Search results for

Noah talks with Larry Dunn, chairman of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners. He describes the flooding in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. More rain is predicted.

Alan Cheuse reviews paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson's novel, "The Dechronization of Sam Magruder." It's a time-travel adventure with echoes of H.G. Wells. (Publisher: St. Martin's Press)

The BBC's Angus Robertson reports on a controversy in Austria over the discovery of secret U.S. arms caches that were buried there in the 1950s in the event of a second Soviet invasion.

Hashimoto focused on Japan's economic recovery in his first parliamentary address.

days of campaigning before the state's presidential primary, which kicks off the 1996 political season. Senator Robert Dole, who has had little time among the voters because of the budget battle in Washington, is profiled as he begins dealing with the residents of New Hampshire directly.

We hear an excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict, who wrote a guide for monastic life in the sixth century. It is that Rule which the monks at Weston Priory follow to this day.

Howard Berkes profiles a local politician in Montana. Mayor Dan Kemmis of Missoula preaches a more hands-on approach than most local governments practice. His leadership style has predictably drawn mixed reviews.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from London on a new twist in the negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland. British Prime Minister John Major now says he'll call for elections for a new Northern Ireland elected body unless paramilitaries start surrendering their weapons.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports from Sarajevo that the top NATO commanders are now convinced that the former warring military leaders are committed to peace. British General Sir Michael Walker tells Shuster that although the military leaders are on board, there are still questions about the committment from the civilian politicians.

-- fat substitute called Olestra is touted by manufacturer Proctor and Gamble as virtually calorie-free, but critics warn Olestra does have its side-effects. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Olestra in some snack foods.

NPR's Chitra Ragavan reports that a congressional panel heard from seven White House Travel Office employees who were fired a few months after President Clinton took office. The fired workers said the Clinton administration drummed up phony allegations so they could put their friends in power.

Satirist Harry Shearer imagines what might have occurred when President Clinton consulted with humorist Garrison Keillor in preparation for the State of the Union address. Keillor supplies windy parable; Clinton's interest drops. He dumps Keillor in the Green Room with "standees" - people who might get up during speech and take a bow.

Alex Van Oss reports on a new kind of flute. It's made of carbon instead of the traditional gold or silver and it's inventor claims that the instrument produces a warmer sound. It also has technical innovations that make it easier to play.

Linda Gradstein reports that a date for early Israeli elections has not been finalized, although the ruling Labor Party says it prefers May 20, five months ahead of the regularly scheduled vote. Meanwhile, the campaign already has begun, with Labor saying it will bring about a comprehensive Middle East peace settlement and the opposition Likud Party warning that a victorious Labor Party will surrender East Jerusalem to the Palestinians.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports on a Palestinian who fled the West Bank for a life in California... and now has returned to begin a business in his home town. His product has become something of a symbol of the peace process... although not the kind the government had in mind.

Texan Tamyra Mensah-Stock became just the second woman to win gold in wrestling for the United States at the Tokyo Olympics. She's the first Black American woman to ever win gold in the sport.

Robert Siegel speaks with NPR's Don Gonyea about opening statements in the trial of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who is charged with assisting in the suicides of two people in 1993. Dr. Kevorkian's attorney said that his client was acting to relieve his patient's pain and suffering. The prosecution says the retired pathologist's use of carbon monoxide, a lethal gas, proves that his purpose was to induce death not to relieve pain.

NPR's Cheryl Corley reports that the Chicago City Council recently passed an ordinance which will deny business licenses to parents behind in their child support payments. Chicago is the first city to pass this kind of an ordinance. Nineteen states with similar legislation report improved collection rates. Opponents say that by taking away licenses and business opportunities it's harder for people to pay child support in the future.

NPR's Trevor Rowe reports that UN and Iraqi negotiators are moving closer to allowing Iraq to sell $4 billion in annual oil exports, so that the country can buy limited amounts of food. The two sides have outlined the remaining obstacles, and now it's up to Saddam Hussein to decide how to proceed.

NPR's Joe Palca reports that a long-tern study of nuns suggests that a person's linguistic abilities when they are young may predict their risk for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the University of Kentucky analyzed the linguistic abilities of a group of nuns when they were in their 20s. An average of 58 years later, the researchers tested the nuns' cognitive abilities. In this week's Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers report that the nuns with the lowest scores on the linguistic analysis had the lowest scores on their cognitive functions five decades later.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan delivered his semi-annual economic report to Congress today. His Capitol Hill appearance comes as the President is preparing to renominate Greenspan for a third term as the chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Robert talks with Sarah Hodgson, a dog trainer and writer who is at the world series of dog shows, the second oldest sporting event in Americaa...the Westminister Kennel show. The dog show is going on at Madison Square Garden today and tomorrow. Ms. Hodgson says the show is a-buzz with who the winners might be... one dog to watch out for is an afghan who may take the crown. But Ms. Hodgson says while the dogs are very showy they aren't all egos like some of their owners.

Adam Hochberg reports on the candidacy of former stock car racer Richard Petty. Petty is running on the Republican ticket for Secretary of State for North Carolina. Republicans are hopeful that a Petty victory could mean that North Carolina will become a more Republican state. Democrats would like to see the position of State Secretary abolished before election time.

This is the time of year when the number of illegal border crossings increase dramatically. While beefed up patrols appear to have reduced crossings in some areas, many Mexican are simply finding other points of entry. NPR's David Welna reports on how thousands have pulled down fences and rushed the border near Douglas, Arizona.

of eight Serb soldiers by the Bosnian government.