Accessibility links
U.S. News and National Top Stories NPR coverage of national news, U.S. politics, elections, business, arts, culture, health and science, and technology. Subscribe to the NPR Nation RSS feed.

National

Wednesday

Atlanta Faces Daunting Sewer Rebuild

A federal judge's ruling that Atlanta's sewer system violates the Federal Clean Water Act prompts the city to begin replacing thousands of miles of sewer pipes. Replacing the pipes, many of which are nearly 100 years old, is expected to cost over $3 billion -- a price to be absorbed primarily by local citizens and businesses. Susanna Capelouto of Georgia Public Broadcasting reports.

Atlanta Faces Daunting Sewer Rebuild

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1804678/1804679" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Nader's 'Second Front' in 2004

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader says he'll meet with Democrat Sen. John Kerry next month to talk about forming a "second front" in the effort to defeat President Bush in the fall. Many Democrats fear Nader's candidacy could tip the election to Bush. Nader talks with NPR's Bob Edwards.

Nader's 'Second Front' in 2004

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1804263/1804264" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Bush, Kerry Spar over Gas

As gas prices hit a record high, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry attacks President Bush for failing to do enough to address the situation. Meanwhile, the Bush campaign launches ads accusing Kerry of supporting a hike in gas taxes. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

Bush, Kerry Spar over Gas

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1803871/1803872" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Business

OPEC Cuts May Raise Gas Prices

OPEC maintains its pledge to cut oil production by 4.1 percent, a move that could send U.S. gasoline prices higher. The White House called the move disappointing and said it was stepping up discussions with oil producers outside of the cartel. OPEC supplies about a third of the world's oil. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

OPEC Cuts May Raise Gas Prices

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1804686/1804687" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Panel Eager for Rice Testimony

Commissioners investigating the Sept. 11 attacks say they're eager to hear National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice's account of the events leading up to the 2001 terror attacks. They want to compare her testimony to that heard last week from former counter-terrorism official Richard Clarke, who blasted the Bush administration for mishandling the al Qaeda threat. Hear NPR's Pam Fessler.

Panel Eager for Rice Testimony

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1803885/1803886" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday

Rice's Silence Legal But Risky

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice has refused to testify publicly before the panel investigating the Sept. 11 attacks. Former national security advisors Zbigniew Brzezinski and William Clark say Rice's refusal is in accord with the law and history of executive privilege, but it endangers the nation's trust in the Bush administration. Hear NPR's Juan Williams, Brzezinski and Clark.

Rice's Silence Legal But Risky

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1802189/1802190" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Gay Marriage Setback in Mass.

Massachusetts legislators approve a measure that would ban same-sex marriages but establish civil unions. The state constitutional amendment still needs approval from the 2005-2006 legislative session and from voters in 2006. The move comes as the state is under court order to allow gay marriages starting May 17. Hear NPR's Tovia Smith.

Gay Marriage Setback in Mass.

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1802173/1802174" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Liberal Radio to Hit Airwaves

A new liberal radio network is scheduled to take to the airwaves Wednesday, March 31. Headlined by comedian Al Franken's new show "The O'Franken Factor," the Air America network aspires to offer an alternative to conservative talkers like Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. Hear NPR's Robert Smith.

Liberal Radio to Hit Airwaves

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1803345/1803346" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Congress Gets New WMD Report

Charles Duelfer, who replaced David Kay as the CIA's chief weapons inspector in Iraq, reports his team has found "dual-use facilities and ongoing research" that could produce biological or chemical agents, but no weapons stockpiles. In reporting to Congress, Duelfer described the difficulty of getting Iraqi scientists to discuss their work. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.

Congress Gets New WMD Report

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1803343/1803344" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Rice Will Testify Under Oath

The White House, bowing to pressure from both Republicans and Democrats, agrees to allow National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to testify -- in public, and under oath -- before a commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks. The decision follows former anti-terror expert Richard Clarke's statements criticizing the Bush administration. Hear NPR's Pam Fessler, NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Don Gonyea.

All Things Considered Audio

Audio for this story is unavailable.

Supreme Court Denies Release of Foster Photos

The Supreme Court unanimously rules against releasing photographs from the investigation of the death of former Clinton administration lawyer Vincent Foster, citing privacy concerns. A California attorney had sued for the photographs' release, claiming Foster might have been murdered. Multiple investigations have determined that Foster died from a self-inflicted gunshot. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

Supreme Court Denies Release of Foster Photos

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1803319/1803320" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

High Court Hears Foreign Abduction Case

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in a case that the Bush administration says has the potential to dramatically limit its power to fight the war on terror. At issue is whether the U.S. government and its agents are liable for damages when they kidnap someone in a foreign country and bring him to the United States for trial. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

High Court Hears Foreign Abduction Case

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1802177/1802178" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Monday

Change in Student-Aid Drug Law Urged

Critics of a federal law that denies federal student aid to anyone convicted of a drug offense push for the alteration or revocation of the 1998 measure. The law's opponents -- including its writer, Rep. Mark Souder, say it unfairly penalizes students for past drug use and treats marijuana possession more harshly than murder. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports.

Change in Student-Aid Drug Law Urged

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1800347/1800348" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Abortion Law Tested in Courts

Trials begin in three states over a new federal law banning certain types of abortion. Abortion-rights activists oppose the law, saying it erodes a woman's right to choose abortion by threatening all second-trimester abortions. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Robert Smith.

Abortion Law Tested in Courts

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1800353/1800354" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">