National

Minister Ryan Bell has decided to "try on" atheism for a year. The former Seventh-day Adventist pastor was asked to leave his congregation in March.

Former Pastor Decides To Spend A Year Without God

6:50pm January 12, 2014

by NPR Staff

Ryan Bell was asked to step down from his Seventh-day Adventist congregation in March, after questioning his faith. For his New Year's resolution, Bell has decided to "try on" atheism and put his role as a religious leader — and follower — on hold.

Queue Listen Now

Will The Colts Run Out Of Luck Against Patriots?

12:53pm January 11, 2014

Saturday's NFL playoffs pits Tom Brady's Patriots against the Colts and the Seahawks against the Saints. Over on the other side of the world, will Serena serve herself into history — again? NPR's Scott Simon talks with Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine, about the sports stories of the week and sports to come.

Queue Listen Now

Ross Miner skates during the men's short program at the 2013 Skate Canada International last year. He hopes to qualify for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

A Story Of The Boston Marathon Bombing, As Told On Skates

7:48pm January 10, 2014

by Tovia Smith

Figure skater Ross Miner hopes to qualify for the Winter Olympics, and the final competition starts Friday night in Boston, where Miner will perform his experience of last year's bombing, through moves and music.

Queue Listen Now

National

Marijuana 'Hash Oil' Explodes In Popularity, And Kitchens

7:19pm January 10, 2014

by Martin Kaste

A potent, syrupy extract of marijuana has become a popular way to ingest pot among young people, particularly in places where pot use has been liberalized. That has public safety officials worried, in part because making the substance can have explosive side effects.

Queue Listen Now

(From left) Joseph McNeil and Franklin McCain, two of the Greensboro Four who the day before had sat at the "whites only" counter of a Woolworth store, came back on Feb. 2, 1960, with two others — Billy Smith and Clarence Henderson.

National

Franklin McCain, One Of 'Greensboro Four,' Dies

2:08pm January 10, 2014

by Mark Memmott

In February 1960, four young black men sat down at a whites-only lunch counter in North Carolina. Their protest would be followed by others across the nation and become a key moment in the civil rights movement. McCain once said that he wasn't scared. He was angry.

Amiri Baraka's Legacy Both Controversial And Achingly Beautiful

10:31am January 10, 2014

by Neda Ulaby

The former New Jersey poet laureate, born LeRoi Jones, died Thursday at age 79. Much of his work — including well-regarded poetry and plays — reflected his commitment to Black Nationalist ideals. He co-founded the Black Arts movement, and wrote poems that were as controversial as they were influential.

Queue Listen Now

National

Edward Snowden 'Did The Crime, He Should Do The Time'

10:21am January 10, 2014

There's been a vigorous debate over the fate of Edward Snowden, who leaked classified details about the activities of the National Security Agency. Some believe he started an important debate over privacy and security. David Greene talks to former NSA general counsel Stewart Baker, who believes having that debate so openly is dangerous.

Queue Listen Now

Tech Ventures in Georgia Prosper As Health Care Law Kicks In

7:36pm January 09, 2014

by Jim Burress, WABE

In a state where politicians have adamantly rejected the Affordable Care Act, the area around Atlanta has a growing number of health tech companies. Many are seeing business benefits from the law. Companies that once would have been a hard sell are seeing more sales and customers.

Queue Listen Now

An oversized truck load slowly moves equipment along an icy mountain road in Pennsylvania's Tiadaghton State Forest.

Natural Gas Boom Cuts Into Pennsylvania's State Forests

7:36pm January 09, 2014

by Marie Cusick

Pennsylvania is the fastest-growing state for natural gas production, but the development is cutting through swathes of previously unbroken forests. Some scientists say this could affect wildlife, which perform important functions like climate and insect control.

Queue Listen Now

John Rippo in July 2012 in a coffeehouse called Espresso Mio, in San Diego's Mission Hills neighborhood.

Newspaper Takes The Pulse Of San Diego Coffee Culture

3:51pm January 09, 2014

by Eliza Barclay

The Espresso, a San Diego newspaper for "cafe society," documents the local coffee shop scene with juicy vignettes in a gossip column. Publisher John Rippo says he's inspired by European periodicals written for the cafe intelligentsia.

Queue Listen Now