Nov 21st, 2008 · In Connecticut, Legal Aid offices are slashing their budgets and laying off staff at a time when demand for their services is increasing. Slowing housing sales and diminishing interest rates aren't helping.
Nov 21st, 2008 · One of the buzzwords at the Los Angeles Auto Show is "electrification." It's a future where cars run solely on battery power. Paul Eisenstein of The Detroit Bureau, an independent auto news service, says that future is still a ways off. He tells Steve Inskeep that for electric cars to succeed, they'll need a battery that lasts for more than 100 miles before a recharge.
Nov 20th, 2008 · Authorities in North Carolina apologized for the bad timing of a bust. They wanted to arrest a man. And they found him at his father's funeral. The Star-News of Wilmington, N.C., reports the suspect was helpling to load the coffin into a hearse, when two cops grabbed him. They put a knee in his back. And they tasered him, as his fellow pallbearers tried to steady the coffin. Police admit they could've waited until after the service. In their defense, they were respectful enough to wear coats and ties.
Nov 19th, 2008 · With a change in administrations, many political appointees at government agencies will take career jobs, becoming part of the permanent civil service. It's a phenomenon known as "burrowing."
Nov 19th, 2008 · President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Tom Daschle for Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services. Host Madeleine Brand talks to Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving about this selection.
Nov 17th, 2008 · The loss of tax revenue from Wall Street is triggering a wave of government cuts in New York state. In Malone, N.Y., those government jobs and services fuel the local economy.
Nov 17th, 2008 · With many retailers teetering on the edge of insolvency, consumers who purchased additional product protection and service plans remain worried that their coverage may cease if the company fails. But many of these plans are administered and underwritten by third-party companies.
Nov 15th, 2008 · Iranians are big TV watchers, and they've been watching coverage of the American presidential election. Voice of America says calls and e-mails have been pouring in to their Persian News Network service in support of President-elect Obama.