Reverbiage: Stories from NPR

Plugging Afghanistan's Brain Drain

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:36:00 EST

Ahmad, director of field operations for a telecom company, returned to the region because he "owed it" to his home country. He's hoping a return of professionals like him can improve the country's diminished infrastructure.

Final Count Gives McCain Win In Missouri

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:11:00 EST

Missouri has gone for McCain, ending the state's 50-year string of support for the winning presidential candidate. Sen. John McCain's unofficial margin over President-elect Barack Obama: 3,632 votes.

Roberto Plano's Schubert Sensibility

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:40:00 EST

Poetic young pianist Roberto Plano uncovers the layers of bittersweet emotion in a set of Impromptus written by Franz Schubert near the end of his short life. Plano performs for a live studio audience at WGBH in Boston.

Scientists Decode The DNA Of A Woolly Mammoth

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:36:00 EST

The woolly mammoth is the first extinct mammal to have its DNA sequence deciphered. Scientists used hair that was found frozen in the Siberian permafrost, some for tens of thousands of years.

Uighur Mummies Stir Debate In China

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:28:00 EST

DNA tests on mummies raise new questions about China's Uighurs, many of whom claim western heritage. China insists the Uighurs have East Asian heritage.

Federal Bureaucrats Begin 'Burrowing'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST

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."

Waxman, Dingell Face Off Over Key House Panel

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:26:00 EST

On Thursday, Democrats in the House will cast a vote deciding who they want to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee. The face-off is a battle between two legislative titans in Congress: Current Chairman John Dingell, from Michigan, and California Rep. Henry Waxman.

Fight Breaks Out As Iraqi Lawmakers Debate Pact

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:03:00 EST

Tempers flared in Iraq's Parliament hall Wednesday as lawmakers debated whether to ratify a new security agreement with the United States — one that calls for the withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011.

Documentary Tackles Epic Harvard-Yale Game

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 tells the story of the 1968 football meeting between the Ivy League archrivals. Filmmaker Kevin Rafferty's father was a former Yale football captain, but Rafferty chose to go to Harvard.

Clive Barnes, A Critic's Critic

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Arts critic Clive Barnes died Wednesday. During the 1960s and 1970s, the British-born Barnes exercised significant influence over New York theater and dance as a critic for The New York Times. He became a New York Post critic in 1978.

Democrats Ask: Should Obama Go Fast Or Slow...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

It's been only two weeks and a day since the election, and Democrats are already debating how fast President-elect Barack Obama should go in bringing change to Washington.

Why Are Obama's Cabinet Choices Leaking Out...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Pending appointments to President-elect Obama's cabinet have been widely reported and discussed after leaks to the media. What's going on here?

Dow Dips Below 8,000 To 5-Year Low

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

The Dow Jones industrial average closes below 8,000 points for the first time since March 2003.

Key Senators Receptive To Holder As AG

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Senators on the Judiciary Committee had mostly favorable reactions to news that Eric Holder is likely to be President-elect Obama's choice for attorney general. But some potential stumbling blocks remain.

Alaskans React To End Of Stevens Era

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Embattled Sen. Ted Stevens concedes after coming up short in a tight race for re-election to Alaska's Senate seat. How are Alaskans greeting the news that Stevens is out after 40 years in office?

A Parts Firm Exec's View Of Car Industry Woes

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Gregg Sherrill, chairman and CEO of the auto parts manufacturer Tenneco Inc. talks to Melissa Block about problems with the auto industry. His company has been hit hard by the financial problems of GM, Chrysler and Ford. He supports a bridge loan for the companies.

Auto Bailout Debate Turns to Bankruptcy

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

U.S. automakers seem unlikely to secure $25 billion in emergency loans from Congress. But a new debate has emerged over the possibility of a planned or "pre-packaged" bankruptcy filing.

Electric Car Manufacturer Hopes To Generate Sales

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:06:00 EST

Even as America's troubled auto industry seeks a handout from Congress, a relatively new car manufacturer that's tailored for the 21st century is trying to get traction. Tesla Motors Inc., in Silicon Valley, hopes its $110,000 Roadster will make inroads for a cheaper family sedan.

