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Presidential Race
5:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Puerto Rico Holds Primary With Statehood In Mind

Puerto Ricans are American citizens who do not vote in U.S. presidential general elections, but they do participate in Republican and Democratic nominating contests. Sunday, Puerto Rico holds a GOP primary. Both Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney visited the island this week. From San Juan, NPR's David Welna reports.

Politics
5:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Who's Money? SuperPACs To Reveal Records

Residents of Illinois and Louisiana this week have been bombarded by TV ads attacking one or another presidential candidate, the vast majority of them funded by superPACs, groups that run TV ads like a regular candidate's campaign, but legally have nothing to do with the candidate they support. Tuesday night, they must file a report detailing who gave them money and how they spent it. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's S.V. Dáte.

Author Interviews
5:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

A 'Wild,' Solitary Journey On The Pacific Crest Trail

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

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Author Interviews
5:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

'The Moon': Children's Book Tackles Lifelong Themes

Host Rachel Martin speaks with author Natalie Babbitt about her new book, The Moon Over High Street. Babbitt is a celebrated writer of children's literature, including the classic, Tuck Everlasting. She's won the Newbery Honor Medal and five of her books have been ALA Notable Children's Books.

Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!
3:34 am
Sun March 18, 2012

'Mushing Mortician' Breathes Life Into Fallen Iditarod Sled Dog

Credit Mark Thiessen / AP
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race rookie Scott Janssen, known as the "Mushing Mortician," of Anchorage, Alaska, poses for a photo with one of his pet dogs.

From our "How To Do Everything" podcast:

Scott Janssen crossed the finish line of the Iditarod sled dog race on Friday afternoon, one dog short. He had hoped Marshall, who'd been with Janssen since he was a puppy, would be there.

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Europe
2:52 am
Sun March 18, 2012

After Spain's Construction Bust, Gardens Bloom

Spain is littered with vacant lots and half-built apartment complexes, where developers ran out of money when the construction bubble burst.

But in one Madrid barrio, neighbors are putting an abandoned tract of urban space to creative use.

Behind a chain link fence, in a dusty weed-filled lot between two soaring apartment blocks, Emilio de la Rosa is planting vegetables.

"Different types of products — garlic, beans, tomatoes, lettuce," he says. "We're teaching our children where tomatoes come from — not from the grocery store, but the ground."

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Music News
2:52 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Doo-Wop Dies Another Little Death As Store Closes

Credit Courtesy of the artists.
The Five Keys.

The style of music known as doo-wop had at least two heydays: Once in the 1950s and '60s, when the music was first recorded, and again during a revival in the '70s, thanks in part to nostalgic movies such as American Graffiti and Grease. But doo-wop is in a slump again, and one of its beacons in the northeast is about to close its doors after decades.

For some fans, nothing will ever replace the great vocal harmony groups.

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Economy
2:51 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Sweet Home: When Owning Isn't All About Money

Credit Ann Baxter / NPR
Tamika Rhodes and her children (clockwise) Taneea, Takeema and Paul at their home in St. Paul, Minn. Rhodes says the house is more important to her as a source of stability than as an investment.

It's not hard to figure out why the Rhodes family would want a house of their own. Their son Paul's passion for music makes it clear right away.

His mom, Tamika Rhodes, says in their last place, a two-bedroom apartment, Paul couldn't play the drums because it would have driven the neighbors crazy.

Now he, his two sisters, mom and dad live in a big, five-bedroom house in St. Paul, Minn. Rhodes says they all feel much more comfortable.

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The Impact of War
2:50 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Troops' Mental Health: How Much Is Unknown?

Credit Susan Walsh / AP
Gen. Peter Chiarelli, former vice chief of staff for the U.S. Army, says the Army lacks reliable diagnostic tools to screen for mental health.

The killing of 16 Afghan civilians last Sunday is now one of the greatest points of tension between the United States and Afghanistan. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales allegedly killed the civilians in cold blood; those close to him say they were shocked by the news.

According to the Pentagon, Bales had been treated for a traumatic brain injury that he suffered in Iraq in 2010, though the extent of the damage is unclear.

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Afghanistan
1:40 am
Sun March 18, 2012

For Suspect In Afghan Attack, A Praised Record

Originally published on Sun March 18, 2012 10:13 am

There is still only sketchy information available about Staff Sgt. Robert Bales' recent experience in Afghanistan, but five years ago in Iraq, he was considered an excellent and upbeat soldier.

Bales is suspected of killing 16 unarmed Afghan civilians last Sunday. He has yet to be charged, and his civilian lawyers say they will meet with him at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to learn the facts of the case.

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