U.S. News and National Top Stories : NPR

Sept. 11 Compensation Fund

August 31, 2003 • Nearly two years after the Sept. 11 attacks, only about 40 percent of the victims' families have filed claims with the U.S. government's victim compensation fund. The deadline is Dec. 22, and some local and federal officials express concern that so few have filed. Hear Kenneth Feinberg, who oversees the distribution of the fund.

Few Families File with Sept. 11 Compensation Fund

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Labor Secretary on Economy

August 31, 2003 • U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao says despite a 6.2 unemployment rate, the U.S. economy is recovering. Chao credits President Bush's jobs and growth package and says the administration has plans to deal with the loss of millions of jobs in the manufacturing sector. Hear Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Harley Shaiken of the University of California Berkeley.

Illinois School Cuts Principal's Position to Save Costs

August 31, 2003 • In an effort to save the district money, Illinois' Mundelein High School eliminates the principal's job and other administrative positions. Superintendent Stan Fields says other school officials can take over the principal's duties, but the state's principals association questions the lack of leadership. Hear NPR's Cheryl Corley.

Illinois School Cuts Principal's Position to Save Costs

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Decline in Male Teachers Worries Educators

August 30, 2003 • The National Education Association says the number of male teachers in public schools has fallen to a 40-year low. There are exceptions, of course. Walter Brown, who teaches English at Fairpark High School in Shreveport, La., speaks with NPR's Jacki Lyden.

Decline in Male Teachers Worries Educators

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Massachusetts Mayor Tests FDA over Canadian Drugs

August 30, 2003 • The mayor of Springfield, Mass., is at odds with the Food and Drug Administration over a cost-cutting plan. He's using Canadian suppliers to acquire bulk quantities of prescription drugs for the city's 9,000 employees. Prescription drug costs account for nearly 20 percent of the city's budget -- and they're up to 80 percent cheaper at Canadian pharmacies. Pippin Ross reports.

Massachusetts Mayor Tests FDA over Canadian Drugs

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Hatfill Sues over Anthrax Probe

August 30, 2003 • Steven Hatfill, the former bioweapons expert, and current subject of an FBI anthrax investigation, has filed a lawsuit claiming his rights have been violated. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.

Hatfill Sues over Anthrax Probe

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California Passes Sweeping Domestic Partner Law

August 29, 2003 • California lawmakers approve a measure that would give same-sex couples -- and certain unmarried couples -- new rights and obligations nearly as wide-ranging as those available in Vermont. Gov. Gray Davis has pledged to sign the measure. Opponents vow to block it in the courts. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

California Passes Sweeping Domestic Partner Law

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Janklow Charged in Death

August 29, 2003 • U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow (R-SD) is charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with a car accident that killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist earlier this month. Authorities say Janklow, who has a history of speeding, was driving too fast and ran a stop sign before the crash. Janklow is one of his state's most revered and powerful politicians. Hear Kurt Nickish of South Dakota Public Radio.

S. Dakota Congressman Charged with Manslaughter

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Janklow Charged in Road Death

August 29, 2003 • U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow (R-SD) is charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of a 55-year-old motorcyclist killed earlier this month in a collision with Janklow's automobile. Janklow, 63, is accused of speeding and running a stop sign before the crash. Because the charge is a felony, the House Ethics Committee is likely to investigate. Hear Kurt Nickish of South Dakota Public Radio.

Sept. 11 Transcripts Released

August 29, 2003 • Transcripts of Sept. 11 emergency calls, released by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, highlight public safety officials' early response to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Andrea Bernstein of member station WNYC reports.

Sept. 11 Transcripts Tell a Disturbing Story

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Schwarzenegger Takes Campaign on the Road

August 29, 2003 • Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance in Fresno Thursday was the film star's first major campaign stop outside the Los Angeles area in a campaign to replace California Gov. Gray Davis. The Republican hopeful visited an elementary school, a food-processing plant and a shopping mall, playing to a friendly crowd. Tamra Keith of member station KQED reports.

Schwarzenegger Takes Campaign on the Road

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Good Timing Aided Bustamante's Rise

August 29, 2003 • California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante could be the state's next governor -- if his fellow Democrat, Gov. Gray Davis, is recalled in an Oct. 7 vote, and if Bustamante wins the most votes in a parallel election. Bustamante worked as a staff member in the state assembly for many years. Supporters say he has a knack for listening -- and for being in the right place at the right time. NPR's Richard Gonzales reports.

Good Timing Aided Bustamante's Rise

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Radio History: March On Washington Recalled

August 28, 2003 • Forty years ago Thursday, radio storyteller Jean Shepherd took a crowded bus from New York City to participate in the March on Washington. The next day, he went on the air and shared the experience from his perspective in the crowds. He had been surprised by the good-natured attitude of most of the demonstrators, and by how they had been received by regular people walking around in the city. We hear an excerpt from his broadcast of Aug. 29, 1963.

Radio History: March On Washington Recalled

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Transcripts of Sept. 11 Calls Released

August 28, 2003 • The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey releases transcripts of emergency calls and radio transmissions made by some Port Authority workers who were in the World Trade Center towers on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. The release of the transcripts comes two weeks before the second nniversary of the terrorist attacks. Hear Andrea Bernstein of member station WNYC.

Transcripts of Sept. 11 Calls Released

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Lawsuit Challenges Military Rule on Gays

August 28, 2003 • A new lawsuit challenges the military's treatment of homosexuality, known as the "don't' ask, don't tell" policy. The suit was inspired by the U.S. Supreme Court's June ruling that a Texas anti-sodomy law violated the right to privacy. But some legal experts say privacy rights don't exist in the military. Hear NPR's Jackie Northam.

Lawsuit Challenges Military Rule on Gays

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