News and Notes
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Roundtable: AIG Scandal Sparks Blame Game
The AIG bonus controversy is shaping up to be the first big firestorm for the Obama administration, as the president vows to "fix the system and culture that made this possible." Plus, the hype surrounding the death of the newspaper industry is quickly becoming reality. For more, Tony Cox speaks with Jerome Vaughn and Marcus Mabry.
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Obama Sells Econ Plan During California Tour
President Obama swept through California this week, fielding questions during two town hall meetings and sitting down with Tonight Show host Jay Leno. NPR senior Washington editor Ron Elving recaps the president's trip and offers an update on the latest fallout over the AIG bonus controversy.
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Tony Cox Says Goodbye
Host Tony Cox bids a final farewell, as News & Notes comes to an end.
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'A Show With A Mission' Comes To An End
News & Notes executive producer Nicole Childers and senior supervising producer Christabel Nsiah-Buadi talk with Tony Cox about the broadcast's culmination and the show's mission to "illuminate the diversity of the African-American experience."
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Sound Engineers Say Farewell
News & Notes drive engineer Marcia Caldwell and the show's technical director, Sherene Strausberg, talk with Tony Cox about their time behind the soundboards.
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Stories Of Coltrane, King Leave Lasting Memories
Longtime News & Notes producer Roy Hurst talks with Tony Cox about the pieces he remembers most, including a special feature on the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and interviews with pianist Alice Coltrane and artist Noah Purifoy.
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Jada Pinkett Smith Talks Career, Quells Rumors
In a career that spans almost 20 years, Jada Pinkett Smith has built a portfolio as an actress, singer, songwriter, and director. She talks with Tony Cox about her new TNT drama and addresses rumors about her marriage to actor Will Smith and allegations that a school she co-founded has ties to Scientology.
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Chronicling Mike Tyson's Rise To Fame, Infamy
At the age of 20, Mike Tyson burst onto the boxing scene. He soon became one of the sport's most feared and revered boxers, but along with the fame came controversy. A new documentary, Tyson, aims to shed some fresh light on this troubled life.
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Recalling Profiles Of A Politician, Jazz Legend
Producer Joanne Griffith joined News & Notes the week of the 2008 Republican National Convention. She recalls as two of her favorite segments, a feature on the personal and political life of former presidential candidate John McCain, plus a profile of jazz legend Hazel Scott.
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An Unexpected Trip Back To Hip Hop's Early Days
News & Notes producer Drew Tewksbury has worked on segments ranging from Internet addiction to Ethiopian jazz, but as he tells Tony Cox, a segment he produced featuring old school hip hoppers Yo-Yo and Spinderella remains his favorite.
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Different Times Bringing Different Politics
As News & Notes comes to a close, Tony Cox talks with Mary Frances Berry, professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, about America's changing political landscape and the impact on African Americans.
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AIG Bonus Outrage Heads To The Hill
The AIG bonus battle rages on Capitol Hill today, with the CEO of the insurance giant facing withering criticism from heated lawmakers. But how much can the administration really do about it? Tony Cox talks with Sherrilyn Ifill and Robert George.
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Micro-Blogging Moves Into Mainstream
News & Notes Web producer Geoffrey Bennett and Tony Cox talk about the growing trend of micro-blogging, Facebook's about-face on user privacy, and response to the week's news on our blog.
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Lawmakers Call On Sen. Burris To Resign
Pressure is mounting on Illinois Sen. Roland Burris to resign, after admitting he tried to raise funds for ousted governor Rod Blagojevich.
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Christian Scott Ushers In New Era Of Jazz
Trumpeter Christian Scott is a relatively new voice in jazz music, but he is already challenging the genre's conventional thinking.
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Chronicling Black New Orleans' Untold Story
The streets of Faubourg Treme were once home to an untold history of New Orleans a story that has now been rekindled in a new documentary.
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Firsthand Reflections Of Rwanda's Genocide
In April 1994, Rwanda experienced one of the most heinous genocides in history.
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Africa Update: Zimbabwe's New Cabinet Meets
This week, Zimbabwe's new Cabinet held its first meeting after agreeing to a power-sharing deal.
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Author Searches For Reasons She Was Dumped
A year ago, author Rachel Skerritt decided that she wanted to get to the bottom of all her ex-boyfriends' vague explanations for ending their relationships.
