Bush Expands Intel Chief's Role July 31, 2008 • President Bush has signed an executive order revising rules for intelligence agencies and expanding the national intelligence director's powers. Congressional Republicans are irked over what they say is disrespect for congressional oversight in the process. Bush Expands Intel Chief's Role Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93144951/93143757" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Bush Expands Intel Chief's Role Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93144951/93143757" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Calif. Budget Battle Gets Heated July 31, 2008 • With a $15.2 billion shortfall, California's budget is a month late. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign an order Thursday to cut 200,000 state employees' salaries back to minimum wage to save the state money. He wants a budget proposal by Friday. Calif. Budget Battle Gets Heated Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143793/93144685" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Calif. Budget Battle Gets Heated Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143793/93144685" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Environment Tycoon Pickens Backs Town Halls To Spur Wind July 31, 2008 • Texas oil and gas tycoon T. Boone Pickens is launching town hall meetings across what he calls the "Wind Belt" of America. The first meeting is in Kansas where there is an intense battle between supporters of wind energy and coal-fired power plants. Tycoon Pickens Backs Town Halls To Spur Wind Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143790/93120121" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tycoon Pickens Backs Town Halls To Spur Wind Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143790/93120121" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Technology Texting While Walking May Be Dangerous July 31, 2008 • This week, the American College of Emergency Physicians issued an alert warning of the dangers of text-messaging while walking and driving. Dr. Angela Gardner, an emergency physician at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, says texting while walking is a growing problem that is growing bigger every day. Texting While Walking May Be Dangerous Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143765/93143750" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Texting While Walking May Be Dangerous Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143765/93143750" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Stockton, Calif., Hopes To Gain From Housing Bill July 31, 2008 • Stockton, Calif., has the worst foreclosure rate of any city in the country: One out of every 25 homes has received a foreclosure filing. The housing-rescue bill signed by President Bush this week could help those in the city affected by the downturn. Stockton, Calif., Hopes To Gain From Housing Bill Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143762/93143749" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Stockton, Calif., Hopes To Gain From Housing Bill Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143762/93143749" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy GDP Data Add Fuel To Recession Debate July 31, 2008 • The U.S. gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 1.9 percent in the second quarter of 2008. But some economists note that GDP doesn't account for the plummeting house prices and job losses squeezing American consumers. GDP Data Add Fuel To Recession Debate Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143759/93143748" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
GDP Data Add Fuel To Recession Debate Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143759/93143748" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
News Analysis Administration Puts Ideology First July 31, 2008 • NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency have suppressed research findings, and the Justice Department used ideology to hire candidates for nonpolitical positions. The Bush administration is putting ideology ahead of policy — and the facts. Administration Puts Ideology First Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143771/93143752" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Administration Puts Ideology First Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93143771/93143752" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World U.S. Civilians Recruited To Help Troubled Nations July 31, 2008 • The State Department hopes patriotism will compel American civilians to leave their comfortable lives in the U.S. for far-flung locales and potentially dangerous work: saving states the U.S. classifies as "failing." Critics say the program will be seen as nation building.
Law What Will Happen To Justice Department Hires? July 31, 2008 • A recent report found that the Justice Department illegally hired conservative lawyers who were sometimes unqualified, and now some wonder how to fix the situation. One plan would remove civil service protections from those hired through the flawed process. What Will Happen To Justice Department Hires? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93140796/93143758" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
What Will Happen To Justice Department Hires? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93140796/93143758" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Environment Maryland Residents Asked To Cut Energy Use July 31, 2008 • Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, would like to see a 15 percent per-capita reduction in energy use by 2015. But achieving this reduction will require residents to change everyday behaviors and use more energy-efficient technologies. Maryland Residents Asked To Cut Energy Use Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93032462/93111032" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Maryland Residents Asked To Cut Energy Use Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93032462/93111032" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Law Stevens Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Charges July 31, 2008 • Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he lied about gifts from an oil services contractor. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, was indicted earlier this week on seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms.
Diversions An Ode To Leo, The MGM Lion July 31, 2008 • Eighty years ago today, movie audiences first heard the roar of the MGM lion. And it's been echoing ever since. What explains this audio logo's multigenerational appeal? An Ode To Leo, The MGM Lion Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129861/93129822" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
An Ode To Leo, The MGM Lion Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129861/93129822" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Town Dreads Starbucks' Departure July 31, 2008 • Starbucks has announced that it will be closing more than 600 stores nationwide. In Country Club Hills, Ill., the single Starbucks served as a sign of community success. As it shuts its doors, residents are questioning the health of their town. Town Dreads Starbucks' Departure Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129850/93129819" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Town Dreads Starbucks' Departure Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129850/93129819" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
What's the New What? Stun Guns Are The New Pepper Spray July 31, 2008 • Youth Radio commentator Jordan Monroe says instead of carrying drab, boring pepper spray, people are picking up stun guns in animal prints and neon colors. Stun Guns Are The New Pepper Spray Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129856/93129821" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Stun Guns Are The New Pepper Spray Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129856/93129821" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Doughnuts So Good They Make Starbucks 'Jealous' July 31, 2008 • The lines trailing around the corner of a small doughnut chain in Seattle caught the eye of Starbucks bigwigs. Soon the husband-and-wife team was in doughnut "boot camp," boxing hundreds of treats to sell nationwide for the coffee company. Doughnuts So Good They Make Starbucks 'Jealous' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129853/93129820" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Doughnuts So Good They Make Starbucks 'Jealous' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93129853/93129820" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript