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National

Thursday

Environment

Mount St. Helens

Researchers upgrade the chance of a mild to moderate volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens to 70 percent — possibly occurring within days. The mountain in Washington state was the site of a catastrophic surprise eruption in 1980. Hear Ley Garnet of Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Mount St. Helens

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Health

Abandoned-Mine Bill Lapse Poses Health Concerns

Dan Heyman reports from West Virginia about worries that the bill to pay for reclaiming abandoned coal mines around the country is due to expire Thursday. Congress is balking at reauthorizing the tax because of two views about funding health care for miners who worked for companies that no longer exist.

Abandoned-Mine Bill Lapse Poses Health Concerns

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From Our Listeners

Disaster Mitigation

From once-pristine beaches full of debris to beach-front condos that are now more beach than condo, rebuilding from this summer's hurricanes raises questions of costs and benefits. We discuss recovering from disaster: what it takes and who pays.

Disaster Mitigation

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Health

Drug Maker Merck Pulls Vioxx

One of the world's largest drug makers, Merck & Co., announces that it is taking its arthritis drug Vioxx off the market. A study found patients taking high doses of Vioxx had more than three times the risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death. Hear NPR's Richard Knox.

Drug Maker Merck Pulls Vioxx

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Environment

Mount St. Helens Volcano Poised to Erupt Again

Scientists in Washington state are predicting an eruption of the Mount St. Helens volcano in the next few days. NPR's Noah Adams talks with Dan Dzurisin of the U.S. Geologic Survey about the activity brewing under the surface of the already-shattered mountain, which was the scene of a massive surprise eruption in 1980.

Mount St. Helens Volcano Poised to Erupt Again

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Law

The Community Around Martha Stewart's Prison

Lifestyle maven Martha Stewart is preparing to serve time in the federal prison for women in Alderson, W.V. NPR's Noah Adams speaks with Hillary and John Benish, proprietors of Alderson Hospitality House -- a hostel for prison visitors -- about the prison and its relationship with the community.

The Community Around Martha Stewart's Prison

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Politics

House Votes to Lift D.C. Gun Ban

The House has voted to lift a ban on handguns in the nation's capital. Indiana Republican Mark Souder sponsored the bill, saying the current ban "failed miserably," but Democratic opponents allege the vote was about election year politics. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

House Votes to Lift D.C. Gun Ban

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Economy

Loans to U.S. Airlines Questioned

With several airlines struggling to survive, there are growing questions about the federal government's role in propping up the industry. There are some who say the government, through a series of loan guarantees and grants, has allowed airlines to postpone making hard choices. Hear NPR's Jack Speer.

Loans to U.S. Airlines Questioned

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U.S. Initiates Missile Defense

The White House is expected to announce the deployment of a national missile defense system, an early policy favorite of the Bush administration. The Pentagon recently installed its fifth missile interceptor in Ft. Greeley, Ala. But critics say it has yet to be tested effectively. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.

U.S. Initiates Missile Defense

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Studying Top Defense Contracts

A new report finds the Defense Department now spends half of its entire budget on private contractors. The study also found that the top 50 contractors received more than half of all the money and were more likely to get contracts without competitive bidding. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

Studying Top Defense Contracts

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Morning Edition

Debate Coaches Prep Candidates

One of the best ways for a presidential candidate to prepare for a debate is to have someone act as a stand-in for their opponent. Sam Popkin helped President Jimmy Carter in 1980 by taking on the role of Ronald Reagan in mock debates. Popkin, now a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego, talks about what it's like to take part in the process. Hear Popkin and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Debate Coaches Prep Candidates

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Casino Lobbyist Faces Questions of Influence Peddling

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee grilled a lobbyist, who, with his business partner, collected millions of dollars in fees from tribes operating casinos. Jack Abramoff, who has close ties to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination as senators read back e-mails where Abramoff made insulting and racist remarks about Native Americans. NPR's John Ydstie reports.

Casino Lobbyist Faces Questions of Influence Peddling

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