To Move Ahead

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Sports

Olympics Conclude With Its Own Comeback Story

The 2010 Winter Games began in tragedy, but taken in their totality, can they be considered a success? Host Scott Simon talks with sports writer Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN the magazine, who has been in Vancouver covering the Olympics.

Olympics Conclude With Its Own Comeback Story

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