Search results for

John Ydstie talks with NPR's Ivan Watson in Istanbul about Turkish politician Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose Justice and Development Party won a sweeping victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections. Despite the triumph, Erdogan's political future remains in doubt because he is barred from holding public office after a 1998 conviction for religious incitement. (3:30)

NPR's Howard Berkes reports on controversy of federal land swaps in the state of Utah. Critics of the deals that exchanged state land for federal land appear to have the federal government cheating itself.

The ACLU files a federal lawsuit against a drug task force in Texas, alleging it targets minorities and then offers them parole if they plead guilty. The ACLU says the move enables the task force to receive thousands in federal funding. NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports.

Campaigns for judgeships are usually thought of as quiet affairs, and few attract the kind of dollars thrown at Senate seats and governorships. But things are different this year in Southern Mississippi, where a seat on the state Supreme Court has become a battleground in the larger war over liability suits. These days there are few issues that bring out the big donations faster. NPR's Peter Overby reports on the millions showing up in Mississippi. (5:00)

President Bush has been traversing the country campaigning on behalf of Republican candidates. His itinerary is telling about which races are the tightest. NPR's White House correspondent Don Gonyea has been on the trail with the White House team and tells John Ydstie about the various congressional and gubernatorial races where both parties are throwing all of their weight into winning. (2:45)

John Ydstie talks with Steve Capus, executive producer of NBC Nightly News and of NBC News's Election Night Coverage, about exit polling -- how it's being done differently this year, and how elections will be called by the networks. (3:30)

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office now has a full-time squad of 12 deputies targeting human trafficking.

NPR's Nina Totenberg previews the arguments in the capital punishment case the US Supreme Court hears today. The Justices will consider whether the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution applies to the penalty phase of a capital trial. In his first trial, the defendant in today's case was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On appeal, he was re-tried, convicted again, and sentenced to death. His lawyers argue that the ban on double jeopardy should have prevented the second jury from even considering the death penalty.

Robert Siegel talks with Jenny B. White, associate professor of anthropology at Boston University, about the history of the secular government in Turkey. White is also author of Islamist Mobilization in Turkey: A Study in Vernacular Politics (Studies in Modernity and National Identity), published by University of Washington Press, Oct. 2002.

Commentator Katie Davis explains how addition of a speed hump on her street taught her the true meaning of local politics. (5:15)

Robert Siegel talks with Darrell Lambert, a 19-year-old Eagle Scout, who is an avowed atheist. The Boy Scouts of America have ordered him to declare a belief in a supreme being or be kicked out of scouting. (5:00)

Gov. Jesse Ventura names key adviser Dean Barkley as interim senator, leaving the Senate with 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats and two independents. Meanwhile, Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Walter Mondale trade sharp barbs in a debate. Hear NPR's David Welna.

Some non-Indian settlers in the Brazilian Amazon believe much of the land being given to the Indians could be used more productively for agriculture or mining. And they suspect that Brazil's government is enlarging the Indian territory as a back-door means of keeping it undeveloped. NPR's Martin Kaste reports from Amazon state.

The NASA spacecraft Galileo makes a final flyby of Jupiter's moon Amalthea as the probe ends the science-gathering portion of a 13-year mission.

Authorities seek the release of the 16 Americans and one Canadian kidnapped in Haiti over the weekend. On Monday, unions and other organizations launched a strike to protest worsening security.

Satirists Bruce Kluger and David Slavin report on their fictional senatorial candidates, businessman Bob Gunderson and incumbent Chuck Zeffirelli. On this election day, both Gunderson and Zeffirelli make surprise announcements.

The broadcast giant, which is known for pushing a conservative viewpoint, did not immediately say how many of its TV stations were directly affected.

Harvey Pitt resigns as chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission. Pitt had a stormy 15-month tenure as SEC chief and was recently under fire for his handling of the appointment of William Webster to head an accounting oversight board. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Midterm election results show Republicans regaining control of the Senate and adding to their advantage in the House, while Democrats gain ground in governor's mansions around the nation. NPR News reports.

Host Bob Edwards looks at other wins that have helped the Republicans regain control of the Senate.

Johnny Cash's musical journey through the heart of America began 50 years ago. And though the Man in Black has turned gray -- he celebrated his 70th birthday this year and has been in ill health -- Cash is still going strong musically. NPR's Bob Edwards interviews the country music legend. NPR Online has an extended version of the interview.

John Ydstie and Andrew Kohut discuss the computer problems at the Voter News Service. VNS has has traditionally generated the exit polling data used by media organizations to project races.

Harvey Pitt resigns as chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission. Pitt had a stormy tenure as SEC chief and was recently under fire for his handling of the appointment of William Webster to head an accounting oversight board. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

As midterm election results roll in, Republicans appear headed for gains in the House and are making a strong bid to regain control of the Senate. Democrats are making a solid showing in governor's races around the nation. NPR News reports.

Republicans recapture control of the Senate and add to their advantage in the House. Democrats gain ground in governor's mansions around the nation. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.