Jan 7th, 2009 · With Alaska's Ted Stevens no longer in the Senate, there's talk on Capitol Hill of reconsidering some of the federal contracting preferences enjoyed by Alaska Native corporations. These companies often receive federal deals even when other, cheaper businesses offer similar services.
Dec 26th, 2008 · Shade-grown coffee is sometimes called "bird friendly coffee," but a new paper in the journal Current Biology suggests that the plantations also help maintain the genetic diversity of native tree species. Study author Shalene Jha discusses the research and its implications.
Dec 14th, 2008 · "Little Jackie" is Imani Coppola and Adam Pallin. They are a Motown-influenced pop act. Pallin is a multi-instrumentalist Boston native and Coppola is a singer-songwriter from Long Island. They speak with Liane Hansen about their debut album, "The Stoop".
Dec 13th, 2008 · It takes the gifts of a novelist to fathom the Governor Rod Blagojevich story this week: a fresh-faced governor accused of putting President-elect Obama's seat in the U.S. Senate up for sale. NPR's Scott Simon talks with novelist, former federal prosecutor and fellow Chicago native Scott Turow, about this week in Illinois politics and how truth IS stranger than fiction. (4:00)
Dec 12th, 2008 · Piano Jazz introduces another amazing young jazz pianist, Sam Reider. The San Francisco native has an album with his group, Uptown Trio, and recently wrapped up a tour of the West Coast. Reider performs his own composition, "Tatiana," before joining McPartland for a duet of Ellington's "Warm Valley."
Dec 12th, 2008 · Illinois politicians have a long history of bending the rules but some say Governor Rod Blagojevich went too far. NPR's Scott Simon is a Chicago native and has watched his city's political machinations for years. He talks to Steve Inskeep about how the governor stepped over the line.
Dec 4th, 2008 · Lillian Allen, who turned 100 in April, says she never expected to see a black man sworn in as president in her lifetime. The Pittsburgh native who volunteered for the Obama campaign plans to travel to Washington, D.C., for the historic inauguration.
Dec 3rd, 2008 · The heads of Ford, GM and Chrysler are road-tripping from Detroit to Washington in fuel-efficient hybrids. NPR's Don Gonyea, Michigan-native and former Detroit resident, has made the trek dozens of times and provides highlights and driving tips for the trip.