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Monday

Countdown To Shutdown: A Closure Appears Inevitable

As the sun started its descent behind the U.S. Capitol building on Monday, it seemed virtually certain to rise on a partially shuttered federal government. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Countdown To Shutdown: A Closure Appears Inevitable

Only hours before a partial shutdown of the federal government would take effect, House Republicans still hadn't arrived at a temporary spending bill that Senate Democrats were willing to approve to keep government workers on the job.

FAA May Stop Making You Power Off Those Electronics

An expert FAA advisory committee has recommended that airline passengers be allowed to use most personal electronic devices below 10,000 feet. Leonardo Patrizi/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Leonardo Patrizi/iStockphoto.com

All Tech Considered

FAA May Stop Making You Power Off Those Electronics

An expert advisory committee recommended Monday that the Federal Aviation Administration allow the use of some personal electronic devices during takeoff and landing. But while many passengers are eager to use their tablets and music players all flight long, it may be months before any rules are changed.

FAA May Stop Making You Power Off Those Electronics

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A Doctor's 9 Predictions About The 'Obamacare Era'

Health care delivery is expected to change, with more care provided by nurse practitioners and fewer people having a doctor for life. Images.com/Corbis hide caption

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Images.com/Corbis

Shots - Health News

A Doctor's 9 Predictions About The 'Obamacare Era'

The traditional doctor-patient relationship in which a single doctor gets to know you over years will become a luxury. Those who want a personal physician will have to pay extra for that service. Doctors who chafe at working for big organizations will opt out and charge patients retainer fees.

Hiking Trail From Mexico To Canada More Popular Than Ever

A record number of people are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. This year, more than a thousand backpackers applied for permits to complete the entire 2,650 mile trek between Mexico and Canada, though just about half of them are expected to actually finish as the season wraps up this October.

Hiking Trail From Mexico To Canada More Popular Than Ever

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Here's Something Congress Can Agree On: Helium

Party On: Legislation passed last week allows the Federal Helium Reserve to continue selling the stockpiled gas. Above, Jonathan Trappe launches his 370-balloon craft from Caribou, Maine, in an attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 12. Alexandre Ayre/Barcroft Media/Landov hide caption

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Alexandre Ayre/Barcroft Media/Landov

It's All Politics

Here's Something Congress Can Agree On: Helium

With the government on the brink of a shutdown, Republicans and Democrats in Congress have come together on a law to protect the Federal Helium Reserve. Legislation passed late last week will keep the gas used in party balloons flowing from the national stockpile.

Here's Something Congress Can Agree On: Helium

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The Two-Way

Justice Department Sues North Carolina Over Voter ID Law

The lawsuit takes aim at provisions that limit early voting periods and require a government photo ID as an illegal form of discrimination against minorities at the ballot box, according to a person briefed on the Justice Department's plans.

Justice Department Sues North Carolina Over Voter ID Law

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Diesel Rebate Fraud: Truck-Stop Company Says It Is Repaying Millions

Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot Flying J, discusses accusations of rebate fraud, in April. Today, Haslam said that an audit found problems with only a small number of the company's customers' accounts. Wade Payne/AP hide caption

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Wade Payne/AP

The Two-Way

Diesel Rebate Fraud: Truck-Stop Company Says It Is Repaying Millions

Months after federal agents raided its Tennessee offices, Pilot Flying J's CEO says it is working to pay companies who were cheated. Seven members of the truck-stop company's sales staff have pleaded guilty to fraud charges.

Technology

Latino Rebels: Getting Stories From The Ground Up

Latinos are making a mark in American media, but a new blog is giving power to the people, not the pundits. Guest host Celeste Headlee talks to Julio Ricardo Varela about the mission behind his Latino Rebels blog.

Latino Rebels: Getting Stories From The Ground Up

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Law

Deporting Parents, Good Policy?

Over the last few years, thousands of undocumented parents have been deported or detained by the federal government. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with professor and social worker Monica Faulker, and NPR's Ted Robbins, about the process and its effects.

Deporting Parents, Good Policy?

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Law

Same-Sex Marriage: N.J. Judge Says Separate Is Unequal

A New Jersey judge ruled the state must allow same-sex couples to marry, citing the Supreme Court's decision to strike down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with Brad Sears of the Williams Institute about what the ruling could mean in the Garden State, and beyond.

Same-Sex Marriage: N.J. Judge Says Separate Is Unequal

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Obama And Netanyahu Discuss Iran And Syria At White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives Monday at the White House to meet with President Obama. The two are expected to discuss Iran's nuclear program, Syria's civil war, and peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

The Two-Way

Obama And Netanyahu Discuss Iran And Syria At White House

Before leaving for the U.S. on Sunday, the Israeli leader promised to warn officials in Washington that they should maintain pressure on Iran to cease its nuclear program.

Vaccine Refusals Fueled California's Whooping Cough Epidemic

A student gets vaccinated against pertussis at a Los Angeles middle school in 2012. The state required that students be immunized to halt an epidemic of whooping cough. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Vaccine Refusals Fueled California's Whooping Cough Epidemic

The whooping cough vaccine isn't perfect, but public health officials suspected that something else contributed to the 2010 pertussis outbreak in California. A study finds that neighborhoods where more parents filed for vaccination exemptions for their children had higher rates of infection.