Search results for

Writer Daniel Asa Rose tells the story of a chance meeting late one night in a bar in on Nantucket. The man sitting next to him turned out to share his birthday, his birthplace and even the same maternity ward. Though they had spent lives traveling in completely different directions, they were once again breathing the same air, nearly five decades later.

Linda talks to Bill Rempel, National Correspondent and Investigative Reporter for the Los Angeles Times, about the concealed weapons law in Texas. Rempel's report in today's paper says hundreds of people with criminal backgrounds, many of them violent, have gotten the concealed carry licenses in Texas. That's despite a vow by Texas Governor George W. Bush for rigorous background checks.

Jason Beaubien reports from Boston on the Johnston and Murphy company's exhibit of shoes worn by Presidents Lincoln through Bush. It reveals some interesting traits about the nation's top feet and the men attached to them. The exhibit is on display at the University of Massachusetts, where the Republican and Democratic candidates meet tonight for a debate.

Satirist Harry Shearer imagines the line between Soft and Hard TV will fall, and future Presidential debates will be in line with more popular entertainment. He proposes a combination of professional wrestling and politics.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from Yugoslavia, where opposition leaders are hoping a second day of protests and a general strike will force president Slobodan Milosevic from his office. Miloseic lost to Vojislav Kostunica in last month's elections.

NPR's John McChesney reports that Napster -- the online music site that allows its users to "share" music files -- was back in court today. The Recording Industry Association is suing Napster for copyright infringement. A federal appeals court in San Francisco heard arguments today on whether a lower-court decision against the company should be allowed to go into effect. Napster's allies have warned that the company will be forced out of business if the lower-court ruling stands.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case about who owns the right to commercial use of a theatrical character -- the actor who played the part, or the studio for which it was created. The case centers on a lawsuit filed against Paramount studios by the actors who played barflies Cliff and Norm on the Cheers TV series. It returns now to the California courts.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on today's arguments before the Supreme Court on whether police should be allowed to stop cars at random and expose them to drug-sniffing dogs. The case from Indianapolis involved a roadblock-style action, similar to sobriety checkpoints. In this case, the motorist had no drugs, but was outraged, saying his privacy had been invaded by the dog search. Police say the dog search is no more invasive than the alcohol roadblock, which the court has upheld. Today, the justices asked both sides where a line could be drawn between checking for impaired drivers and those who are transporting illegal goods.

From Athens, Georgia Steve Lickteig reports on the city's struggle to preserve an unusual monument — the railroad trestle pictured on the cover of native rock band REM's break-out album Murmur.

Today is the tenth anniversary of German reunification. The BBC's Horsley reports from the anniversary celebration. (2:52-3:01) More information about German reunification can be found on on www.germany-info.org