Karaoke Murders
Sat, Aug 30
A new book, Murderoke! by writer and karaoke host Terry O'Brien tells the story of a serial killer on the loose in Cape May, N.J. The victims in the book all loved to sing karaoke.
Moving Beyond 'Catcher' On School Reading Lists
Sat, Aug 30
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger's beloved novel, once banned and full of frank four-letter words, will continue to be assigned to high school reading lists this year.
Sex And The Cinema
Sat, Aug 30
Amid the special effects of this summer's movies, a different sort of fireworks has emerged: people's conflicting feelings about lust. Film critic Desson Thomson talks about two movies with different takes on sensuality: the Woody Allen comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelon and the drama Elegy, based on a Philip Roth novel.
Body Parts In Song: From Hands To Eyes
Sat, Aug 30
Frank Zappa once sang, "What's the ugliest part of your body? / Some say your nose / Some say your toes... But I think it's your mind."
Life After College
Sat, Aug 30
If you're a recent college grad and feeling just a little guilty because you've spent more time making labor day plans than actually, well, laboring fear not, Gradspot.com is here to help. Chris Schonberger, editor in chief of the Web site, talks about their new post-college how-to manual The Gradspot.com Guide to Life After College.
Learning To Lead From The Seat Of A Kayak
Sat, Aug 30
Just a few days ago, 11 men and women emerged from 70 days in the Western wilderness. They were not lost. In fact, they had signed up for an arduous course with the National Outdoor Leadership School.
'Urban' Villages Counter Ancient Amazon Theory
Sat, Aug 30
Five hundred years ago, the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana paddled the length of the Amazon River in search of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold.
Life Slowly Returns To Normal In Georgian Port
Sat, Aug 30
A visit to the Georgian port of Poti, still under effective Russian control in the wake of this month's conflict, finds there are still some Russian soldiers inside the town Georgia's largest Black Sea port. Many checkpoints dot the outskirts, but the town is beginning to return to normal.
Democratic Convention Made History
Sat, Aug 30
The Democratic National Convention and Barack Obama's nomination the party's presidential candidate shows the historic changes that can occur in a lifetime. Obama's octogenarian uncle Charles Payne might never have imagined some of these changes.
Postcard From The Road
Sat, Aug 30
Instead of covering the conventions, David Greene got a very different assignment to hit the road, and chat with Americans about their views on leadership, far away from the convention halls. He gives us a look inside this reporter's notebook.
Week In Politics Analyzed
Sat, Aug 30
Barack Obama's acceptance of the Democratic nomination in Denver was historic. Republican John McCain, meanwhile, has picked a woman, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, to be his running mate. The two events capped a week of electoral politics.
George Duke Puts His Stamp On Funk
Sat, Aug 30
Over the years, George Duke has put out more than 30 albums, which have incorporated jazz, pop, Latin and R&B to critical and commercial success. On his latest album, Dukey Treats, the legendary keyboard player, composer, arranger and bandleader pays tribute to funk, soul and Sly Stone.
Novelist Found Inspiration In New Jersey
Sat, Aug 30
Jacqueline Care talks about her new novel, It's a Crime. The novelist found inspiration in affluent New Jersey suburbs, just outside of Manhattan, and in the white-collar crimes of corporate CEOs.
Amtrak Train Runs Out Of Gas
Sat, Aug 30
This week, an Amtrak train ran out of gas going from Los Angeles to San Diego. It had to be be pushed the final 15 miles.
Letters: Cuba, Corrections, Beijing
Sat, Aug 30
Listeners praise the story on the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba. There are several corrections, including one on the proper pronunciation of the Chinese capital.
Democratic Senator Offers Convention Advice
Sat, Aug 30
Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar advises Republican delegates about fun things to do in the Twin Cities during their nominating convention.
MLB Instant Replays, NFL Analyzed
Sat, Aug 30
Howard Bryant, a senior writer for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, talks about baseball's use of instant replays and NFL's kickoff week.
Detroit In Quandry Over Mayor's Refusal To Quit
Sat, Aug 30
Kwame Kilpatrick, the mayor of Detroit, has been charged with 10 felonies in two different criminal cases, but has thus far refused to resign.
New Orleans Braces For Gustav
Sat, Aug 30
Gustav has become a powerful category 3 hurricane heading toward Cuba. It is expected to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast Monday. Residents of New Orleans are preparing for Gustav, only three years after another category 3 hurricane, Katrina, devastated the city.
GOP Delegates In St. Paul React To Gov. Sarah Palin
Sat, Aug 30
Republicans who have gathered in St. Paul, Minn., reacted to John McCain's choice of running mate. Palin's record as an anti-abortion rights politicians appealed to many GOP delegates. Others said Palin would boost McCain is states like Pennsylvania.
Obama Hits The Campaign Trail
Sat, Aug 30
Sen. Barack Obama campaigned in Pennsylvania on Friday. Despite an initial statement from his campaign questioning Sarah Palin's experience to be John McCain's running mate, Obama called her selection an indicator "this country is moving forward."
Ahead Of Convention, McCain Campaigns
Sat, Aug 30
On Friday, Sen. John McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate for the GOP presidential ticket. Palin has a reputation for independence and was once voted Miss Congeniality in a beauty pageant. Some question her experience, however.
Tito Puente's Self-Titled Masterwork Examined
Sat, Aug 23
Percussionist Tito Puente turned out 118 records, more than 2,000 musical arrangements and 10,000-plus live performances.
A Moment Of Loss For Women's Water Polo Team
Sat, Aug 23
What happens when gold turns to silver for the U.S. women's water polo team?
As Olympics Draw To A Close, A Look At The Host
Sat, Aug 23
NPR's Frank Langfitt, who has been in Beijing for the past two weeks, talks with Scott Simon about how China fared as the host of the Beijing Olympics.
A Republican Offers Advice To Denver Delegates
Sat, Aug 23
Republican John Andrews, a former Colorado Senate president and chairman of Backbone America, a national conservative alliance, offers a selection of hot spots that Democrats should visit during their convention in Denver.
1968 Chicago Riot Left Mark On Political Protests
Sat, Aug 23
Democrats are gathering for their national convention in Denver with their party divided by a bruising presidential nomination contest and the country mired in an unpopular war.
A Vice President's Hit Song
Sat, Aug 23
How many vice presidents are also talented composers? Well, President Calvin Coolidge's vice president, Charles Dawes, was. In 1911, he composed the music to the hit song "All in the Game," which has been performed by artists from Tommy Edwards and Dinah Shore to Elton John and Bob Dylan.
'Dr. Doom' Economist's Dire Warnings Proved Right
Sat, Aug 23
New York University economist Nouriel Roubini was viewed as a professional Cassandra when he warned of a coming housing crisis and a wave of bank foreclosures a couple of years ago. Now officials around the world are seeking his advice and listening to his economic forecasts since he's been proven right.
News That Isn't Obama's VP Pick
Sat, Aug 23
NPR's Scott Simon reflects on various stories that might be overlooked in the media frenzy surrounding Barack Obama's vice presidential choice. They include a missing two-headed turtle, a baby-rescuing dog, the death of an enterprising journalist and a Bigfoot hoax although no news outlets seemed to miss that last one.