U.S.

National

More Than Just Saying 'Cheese,' Hundreds Sit Test To Become Official Experts

5:54pm July 26, 2016

by Sarah Boden

The American Cheese Society will begin proctoring its next Certified Cheese Professional Exam in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday, during the group's annual conference.

Michael Peterson, an archaeologist at Redwood National Park in California, photographs the coastline annually to monitor erosion of archaeological sites.

As Storms Erode California's Cliffs, Buried Village Could Get Washed Away

5:54pm July 26, 2016

by Jes Burns

Until now, the archaeological philosophy at Redwood National Park has been "keep it in the ground." But for one Native American site, climate change may force the park to reconsider that approach.

Woohoo! Get wild, all ye Starbucks employees. Now crew necks are acceptable work wear!

Starbucks' New Dress Code: Purple Hair And Fedoras OK, But Hoodies Forbidden

5:54pm July 26, 2016

by Allison Aubrey

Yes, the green aprons remain, but you may begin noticing more personal flair underneath. Instead of black and white garments, baristas are now free to embrace "drabby chic."

National

Why The Public Perception Of Crime Exceeds The Reality

4:25pm July 26, 2016

Americans are more afraid of crime, even though the crime rates are down, Nikki Usher of George Washington University tells NPR's Robert Siegel. Usher says that the media is reporting crime more, and in new ways. The more people consume bad news in the world, she explains, the more they believe it is more dangerous than it really is.

The Clinton Legacy On Fighting Crime And What Democrats Have Learned From It

4:25pm July 26, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish talks to California Attorney General Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention about the Democrats' positions on Black Lives Matter and criminal justice reform.

Parkinson's disease, smoking, certain head injuries and even normal aging can influence our sense of smell. But certain patterns of loss in the ability to identify odors seem pronounced in Alzheimer's, researchers say.

A Sniff Test For Alzheimer's Checks For The Ability To Identify Odors

4:25pm July 26, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

New research suggests it may be possible to spot people in the early stages of Alzheimer's by testing their ability to recognize fragrances. The goal is a quick and inexpensive screening test.

First lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

The Obamas And The White House's Slave Legacy

2:26pm July 26, 2016

by Leah Donnella

The Obamas have repeatedly used their platform to remind the public that the White House was built by slaves. Of course, not everyone is enthralled, or even convinced that this history is real.

In 2016, Mesa Verde National Park officials closed Spruce Tree House because of crumbling rock. Previous restoration efforts and more extreme temperature swings, which may be connected to climate change, are two reasons why the staff here thinks rock is c

To Preserve History, A National Park Preps For Climate Change

2:07pm July 26, 2016

by Grace Hood

Climate change is affecting what visitors see in Mesa Verde National Park. Over the past decade, scorching wildfires have destroyed archaeological artifacts — and have also revealed new ones.

Queue Listen Now

David Daleiden (left foreground) speaks to the media after appearing in court at the Harris County Courthouse on February 4 in Houston, Texas. All charges against Daleiden and his fellow anti-abortion activist Sandra Merritt have been dropped.

National

Judge Drops Charges Against Anti-Abortion Activists Behind Covert Recordings

1:55pm July 26, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

A Texas judge has dismissed felony charges against two people who concealed their identities and tried to buy fetal tissue from Planned Parenthood.

Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders wave after speaking at a rally in Portsmouth, N.H. earlier this month.

Mikulski, Lewis To Nominate Clinton; Sanders Could Play A Role

1:53pm July 26, 2016

Mikulski and Lewis have both broken down political barriers in their own ways, and now they will help Clinton become the first female major-party nominee