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Obama Administration's Foreign Policy In Focus
As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama routinely made promises that he would "restore our moral standing in the world."
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Roundtable: Unemployment Rate Slightly Dips
The newest unemployment numbers show first-time unemployment claims dipped slightly last week, but the jobless rate is still the highest in almost 30 years.
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Young And Looking For Work In Struggling Economy
As part of an ongoing series showcasing emerging journalists, Chicago-based reporter Susie An looks at the impact of the country's economic downturn on recent college graduates.
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Responding To Your Letters
Tony Cox and News & Notes producer Joanne Griffith read and respond to listeners' e-mails about our coverage of singer Chris Brown's alleged domestic violence case and a recent report about diversity in the White House press corps.
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Roundtable: A-Rod Reels After Steroid Revelation
Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez is among more than 100 baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drug use in 2003. What's next for his career?
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A Closer Look At Obama's Economic Policies
How has President Obama's economic policy evolved from his campaign to his presidency? Plus, what is required of the Obama administration to keep the American economy afloat?
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Inside Obama's Economic Team
President Obama has pledged to take on the Herculean task of taming America's flailing economy. But he's not doing it alone.
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Riverside Church Honors Lincoln In Song
Two hundred years ago, the man known as "The Great Emancipator," President Abraham Lincoln, was born.
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Chris Brown Case Puts Domestic Violence In Focus
NPR's Allison Samuels talks with Dr. Paris Finner-Williams, a psychologist and domestic violence specialist, about the alleged violent altercation between singers Chris Brown and Rihanna.
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Hollywood Insider Talks Chris Brown, Rihanna Saga
R&B singer Chris Brown stands accused of assaulting his girlfriend, singer Rihanna, on the eve of their scheduled appearance at the Grammy Awards. Both of their careers are now on hold.
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Political Blogging Gets Presidential Nod
Making another leap into the digital age, President Barack Obama called on a political blogger at his first primetime press conference since assuming office.
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Negotiations Begin For Approved Stimulus Bill
Congressional negotiators are working to narrow the differences between the Senate and House versions of the $838 billion economic stimulus package. Can Democrats and Republicans find common ground?
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Asa Blends French, Nigerian Musical Influences
Singer/songwriter Asa was born in Paris but spent her childhood and adolescence in Lagos, Nigeria.
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Africa Update: Somalia Hopes For Stability
On today's Africa Update: Somalia hopes for stability with a new president, Rwanda hands over rebel leader Laurent Nkunda to Congolese authorities, and violent protests shake Madagascar.
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Roundtable: Credit Based On Where You Shop?
Credit card companies are tracking your purchases and might be setting your credit limit based on where you shop.
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Customized Currency Seen As Alternative To Cash
Short on cash these days? What if you and your neighbors started printing and exchanging your own form of currency? It's not as far-fetched as it sounds.
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Obama Takes Economic Plan On The Road
As President Obama pitches his economic rescue plan directly to the American people, the country is reeling from record job losses last month.
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Responding To Your Letters
Tony Cox and News & Notes editor, Sasa Woodruff, read and respond to listeners' e-mails, including reaction to a recent segment on spanking and disciplining children.
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Former Yankees Boss Tells All
Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre has released a new autobiography. How is it playing in the Big Apple?
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Celebrating Black Film From Across The Diaspora
The Pan African Film and Arts Festival kicks off today in Los Angeles. Over the next ten days, more than 100 films from across the Diaspora will be showcased.
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Mystery Brews In Minn. As Somali Teens Go Missing
An international mystery is brewing in Minneapolis, where America's largest population of Somali expatriates live in a neighborhood known as "Little Mogadishu."
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Reid & Dreesen: An Odd Couple Of Comedy
In the late 1960s, when assassinations shook this country to the core and race riots engulfed whole neighborhoods, Tim Reid and Tom Dreseen one black and the other white decided that America was ready for interracial comedy.
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Roundtable: Lip-Synching At The Super Bowl
On today's bloggers' roundtable: why did Jennifer Hudson and Faith Hill both perform to pre-recorded tracks at the Super Bowl?
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Hudson, Kilpatrick, Daschle Draw Attention Online
News & Notes producer Geoffrey Bennett and Tony Cox talk about the latest topics getting attention on our blog and in the blogosphere at large.
