Search results for

Annie Cheney reports on one of the few urban therapeutic riding programs in the country. Once a week, several disabled New Yorkers meet at the Claremont Riding Stable for an hour of physical therapy on horseback. For some, it's a chance to move without wheelchairs...for others, it's a chance to re-connect physically with the world.

NPR's Joanne Silberner reports that public health officials in New Jersey are taking precautions to protect residents of the state against the spread of West Nile virus, which is carried by mosquitoes. The disease is spread from birds, such as crows, to humans, who may or may not be aware they've been infected. Symptoms range from headaches to coma, and, in some cases the virus can be deadly.

Barbara visits a local hospital, and talks to men who are about to become fathers for the first time. She talks to them as they wait for their wives to have their babies in the Birthing Center at Columbia Hospital for Women, in Washington DC.

Kate Seelye reports on the birthplace of Syria's late President Hafez Al Assad, the small town of Qurdaha. Residents experienced considerable progress during Assad's lifetime. They hope Assad's son, Bashar, will be Syria's next President, because he's likely to continue to give the town favorable treatment.

Commentator Mario Livio says since the 16th century, human beings have learned much about the universe, helping us realize our own insignificance. But at the same time, says Livio, it is those very discoveries that have given the Earth importance.

Democrats are hoping to use a maneuver called budget reconciliation to pass a big economic plan over Republican objections. Here's what you need to know about the process.

An intern accused a well-known TV anchor of forcibly kissing her. In a ruling this week, a Beijing court found that it could not determine whether sexual harassment had occurred.

For families living in Freetown's poor neighborhood of Dworzak, getting enough clean water is an everyday challenge. But local leaders are trying to find ways to improve the situation.

Construction on Interstate 75 and State Road 56 in Pasco County paused earlier this summer.

Jacki talks to writer Jim Knipfel about his memoir, Quitting the Nairobi Trio, (JP Tarcher 2000). The book is a darkly comic story about Knipfel's time spent in a Minneapolis psychiatric ward.

Host Bob Edwards talks to Roger Diwan of the Petroleum Finance Company in Washington, DC, about the prospect that Saudi Arabia will increase its oil production by 500-thousand barrels a day. The production increase will have implications for the price of gasoline. Diwan says that, if Saudi Arabia decides to go ahead and start pumping that much more oil, crude oil prices could fall within a short period of time and lower gasoline prices could follow later this summer.

Host Bob Edwards talks to technology writer Lauren Weinstein about "smart antennas." These are a new kind of antenna that may soon be on the market. They get better reception than traditional antennas, and are much less obtrusive.

Noah talks with Frankie Andreau, a bike racer on the US Postal Service Team in the Tour de France, about his role in the race. Team work is crucial in the Tour de France and bikers are assigned different roles, like sprinters, climbers and overall workers, who support one or two leaders. Lance Armstrong is the leader on Andreau's team. The rest of the team is always working to conserve Armstrong's energy. Andreau is considered a worker, who may sprint to the front to protect Armstrong from the wind or who may drop back to get something Armstrong needs.

Host Bob Edwards talks to Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services, on this, the 35th anniversary of the Medicare program. They discuss how Medicare has changed over the last three decades and what challenges are ahead for the system. Secretary Shalala makes the case for the Clinton administration's proposal that prescription drugs be covered by Medicare. About 39 million Americans receive Medicare benefits.

Pat Dowell reports on a small movie amid the big blockbusters this summer, a Canadian film called The Five Senses. The movie focuses on the interrelated lives of five people whose characters are linked to each one of the senses.

Songwriter Bill Parsons is not comforted by the news that gas prices are starting to drop. He joins Eric Weinberg and Barry Gordemer in singing about their worst nightmare: the high price of a gallon of gas.

Noah talks with Betsy Broder, Assistant Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection. She oversees the Identity Theft program, and talks about what steps people can take to protect themselves against this type of crime. (4:00) More information on the web at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft. The FTC's ID Theft Hotline is 1-877-ID-THEFT.

Noah talks with sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about the US Olympic Track and Field trials in Sacramento, California. There will be eight days of competition over the next ten days. Track is gaining popularity as the Summer Games approach, and nearly 20-thousand spectators are expected for the trials. Stefan talks about some of the athletes that we'll be hearing about in the competitions.

'Have you seen my wallet? I can't find her anywhere.' In the second part of a series on life in Paris, commentator David Sedaris struggles to master the gender of French nouns, and in the process, learns some interesting things about the French language.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports on the battle for control of the Reform Party, founded by Ross Perot. Yesterday opponents of Pat Buchanan walked out of a closed meeting, leaving backers of Buchanan inside and the party's future in question.

From member station WABE, NPR's Josh Levs reports on the case of Alabama marijuana grower Ronnie Chandler, the first person sentenced to die under the federal drug kingpin law. Chandler was convicted of ordering the murder of a man who told authorities about Chandler's drug dealings. But the only evidence the prosecution had linking Chandler to the case was a statement by the gunman, who now says he lied about Chandler's involvement. Chandler's attorneys are petitioning for a new trial.

Music reviewer Reuben Jackson talks about pianist, composer, and band leader Myra Melford's latest CD Dance Beyond the Color. Jackson says Melford has infused the jazz landscape with originality and vision since her emergence in 1991 — and this CD continues in that tradition. (4:00) Please note: The CD is produced by Arabesque recordings.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow on yesterday's bomb blast that killed seven people and injured several others. Two suspects were arrested today in connection with the explosion that ripped through an underground walkway in Pushkin Square.

Two sisters started what has become one of the most buzzed-about restaurants in South Florida.

Charles Michael Ray South Dakota Public Radio reports on an annual biker rally that brings new life to a struggling mid-western town.