Francois Virot: 'Say Fiesta'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:56:00 EST

Recorded at his home in Lyon, France with little more than an acoustic guitar and hand claps to accompany his vocals, Francois Virot's full-length debut, Yes or No, is indeed spare. But don't expect a typical singer-songwriter CD. Yes or No is lyrically rich, brimming with personality and charm, and produced with surprising layers of vocals and guitars that create a warm and vibrant sonic landscape.

TV Nannies Offer A Spoonful Of Schadenfreude

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:27:00 EST

What's the appeal of watching another family's meltdown? For starters, it's knowing that your kids aren't the worst ones on the block.

Stem Cells Used In Woman's Windpipe Transplant

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:26:00 EST

The pioneering operation used a section of windpipe engineered in a laboratory with adult human stem cells. Engineering new tissues and organs from stem cells has long been sought as a solution to overcome a chronic shortage of donor organs.

Daschle Tapped To Lead Health And Human Services

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:11:00 EST

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.

Daschle Accepts HHS Post, Democratic Officials Say

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:03:00 EST

If confirmed, the former Senate majority leader would fill what may be one of the most important Cabinet posts, given the emphasis the Obama campaign put on the need for affordable health care during the election.

Solas On Mountain Stage

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:01:00 EST

In their fourth appearance on Mountain Stage, the modern-day Irish traditionalists in Solas perform songs from their latest release, Love and Laughter. The set opens with a series of jigs and a traditional Irish love song, and later ends with a rendition of Bob Dylan's "Seven Curses."

Consumer Prices Fall By Largest Amount Since 1947

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:47:00 EST

The drop in inflation in October reflects a huge fall in gasoline prices and widespread decline in other areas. Consumer prices fell by 1 percent in October, the biggest one-month decline on records that go back to February 1947.

Not Just Another Pretty Head Shot

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:44:00 EST

A photographer and a comedy writer went through over 50,000 head shots and picked out those that "took our breath away." The book that resulted is a bizarre tutorial in the art of getting noticed, starring an actress who will only wear pink and other entertaining dreamers.

Carly Fiorina On Silicon Valley's Future

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Silicon Valley was once thought of as recession-proof, but the technology sector is taking hits in the current economic downturn. Former Hewlett-Packard chief executive officer Carly Fiorina discusses the state of Yahoo, Google and Silicon Valley.

Saving For College In Pennsylvania

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

As part of our on-going "Real Economy" series, Alex Cohen talks with Cathy Walker of Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Walker struggles to keep her bills paid while looking after her mother. She also worries about helping her teenage daughter save for college.

Will A 'Team Of Rivals' Help Obama...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama wants to bring change by recruiting people from across the aisle for his cabinet. Some are comparing this plan to Abraham Lincoln's so-called "Team of Rivals." Civil War historian Matthew Pinsker says Lincoln's idea didn't work out so well.

Imagining Clinton As Secretary Of State

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

The talk of Washington is that Sen. Hillary Clinton is on president-elect Barack Obama's short list for Secretary of State. The XX Factor bloggers discuss past female secretaries of state and how well Clinton would do in the role.

Video Games Suck Up Energy Like Vampires

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Want to cut down on your utility bills? You may want to take a second look at your Wii, Play Station and X-Box. A video game console can suck up as much energy as two refrigerators.

Governors Tackle Climate Change

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is hosting an international climate change summit in Beverly Hills this week. He's partnered with governors from across the country to discuss how cutting emissions can help the economy. We also talk to Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who recently vetoed the expansion of coal plants in her state.

A Friend's Perspective On Eric Holder

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to nominate Eric Holder as attorney general. Holder, who served as deputy attorney general during the Clinton Administration, would be the first African American to hold the top position at the Justice Department. A close family friend of Holder shares her thoughts on the Washington lawyer.

Q&A: Pondering Options For Detroit's Future

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:45:00 EST

The Big Three automakers are petitioning Congress for a $25 billion lifeline, but growing opposition makes the outlook for the bailout uncertain. Analysts say both Ford and GM will need to restructure and continue their efforts to focus and improve their product lineup regardless of whether government help comes through.

Ayers Addresses Rumors, Discusses Obama Relationship

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Bill Ayers gained a lot of attention in the last days of the 2008 presidential campaign when he became the focus of Republican attacks against then-Senator Barack Obama. Ayers, a former member of the radical antiwar group the Weather Underground, is now an educator in Chicago. He talks about the extent of his association with the President-elect and why he remained silent during the campaign.