Public Radio East

Three-Minute Fiction Readings: 'Geometry' And 'Snowflake'

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:08:00 +0000

NPR's Bob Mondello and Susan Stamberg read excerpts of two of the best submissions for Round 11 of our short story contest. They read Snowflake by Winona Wendth of Lancaster, Mass., and Geometry by Eugenie Montague of Los Angeles. You can read their full stories below and find other stories on our Three-Minute Fiction page or on Facebook.

Kerry Acknowledges 'Years Of Disappointments' In West Bank

Scott Simon and Emily Harris — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:02:00 +0000

Skepticism, cynicism, maybe some hope? Secretary of State John Kerry met with political leaders in Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank this week in his effort to restart direct peace talks between the two parties. As NPR's Emily Harris tells host Scott Simon, this visit brought no concrete plan, but one is expected next month.

Gals Who Grill: What Will It Take For Women To Man The Q?

Allison Aubrey — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

There's a lot of innovation in grilling — everything from fancy briquettes to gadgets that help grill veggies to perfection.

But according to survey data from the NPD Group, one thing that's not changing is who's firing up the grill.

Men are more than twice as likely as women to be the primary griller in the household, according to the survey.

'Steal The Menu': A Chronicle Of A Career In Food Coverage

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000

When Raymond Sokolov began writing about food, it was considered a specialty portfolio. Today, celebrity chefs abound in the U.S. and Britain, with cookbooks, TV shows and groupies. Host Scott Simon speaks with Sokolov about his new book, Steal the Menu: A Memoir of Forty Years in Food.

Obama Keeps Distance From Torture Debate, At Least For Now

Tom Gjelten — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000

In his national security speech Thursday, President Obama discussed drone warfare and the Guantanamo detention camp. But a third controversial issue went largely unmentioned: the use of interrogation methods that are tantamount to torture.

Obama banned those interrogation techniques on his second day in office. But he has largely avoided the debate over whether torture in some cases has produced valuable information.

IRS Hearings Highlight Ambiguity Of Nonprofits In Politics

Peter Overby — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000

The congressional hearings about the IRS's handling of Tea Party applications for tax-exempt status raise the question of why and how tax-exempt groups engage in politics in the first place.

'Please, No More Clothes': Okla. Asks For Monetary Donations

Pam Fessler — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000

The tornado that devastated much of Moore, Okla., has drawn loads of donations from across the country: food, clothing, medical supplies, toys. Much of it is needed by the victims, but not everything.

After every disaster, relief groups usually ask for one thing: money. But writing a check or texting a donation isn't always that satisfying for those who want so desperately to help.

Baptist Church In Oklahoma Churns Out Meals For Victims

Kirk Siegler — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Hundreds of volunteers have come to Moore, Okla., to help the community following Monday's tornado. Some are helping clear debris, others bringing out water and supplies to people whose homes were damaged or destroyed, and whose lives are in disarray. One group of volunteers is cooking more than 10,000 meals a day.

Sole Survivor: Iraq Rescue Mission Ended In Tragedy

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
In our latest installment of the StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative, we hear from Lance Cpl. Travis Williams. In 2005, while serving in Iraq, Williams and his 12-man squad came under attack. He was the only survivor.

Gnomes Crash Distinguished Garden Show In England

Dana Farrington — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Gnomes marched their way into one of England's most prestigious gardening events this year.

War Of Words: France Debates Teaching Courses In English

Eleanor Beardsley — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Will teaching English in France's universities undermine the French language? That's up for debate in the country now, and the arguments are heated.
The lower house of the French Parliament approved a measure Thursday that would allow courses to be taught in English, something that is currently against the law.
Those in favor of the proposal say it will attract more international students and improve English language skills of French students.

In India, More Women Are Playing Matchmaker For Themselves

Julie McCarthy — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
In India, some of the most entertaining reading on a Sunday afternoon is found in the classified ads.

Tough Arizona Sheriff Gets Judicial Reprimand

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:49:00 +0000
In Arizona, a federal judge ruled against the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department, saying it used racial profiling to enforce the state's tough immigration laws. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Ted Robbins about the ruling.

Chasing Okla. Storms: 'Technology Can Only Go So Far'

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:49:00 +0000
Host Scott Simon speaks with Val Castor, the senior "StormTracker" for News 9 in Oklahoma City, about what it's like to do the job in one of the most climatically volatile regions of the country.

Pentagon's Historical Displays Honor Americans' Sacrifices

Shula Neuman — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:49:00 +0000
Nearly 18 million tourists descend on our nation's capitol every year, and most of them are keen to spend time at the many free museums in Washington, D.C. But only about 100,000 people take the trip across the river to a museum of a different sort: the Pentagon. The Pentagon's exhaustive historical displays offer fresh insight into the range of the Defense Department's activities.

Sports: Playoff Time In The NBA

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:49:00 +0000
Host Scott Simon catches up on the week's sports with NPR's Tom Goldman.

NFL Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya Plays Not My Job

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:33:00 +0000
Michele Tafoya is the Emmy award-winning reporter for NBC's Sunday Night Football, but she's spent time on basketball courts, softball diamonds, gymnastics mats and now public radio quiz show game grids.
We've invited Tafoya to play a game called "Enter at your own risk!" As one of the first female reporters to be allowed inside the NFL locker room, she has been a pioneer in her field. But there are still places out there where they believe in cooties, so Tafoya will answer three questions about men's-only clubs.
Copyright 2013 NPR.

Prediction

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:33:00 +0000
Our panelists predict how Apple will repair their image.

Limericks

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:33:00 +0000
Bill Kurtis reads three news-related limericks: The Pale Diet, Folgers of Maine, A Fair Perspective.

Panel Round Two

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:33:00 +0000
More questions for the panel: Hewlett Pizza, Vogue Visas, The Love Train.