Search results for

NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that tomorrow's four Midwest presidential primaries are more important for what they say about Sen. Bob Dole's prospects in the November elections than for their actual importance in the Republican nominating race. Dole is considered far ahead of his only remaining GOP opponent, commentator Pat Buchanan, in the Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio contests. All four states could prove crucial to who wins in November.(4:00) 2. WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? -- NPR's Kathy Schalch reports that presidential candidates have a lot more to spend their money on than expensive television advertising, which often gets the most attention. They spend the bulk of their funds on staff and travel, and direct-mail solicitations to help them raise even more money. This year is already the most expensive campaign in history, but experts aren't sure just what all that spending is getting in return.

Pepper pellets, bean bags, tasers and other so-called "less lethal weapons" are gaining popularity with police departments around the country, especially for crowd control. But the death of a young woman in Boston last fall led investigators to conclude in a report that law-enforcement agencies need more training on how to use the weapons safely. Athena Desai of member station WBUR reports.

Actor Mel Gibson has issued an apology for remarks he reportedly made after being arrested for driving under the influence early Friday. The arresting officer reported that Gibson unleashed an anti-Semitic rant and attempted to flee the scene.

An organism similar to viruses that cause measles and mumps may be behind a global outbreak of a new form pneumonia, known as SARS. World health officials also report it looks like the disease is on its way to containment. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

U.S. officials report an increase in underground tunnels discovered along the U.S.-Mexico border. Drug traffickers and immigrant smugglers are digging elaborate passageways in attempts to evade tighter border enforcement. One tunnel per year used to be the average, but since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 10 passageways have been discovered. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

California is fighting a costly battle against an industrial chemical that has leaked into the state's groundwater. The state suggests even tiny amounts of perchlorate are worrisome, but other say there's little evidence of illness. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports in the first of a two-part series.

Mr. Stubbs (his tail was bitten off years ago) was taken in by the Phoenix Herpetological Society. There, The Arizona Republic reports, an orthopedic care specialist realized a silicone tail could be designed for him. Now, Mr. Stubbs sports a $6,000 prosthetic.

Workers are moving into a new circular building with a lot of glass doors. Some employees who walk while looking down at their phones have been ramming into the doors, according to reports.

David Hecht reports that an obscure civil war in the west African nation of Senegal has escalated in recent months. Rebels are fighting for independence in the southern province of Casamance; an upsurge in fighting since last summer has left hundreds dead. There is resentment in the Casamance that Senegal's central government is neglecting the region; the rebels also have a unique justification for their fight: they claim Senegal has no right to rule the Casamance because it still belongs to former colonial power France.

Who's got it better in life, kids or adults? A group of fourth-graders in New Jersey did some serious reporting on this topic and sent us their findings as a part of NPR's Student Podcast Challenge.