Politics
Oil Prices Historically Important In Elections
[4 min 13 sec]
A gas station in Berlin, Vt., sold gas for $3.72 on Feb. 16. On average, regular gas is going for $3.60 a gallon nationwide.
What's Behind The Recent Hike In Gas Prices?
()Oil prices have jumped sharply in the past two weeks, and the price of gasoline has followed suit. Experts are pointing to everything from the tensions with Iran to a decrease in supply as a possible cause. One expert even thinks the rise in fuel prices could be good for the economy.
Science
Climate Scientist Admits To Lying, Leaking Documents()
February 22, 2012 Peter Gleick is an outspoken proponent of scientific evidence that humans are responsible for climate change. This week, the MacArthur "genius" grant recipient shocked the scientific community by admitting to lying to obtain internal documents from the Heartland Institute, a group skeptical of climate change.
The Salt
Panda Express Takes Sweet And Sour Beyond The Food Court()
February 22, 2012 Food court mainstay Panda Express is now in the midst of a major transformation. It's adding premium products like Angus steak and portobello mushrooms, and new flavors to keep pace with an increasingly sophisticated American palate. But that fiendishly tasty orange chicken isn't going anywhere.
Remembrances
Publishing Pioneer Barney Rosset Dies At 89()
February 22, 2012 Barney Rosset gave American readers their first taste of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, as well as uncensored classics by Henry Miller and D.H. Lawrence. To do that, Rosset fought literally hundreds of court cases and was largely responsible for breaking down U.S. obscenity laws in the 1950s and '60s.
Reporter's Notebook
'We Crush The Cars': Inside The Monster Truck Arena()
February 22, 2012 The sport — yes, sport — of monster truck driving has come a long way. What started in the late '70s as intermission entertainment for tractor-pulling competitions is now a multimillion-dollar industry that tours the world. "We are a show," says veteran Rod Schmidt, "but yet we're racers."
Law
Is A Lie Just Free Speech, Or Is It A Crime?()
February 22, 2012 The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday over the constitutionality of a law that makes it a crime to lie about having received a military medal. But the questions posed by the justices ranged far beyond that from deceptive advertising to lying on a date.
Shots - Health Blog
Diet Drug Qnexa Gets Thumbs-Up From FDA Panel()
February 22, 2012 In a reversal, a panel of experts is advising the Food and Drug Administration to approve Qnexa, a weight-loss pill, that was rejected in 2010. The potential benefits for overweight people exceed the risks, such as birth defects and increased heart rates, the panel determined.
Asia
On Tibetan Plateau, A Sense Of Constant Surveillance()
February 22, 2012 These days, visiting Tibetan areas is a risky venture for journalists trying to cover the protest movement against Chinese rule, including a rash of self-immolations. But the dangers are far greater for those who talk to them. NPR's Louisa Lim recently traveled there and describes the challenges.
Politics
Obama Takes New Approach To Black Voters For 2012()
February 22, 2012 While President Obama would have spoken at the groundbreaking for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture no matter when it happened, his appearance Wednesday highlighted a shift in his outreach to African-American voters.
