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People of Northwest Public Radio

Sueann Ramella

Morning Edition Host & Producer

Thom Kokenge

All Things Considered Host & Producer

Robin Rilette

Music Director & Classical Music Host

Kerry Swanson

Station Manager

Gillian Coldsnow

Assistant Manager of Programming and Operations

John Paxson

News Director

Steve Reeder

Classical Music Host

Around the Nation

1:00 am

Thu March 15, 2012

Gas Prices Force More People To Take Rural Transit

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

There is little question that rising gas prices are making life miserable for lots of motorists. But for small rural transit systems, it's both good and bad news. Good because it brings more riders on board. Bad because the cost of transporting them is busting budgets. Charlotte Albright from Vermont Public Radio has this report.

1:00 am

Thu March 15, 2012

On Afghan Trip, Panetta Meets With Karzai

By Renee Montagne

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Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday. A U.S. soldier is accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians in Kandahar on Sunday. The incident has raised questions about the future of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.

NPR Story

1:00 am

Thu March 15, 2012

Biden Speeches To Frame Election Debate

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Good morning.

1:00 am

Thu March 15, 2012

The Last Word In Business

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And today's last word in business is: barbershop battle.

Barbers and beauticians are splitting hairs over the swirling red, white and blue striped pole that traditionally stands outside a barber shop. Barbers in several states are pushing legislation to prevent shops without a licensed barber from using the striped pole.

Many hair stylists say that they offer the same services as a licensed barber. But barbers say there are differences. For instance, only they can give shaves with a straight razor.

12:00 am

Thu March 15, 2012

Backpack Journalists

How does a student become an international journalist? At The Edward R.

Gary Pitts is a music loving outdoorsman who coincidentally loves outdoor music. He is a student at Murray State pursuing a music minor to complement his history major. Gary is a member of the MSU Guitar Ensemble and greatly enjoys the Latin grooves he and the other ensemble members get throw down on. When he is not producing news, jamming on his guitar, or pursuing music history research, he is usually canoeing or biking somewhere in nature with his wife Siobian.

Planet Money

9:01 pm

Wed March 14, 2012

China's Giant Pool Of Dollars

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Credit Xinhua /Landov

There is an advantage to strengthening the currency for people in China: It makes their imports cheaper. A clerk counts bank notes in a bank in Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Credit Jacob Goldstein / NPR

Rosalia Yang, at the Shanghai factory where her company makes imitation-wood flooring for export.

By David Kestenbaum and Jacob Goldstein

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China's central bank is sitting on a giant pool of U.S. dollars. It's the world's biggest holder of foreign reserves, worth over $3 trillion at last count.

All that money has piled up because every year, China exports more than it imports; it runs a trade surplus.

There are lots of reasons for China's trade surplus. In the past few decades, China has built an amazing manufacturing ecosystem. It's become the factory to the world.

9:01 pm

Wed March 14, 2012

In France, Politicians Make Halal Meat A Campaign Issue

Credit Anna Maria Jakub / Getty Images

French President Nicolas Sarkozy listens to a butcher during a visit to the butchery pavilion at the Rungis international food market, near Paris, in February.

By Eleanor Beardsley

Originally published on Thu March 15, 2012 6:29 pm

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A provocative comment by an extreme right presidential candidate has started a debate that is dominating the French presidential campaign. France may be in the middle of an economic crisis, but politicians seem more interested in talking about halal meat and religious dietary rules.

It all began when National Front Party presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said that non-Muslims in Paris were unwittingly eating halal meat.

9:01 pm

Wed March 14, 2012

Voters May Break Up Fight Over 'Fighting Sioux'

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Credit Josh Holmberg / AP

The University of North Dakota's Brad Eidsness makes a save during a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Since 2005, there have been a series of lawsuits and legislative actions over the nickname for the school's athletic teams, the "Fighting Sioux."

Credit Cheryl Corley / NPR

One of the 2,400 Fighting Sioux logos located throughout the University of North Dakota's hockey arena.

By Cheryl Corley

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The state Supreme Court in North Dakota is about to consider this question: Can lawmakers require a college to name its sports teams after a Native American tribe?

For decades, University of North Dakota teams have been known as the "Fighting Sioux." It's a name some see as an honor and others find demeaning. Now, the long fight over the Fighting Sioux may be settled in a courtroom.

2,400 Logos And A 'Vexing' Dispute

9:01 pm

Wed March 14, 2012

Campaign Videos: A Time-Tested Election Tactic

Credit BarackObama.com/YouTube

A screen shot of President Obama from the trailer for his campaign's movie The Road We've Traveled.

By Don Gonyea

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