Search results for

NPR's Joe Palca reports that the National Academy of Sciences has issued an update about what's known about the health effects of Agent Orange. The new report for the first time says there is evidence suggesting that Agent Orange may increase the risk for spina bifida among children of Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to the defoliant.

NPR's Vicky Que reports on the case of heavyweight fighter Tommy Morrison, who was suspended from boxing this past week after it was revealed that he's infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Vicky reports medical experts say the risk of contracting HIV while boxing is extremely low, and there's no medical reason why Morrison shouldn't be allowed to box if he wants to.

Reporter Carole Rabel in Rhode Island reports on efforts to pinpoint the source of a disturbing new disease affecting lobsters in the northeast. Many lobsters have deformed shells. Warm water or other environmental stresses could be the source; some experts fear it's actually a larvacide that's being used in several states to kill mosquitoes that could carry the human pathogen, west Nile virus.

Liane speaks with Jim Camden, Senior Political Reporter for the Spokane, Washington, Spokesman-Review; Tim Morris, Political Editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune; and Candace Page, Political Reporter for the Burlington, Vermont, Free Press. They look back to Vice President Al Gore's acceptance speech at the Democratic Party Convention in Los Angeles this past week, and talk about how their readers responded.

Shares in Southern California technology company Emulex plunged nearly 60 percent in a matter of hours after a phony press release sent out over the Internet falsely reported that the company was in trouble. The company's stock recovered after the hoax was discovered. But, as Elaine Korry of NPR News reports, the episode demonstrates how vulnerable businesses are to misleading information, in an age of instant mass communication.

Host Renee Montagne talks to Canadian reporter Hillary MacKenzie and Japanese reporter Yoichi Kato about the way they're covering the U.S. Presidential campaign. MacKenzie is Washington bureau chief for Southam News, Canada's largest news organization. Kato is political correspondent with the Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbun.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports the recall of Firestone tires has left Ford in something of a quandary. If the controversy drags on long enough, it could hurt sales of the popular Ford Explorer. Ford recently announced it will get some of the tires for upcoming Explorers from other tire manufacturers. But the booming world auto market makes it hard for Ford to sever its ties to Firestone altogether. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

Two stories on the Presidential campaign: NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on Democratic nominee Al Gore's appearance last night on MTV's Choose or Lose program, where he answered questions from college students. NPR's Andy Bowers reports on Republican nominee George W. Bush's appearance on CNN with Larry King. Host Larry King interviewed Governor Bush and his wife, Laura.

As part of NPR's Changing Face of America series, correspondent David Molpus has the first of four reports this month on America's changing work environment. This week, Molpus reports on the democratic workplace with a profile of the Austin, Texas based Whole Foods Market. Molpus explores how the company's unorthodox management practices have helped it grow into the country's largest natural food grocery chain.

NPR's John Ydstie reports today is not the first time Al Gore has accused the oil industry of price-gouging. The vice-president first brought up the subject of oil industry profits when gas prices soared earlier this year. Ydstie reports there is scant evidence of oil company collusion, though, and the industry is probably just profiting from OPEC's success in driving up the price of oil.