NPR Top Stories
'Mission: Impossible' Star Peter Graves Dies In L.A.
The actor was best known for his portrayal of Jim Phelps, leader of a gang of special agents who battled evil conspirators in the long-running television series. He also masterfully lampooned his straight-arrow image as bumbling airline pilot Clarence Oveur in the 1980 disaster spoof Airplane!. He was 83.
Options On The Flex-Work Menu
For those who think working 9 to 5 is all takin' and no givin' (as Dolly Parton once sang), there are options for a more flexible work arrangement. Don't know your flextime from your job sharing? Here's a quick primer.
3 With Ties To U.S. Consulate Killed In Mexican City
A U.S. couple shot to death within sight of the border with their baby in their vehicle's back seat was among those killed in drug-plagued Ciudad Juarez, officials said Sunday. President Obama expressed outrage over the killings, and Mexican President Felipe Calderon promised a swift investigation.
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Kansas Earns Overall Top Seed In NCAA Tournament
Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and Syracuse earned top billing and the No. 1 seeds for the 2010 version of March Madness. The selection committee rolled out its 65-team bracket Sunday. Competition starts Tuesday with a play-in game, and the tournament goes into full swing Thursday.
Calif. Governor Candidates Clash At GOP Convention
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger skipped his state's Republican convention this weekend in Silicon Valley. But two candidates hoping to succeed him were there and working hard to win over conservative activists.
Basketball Preview: Madness In Swing With Selections
Prepare your brackets, everyone: It's Selection Sunday. Guy Raz speaks with NPR's Mike Pesca about the college basketball teams — and players — to watch as the clock ticks down to March Madness.
Tracking Down Relatives, Visiting Graves Virtually
Anne Cady spends her Saturdays at Arlington National Cemetery hunting for tombstones of people she never met. The photos she and other volunteers post online let people anywhere in the world glimpse a loved one's resting place. Cady recently ended one woman's search for a cousin who died before she was born.
Taliban: Kandahar Bombings 'Warning' To NATO
The deadly attacks on the southern city show NATO's top general that the insurgents are ready for the war's next major offensive in their heartland, the Taliban said Sunday. The series of bombings demolished buildings and killed dozens. Residents said they have no confidence that the government or foreign troops can protect them.
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Celebrate Pi Day With Your Own 'Pi-Ku'
It's March 14 — or 3/14 if you write down the date in the m/d format. And that means it's time to celebrate that mysterious mathematical relationship between a circle's diameter and its circumference: 3.1415926535...
Boston Catholics Hope 'Light' Makes Flock Confess
On radio stations in Boston, on CatholicTV and on the Web, the Archdiocese of Boston is trying to bring Catholics back to confession. The Light Is On for You is the name of the campaign, and one of its spokespeople is Father Robert Reed, director of CatholicTV. Guest host Audie Cornish speaks with Reed about the new campaign.
3-D Coming Soon To A TV Near You
Between Avatar and Alice in Wonderland, there's no doubt that 3-D movies have brought people back to the theaters. Both films have made an astounding amount of money at the box office, and TV-makers are taking note. But will people want to wear those glasses on the couch? Guest host Audie Cornish talks to David Wertheimer, head of the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California, about the future of 3-D television.
A Wrenching Task To Win Marjah's Hearts And Minds
NATO forces, who took the southern Afghan region of Marjah last month, are now trying to establish their hold on it by winning the confidence of local people. That includes paying for damage to businesses and farms from battle and paying condolences to families of civilians who were killed. A U.S. Marine commander faces one of his hardest tasks: apologizing and paying compensation to the family of a father whom Marines killed by mistake.
Poppies Escape Marjah Offensive
Afghanistan produces about 90 percent of the world's supply of opium poppies, the plant used to make heroin. About half of that supply comes from the Helmand province. Earlier efforts by NATO forces to destroy the poppy crops were unsuccessful; when the Taliban came back, so did the farmer's poppies. In the most recent offensive, NATO took a mostly hands-off approach, leaving the farmers and their crops alone. Guest host Audie Cornish speaks with author and journalist Gretchen Peters about the effects of the NATO offensive around Marjah on the poppy trade in Afghanistan.
Thailand's Peaceful Demonstrations Carry Threat
Tens of thousands of protesters are rallying in Thailand's capital. They are demanding that the government dissolve the parliament and hold new elections. The demonstrations are peaceful so far, with protesters singing, waving signs and dancing, but police are braced for possible violence as demonstrations are expected to last several days. Guest host Audie Cornish updates the latest developments in Bangkok.
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Dodd Leaves GOP Behind For Financial Regulations
After months of working with Republicans to fashion a joint overhaul of financial regulation, Sen. Christopher Dodd will go it alone Monday. As Banking Committee chairman, Dodd will unveil his proposal to rewrite regulations with the aim of avoiding another financial meltdown. Guest host Audie Cornish talks with NPR's John Ydstie about what to expect.
Civil Rights Cold Cases Coming To A Close
After three years, the FBI is winding down its investigation into more than 100 cold case murders from the civil rights era. Guest host Audie Cornish talks with FBI special agent in charge Cynthia Deitle about what the investigations have yielded.
How Eliminating Overdraft Fees Could Cost You
Annoying overdraft fees on insignificant purchases may be on their way out. Starting this summer, banks will have to get their customers to "opt in" if they want overdraft protection on debit card transactions. But the new rules won't necessarily ease a person's cash flow; banks are finding other ways to make the money back.
Nine To Five No More: New Shifts For Labor
For generations, American life has revolved around a Monday-through-Friday, 9-to-5 work week. But the labor laws that defined this schedule date to an era when men went off to a factory and women stayed home. Today, the makeup of the workforce is changing, and mobile technology means work can get done well outside the confines of a 6-by-6 cubicle. Monday on Morning Edition, NPR's Jennifer Ludden begins a three-part series on efforts to make the workday more flexible. Ludden joins guest host Audie Cornish for a preview.
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Nation's First Chief Geek To Crack Government Open
President Obama wants to bring the federal government into the world of 21st century information technology. Earlier this month, he named Vivek Kundra the nation's first federal chief information officer. Guest host Audie Cornish speaks with Kundra about his efforts to make the federal government more "open source."
At 100, Granny D's Trek Finally Ends
Doris Haddock, better known as Granny D, passed away this past week. She was 100. At age 89, the political activist made national headlines as she began a 14-month trek across the United States to raise support for campaign finance reform. New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports.


