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The Two-Way
2:49 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Signature? Doodle? Check How A Treasury Secretary Lew Might Sign Your Dollars

Credit WhiteHouse.gov
Jacob "Jack" Lew's signature, on the 2012 "Mid-Session Review" of the federal budget. He was director of the Office of Management and Budget at the time.

Treasury secretaries get to see their signatures on the nation's currency.

With word that President Obama wants to nominate his chief of staff, Jacob "Jack" Lew," to that post, lots of sites are taking a look at his rather unique signature.

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The Two-Way
2:42 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Baseball Hall Of Fame Voters Pick 'None Of The Above' For 2013

Credit Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros led the 2013 Hall of Fame voting, but fell short of the 75 percent required for induction in Cooperstown. No players were chosen in the balloting.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 6:22 pm

The Baseball Hall of Fame's Class of 2013 will not have any new inductees from the ranks of the recently retired, despite a list of candidates that includes Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Those players, whose careers left their names at or near the top in the record books in multiple categories, are suffering from the lingering stigma of steroid use.

It is only the second time since 1971 that no players were sent to Cooperstown. A press release from the Hall of Fame, which announced the results today at 2 p.m. ET, called it "a shutout."

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Shots - Health News
2:16 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Alzheimer's Drug Dials Back Deafness In Mice

Credit The Kobal Collection
If you know some mice that took This Is Spinal Tap too literally, they might want to know about an experiment to restore hearing with a failed Alzheimer's drug.

Originally published on Mon April 8, 2013 8:34 am

If you've spent years CRANKING YOUR MUSIC UP TO 11, this item's for you.

A drug developed for Alzheimer's disease can partially reverse hearing loss caused by exposure to extremely loud sounds, an international team reports in the journal Neuron.

Before you go back to rocking the house with your Van Halen collection, though, consider that the drug has only been tried in mice so far. And it has never been approved for human use.

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NPR Story
2:05 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

For The Good Of The Player Or The Team?

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 5:17 pm

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III had surgery today to repair damage to his right knee. Griffin initially injured his knee during a December matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, but continued to take the field. NPR's Mike Pesca discusses the decision that's sparked a national debate.

NPR Story
2:05 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 5:17 pm

NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics — from Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense, to the swearing-in of the 113th Congress. Exiting Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) shares his thoughts on the current state and future of the Republican Party.

NPR Story
2:05 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

How Nixon Re-Shaped The Presidency

Originally published on Thu January 10, 2013 2:55 pm

Transcript

CELESTE HEADLEE, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Celeste Headlee.

But it is a special day. On this day, 100 years ago, Richard Milhous Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California. He later became a U.S. representative, a senator, a vice president, and finally, 37th president of the United States. From civil rights to Watergate, Nixon's term shaped perceptions of the modern office of the presidency and creating quite a few memorable soundbites in the process.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED AUDIO)

PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON: Sock it to me

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The Two-Way
1:17 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Colorado Shooting Hearing Ends With Chilling Photos, No Defense Witnesses

Credit AP
James Holmes in a photo from the Arapahoe County (Colo.) Sheriff's Office.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 6:31 pm

In the weeks before the attack, James Holmes took photos of the Colorado movie theater where 12 people were killed and dozens more wounded in last summer's mass shooting, prosecutors revealed Wednesday at a court hearing in Colorado.

They also introduced photos he took on the night of the midnight massacre, the Denver Post reports:

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The Two-Way
12:45 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Gun Show Will Go On In N.Y. Town Despite Post-Sandy Hook Opposition

Credit Ed Burke / Courtesy of The Saratogian
The crowd was large at a March 2012 gun show in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

"City Center officials announced Wednesday that this weekend's Saratoga Arms Fair will go on as scheduled, despite pleas from opponents who want the event canceled," the local Saratogian reports.

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The Two-Way
12:42 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Kickstarter Pledges Topped $320 Million In 2012; Site Names Year's Top Projects

Credit Kickstarter
The MaKey MaKey invention kit includes a plan for making a "banana piano," helping the Kickstarter project make it to the site's best-of-2012 list. Kickstarter says 2.2 million people pledged nearly $320 million in 2012.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 3:54 pm

Kickstarter, the crowd-funding site that pairs indie-minded inventors and entrepreneurs with online investors, fully funded more than 18,000 projects in 2012, according to its end-of-year analysis. The site says that in total, more than 2.2 million people pledged a total of nearly $320 million. For the year, 17 projects raised more than $1 million.

