Search results for

Robert talks with Ron Elving, political editor for the Congressional Quarterly, about this year's presidential primaries. Many states have set primary elections earlier, so that by the end of March the Republican candidate is likely to be determined. Elving attributes this in part to what he calls New Hampshire and Iowa envy, and says compressed primaries are advantageous to the Republican party in the '96 presidential elections. 2. A FRESHMAN -- Linda talks with Mark Souder (SOW-der), Republican freshman from Indiana, about the Contract with America. Souder says it is time for the Republicans to regroup and go to a fallback strategy. He says that the Republican leadership has been too accommodating, and that individual members of Congress should vote independently, even if it causes tension within the party.

Linda talks with Mark Souder (SOW-der), Republican freshman from Indiana, about the Contract with America. Souder says it is time for the Republicans to regroup and go to a fallback strategy. He says that the Republican leadership has been too accommodating, and that individual members of Congress should vote independently, even if it causes tension within the party.

Samuel Hendren of member station of WUAL reports that many of the residents of the tiny community of Gees Bend, in Alabama are excited of the prospects that ferry service will be restored to their town after 30 years. The community, one of the poorest in the state, is located in an oxbow of the Alabama River, surrounded on three sides by water. Thirty-five years ago ferry service was terminated to prevent civil rights organizers from working with the residents, who are the descendents of former slaves. (s

Noah talks with Bob Gnaizda (guh-NAYZ-da) of the Green Lining Institute in San Francisco. Mr. Gnaizda, is a community advocate, who helped negotiate a deal that ensures $45 billion will be reinvested in the communities effected by the Wells Fargo / First Interstate merger. Mr. Gnaizda says that while bank mergers are bad for communities, especially low-income ones, in this case it's a pretty fair deal.

Linda talks to historian W. Turrentine (rhymes with turpintine) Jackson about the early history of Wells Fargo; the company that extended passenger and mail delivery west of the Mississippi in the last century. American Express did want to go West, so Henry Wells and William Fargo started their own company, which ran the Pony Express and Wells Fargo Stagecoaches.

Music critic Charles de Ledesma reviews a new three CD set called "Outernational Metldown." Since the policy of aaprtheid ended in South Africa, the indigenous music of the townships and squatter camps has become less ghettoized, and now is being heard by a more internationasl audience. A team of musicians from London went to the new South Africa and teamed up with many local musicians famous only in their native lands. They recorded a series of sessions, now featured on these three CDs, just now released in the United States. STATIONS NOTE: "Outernational Meltdown" is produced by B&W Music; for information, call Scott Taves at 312-880-5375.

NPR's Howard Berkes reports on the execution by firing squad of John Albert Taylor in Utah, scheduled for just after midnight tonight. Utah is the only state that gives condemned prisoners the choice of a gunshot death. The execution is drawing attention to a lingering belief in Utah, called blood atonement.

Linda talks with NPR's Brian Naylor about the budget talks that resume today at the White House. Brian looks at some of the issues the two sides are negotiating. At the top of the list are Medicare, Medicaid and tax cuts.

Tom Picchiano (pitch-YAH-no) of member station WSKG in Binghamton, New York, reports on flood damage to the village of Walton, New York. Walton was one of many small towns throughout the mid-Atlantic states hit hard by a rush of water caused by rapidly melting snow and heavy rains.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports on the legal maneuverings in the trial of Yigal Amir, who confessed to assassinating Yitzhak Rabin. It's not even clear whether or not Amir entered a guilty plea, foreshadowing the legal complexities to come.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports that the long-awaited report with suggestions on how to end the arms impasse in Northern Ireland is due out tomorrow morning. The peace process has been stalled because the Protestant Unionists want the the Irish Republican Army to give up its guns. The IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, has said it won't give up the arms until all-party talks begin.

NPR's Mark Roberts reports on how the shutdown has begun to affect state governments that fulfill federal obligations like unemployment insurance. Private contractors who serve federal government clients are also in trouble. And many federal workers, such as scientists working on long-term projects, can't just pick up where they left off.

Daniel talks with Thomas Pickering, United States Ambassador to Russia about Boris Yeltsin, prospects for reform in Russia, and U.S. policy toward the war in Chechnya.

NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports on the ambivalent relationship between Taiwanese businessmen and China. China is the world's biggest market but also an undependable one, subject to the whims of the country's politics.

NPR'S Don Gonyea reports on the settlement today of a custody case involving a family member who, it was feared, would be allowed to commit suicide if he fell into the wrong hands. Siblings went to court in Michigan this month, to determine who would get custody of their father, Gerald Klooster, diagnosed with Ahlzheimers disease. Klooster's son says he was afraid some family members would try to assist in his father's suicide.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that AT&T plans to cut about 40,000 jobs over the next three years as part of its plan to split into three companies. About 75 percent of the reductions will be accomplished through layoffs. The rest have either already accepted a voluntary severance package or work for a division AT&T plans to divest.

Daniel talks with cold specialist Fred Hayden about how to avoid and treat colds. Hayden is a professor at the Univerity of Virginia (Charlottesville) Medical School. Hayden says it's best to avoid direct physical contact with someone who has a cold. Once you have a cold, the best you can do is relieve some of the symptoms.

In Washington, the massive snowstorm has extended the government shutdown that should have ended today. But the Supreme Court justices made it to work, and issued opinions. Doctors and other emergency personnel have been getting to their posts with the help of volunteers who own four-wheel-drive vehicles. The Red Cross is appealing for blood donors. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

Steve Inskeep of member station W-B-G-O in Newwark, New Jersey reports on what New York officials do with thousands of tons of snow that are removed from city streets. Getting rid of the plowed white stuff presents a real challange.

Daniel talks with Oscar Winning Film Director Oliver Stone about his latest movie "Nixon." Stone has been heavily criticized for his portrayals of historic events and people. "Nixon" is no exception. Stone says his films are designed to get people to ask questions and not accept the status quo as fact.