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Obama To Cap Executive Pay Tied To Bailout
President Obama today announced a $500,000 annual pay cap for executives at companies receiving taxpayer bailout funds.
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Jazz Legend Freddie Hubbard Talks Life, Career
Before his death in December 2008, jazz legend Freddie Hubbard spoke with NPR's Tony Cox about his life's triumphs and regrets, as well as his world-famous catalog of recordings.
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Inside 'The Making Of The American Capital'
On January 20th, millions of Americans descended on the nation's capital to watch the first African American swear in as President of the United States.
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Meet Mulatu Astatke, Godfather Of Ethio Jazz
Ethiopia is often overshadowed by news of famine, war, and poverty. But behind the headlines sits the country's rich history of music.
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Africa Update: Zimbabwe Tries Unity Government
Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai agrees to become prime minister in a new Mugabe coalition government. Will the deal finally bring political peace to the southern African nation?
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With Steele, GOP Turns Page On History
With the appointment of Michael Steele as the Republican National Committee's first African-American chairman, Tony Cox explores the impact for black Republicans and the GOP at large.
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Small Business Owners Must Be Prepared
Not every business is suffering like the big banks and automakers. Tommere Ingram's photography company is flourishing in these troubled times.
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Temporary Workers Hit Their Stride
With so many pink slips in so many sectors, folks are scrambling for temp work.
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Reviving The Economy: What Really Works?
The Gross Domestic Product has hit its lowest level in 27 years, housing starts at a record low, and jobless claims are ballooning.
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The Future Impact Of Crime Reporting
The impact of reporting death and destruction on journalists can be extreme, but is there any other way to get the news out?
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Crime Reporters Hit The Streets
Continuing our crime series, Tony Cox discusses the process of crime reporting with beat journalists Michelle McCalope, formerly with KBMT Channel 12 in Beaumont, Texas, and freelance reporter Natalie Pompilio, who has covered crime, war and natural disasters for 15 years in New Orleans, Iraq, and her current base of Philadelphia.
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Roundtable: Not A Single GOP Vote For Obama's Plan
The House of Representatives approves a stimulus package with no GOP votes, and the Illinois senate ousts Rod Blagojevich as the state governor.
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New Voices: Bi-Lingual Education
Today, we begin a new feature on News & Notes. We're highlighting some of the brightest young voices of journalism, and bringing them to you.
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Attorney General Jerry Brown's EPA Battle
California's Attorney General Jerry Brown, who sued the Environmental Protection Agency for denying his state the individual right to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars, joins Tony Cox to discuss the basis for his lawsuit against the EPA and how the environmental future looks under an Obama Administration.
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Highlighting The Best Work Of Black Writers
A new book series promises to highlight the best work of contemporary black authors.
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To Spank Or Not To Spank?
It is a parental dilemma of Shakespearean magnitude: to spank or not to spank? Judge Lynn Toler, star of TV's Divorce Court, talks with Tony Cox about effective ways to discipline children.
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Michelle Obama's Inaugural Fashion Draws Criticism
News & Notes Web producer Geoffrey Bennett and Tony Cox talk about the latest topics on our blog, including a complaint about Michelle Obama's inaugural fashion choices and reaction to a recent bloggers' roundtable segment.
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Obama Stimulus Plan Heads For Vote
President Obama visited with House Republicans in an effort to gain bipartisan support for his economic recovery package. But will it pass in the House?
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Obama-Era Race Relations In Black And White
President Barack Obama broke through major racial barriers when he won the White House in November.
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Rapper K'naan Captures Somalia Crisis In Rhyme
The music of celebrated hip hop artist and poet, K'naan, chronicles Somalia's civil war.
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Africa Update: Islamist Rebels Seize Somali City
On this week's "Africa Update," Islamist insurgents seize the seat of Somalia's parliament.
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In Down Economy, Job Hunt Leads To The Military
As the nation's unemployment rate climbs, many Americans are considering military service.
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Before Oprah, TV Audiences Cozied Up To Hazel
Hazel Scott a classically trained jazz pianist and singer was the first African-American woman to have her own television show.
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Practical Money-Saving Advice As Recession Grows
It's become a sad refrain, but the national unemployment rate continues to climb.
