Religion African-American Churches Weigh Gospel Debate July 31, 2005 • The rise of "mega-churches" in the African-American community has helped draw people back to religion. But some traditional black pastors find the growth of these churches worrisome, saying their leaders focus on messages of personal prosperity and are neglecting the civil rights struggle.
Editor Roundup July 31, 2005 • Kate Nelson, managing editor of the Albuquerque Tribune in New Mexico; Bob Kittle, editorial page editor of the San Diego Union Tribune in California; and Ron Dzwonkowski, editorial page editor at the Detroit Free Press in Michigan discuss currenct events, including the split in the AFL-CIO, congressional action on the energy and transportation bills, the San Diego mayor and the ongoing war in Iraq.
Space NASA Adds a Day to Shuttle Mission July 31, 2005 • NASA has extended the Space Shuttle Discovery's mission by a day to provide more time to move supplies to the International Space Station. The move comes after NASA decided to ground the shuttle fleet after foam broke away from Discovery's external fuel tank during launch last week.
Politics Capitol Hill Sees Busy Week July 31, 2005 • Host Liane Hansen speaks with NPR's political editor Ron Elving about a very busy week on Capitol Hill. Issues include the energy and transportation bills, the nominations of John Roberts to the Supreme Court and John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's declaration supporting stem-cell research and the labor movement's troubles.
Virginia Church Welcomes Four-Legged Friends July 31, 2005 • Many churches offer blessings for pets on St. Francis of Assisi Day each October. But one congregation just outside Washington, D.C., offers regular worship services for pets and their people.
Religion Nearly 180 Years Old, Bible Camp Still Has Spirit July 31, 2005 • In the 1800s, American frontier towns and agricultural communities far from churches saw the rise of summer revival camps. Traveling preachers would bring evangelism to the countryside. The tradition is still going strong at a bible camp in Georgia dating back to 1828.
Whistling in Maine July 31, 2005 • Independent producer Richie Duchon sends an audio postcard from Portland, Maine, where he found a man whistling in the city's old port.
Business TV, Film Productions Lured Back to the United States July 31, 2005 • A few years ago, film and TV production fled the United States for Canada and Eastern Europe. Now, several U.S. states are offering financial incentives to lure movie production back. Between the weak dollar and the incentives, it seems to be working.
Lost & Found Sound Wynken, Blynken and Nod July 30, 2005 • A singing trio in Chicago in the 1920s, NPR's Kathy Schalch recently discovered her grandmother Gay was Wynken and her Aunt Lu was Blynken to a series of Nods.
Counterterrorism: Training Transportation Screeners July 30, 2005 • Sgt. Peter DiDomenica of the Massachusetts State Police tells Scott Simon how he goes about training airport and mass transit security screeners to recognize potential terrorists. It's the first of a series on efforts to fight terrorism.
Sports Filly 'Pink Ribbons' Runs for Cancer Patients July 30, 2005 • Pink Ribbons is a racehorse with a special purpose. A portion of the filly's winnings go to help cancer patients in Toledo, Ohio. Owners Nancy Greenfield and June White have each faced breast cancer.
Big Unions Split from the AFL-CIO Chicago Laborites Appraise AFL-CIO Schism July 30, 2005 • Chicago has deep historic ties to the labor movement. But do blue collar workers there still feel a kinship with the union cause, and are they following the rift that has split apart the AFL-CIO?
World Nobel Winner Cautious on IRA Pledge to Disarm July 30, 2005 • The Irish Republican Army's pledge to disarm and work within the political process was welcome news to Mairead Corrigan Maguire. She won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for helping found the Belfast organization, The Peace People. Jacki Lyden gets Maguire's thoughts on the announcement.
On the Spin Cycle for Iowa's Ragbrai Race July 30, 2005 • This week, thousands of bicyclists are pedaling across Iowa in the annual Ragbai race. John Freyer met up with cyclists and found that pork chops, pie, and potato salad motivate them to complete the 500-mile trek. He sends an audio postcard.
Food The Sticky Joys of Frozen Custard July 30, 2005 • You may think you've seen frozen custard. More likely it was swirly soft-serve ice cream. Frozen custard is different. Liz Davis of the Del Ray Dreamery in Alexandria, Va., explains why.