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National

Online Education Grows Up, And For Now, It's Free

Coursera founders Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller are computer science professors at Stanford University. Jeff Chiu/AP hide caption

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Jeff Chiu/AP

Education

Online Education Grows Up, And For Now, It's Free

Top universities are embracing free online education. Dozens of schools, such as the University of Pennsylvania, are now offering classes to thousands of people across the world. But what will this mean for the future of the classroom, and the brand of the universities involved?

The Man Who Jump-Started Presidential Debates

Vice President Richard Nixon listens as Sen. John F. Kennedy talks during their televised presidential race debate. This photo was made from a television screen in New York, Oct. 21, 1960. AP hide caption

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AP

The Man Who Jump-Started Presidential Debates

Four years before the famous Kennedy-Nixon face-off, a student at the University of Maryland wanted to see whether the nominees in 1956 — Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson — might want to engage with students. His effort failed, but ultimately set in motion the televised debates we know today.

Being 'Better Off' May Not Be Enough To Win Colo.

President Obama speaks during a campaign event at University of Colorado Boulder Sept. 2. He and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, will have their first debate at the University of Denver on Wednesday. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

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Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Politics

Being 'Better Off' May Not Be Enough To Win Colo.

KUNC

Certain sectors of the state's economy are more robust than they were four years ago, but that doesn't mean everyone's happy with the recovery. The state is sharply divided about the role of government in the economy, an issue that will be at the forefront of the upcoming presidential debate there.

Presidential Race

Campaigns Prepare For Highly Anticipated Debates

Wednesday, President Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney will face each other on the same stage for the first time. It will be one of three opportunities before the election. It could be one of the last opportunities for the candidates to sway voters who haven't yet made up their mind. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Scott Horsley and Ari Shapiro, who have been on the trail with the Romney and Obama campaigns.

What Winning The 'Catholic Vote' Means Today

Archbishop John J. Myers stands outside Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J. The archbishop has urged followers to assess the presidential candidates for their views on abortion and gay marriage. Mel Evans/AP hide caption

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Mel Evans/AP

Politics

What Winning The 'Catholic Vote' Means Today

Catholics used to reliably side with Democrats, in large part because of the labor union movement. But after a century of integration, the group started to look like the rest of the American constituency. But out of this population, two new voting blocs have emerged — with more reliable preferences.

Former 'New York Times' Publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Dies At 86

New York Times publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger in his office in 1973. Anthony Camerano/AP hide caption

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Anthony Camerano/AP

The Two-Way

Former 'New York Times' Publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Dies At 86

The New York Times prospered under Sulzberger's guidance, leading the way in financially difficult times through innovation and savvy management. Under Sulzberger, the paper added sections and editions, won 31 Pulitzer prizes, and played a historic role in defending the First Amendment.

Former 'New York Times' Publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Dies At 86

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Tylenol Bottles: Hard To Open For 30 Years

Thirty years ago this weekend, seven people died from ingesting Tylenol that had been poisoned. Since then, Johnson & Johnson has overhauled its packaging. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

Health

Tylenol Bottles: Hard To Open For 30 Years

WBEZ Chicago

In the days when over-the-counter drugs weren't so tamper-proof, seven people died taking poisoned Tylenol. Packaging has tightened up since then, and today, the way Johnson & Johnson handled the situation is still considered textbook crisis management.