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UNCF Honors Patti LaBelle With 'Evening Of Stars'
Patti LaBelle: The name stands alone and so does the artistry.
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Fashion Spotlight Shines On First Lady Obama
It's the dawn of a new era of fashion in Washington.
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The Psychology Behind America's Crime Obsession
Americans have an uneasy fascination with crime.
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What's Our Fascination With Murder Mysteries?
From the case of the Black Dahlia to the unsolved murders of rappers Biggie and Tupac, many Americans have a fascination with murder mysteries.
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Responding To Your Letters
Tony Cox and News & Notes editor Sasa Woodruff read and respond to listeners e-mails about how President Obama's casual style will be judged in Washington, the controversy over a song parody, and the cottage industry that has sprung up around Obama merchandise.
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Is Obama The Most Athletic President Ever?
Football legend Jim Brown isn't the only athlete sizing up President Obama. NBA stars are chomping at the bit to get on the court with the world's most powerful man.
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Protecting Against Cyber Crime In A Digital Age
This week, the online payment processor Heartland Security Systems admitted its security system had been breached, and millions of credit and debit cards may have been leaked to the black market.
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Roundtable: Lasting Inauguration Impressions
On today's bloggers' roundtable, Tony Cox talks with Faye Anderson of Anderson At Large and L'Heureux Lewis of Uptown Notes.
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White House Gets Virtual Makeover
As Washington experienced a transfer of power with the inauguration of President Barack Obama yesterday, so, too, did the White House Website.
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In Kenya, A Wave Of Emotion As Obama Sworn In
Kenya is the ancestral land of President Obama's father.
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Harlem School Kids Celebrate Obama Inauguration
At New York's Harlem Armory, thousands of teenage students gathered to watch the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama.
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Chicago Celebrates Rise Of Favorite Son
NPR Midwest reporter Cheryl Corley joins Tony Cox, as she tells what it was like to report on Inauguration Day from Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History.
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America Welcomes New Era In Politics
From The Harlem Armory in New York to the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, News & Notes hears reflections on the inauguration of Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American president.
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Voices From Obama's Presidential Inauguration
News & Notes revisits the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama with a montage of voices and sound from today's series of inauguration events.
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Kim Weston Reflects On 'Lift Ev'ry Voice'
Today's inauguration of Barack Obama has instilled in many African Americans an unparalleled sense of pride.
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Photographer Gil Garcetti Capturing History
As President Barack Obama was sworn in today, Gil Garcetti had his camera lens trained on that history-making event.
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Roundtable: Obama Swearing-In Ceremony In Focus
From President Obama's inaugural address to the Rev. Joseph Lowery's benediction, Tony Cox discusses today's swearing-in ceremony with NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates; Mary Frances Berry, professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania; and Robert Traynham, D.C. bureau chief for the Comcast Network CN8.
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Assessing Obama's Inaugural Address
"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real," President Obama said today in his inaugural speech. "They are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America they will be met."
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Farai Chideya Shares Inauguration Reflections
Officials estimate more than one million people crammed onto the National Mall to watch President Barack Obama take the oath of office.
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Washington Watches As Obama Sworn In
NPR's Allison Keyes spoke with inauguration watchers in a neighborhood near U Street in Washington, D.C.
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Cradle Of Civil Rights Reflects On Obama's Rise
From Dr. King's famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" to the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham has long been one of the centers of the Civil Rights Movement.
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Inauguration Reaction From Lincoln Memorial Steps
Hordes of shivering citizens crowded the streets and sidewalks of the nation's capital to catch a glimpse of President Barack Obama's inauguration.
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Iowa's Isiserettes Corp Preps For Inaugural Parade
The Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps led the Obama bandwagon in Iowa, where then-candidate Barack Obama won his first big victory.
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How To Witness History On A Tight Budget
Tourism officials estimate that nearly four million people will crowd into the nation's capital for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration tomorrow.
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How Will History Judge Pres. George W. Bush?
President Bush leaves office with one of the lowest recorded approval ratings, but how will history judge the 43rd president? What will be the Bush legacy?
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Obama's New Cabinet In Focus
President-elect Barack Obama has assembled a group of seasoned veterans to round out his Cabinet, but are there any wildcards in that pack?
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Leaving Kentucky, Bound For Inauguration
Millions of people have descended on the nation's capital for tomorrow's historic presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.
