National

Amanda Cowley repaints her bathroom during renovations made to her new three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse.

National

Moving Out And Buying In: Single Ladies Emerge As Homeowners

10:38am June 28, 2013

by Jennifer Ludden

Even though it's tough to purchase your own home in this economy, single women are making it work. After married couples, they're the largest demographic group of homebuyers. In fact, their share of the market is twice that of single men.

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After Samuel Taylor came out to his mother, Connie Casey, the pair had several very difficult years. But in time, Connie realized she had to re-examine her feelings about homosexuality.

National

For A Mom, Learning To Accept A Gay Son Was 'Nonnegotiable'

7:13am June 28, 2013

by NPR Staff

When Connie Casey learned her adolescent son was gay, she blamed herself and sent him to conversion therapy for several years. But when Samuel, now 22, went away to college, Connie says, she realized that "it was time to take a look at everything that I'd ever been taught to believe."

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Defense Officials Indicate NSA Leaks Have Had Consequences

7:13am June 28, 2013

by Tom Gjelten

Washington is still trying to determine how much damage has been done as a result of Edward Snowden's revelations about NSA surveillance. Snowden allegedly encrypted the files he took with him, but some officials fear Chinese or Russian intelligence services gained access to Snowden's computers.

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National

Texas Gov. Calls Special Session, Reigniting Abortion Debate

5:44pm June 27, 2013

by John Burnett

The fight over abortion rights has heated up in Texas. A dramatic late night filibuster session derailed the passage of new abortion restrictions on Tuesday night. The next day, Gov. Rick Perry, an abortion rights opponent, called for a special legislative session to start July, 1, to reintroduce the legislation.

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Caryn Lantz and her husband Chuck were surprised to learn that costs associated with adopting black children were much lower than for white or mixed race children. They ultimately went with an adoption in which the fee was based on their income, not skin

National

Six Words: 'Black Babies Cost Less To Adopt'

9:46am June 27, 2013

by NPR Staff

In the U.S., more prospective parents seek to adopt white and mixed race children than black children. As a result, many agencies levy lower fees to make it easier for parents to adopt from among the large numbers of black children waiting for placement.

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Conservative Religious Leaders Condemn Same-Sex Marriage Rulings

5:34am June 27, 2013

by John Burnett

We talk to religious conservatives about their response to Wednesday's Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8.

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New Bugs In Florida Stymie Researchers, Threaten Crops

5:34am June 27, 2013

by Greg Allen

Researchers usually identify natural predators or parasites to combat invasive bugs like the brown marmorated stink bug and the psyllid. But after not finding immediate solutions, they are turning to pesticides and nutrient sprays.

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National

Gay Military Spouses To Benefit From Supreme Court Ruling

5:01am June 27, 2013

by Larry Abramson

Gay spouses of service members have long been denied the substantial benefits available to heterosexual couples. Now, Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act means gay married couples can look forward to more equal treatment from the Pentagon.

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In the current New Yorker, Michael Specter explores the conflict among some people who suffer from Lyme disease, and the doctors who study it.

'The Lyme Wars' That Tiny Ticks Have Wrought

4:50pm June 26, 2013

Since Lyme disease was first identified in the late 1970s, it has become the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the country. Journalist Michael Specter talks about his New Yorker article on the disease and its controversial history.

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The testimonies of James "Whitey" Bulger and his Winter Hill Gang cohort have been filled with well-preserved mob lingo.

National

The 'Time Capsule' Of Mob Lingo At The Whitey Bulger Trial

11:39am June 26, 2013

by NPR Staff

The trial of the notorious gangster has been filled with well-preserved jargon like "vig," "shylock," and "boiler." Linguist Ben Zimmer says some of that lingo has been around for at least a century or so.

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