For Democrats, Obamacare Web Woes Create 2014 Headache  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 19:30:00 -0400

When House Democrats are briefed about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act Wednesday, they'll be looking for assurances that the federal website's problems will be ironed out. 

Public Support For Marijuana Legalization Hits Record High  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:53:00 -0400

The tide of public opinion appears to be rapidly turning in favor of legalization. In November 2012, Gallup found that 48 percent of Americans favored marijuana legalization. Now that figure is at 58 percent. 

In Cost-Cutting Move, NOAA To Stop Printing Nautical Charts  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:27:00 -0400

Starting in April, the federal agency that surveys the nation's waters will offer charts only via on-demand printing, as PDFs or electronic charts. 

Job Growth Was Disappointing, But Some See Reasons For Hope  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:25:00 -0400

The September jobs report showed a labor market moving forward, but at a slow pace. That may push the Federal Reserve to keep trying to stimulate the economy. 

Want Your Daughter To Be A Science Whiz? Soccer Might Help  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:19:00 -0400

Physical activity has a range of benefits for children, yet many schools have cut back on gym and recess. Now a British study finds that children who were most active at age 11 did better academically through the teenage years. Active girls did particularly well in science, while both boys and girls had better scores in English. 

The Sounds Of New York City, Circa 1920  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 18:02:00 -0400

A team led by Emily Thompson, a history professor at Princeton, has matched noise complaints from New York City in the Roaring '20s with the actual street sounds of the day. 

How A County Clerk Ignited The Gay Marriage Debate In N.M.  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:52:00 -0400

In August, Lynn Ellins, the clerk of Dona Ana County and a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage, decided to "put the ball in play" by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples for the first time in New Mexico history. More than 900 marriage licenses have been issued to gay couples across the state. 

Funeral Contest Rewards Those Who Think Outside The Pine Box  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:38:38 -0400

Melissa Block talks with Christine Pepper, CEO of the National Funeral Directors Association and judge for the Design for Death contest, about the competition and the winning entries. 

NGOs Call US Drone Program Illegal In Damning Reports  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:38:38 -0400

Two reports out today criticize the U.S. counterterrorism drone program and claim that the attacks kill many more civilians than the U.S. has acknowledged. The group Human Rights Watch studied six cases in Yemen. Amnesty International examined drone strikes in Pakistan during the past year and a half. Both groups accuse the U.S. of violating international law and call on the U.S. to make the secret drone program more transparent to the public. 

15 Years Of Wrangling Over Yellowstone Snowmobiles Ends  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:38:00 -0400

The federal government finally has a plan for winters at Yellowstone National Park that both fans and foes of snowmobiles say they can live with. Within two years, only the cleanest and quietest of the vehicles will be allowed inside the park. 

Despite Efforts, The Rio Grande Is One Dirty Border  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:38:00 -0400

Since Mexico and the United States signed the North American Free Trade Agreement 20 years ago, the two countries have worked to clean up the waterway. The river makes up a large chunk of the border, but despite progress, massive amounts of raw sewage still enter the water each day. 

Doctors Enlist Therapists To Deliver Better, Cheaper Care  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:10:00 -0400

Many people don't take their doctor's advice to see a psychotherapist, even when they really need to. So Oregon is experimenting with placing clinical psychologists in medical practices. The goal is to improve patient care and save money. But it means that doctors and therapists will have to change how they work. 

Former House Aide Lorraine Miller Named Interim NAACP Chief  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:46:00 -0400

The nation's largest and oldest civil rights group makes the temporary appointment after Benjamin Jealous announced his resignation as president and CEO. 

Meatless Monday Movement Gets More Veggies On The Menu  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:37:00 -0400

In 2003, one of the original Mad Men began working with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health to encourage people to go meatless one day of the week. In 10 years, the campaign can now point to hundreds of schools and restaurants that promote a vegetarian option on their Monday menus. 

Bipartisan Group Slowed Down By Shutdown?  Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:19:37 -0400

The political organization No Labels says its members are trying to move past partisan politics, and focus on solving problems for the country. But did the government shutdown and the debt ceiling debate slow down the No Labels movement? Host Michel Martin speaks once again with Congressmen Reid Ribble, R-WI., and Jim Cooper, D-TN.