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Will Blaxploitation Spoof Shake Up Sundance?
A new blaxploitation spoof is getting some serious Sundance buzz.
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What Rights Do Crime Victims Have?
For a closer look at victims' rights laws and resources dedicated to helping crime survivors cope, Farai Chideya talks with Susan Howley, public policy director at the National Center for Victims of Crime.
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Helping Crime Victims Heal, Cope, And Find Justice
How does being a victim of crime change those who live through it? Plus, how best should crime victims begin to heal from resulting psychological scars?
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Roundtable: Bush Bids Nation Farewell
Defending his time in office, President George W. Bush made his final address to the nation last night.
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Responding To Your Letters
Farai Chideya and News & Notes editor Sasa Woodruff read and respond to listeners e-mails about a recent report on a black couple embarking on what they call "The Ebony Experiment" and a profile of a British journalist retracing her Eritrean roots.
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Roundtable: Tony Dungy Bids Colts Farewell
Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy retires this week as the only black coach to win a Super Bowl.
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Ala. Sherriff Jailed For Starving Inmates
Bread and water that's the clich prison menu.
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Inside The Mind Of A Criminal
What triggers someone to walk into a bank, pull out a gun, and demand money from a teller? Does psychology or society play a bigger role?
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Assessing Appropriate Police Use Of Force
The shooting death of Oscar Grant by a Bay Area transit police officer has reignited questions about the methods of restraint employed by law enforcement.
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Turning From Past As Rapist To Advocacy Work
Gender inequality and disparity plagues cultures all over the world. Post-colonial African countries are no exception.
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Roundtable: CBC Considers Future Under Obama
On today's bloggers' roundtable: The Congressional Black Caucus is considering how its role will change in an Obama administration.
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Burris, Obama Inauguration Reverberate Online
News & Notes digital producer Geoffrey Bennett and Farai Chideya talk about the latest topics drawing attention among black bloggers, including Roland Burris Illinois Senate seat saga, the Alabama NAACP's complaints over plans for Obama's inaugural parade, and an effort to stem a new wave of Obama worship.
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Obama Makes First Veto Threat
President-elect Obama says he could flex his presidential veto muscle if Congress turns down his request for the remaining bailout funds.
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Journalist Chronicles Search For Eritrean Birth Family
In 1974, Hannah Pool was adopted from an orphanage in Eritrea and raised in England by her adoptive white father.
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Africa Update: Case Against Zuma To Move Ahead
On today's "Africa Update," a South African appeals court rules the corruption case against ANC leader Jacob Zuma can move forward.
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Rep. Waters Talks TARP Distribution, Oversight
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) sits on the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP.
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Obama Asks Bush To Seek Remaining TARP Funds
President-elect Obama yesterday asked President George W. Bush to seek from Congress the second half of the available TARP funds.
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Roundtable: Bush Reflects In Final Press Conference
President George W. Bush today defended his presidency in his final scheduled press conference.
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Couple Pledges To Buy Black For One Year
What's the benefit of supporting black-owned businesses?
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Some Economists Sound Depression Warning Bell
2008 was a banner year for job loss.
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World's Largest Gadget Show Hits The Strip
Even against the backdrop of a recession, there's a tech frenzy out in the desert.
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When Cash-Strapped Times And Crime Collide
When faced with losing your home or wondering where your next paycheck will come from, would you be willing to steal to feed your family?
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Roundtable: Burris, Blagojevich Saga Continues
Illinois politician Roland Burris moves closer to taking over President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, as the man who appointed him, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is impeached.
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Responding To Your Letters
Farai Chideya and News & Notes editor Sasa Woodruff read and respond to listeners' e-mails.
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From Milken To Madoff: White Collar Crime In Focus
Milken, Skilling, and Madoff. What lessons have we learned from these white collar bandits?
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Crime And Punishment: A Primer
Though the U.S. crime rate has been on a steady decline since the early 1990s, some caution that tough economic times could drive crime rates back up.
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When The Job Hunt Becomes A Job In Itself
As more people join the nation's unemployment rolls, Farai Chideya talks about the finer points of job hunting with Marshawn Evans co-founder of the African-American-focused employment search Web site A Mighty River and job seeker Toni Rice.