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Around the Nation
12:34 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

The Second Amendment: 27 Words, Endless Interpretations

Credit iStockphoto.com
The Second Amendment is short on words but long on dispute.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 1:00 pm

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is like:

  • an Etch A Sketch. You can make it into pretty much whatever you want.
  • an optical-illusory M.C. Escher staircase that climbs back into itself.
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Theater
12:25 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Bobby Cannavale, At Home On Broadway

Credit Scott Landis / JRA Broadway
Bobby Cannavale (right) stars in Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway. Cannavale has also starred in television shows such as HBO's Boardwalk Empire and in films such as The Station Agent.

Bobby Cannavale may have acted in film and on television, but at heart, he's a theater guy. Always has been, always will be.

Last season he starred as Gyp Rosetti on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. He's currently on Broadway opposite Al Pacino in David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross -- but the stage has been his calling since he was a kid growing up in Union City, N.J.

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Beauty Shop
12:13 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Beauty Shop Fodder: Cabinet Picks And Reality TV

The Beauty Shop ladies weigh in on President Obama's national security nominations. They also talk about whether reality television has sunk to a new low this season with shows about rural partying and baby mamas.

History
12:11 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

What The Emancipation Proclamation Didn't Do

The Emancipation Proclamation celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. But not everyone knows the real story behind the document. Host Michel Martin speaks with historian Lonnie Bunch, about what the Emancipation Proclamation did - and didn't do.

The Salt
12:11 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Kids Who Play Food Product Games May Eat More Junk Food

Credit iStockphoto.com
Many popular food games for computers and devices like tablets are actually "advergames", created by food manufacturers to market their products to kids.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 1:02 pm

Some kids can't get enough of online games where they can pretend to run a candy factory or decorate cakes. But children who play with these games may eat more, and eat more junk food, even if the game features fruit or other healthful choices, according to new research.

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Music
12:05 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Ravens' Ayanbadejo Digs 'Call Me Maybe'

It's playoff season in the NFL. As part of Tell Me More's 'In Your Ear' series, the Baltimore Ravens' Brendon Ayanbadejo shares some of the songs that keep him motivated on and off the field.

Politics
11:53 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Eyes Glazed? Cutting Through The Fiscal Talks

You might be feeling a bit hung over from all the 'fiscal cliff' negotiations. But the financial talks in Washington aren't over yet. In the coming months, the White House and Congress will face three major economic challenges. Host Michel Martin breaks down what you need to know for the next round of fiscal talks.

Shots - Health News
11:52 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Caffeine In Supplements Varies Widely

Credit Janine Lamontagne / iStockphoto
There might be much more caffeine than you think in those supplements you're taking. There also might be much less.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 1:28 pm

Caffeine is pretty much everywhere. It's in coffee and tea, of course, but also pops up in mints, gum, jerky and even maple syrup.

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The Two-Way
11:40 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Reports: Obama Has Settled On Jack Lew, His Chief Of Staff, For Treasury

Credit Jonathan Ernst / Reuters /Landov
Jack Lew, current White House chief of staff. He's likely to be the nominee for treasury secretary.

Originally published on Thu January 10, 2013 6:46 am

Update: At 6 a.m. ET. Jan. 10, White House Announcement:

The White House has officially confirmed that President Obama will nominate his chief of staff, Jacob "Jack" Lew, to be the next Treasury secretary. According to a statement, the announcement is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET today (Thursday).

NPR's Scott Horsley had more about the nomination on Morning Edition.

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Music Reviews
10:54 am
Wed January 9, 2013

'Nashville' Soundtrack Stands On Its Own

Credit Courtesy of ABC
Connie Britton (pictured) and Hayden Panetierre star as country singers of different generations on the ABC series Nashville.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 2:08 pm

"Telescope," the fictional hit single by the fictional country star Juliette Barnes on Nashville, is sung by the actress who plays Juliette, Hayden Panetierre. If it didn't become a real-life hit when the song was released a few months ago to country radio stations, it wasn't for lack of catchiness, courtesy of producers T-Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller.

