U.S.

Republicans Hold Contests In 4 States As Cruz Looks To Gain On Trump

4:35pm March 08, 2016

by Don Gonyea

Republicans hold contests in four states Tuesday: Idaho, Hawaii, Michigan and Mississippi. Donald Trump is trying to extend his delegate lead, while Ted Cruz looks to pick up momentum after recent wins.

National

Oregon Authorities Justify Shooting Of Militant At Wildlife Refuge

4:35pm March 08, 2016

by Kirk Siegler

Authorities in Oregon say the shooting of militant LaVoy Finicum during the occupation of an federal wildlife refuge earlier this year was justified.

Candidates Eye Michigan As Pivotal State In Nomination Race

4:35pm March 08, 2016

by Mara Liasson

Michigan votes Tuesday, and it is the second most populous state to weigh in this primary season. Voters in Mississippi cast ballots Tuesday as well, along with Republican loyalists in Idaho and Hawaii. NPR looks at what's at stake in these four states.

First Mention: Ted Cruz Helps George W. Bush Secure Presidency

4:35pm March 08, 2016

Our occasional feature, "First Mention," is focusing on this year's presidential candidates. The first time we heard the name Ted Cruz was on Nov. 20, 2000 on Talk of the Nation in a conversation about the Bush-Gore election situation. At the time, Cruz was part of the Bush campaign's legal team.

Teachers Struggle With How To Characterize Vulgar GOP Rhetoric

4:35pm March 08, 2016

The GOP presidential race has been brutal and often vulgar. So how do you talk to kids about it? NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks to Chris Wolak, a government teacher in Aurora, Ill.

Nancy Reagan, left, and the Soviet First Lady, Raisa Gorbachev, both smile politely during a tension-filled tea in Geneva in 1985, while their husbands discussed nuclear disarmament.

Cold War, Hot Tea: Nancy Reagan And Raisa Gorbachev's Sipping Summit

4:12pm March 08, 2016

by Nina Martyris

In 1985, while their husbands discussed nuclear disarmament, the two first ladies — both considered influential advisers — held their own tense tea tête-à-têtes in Geneva.

Bernie Sanders addresses a rally at Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich. Sanders needs a good showing in Michigan on Tuesday to start to turn his campaign around.

Pressure Is On Trump, Sanders In Crucial Contests Tuesday

3:15pm March 08, 2016

by Domenico Montanaro

More than 300 delegates are at stake. Michigan is the state to watch. Sanders has a chance to start to reverse the narrative — and Trump needs to quell conversation of a brokered convention.

J.K. Rowling Releases Part 1 Of New 'Magic in North America' Series

2:31pm March 08, 2016

by Laura Wagner

In the first of a four-part essay series, the Harry Potter author delves into the previously unaddressed world of magic in North America, whetting fans' appetites ahead of new spinoff movie.

FBI Director James Comey told a congressional hearing on March 1, that encryption was creating

National

How A Foiled Robbery Sheds Light On Apple's Clash With The FBI

2:30pm March 08, 2016

by Aarti Shahani

Is the FBI director right when he says that strong encryption is taking us to an unprecedented new world, where some places in our life are "warrantproof"?

Queue Listen Now

Killer whale Tilikum watches as SeaWorld Orlando trainers take a break during a training session at the theme park's Shamu Stadium in Orlando, Fla., in 2011.

National

SeaWorld Says Health Of Tilikum The Killer Whale Is Declining

2:27pm March 08, 2016

by Greg Allen

In 2010, Tilikum killed SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau. Her death and SeaWorld's treatment of its orcas were at the center of the 2013 documentary Blackfish.