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Keeping A Marriage Solid When Money Is Tight
Tough economic times can cause marriages to fall apart.
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Madoff Investor Fraud Hits Non-Profits Hard
Thousands of very wealthy investors saw millions disappear when Bernard Madoff's alleged Ponzi scheme collapsed.
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Smith's Employment Struggle Draws Support
The nation's unemployment rolls are growing by the day.
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Burris Seems Likely To Be Seated In U.S. Senate
Senate Democrats are softening their stance on Roland Burris. The former Illinois attorney general appears likely to take over the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
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'Essence' Takes On Black Women's Health Issues
Statistics show that when it comes to health issues, black women have to worry about everything from heart conditions and diabetes to being overweight.
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Africa Update: A Tribute To Helen Suzman
This week, we remember South Africa's anti-apartheid crusader Helen Suzman. Plus, Ethiopian peacekeeping troops leave Somalia as violence there escalates.
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What's Next For Burris' Senate Pursuit?
Roland Burris, the man appointed to fill President-elect Barack Obama's open Senate seat, has been defiant in the face of vocal opposition.
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James Smith Hoping For Fresh Start In 2009
With a new year comes a new chance to start over. Many who lost jobs in 2008 are hoping to land new ones in 2009.
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Silver Lining In Bleak Economic Forecast?
Although a recent report said October was one of the worst ever for housing prices, the market started a comeback last week. Plus, unemployment claims actually decreased.
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Roundtable: Looking Ahead At The New Year
Could 2009 give the U.S. some relief from high unemployment rates, the home foreclosure crisis, and the struggling auto business? For more on the week's top headlines, Farai Chideya talks with Detroit Free Press columnist, Rochelle Riley, and Marcus Mabry, International Business Editor for The New York Times.
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Remembering Eartha Kitt and Freddie Hubbard
In the last week, two legends passed away: singer Eartha Kitt and jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard.
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DeBarge Family Recounts Rocky Musical Journey
In the early '80s, the singing group, DeBarge, became one of the last big R&B acts of the original Motown label.
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Soweto Gospel Choir Inspiring New Audiences
The inspirational sounds of the Soweto Gospel Choir are unmistakable.
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Rare Mandela Recordings Tell Apartheid Struggle
Independent producer Joe Richman scoured South Africa for rare recordings of Nelson Mandela for a five-part radio documentary.
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'New Skool' Rappers Reimagine Hip-Hop
Hip hop heads are heralding a new sound as the renaissance of rap.
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The Evolution of Latin Jazz
We continue our series on jazz with a look at the evolution of latin jazz.
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Gold Medalist Cullen Jones On Chasing History
Swimmer Cullen Jones is still relishing his first-place finish at the Olympic Games in Beijing.
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Aretha Franklin Gives Christmas A Soulful Twist
Though she's been recording music for nearly four decades, Aretha Franklin the reigning "Queen of Soul" has just released her first-ever holiday album.
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Comedian Niecy Nash Puts Killer Timing On Display
Actress and comedian Neicy Nash currently stars on two TV shows Reno 911!, an improvised, fake reality cop series and the home make-over show, Clean House.
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Actress Tasha Smith Tells True Rags to Riches Story
Actress Tasha Smith left a hard life in New Jersey to chase her dreams in Los Angeles.
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Actor Glynn Turman Gets His First Emmy Nod
From A Different World to the 1975 film Cooley High, Glynn Turman is a true veteran actor of stage and screen.
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Giving The Gift Of Time During The Holidays
The holiday season is certainly a time of giving. But presents aren't the only gifts that you can give. Those who are struggling need the most precious gift of all: time. For the last ten years, Kenny Langie has volunteered his time to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. He shares his story with NPR's Tony Cox.
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TV Star Diahann Carroll, 40 Years After 'Julia'
This year marks the 40th anniversary of "Julia," the show that made Diahann Carroll the first black woman ever to star in her own television series. NPR's Farai Chideya talks with Diahann Carroll about her career and what "Julia" means to her today as part of our ongoing series "Living Legends."
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Fred Sanford: King Of The Junkyard
As part of NPR's "In Character" Series, Tony Cox profiles Fred Sanford. Sanford the petulant character on the 1970s NBC sitcom "Sanford and Son," ran an antique shop and junkyard out of his Los Angeles home.
