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Last Updated: July 05, 2009 04:50 pm


Ex-California Gov. Gray Davis On State's Crisis

July 05, 2009 04:50 pm

IOUs, service cuts and layoffs. California is the poster child of state budget crises. The state is currently facing a budget shortfall estimated at more than $26 billion. Former Gov. Gray Davis — Arnold Schwarzenegger's predecessor and the loser of the 2003 recall election — shares his thoughts on how California's Constitution has worsened the impact of the recession.


New York Voters Weary Of State Senate Chaos

July 05, 2009 04:47 pm

Chaos continues in New York's state government, ever since Republicans and two dissident Democrats tried to take control of the state Senate on June 8. Bills that need passing are in limbo, and control of New York City's schools passed from the mayor to a hastily appointed Board of Education, when a June 30 deadline passed.


Russian Expert: Pressing 'Reset' May Not Suffice

July 05, 2009 04:43 pm

Andrei Zolotov, editor of Russia Profile magazine, talks to NPR's Guy Raz about what to expect when President Obama meets with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday. U.S. officials have said they hope to "press the reset button" on tense U.S.-Russia relations.


Obama Seeks New Start With Russia

July 05, 2009 04:42 pm

President Obama leaves Sunday night on a weeklong overseas trip that will take him to three countries on two continents. First stop: Russia, where he'll meet with President Dmitry Medvedev and deliver a speech at the New Economic School.


NFL's Steve McNair Found Shot Dead

July 05, 2009 01:13 pm

Quarterback Steve McNair spent the bulk of his 13-year career with the franchise that was the Houston Oilers and became the Tennessee Titans. McNair was found shot in his condominium in downtown Nashville; a 20-year-old woman was also found dead.


Texas Tea Takes New Meaning At 'Parties'

July 05, 2009 01:10 pm

Tens of thousands of people gathered at hundreds of rallies across the country on Saturday to celebrate Independence Day, but also to protest federal government spending and taxes. The rallies were called "tea (aka "taxed-enough already") parties" and were organized on the Internet. One of the biggest events was near Dallas.


Some Stimulus Money Preventing Homelessness

July 05, 2009 01:07 pm

Homeless programs are about to get a big push in a new direction. They used to focus on providing food and shelter. Now, the economic stimulus package is providing $1.5 billion to prevent people from becoming homeless and to quickly re-house those who do.


Complex Custody Issues Over Jackson's Children

July 05, 2009 01:02 pm

Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, may petition a court to be declared the legal guardian of his three children. Legal experts say that the court is likely to be faced with a number of issues with little precedent.


Congress Returns To New Member, Big Workload

July 05, 2009 01:00 pm

Congress returns to face a heavy summer load. Democrat Al Franken of Minnesota will be sworn in as the 100th senator, then lawmakers get down to the business of health care, energy policy and a Supreme Court nomination.


Afghanistan: Who To Fight, Who To Befriend

July 05, 2009 12:39 pm

The U.S. military is fighting the Taliban and other insurgents in Afghanistan, but what are the major factions they're up against? And why is it hard to convince the local population that this time, the Marines are here to stay?


Marines Cautiously Optimistic On Afghan Offensive

July 05, 2009 11:51 am

Four days into the Helmand operation, military officials in Afghanistan are saying the offensive to break the Taliban's grip on the region has exceeded their own optimistic expectations.


Keeping Human Rights On The U.S.-Russian Table

July 05, 2009 11:30 am

With so many issues on the table for President Obama's Russia trip, activists are working to make sure the issue of human rights doesn't get lost in the shuffle.


Obama Sets Out For New Russian Relationship

July 05, 2009 11:26 am

President Barack Obama sets off for Moscow Sunday for meetings with President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The Obama administration says it is anxious to develop a new relationship with Russia and press the "reset" button after difficult relations between Washington and Moscow under President Bush.


Has Obama's Presidency Lifted Race Relations?

July 05, 2009 08:00 am

Host Liane Hansen speaks to NPR News Analyst Juan Williams about the effect that President Barack Obama is having on race relations and the black community in the United States.


Is The Worst Over? Most Economists Say Yes

July 05, 2009 12:01 am

As the year's second half begins, most economists are saying the economy will begin to grow slowly in the fall. But hopes for a faster recovery cooled Thursday when the Labor Department said another 467,000 jobs disappeared in June.