Jan 6th, 2009 · CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, is reportedly in talks to become the Obama administration's surgeon general. Gupta worked on health policy as a White House fellow in the 1990s.
Jan 1st, 2009 · In his public appearances, President-elect Barack Obama has been known to quote poetry and harken back to his school music teacher. He likes the works of Stevie Wonder, Toni Morrison and Ernest Hemingway, to name a few. NPR's Elizabeth Blair talks with Steve Inskeep about Obama's potential influence on federal policy toward the arts.
Dec 24th, 2008 · President-elect Obama has big plans for the nation's crumbling roads and bridges. But with people driving less and fewer gas-tax dollars coming in, where will the money come from? That's just one of the questions looming as Obama and Congress get set to overhaul transportation policy.
Dec 23rd, 2008 · The Middle East will likely be a major foreign policy priority for Barack Obama. His election has generated high expectations — some say too high — that he can restore the image of the U.S. in the Arab world and that changes in Mideast policy are imminent.
Dec 21st, 2008 · In a significant policy change, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer announced the U.S. has concluded there can be no power-sharing government as long as Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is in power.
Dec 20th, 2008 · NPR's Scott Simon takes a moment to note that this year, the U.S. Postal Service in New York has had to change its policy of citizens answering Dear Santa letters from children. They've added a layer of anonymity.
Dec 17th, 2008 · The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate to almost zero Wednesday. It's the latest attempt to jump-start the economy. And the Fed made clear that it won't stop there. If needed, federal policy makers indicated they will use all available tools at their disposal to keep the economy from sliding deeper into recession.
Dec 12th, 2008 · Barack Obama revealed his choices for several energy posts this week, including Nobel laureate physicist Steven Chu for energy secretary. Darren Samuelsohn, senior reporter for Greenwire, analyzes the picks and what the appointments may mean for future environmental policy.