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Roundtable: Black Santa, Hip-Hop and Kwanzaa
On today's bloggers' roundtable, political analyst Lenny McAllister, a writer for "Hip Hop Republican", "The Root" and "AOL Black Voices", Felicia Harvey, editor of "Black Politics On The Web" and L'Heureux Lewis, writer for "Uptown Notes" and assistant professor of sociology and black studies at the City College of New York.
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Report: No Inappropriate Contact With Blagojevich
An internal report released Tuesday from the Obama team found no inappropriate contact between the president-elect's staff and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
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Lionel Loueke Fusing Jazz, African Sounds
Lionel Loueke's professional life changed in 2001 when he auditioned for The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
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The Changing Face Of Santa Claus
In recent years, efforts to diversify Santa's image have gained ground.
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Africa Update: China Takes On Somali Pirates
Robert Mugabe shows no signs of stepping down or sharing power in troubled Zimbabwe, while China decides to use war ships to protect its vessels off the coast of Somalia.
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Roundtable: Cashing In On Shoe Attack
The maker of the shoe thrown by an Iraqi reporter at President Bush is cashing in on the international incident.
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How To Opt Out Of The Holiday Consumer Frenzy
The struggling economy is causing holiday budgets to grow painfully tight.
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White House Auto Bailout Comes With Caveats
What kind of strings are attached to the emergency White House loan for automakers Chrysler and General Motors?
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"Notorious" Casting For Biggie Smalls Film
The anticipated biopic about slain rapper Biggie Smalls opens in January, but how did they find the right actor to play the larger-than-life figure?
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Multiculturalism And The Arts
The merging of cultural inspiration has influenced all art forms, from performance art to the visual arts. Many contemporary artists are using art to build bridges between cultures as well as enhance the art they create.
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Roundtable: Bush Bails Out Auto Industry
On this week's Reporter's Roundtable, the panel holds a discussion about the conditions around President Bush's announced $17.4 billion auto industry loan program.
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Media Industry In A Free Fall
Traditional media outlets were struggling before the financial crisis hit, as the Internet transformed the way we get information, and cut deeply into print, television, and even radio revenue. Now, we're in free fall.
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Responding To Your Letters
As you might have guessed, we've received a lot of mail regarding NPR's recent decision to cancel the show.
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Auburn University Accused Of Racism
This week in sports, an NFL player picks a strange new name, Charles Barkley claims Auburn is racist for hiring a white coach, and an East-West rivalry heats up in the NBA.
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Race Perceptions In The Workplace
Seen and unseen identities impact perceptions in the workplace everyday. We've all heard, and some of us have to live with, the stereotypes of the angry black woman, or the geeky, de-sexualized Asian man.
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How To Explain A Tight Christmas Budget To Kids
This holiday season, many parents face a sad reality: Empty wallets will mean fewer presents.
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Roundtable: Decking The Halls With Diversity
Up for debate on today's bloggers' roundtable: Are black people this year's most fashionable holiday accessory?
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Cancellation Of 'News & Notes' Reverberates Online
Last week, NPR announced the cancellation of News & Notes, amid a series of network-wide budget cuts.
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Bluesman Taj Mahal Returns With 'Maestro'
Musician Taj Mahal has everything in his musical bag of tricks; from R&B to traditional African music; from zydeco to indigenous Hawaiian sounds.
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Being Black And Traveling Overseas
How differently are black Americans perceived while traveling abroad?
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Gabrielle Union Helps Fight Breast Cancer In Ghana
Breast cancer affects a relatively young population in Ghana; girls as young as 16 have been diagnosed with the disease.
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Africa Update: Somalia Caught In Power Struggle
For analysis of news and events from Africa, Farai Chideya talks with Bill Fletcher, Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies and former president of TransAfrica Forum.
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Kwanzaa Celebration Captured In 'Black Candle'
Kwanzaa is a December celebration that honors the roots and traditions of the African-American experience.
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Navigating Interracial Love And Romance
Joe Williams deputy chief of The Boston Globe's Washington Bureau recently returned to the dating world; he penned an article for the newspaper about the racial politics of dating.
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Non-Profits Hit Hard By Wall Street Fraud
A fraudulent investor employing an elaborate Ponzi scheme has cost charities and other non-profits billions of dollars.
