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National

Thursday

Race

Little Rock Editor Faced Down Segregationists

In September 1957, a high school in Little Rock, Ark., became a flashpoint in the fight for civil rights. A number of heroes emerged there — not least the students themselves. But another figure, largely forgotten today, played a crucial role in the school's integration.

Little Rock Editor Faced Down Segregationists

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The Immigration Debate

Citizenship Test Revamped, in Search for Meaning

The immigration service today releases more than 140 draft questions for a new citizenship test. The questions will be given to new citizenship applicants in the the exam's civics portion, beginning in January. The government, which hopes to make the test more meaningful, has been working for several years to redesign the test.

Citizenship Test Revamped, in Search for Meaning

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Technology

Microsoft's Vista System Makes Debut

Microsoft releases the business version of Vista, its new operating system the system. The system, years in the making, is years behind schedule. Retailers expect demand for Vista to be slow. In addition to new system requirements, some businesses fear the high cost of rolling it out. Technology webcaster/broadcaster Leo Laporte reports.

Microsoft's Vista System Makes Debut

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Stormy Year for Hurricanes? Not in 2006

By this time in 2005, four major hurricanes had struck the United States. This year, none have done so, despite predictions that 2006 would be another big year for storms. Forecasters say one reason for the quiet year was the unexpected arrival of El Nino conditions in the Pacific.

Stormy Year for Hurricanes? Not in 2006

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Opinion

The Impact of War

A Soldier's Choice: To Re-Up, or Not?

Michele Norris talks with Zack Bazzi, one of several American soldiers who filmed their experience in Iraq for the recent documentary The War Tapes. In December, Bazzi, who was born in Lebanon and lived there until he was 10, will graduate from the University of New Hampshire. Soon after that, he'll set off for Afghanistan, where he will be involved in a program to train Afghan troops.

A Soldier's Choice: To Re-Up, or Not?

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The Impact of War

National Guard Family Adjusts to Deployment

There are 35,000 National Guard troops currently serving in Iraq, a quarter of the U.S. military. When husbands and wives are deployed overseas, the families left behind cope with their absence differently. Monica Brady-Myerov of member station WBUR in Boston introduces us to one National Guard family and how they're managing.

National Guard Family Adjusts to Deployment

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Art & Design

Auschwitz Prisoner Fights to Recover Her Paintings

In 1944, the notorious Nazi Josef Mengele ordered Dina Babbitt to paint portraits of Gypsy prisoners at Auschwitz concentration camp. Babbitt, 83, is trying to recover the works, which are in the museum at the site of the camp.

Auschwitz Prisoner Fights to Recover Her Paintings

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Business

Marketplace: Coming to Work Sick Hurts Productivity

A new survey says that 56 percent of employers now say that "presenteeism" -- when sick employees show up for work -- is a problem. The surveyor says sick people reporting for work may lower productivity and make other workers and customers sick. Host Madeleine Brand talks to Marketplace's Bob Moon about the findings.

Marketplace: Coming to Work Sick Hurts Productivity

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Obituaries

Jack MacPherson, the Ultimate Beer Buddy

Jack MacPherson, a Southern Californian surfer who became famous for organizing "beer orgies," recently died of liver and kidney failure. MacPherson had been the inspiration for Tom Wolfe's novel The Pump House Gang.

Jack MacPherson, the Ultimate Beer Buddy

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Food

Farmers Dodge Moral Outrage with Free-Range Veal

New England dairy farmers have a new product: free-range veal. The milk-fed calves spend their short lives roaming pastures instead of cooped up in pens the way traditional veal is reared. Producers hope the meat will catch on with consumers who avoid veal for moral reasons.

Farmers Dodge Moral Outrage with Free-Range Veal

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Business

Ford Buyout Drains Auto Workers Union

Almost half of the hourly workers at Ford Motor Company have accepted buyout or early retirement offers. This means the United Auto Workers union is losing close to 40,000 members, which could significantly weaken the union.

Ford Buyout Drains Auto Workers Union

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Sports

Chicago's Windy City Gym Is on the Ropes

One of the nation's oldest boxing gyms is closing because of building violations. The Windy City Boxing Gym is in a poor part of Chicago, and can't afford renovations. It will have to find another location by the end of the year or its run is over.

Chicago's Windy City Gym Is on the Ropes

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Education

Wyo. School District Raises Facililities, Test Scores

Thanks to swollen state coffers, Wyoming is now spending more on its schools than most other states. One rural district, Pinedale, is especially benefiting. That district is in a building frenzy. And it has some of the highest scores on the state's assessment test.

Wyo. School District Raises Facililities, Test Scores

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Culture

Danny DeVito's Eclectic Taste

Fresh Air

Actor, producer and director Danny DeVito was first known for his role as Louie on the TV comedy Taxi. He directed War of the Roses, Hoffa and Death to Smoochy, and produced Erin Brockovich and Pulp Fiction. DeVito is now starring in Deck the Halls.

Danny DeVito's Eclectic Taste

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Politics

What Would You Ask Robert Gates?

Robert Gates was nominated a few weeks ago by President Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. His confirmation hearings are scheduled for next week and, assuming those go well, Gates is expected to be confirmed by the Senate the following week. What would you ask Robert Gates?

What Would You Ask Robert Gates?

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