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National

Wednesday

Phila. Police Enlist Private Cameras To Capture Crime

A camera is mounted on a building near Temple University in Philadelphia. Humberto Fernandini, with the company that owns the building, says the owners plan to register their cameras for the police department's new program. Elizabeth Fiedler for NPR hide caption

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Elizabeth Fiedler for NPR

Phila. Police Enlist Private Cameras To Capture Crime

WHYY

The police department is encouraging residents and businesses to register their security cameras in a new program called SafeCam. The department is creating a database of cameras so police know where to look for footage that may have caught a crime on tape.

Phila. Police Enlist Private Cameras To Capture Crime

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Some U.S. Farms Trade Tobacco For A Taste Of Africa

A Liberian immigrant picks African peppers on the Bowling family farm in Charles County, Md. It's one of a handful of farms experimenting with growing African produce to cater to the D.C. region's large African immigrant community. Marina Dominguez/NPR hide caption

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Marina Dominguez/NPR

Food

Some U.S. Farms Trade Tobacco For A Taste Of Africa

In states like Maryland, where agriculture was once dominated by tobacco, farmers are experimenting with new crops like African hot peppers. Local African immigrants come to pick the vegetables and spread the word.

Some U.S. Farms Trade Tobacco For A Taste Of Africa

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Would AT&T, T-Mobile Merger Hurt Consumers?

This June 2, 2010, file photo shows the AT&T logo in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Justice Department will seek to block AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile. Etienne Franchi/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Etienne Franchi/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Would AT&T, T-Mobile Merger Hurt Consumers?

Some analysts say the merger would only benefit AT&T, which would leapfrog Verizon to become the largest wireless provider in the country. In some markets, it would give AT&T more than 50 percent market share and analysts predict it would increase prices for consumers. AT&T disagrees.

After Leading Two Wars, Petraeus Retires

Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn (left) presents Gen. David Petraeus with an American flag at his retirement ceremony after 37 years in the Army, in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday. Petraeus will now lead the CIA. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

National Security

After Leading Two Wars, Petraeus Retires

Gen. David Petraeus retired from the U.S. Army on Wednesday after 37 years in uniform. The former top U.S. commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan will take over as head of the CIA.

After Leading Two Wars, Petraeus Retires

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Economy

Consumers Vs. Economists: How Perception Differs

Robert Siegel talks with Gallup's chief economist Dennis Jacobe about Americans' perception of the economy — and how it differs from that of economists.

Consumers Vs. Economists: How Perception Differs

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Researchers Recover Last Piece Of Ship At 9/11 Site

Last summer, the remains of what seemed to be an 18th century ship were found at the construction site of the World Trade Center. Earlier this month, archaeologists excavated the last piece of that ship. Robert Siegel speaks with Michael Pappalardo, who's been working at the site as an archeologist with the firm AKRF.

Researchers Recover Last Piece Of Ship At 9/11 Site

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Politics

Obama's Jobs Address To Coincide With GOP Debate

For a couple weeks, the White House has hinted that President Obama would lay out his jobs agenda after Labor Day. Well, Wednesday, Obama asked House and Senate leaders if he could address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday evening — the same day and time as a Republican presidential debate. Late Wednesday afternoon, House Speaker John Boehner said that won't work — how about the next night? NPR's Mara Liasson joins Robert Siegel to talk about this strange case of scheduling and politics.

Obama's Jobs Address To Coincide With GOP Debate

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National Security

After In-Patient Care, Troops Face Bureaucracy

As part of NPR's series on the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, we look at what happens to wounded troops once they're done with in-patient care. NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman talks to Melissa Block about the complicated bureaucracy that must be navigated — and the steps the Army has taken to make things work more smoothly.

After In-Patient Care, Troops Face Bureaucracy

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Law

Justice Department Sues AT&T

AT&T's plan to take over T-Mobile is in trouble. The Justice Department filed suit Wednesday to block the $39 billion deal. Justice officials said combining the second and fourth largest U.S. cell phone companies would hurt competition — and likely keep prices higher than they would otherwise be.

Justice Department Sues AT&T

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GOP Primary Scramble: Voting May Start Early

Campaign posters are seen in a snowbank outside a polling place in January 2008 in Manchester, N.H. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

It's All Politics

GOP Primary Scramble: Voting May Start Early

When Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announces her state's primary date this week, it could set off a scramble for influence in the GOP presidential primary sweepstakes. Voting in Iowa and New Hampshire could start as soon as December and absentee ballots could go out before Halloween.

As Water Recedes, Cleanup Of A Soupy Mess Begins

Employees at Barber's Farm in Middleburgh, N.Y., shovel muddy tomatoes left in the wake of flooding from Hurricane Irene. Jeff Brady/NPR hide caption

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Jeff Brady/NPR

As Water Recedes, Cleanup Of A Soupy Mess Begins

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says damage from Hurricane Irene flooding could total $1 billion. As the floodwaters recede, residents have begun the hard work of cleaning up in places like Schoharie County. Cindy and Jim Barber lost their house and vegetable crop when a nearby creek turned into a river.

As Water Recedes, Cleanup Of A Soupy Mess Begins

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Report: U.S. Safer Than On 9/11, But Gaps Remain

A newspaper left by visitors on May 2 in Shanksville, Pa., at the fence surrounding the crash site of Flight 93. The chairmen of the 9/11 Commission say the U.S. has improved security over the past decade, but gaps in the system remain. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images hide caption

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Reflecting On Sept. 11, 2001

Report: U.S. Safer Than On 9/11, But Gaps Remain

U.S. forces tracked down Osama bin Laden, and the country hasn't been hit by a major terrorist attack in a decade. But the co-chairmen of the 9/11 Commission say the job of making America safe is far from done.