Melissa Block

Melissa Block appears in the following:

View From Nearly 99: Frances Kolarek Reflects On Politics And Change

Monday, November 07, 2016

The former newspaper reporter was born in 1917, before women won the right to vote. She calls Hillary Clinton the most qualified presidential candidate she has seen in her lifetime.

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Making Art Off The Grid: A Monthlong Residency At A Remote National Park

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Filmmakers Carter McCormick and Paula Sprenger recently wrapped up a month as artists-in-residence at Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West. No phone, TV, Internet or other people.

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Surge Of Cuban Migrants Arrive On U.S. Shores

Monday, October 24, 2016

Cubans who recently made the dangerous migration to Florida by boat talk about what drove them to leave their homeland, about leaving their families behind, and what awaits them here in the U.S.

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Improved U.S.-Cuba Relations Are Creating A Surge Of Cuban Migrants

Monday, October 24, 2016

Cuban migrants have received preferential treatment for more than a half-century. But as the U.S. and Cuba normalize relations, that policy could change and Cubans are racing to reach U.S. shores.

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As U.S.-Cuba Ties Normalize, Cubans Fear Special Migrant Status Will End

Monday, October 24, 2016

Florida is seeing a surge of Cuban migrants desperate to make the dangerous sea crossing. They fear an end to current U.S. immigration policy, which gives Cubans who reach U.S. land special status.

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After Going For Gold, Athletes Can Feel The Post-Olympic Blues

Thursday, September 08, 2016

After years of training and all the attention and hype, athletes can experience a profound letdown, even depression, when the games are over. They can struggle to fill a void in their lives.

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After Second Gold, Boxer Claressa Shields Looks Ahead To What's Next

Monday, August 22, 2016

After her first Olympic gold medal in 2012, endorsements didn't follow. This time around, Shields isn't worried. "Everybody wants a tough, strong woman in their life!" she says.

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A Farewell From Rio, Where The 2016 Games Are Set To Wrap Up

Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Olympics offered two weeks of sports, filled with joy and pain for athletes and their friends and families. We look back on the competitions and the culture inside the Olympic Village.

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Brazil Men's Soccer Redeem Loss To Germany For Olympic Gold In Penalty Kick Shootout

Sunday, August 21, 2016

For two years, the humiliating loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup semi-final haunted the men's soccer team of Brazil. Saturday night, they played Germany again, and this time, it went Brazil's way.

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U.S. Women Look To Defend Gold In Water Polo On Friday

Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Olympics can be rough on parents who are watching their kids compete. Like the Fischers, whose daughters, 19 and 17, are part of the women's water polo team that's one game away from gold.

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U.S. Sisters To Compete For Gold In Women's Water Polo

Thursday, August 18, 2016

The U.S. women's water polo team is headed to the finals Friday. They play Italy for the gold. NPR watched Wednesday's semifinal with the mother of two of the U.S. players, Aria and Makenzie Fischer.

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In The Summer Games, Norway Rallies Around Its Women's Handball Team

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Norway isn't renowned for its prowess in summer sports. One exception: women's handball. The sport is huge in Norway.

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The Art Of Table Tennis: Tiny Details Matter A Lot

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Olympic table tennis wrap up Wednesday when China and Japan compete in the men's team final. Technical factors — such as lighting and air flow — can either delight or plague table tennis players.

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The Sensitive Question Of Intersex Athletes

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Caster Semenya, the favorite in the women's 800 meters, is controversial. The South African runner is widely believed to be intersex, with testosterone levels much higher than other female athletes'.

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Nauru's Olympic Team Is An Army Of Two

Sunday, August 14, 2016

At the Olympics, some countries have athlete rosters that are hundreds strong. And then there's the south Pacific island nation of Nauru, with a population of 10,000 and two athletes at the games.

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From Comoros Islands, An Olympian Clears Hurdles On And Off The Track

Friday, August 12, 2016

A competitor in Rio grew up poor in the islands, leaving home to live on the streets when he was 8. There's not even a running track there. Now he's competing in the 400-meter hurdles.

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For Refugee Team, Just Being In Rio Is Like Winning Gold

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

The 10 athletes representing the first-ever refugee team received a stadium-rattling ovation at the opening ceremony. They hope to send a message about refugees that reaches far beyond the Rio Games.

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After Years Of Sweat, Fencer Jason Pryor Makes His Olympic Debut

Tuesday, August 09, 2016

In the days before his competition, Pryor said he had never been more ready for anything in his life. With his family watching, he faced a tough Swiss opponent in his opening match.

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For Some Olympic Athletes, The Games Are Already Over

Monday, August 08, 2016

For U.S. weightlifter Morghan King and others, competition began and ended on the first two days.

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U.S. Women Considered A Lock For The Team Gold Medal In Rio

Monday, August 08, 2016

Simone Biles led the star-studded U.S. women's gymnastics team Sunday night in qualifiers at the Summer Olympic games. Biles and teammate Aly Raisman will advance to the all-around competition.

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