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National

Saturday

VFW Chief Envisions a Changing Post

Imagine a family-friendly VFW post, with child care, a fitness center... and a ban on smoking. That's what Gary Kurpias has in mind. He's the new commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

VFW Chief Envisions a Changing Post

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On Eve of War, Truman Turned to Comfort Food

As the Korean War loomed, President Truman summoned his war Cabinet to the White House for a strategy dinner that included a key ingredient to solving any crisis: comfort food.

On Eve of War, Truman Turned to Comfort Food

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Culture

Celebrated Military Nurse, Poet Revealed as a Fraud

Dana Shuster was a celebrated Vietnam war-era military nurse who wrote poetry about her experiences. One of her poems was read by Vice President Al Gore when the Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated in 1993. But it turns out she was never a nurse, never in the military and never in Vietnam.

Celebrated Military Nurse, Poet Revealed as a Fraud

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Opinion

Simon Says

Iva Toguri D'Aquino, a True American Rose

Iva Toguri D'Aquino, who died this week at age 90, was convicted and later pardoned of being "Tokyo Rose," a World War II propagandist. NPR's Scott Simon, who met D'Aquino, reflects on a woman who was long, and wrongly, maligned.

Iva Toguri D'Aquino, a True American Rose

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Politics

Congress Approves 700-Mile Border Fence

The Senate on Friday night approved the construction of a 700-mile-long barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, before recessing for the midterm-election campaign break. Congress also passed guidelines for trying and treating detainees, but it left several other key bills unfinished.

Congress Approves 700-Mile Border Fence

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Radio Expeditions

Remembering Conservationist Mingma Norbu Sherpa

Mingma Norbu Sherpa was one of 24 conservationists killed in Nepal this week in a recent helicopter crash near Kathmandu. A child of the Himalayas, Sherpa, 50, was an official with the World Wildlife Fund who helped change conservation practices around the world.

Remembering Conservationist Mingma Norbu Sherpa

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Friday

California's 'Day Fire' Keeps Burning -- and Costing

One of the largest wildfires in Southern California's history is still claiming huge areas of forest land north of Los Angeles. The Day Fire, which started by accident on Labor Day, already has consumed nearly 200,000 acres. More than 4,200 firefighters are on the front lines of the blaze.

California's 'Day Fire' Keeps Burning -- and Costing

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Sports

Baseball Set to Enter October Playoffs

Next week, the Major League Baseball playoffs get under way -- but the matchups are far from set. In the National League, the New York Mets are in, but six other teams are still alive for the other three spots. In the American League, it's still unclear whether the Tigers or Twins will take the wildcard spot -- and open against the Yankees.

Baseball Set to Enter October Playoffs

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Politics

Congress Gives Final OK to Detainee Bill

Congress gives final approval to a new system for trying and interrogating terror suspects while it scrambles to try to finish a mountain of unfinished work as lawmakers campaign to hold on to their jobs. Democrats are calling this a "do-nothing" Congress; Republicans say they are the ones voters can count on to protect national security.

Congress Gives Final OK to Detainee Bill

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Politics

White House Steps Up Rhetoric, Denies Charges

As Congress wraps up and heads for the campaign trail, the White House is ramping up its political rhetoric against what it calls "the party of cut and run." President Bush says his Iraq war critics are buying into what he calls "the enemy's propaganda."

White House Steps Up Rhetoric, Denies Charges

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Law

Mass. Judge: Out-of-State Gay Couple Can Marry

A Massachusetts court rules that gay and lesbian couples from Rhode Island can get married in Massachusetts, the only state that allows gay marriage. The case may pave the way for couples in other states that, like Rhode Island, don't explicitly prohibit gay marriage.

Mass. Judge: Out-of-State Gay Couple Can Marry

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Analysis

Analysis

Polls Find Voters Are Restless with Incumbents

Recent polls depict American voters having anti-incumbent sentiments similar to the levels of 1994, when the House shifted from the incumbent Democratic majority, to a newly elected Republican majority. Michele Norris talks with Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

Polls Find Voters Are Restless with Incumbents

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Obituaries

Sister Terrell: A Crooner on the Amen Corner

Commentator and musicologist Bruce Nemerov introduces us to Sister Ola Mae Terrell. She died earlier this year at the age of 95. For 75 years, she sang her own gospel compositions on street corners in the South, using her music to spread her Holiness faith. Bruce Nemerov, the editor of the book Lost Delta Found, lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Sister Terrell: A Crooner on the Amen Corner

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The Impact of War

High School Honors Graduates Who Fell in Iraq

Bishop Hendrickson High School in Warwick, R.I., has lost two students in combat in Iraq, and seen others severely wounded. Nancy Cook reports on how the school is coping with the losses.

High School Honors Graduates Who Fell in Iraq

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Movies

Bad Movies Lead Owner to Shutter Illinois Theater

Melissa Block talks with Greg Boardman, owner of the Lorraine Theater in Hoopeston, Ill. Boardman closed the theater for a few weeks, because he didn't think there were any movies worth showing. But the community strongly disagreed.

Bad Movies Lead Owner to Shutter Illinois Theater

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