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Blackbird Browser Tailors The Web For Blacks
The black community now has its own Internet browser.
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Black Judaism, Pentecostalism In Focus
For a closer look at religious diversity in black America, Farai Chideya focuses on two religions with equally devout followers, which sometimes garner comparatively less attention in black America.
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Roundtable: Media, Tech Companies See Major Cuts
More workers employed by tech and media companies were handed pink slips this week, including us at NPR's News & Notes.
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Auto Bailout Stalls In Senate
A proposed rescue plan for the American auto industry has failed in the Senate.
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Pitcher Turns Down Record-Setting Contract
What makes athletes do the things they do?
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Asthma Rates Higher In American-Born Blacks
A new study finds African Americans born in the United States are three times more likely to have asthma than blacks born abroad.
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How To Find Eco-Friendly Jobs
In this tough economy, green collar jobs are still a hot sector.
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Community Colleges Crucial In Job Retraining
When unemployment rises, so does enrollment in community colleges.
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Roundtable: Maintaining Diversity Amid Job Cuts
Newspapers across the country have cut an estimated 14,000 jobs so far this year.
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Nixed McCain Ad Hits The Web
A TV commercial that former presidential candidate John McCain thought was too tough on Barack Obama has now been released on the Web. News & Notes Web producer Geoffrey Bennett is back to tell us about that and some of the week's other online news.
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Auto Industry Bailout Moves Toward Vote
The White House and Congress inch closer to a bailout for the auto industry, and Louisiana elects the first Vietnamese-American to Congress.
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Obama Calls On Illinois Gov. Blagojevich To Resign
President-elect Barack Obama has called on Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign, saying it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job.
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Laughing From The 'Pulpit To The Pews'
People take their faith very seriously, but there's also a lighter to being part of the church community.
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What Will Stop Seafaring Somali Pirates?
Pirates have taken at least a dozen ships for ransom since October, and the European Union has just launched a multinational effort the reign them in.
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Africa Update: Vote Counting Continues In Ghana
Ghana is counting the votes from its presidential and parliamentary election.
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State Unemployment Funds At Risk Of Running Dry?
Many states say the pool of money they use to pay unemployment benefits could dry up soon.
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Corporate Lay-Off Announcements Keep Coming
Yesterday, the media conglomerate Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy. Then, Anheuser-Busch said it would cut 1,400 jobs in the United States.
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Roundtable: BET Founder Announces New Network
Former football great O.J. Simpson was sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison for his role in a 2007 confrontation in a Las Vegas hotel.
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Labor Unions Losing Their Way?
The financial crisis facing America's Big Three auto companies has spotlighted the role of the United Auto Workers Union.
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Winemaker Turns Pink Slip Into Dream Job
Today's tough economy may also be a time for bold action and success.
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Michelle Obama Changing Image Of Black Women?
More black faces are showing up in fashion magazines these days, and some are calling it the "Michelle Obama Effect."
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Art World Gathers At Art Basel
For art lovers, Miami Beach is the place to be.
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Roundtable: Auto Industry Pleas For Aid
Auto executives from Detroit's Big Three go back to Capitol Hill and plea for a lifeline from federal lawmakers.
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Responding To Your Letters
NPR's Tony Cox and News & Notes editor Sasa Woodruff read and respond to listeners' e-mails about our recent interviews with GOPAC Chair Michael Steele, News & Notes listener James Smith, and more.
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NFL Giant Buress Watches Legal Problems Grow
Today's sports bloggers' roundtable covers a range of topics, from the legal troubles of New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress to the academic achievements of Florida State defensive back-turned-Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle.
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Are We Hard-Wired To Be Racist?
Social psychologists have found that people unknowingly hold stereotypical views about other social groups.
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UNCF President: Preserve Publicly Funded HBCUs
Michael Lomax has served as the head of the United Negro College Fund since 2004.
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Folk Singer Odetta Dies At 77
The folk singer Odetta was one of the most treasured voices of the Civil Rights Movement.
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Are Presidential Pardons Fair?
This is the season for presidential pardons, as the White House transitions from one administration to the next.
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Sharing Stories Of Financial Hard Times
News & Notes Web producer Geoffrey Bennett updates NPR's Tony Cox about the most popular topics on our blog, including reaction to listener James Smith sharing his personal story of being laid off from a manufacturing job.
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