Jan 2nd, 2009 · The Barbershop guys — Ruben Navarrette, Lester Spence, Sean Conner and Arsalan Iftikhar — convene to talk about a dramatic week in news. Among today's topics: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich defied critics but remains under a cloud of controversy, a Tennessee Republican sent a politically disastrous Christmas gift. Plus, does the NFL plan on hiring more black coaches?
Dec 31st, 2008 · Why would the embattled Illinois governor tap someone to fill the very Senate seat he is accused of trying to sell? Observers say his critics-be-damned announcement smacks of hubris. Then again, coming out swinging makes sense for the former Golden Gloves boxer.
Dec 19th, 2008 · With his back against the wall, the Illinois governor turns to...Rudyard Kipling? Turns out the English poet is a favorite of high-profile people in times of crisis.
Nov 9th, 2008 · At the home workshop of Sam Zygmuntowicz, form follows function: The Brooklyn-based luthier, who has designed instruments for Joshua Bell and Yo-Yo Ma, is scientifically analyzing great violins of the past to make even better ones for today.
Sep 4th, 2008 · Now that Baseball has finally joined other sports in using instant replay, it didn't waste its first instant replay on an obscure player. It was Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez who showed up in the tape when the Tampa Bay Rays challenged an A-Rod home run in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game. The umpires ruled for the Yankees after viewing their first ever replay.
May 29th, 2008 · The mere mention of Richard Wagner's name can be a lightning rod for controversy. Wagner the man was a scoundrel, but his music was far ahead of its time. Wagner biographer William Berger joins NPR's Lisa Simeone for an overview of the artist and his groundbreaking music.
Mar 19th, 2008 · While U.S. troops in Iraq spend much of their time searching for high level insurgents, some soldiers at Baghdad's Camp Victory try to catch another type of "big one." They fish in the lakes surrounding Saddam Hussein's palaces. After five years, it's become a tradition -- soldiers on their way out, hand fishing rods to newcomers.
Jan 18th, 2008 · Campaigning for his wife, Bill Clinton has been fulfilling the job long represented by a running mate -- attacking the opposition and being a controversial lightning rod. While he remains popular with the Democratic rank and file, some also find his behavior unseemly for an ex-president.