Search results for

Tammy Faye Bakker and her ex-husband Jim once sat atop the Praise the Lord broadcasting empire, with a theme park, lavish homes and even a satellite. Now the remarried Tammy Faye Messner has become a remarkably popular performer with gay audiences. NPR's Neda Ulaby charts Tammy Faye's unlikely rebirth after a spectacular fall from grace.

Chocolate comes from the cacao tree Theobroma cacao, meaning the food of the gods. While today chocolate is often considered common, chocolate connoisseurs are trying to elevate the cacao bean back to its former elite status. Joanne Silberner reports on their progress for Morning Edition.

Professor of Islamic law at the University of California at Los Angeles Khaled Abou El Fadl. He's the author of a number of books, including Conference of the Books: The Search for Beauty in Islam (University Press of America), a collection of essays about the problems and challenges that confront Muslims in the contemporary world.

The government has been trying for years to stop identity thieves from stealing Social Security numbers. But now officials say the problem has taken on new importance as a way to stop terrorists, NPR's Larry Abramson reports on Morning Edition. NPR Online offers tips on protecting yourself from identity theft.

Retired Navy Capt. Peter Huchthausen wrote the book K19: The Widowmaker: The Secret Story of the Soviet Nuclear Submarine. This true story of a barely averted catastrophe aboard a nuclear-powered submarine has been adapted into a film of the same name starring Harrison Ford. Huchthausen served as technical director on the film. On July 4, 1961, the sub was taking part in a military exercise in the North Atlantic. A pipeline in a reactor's cooling system ruptured. In a race against time, the crew worked to improvise a repair. Until now, the story has been kept secret. Huchthausen served as naval attaché in Moscow from 1987 to 1990. The movie opens nationwide on July 19.

Actress Catherine Keener was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Being John Malkovich. She starred in the independent films The Real Blonde, Walking and Talking, Living in Oblivion and Lovely and Amazing.

A song that had America dreaming of California sunshine actually was born on a New York winter's day. As part of the Present at the Creation series, NPR's Susan Stamberg has the story of "California Dreamin'," the Mamas and the Papas' enduring anthem to homesickness.

Technology has radically changed the sport of surfing. Surfboards have evolved from heavy solid-wood planks -- almost identical to boards used for centuries in Hawaii -- to high-tech tools that rocket skilled surfers across the water. Tom Goldman has the story on surfers and their boards for our continuing Present at the Creation series.

Weekend Edition Saturday once again features summer readings from the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, held at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Conn. The festival's 11th year continues with "Charles by Accident" by Wesley McNair.

A new study offers even more evidence that hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women is risky. Researchers say women taking estrogen-only pills are at greater risk for ovarian cancer. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports for All Things Considered.