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The Two-Way
10:05 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Many Injured When Ferry Hits Pier In Lower Manhattan

Credit Spencer Platt / Getty Images
An injured person is moved to an ambulance following a ferry accident during rush hour in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday. At least 50 people were injured, according to news reports. The ferry ran into a pier, causing a large gash on its front side.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:54 pm

"A commuter ferry had a hard landing when it pulled into a Lower Manhattan pier, injuring at least 53 people Monday morning," WABC-TV is reporting.

At least one person suffered a serious head injury, according to The Associated Press.

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The Two-Way
9:34 am
Wed January 9, 2013

'Zorbing' Death Brings Call For Safety Rules; Fatal Ride Captured On Video

Credit YouTube
A screen image from video of the "zorb" as it began rolling down a mountain in southern Russia last week. One of the two men inside would die from injuries received after it careened into a ravine.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 10:02 am

The Two-Way
9:28 am
Wed January 9, 2013

India, Pakistan Trade Accusations Over Border Killings

India reacted angrily today at what it called the "inhumane treatment" of one of two soldiers killed Tuesday in a skirmish along the de facto border with Pakistan.

Pakistan challenged the Indian army's allegations and said it is prepared to hold an investigation through the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) into recent ceasefire violations along what is known as the Line of Control (LOC).

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The Two-Way
8:10 am
Wed January 9, 2013

AIG Would Be 'Hard Pressed' To Join Lawsuit Over Its Federal Bailout

Credit Shen Hong / Xinhua /Landov
Manhattan: The headquarters of American International Group Inc. (AIG).

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 5:00 pm

  • From 'Morning Edition'

Update at 4:50 p.m. ET. AIG Board Confirms Its Stance:

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The Two-Way
7:30 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Talk Of Delaying Brennan Nomination 'Unfortunate,' White House Says

Credit Kevin Dietsch / UPI /Landov
John Brennan, President Obama's nominee to be the next CIA director.

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 9:49 am

While the nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., to be secretary of defense has drawn opposition from groups who question his views on policy toward Israel and Iran, the nomination of White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to be CIA director may be delayed by senators who want to know more about last September's attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.:

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Around the Nation
7:19 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Root Canals Are More Popular Than Congress

Polling found Congress' most recent approval rating is 9 percent. Other things were tested too, and it was discovered root canals are more popular than lawmakers. On the bright side for Congress, it is more popular than the Ebola virus and playground bullies.

Around the Nation
7:10 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Principal Wants To Be Up On The Roof

Students of Don Gillett at Wrightsville Elementary in York., Pa., are in a program tracking books they read. If they total 2,000, he says he'll get a tent and a grill, and live on the roof for awhile.

Poetry
6:26 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Richard Blanco Will Be First Latino Inaugural Poet

Credit Nico Tucci / Courtesy Richard Blanco
Poet Richard Blanco is the author of City of a Hundred Fires, Directions to the Beach of the Dead and Looking for the Gulf Motel.

Originally published on Wed January 16, 2013 3:44 pm

In 1961, Robert Frost became the first poet to read at a U.S. inauguration when he recited "The Gift Outright" at President John F. Kennedy's swearing in. Since then, only three other poets have taken part in subsequent inaugural ceremonies: Maya Angelou, Miller Williams and Elizabeth Alexander. Now, there's a fifth.

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Around the Nation
4:46 am
Wed January 9, 2013

NRA Vows To Stop Tuscon From Destroying Guns

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 1:14 pm

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and her husband, Mark Kelly, have formed a political action committee to support prevention of gun violence. The announcement came Tuesday, the second anniversary of the mass shooting in Tucson that left six dead and wounded 13, including Giffords.

Churches and fire stations around the city rang bells in memory of the victims and in commemoration of other mass shootings since Tucson.

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Business
4:46 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Mississippi River Level Disrupts Supply Chain

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 6:26 am

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne. Good morning.

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Business
4:46 am
Wed January 9, 2013

The Last Word In Business

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 7:03 am

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And our last word in business today is Psyper Bowl.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "GANGNAM STYLE")

PSY: Oppan Gangnam style. Gangnam style. Op op op op oppan Gangnam Style.

MONTAGNE: South Korean pop star Psy took YouTube by storm with the viral sensation "Gangnam Style." Now he's setting his sights on the Super Bowl.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

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