Law Senate Confirms Alito as Supreme Court Justice January 31, 2006 • Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. became the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, confirmed with the most partisan victory in modern history after a fierce battle over the future direction of the high court.
Economy Eyes Turn to Bernanke at the Fed January 31, 2006 • When Ben Bernanke takes the reins of the Federal Reserve from Alan Greenspan, he will instantly become one of the most influential people in the world. Bernanke knows the Fed inside out, but that's very different from being the sheriff of the global economy.
Energy, Health Care Central to Upcoming Presidential Address January 31, 2006 • President Bush delivers his fifth State of the Union address Tuesday night. The president is expected to talk about ways to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, and control rising health care costs. Other key topics will include the war in Iraq, Iran's nuclear program and last week's Palestinian elections.
Economy Challenges Await New Federal Reserve Chair January 31, 2006 • Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will preside over his last interest-rate meeting Tuesday after more than 18 years in the post. Waiting in the wings is his successor, economist Ben Bernanke. Steve Inskeep talks with David Wessel, deputy Washington bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal.
Penn. Legislators Who Granted Pay Raise Under Fire January 31, 2006 • Last summer, the Pennsylvania legislature granted itself a major pay increase. The middle-of-the-night move spawned outrage, and eventually the raise was abolished. But the anger that started with the raise has spawned a movement to unseat the incumbents who approved it in the first place.
State of Union Used to Launch New Themes, Programs January 31, 2006 • The Atlantic Monthly's James Fallows discusses how President Bush has used his annual State of the Union address in the past. Rather show what the government has done, the president has used the speech to launch new programs, such as the war on terror and his ill-fated Social Security reform.
Obituaries Andrew Young Remembers Coretta Scott King January 31, 2006 • Civil rights activist Andrew Young talks about the life and work of Coretta Scott King. Young, the former mayor of Atlanta and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is currently professor of public affairs at Georgia State University.
President Bush's State of the Union Address January 31, 2006 • The advance text of President Bush's 2006 State of the Union address.
Opinion Analysis Slate's Jurisprudence: Alito Confirmed, Enron Trial January 31, 2006 • Some Democratic senators tried a filibuster to stop it from happening, but Judge Samuel Alito was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday in a 58-42 vote. Madeleine speaks with Slate legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick about the confirmation vote, and also about some of the legal proceedings in the case against two former Enron executives.
World Tijuana Residents Rally Against High Crime Rate January 31, 2006 • Middle- and upper-class residents of the border city of Tijuana, Mexico, are protesting the rising violence and lawlessness in the region. Amy Isackson of member station KPBS reports on the high crime rate, and how hundreds of locals are rallying against it.
A Brief History of the State of the Union Speech January 31, 2006 • President Bush delivers his fifth state of the union address Tuesday night. Alex Chadwick talks with NPR political editor Ken Rudin about some of the speeches made by presidents in the past, and how Bush's previous speeches rank among them.
Obituaries Coretta Scott King Carried On Husband's Work January 31, 2006 • Coretta Scott King, the widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., has died. She was 78 years old, and suffered a serious heart attack and stroke last August. Madeleine Brand looks back at King's life and her efforts to carry on her husband's civil rights work.
Music 'Irrational Exuberance': Music Inspired by Greenspan January 31, 2006 • Outgoing Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan once used a colorful phrase to describe the unbridled enthusiasm of stock market investors: "irrational exuberance." Robert Pound, an associate professor of music at Dickinson College, thought the phrase would make a great title for a piece of music.
News & Notes Sen. Brownback on Alito's Nomination January 31, 2006 • Ed Gordon speaks with Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), about Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito. Brownback talks about Alito's record on civil rights and why he thinks the nominee is a good choice for the high court.
Obituaries The Legacy of Coretta Scott King January 31, 2006 • Coretta Scott King, the widow of civil rights pioneer the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., has died. Ed Gordon remembers the civil rights activist with his guests: Dick Gregory, an author and activist; Mary Frances Berry, professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania; and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young.
