U.S.

National

After Weeks Of Lying Low, Federal Law Enforcement Arrests 8 Occupiers In Oregon

4:13pm January 27, 2016

by Martin Kaste

For three weeks, law enforcement followed a strategy of lying low and not confronting the armed militants who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. With the arrest of the leaders — and the death of one — Tuesday that policy changed. NPR looks at what led up to the confrontation.

A study by two U.S. senators estimated that 99 percent of cable TV subscribers rent their set-top boxes and pay on average $231 a year to do so.

National

FCC Chairman Issues Proposal Seeking To 'Unlock' Cable Box Market

3:55pm January 27, 2016

by Eyder Peralta

Almost all cable subscribers pay to rent a set-top box netting the industry billions a year. Chairman Tom Wheeler says ending that practice would lead to more innovation in the way we consume TV.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is one of two types thought to be capable of carrying and transmitting the Zika virus.

Big Zika Virus Outbreak Unlikely In The U.S., Officials Say

3:52pm January 27, 2016

by Rob Stein

The spread of Zika is probably limited by window screens and other mosquito-control measures in common use in the U.S. Also, the primary mosquito that carries Zika has a somewhat limited range.

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7 Months Without A Budget, Ill. Gov. Rauner To Deliver State Address

3:33pm January 27, 2016

by Cheryl Corley

The stalemate between the Republican governor and the Democratic legislature has left Illinois without a budget. In that atmosphere, Gov. Bruce Rauner is to present his State of the State address.

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National

N.J. To Take Over Atlantic City's Finances To Try To Reduce City's Debt

3:28pm January 27, 2016

by Joseph Hernandez

Gov. Chris Christie endorses a plan to put Atlantic City's finances under state control. The state would be allowed to restructure debt, cancel collective bargaining pacts and sell off city assets.

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An image from the Corruption Perceptions Index shows the U.S. with a score of 76, on a scale of 0-100. The top spot was taken by Denmark, with a score of 91.

What Were The Least (And Most) Corrupt Countries In 2015?

2:41pm January 27, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The U.S. lost three points from its 2014 score. Despite gains in some countries, an annual index shows that 68 percent of the world's countries have "a serious corruption problem."

"Whether you met him or not, you felt like you knew him," NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley says of longtime broadcaster Barney Hall.

Radio Legend Barney Hall, The Calm Voice Of NASCAR, Dies At 83

2:08pm January 27, 2016

by Bill Chappell

From the debut of the Daytona 500, Barney Hall missed calling the race only four times. He was revered for navigating any situation with steady intelligence.

Capers Blades "singles on a half shell" oysters grown by farmer Dave Belanger (aka Clammer Dave) in Capers Inlet, S.C.

Why The Southeast Could Become The Napa Valley Of Oysters

1:58pm January 27, 2016

by Jill Neimark

Oysters from the Pacific Northwest have long been the most coveted for their sweet, mild flavor. But they now have more competition from Southeast oysters cultivated from Virginia down to Florida.

Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Obama, at NPR's studios in Washington, D.C.

White House Adviser On 'Devastating Consequence' Of Solitary Confinement

11:35am January 27, 2016

This week, the Obama administration banned the use of solitary confinement for juveniles. Valerie Jarrett spoke with NPR about that and the push for changes in the criminal justice system.

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Finding spaces to shoot is often challenging for The Tenth in ways that it isn't for more mainstream publication.

Meet 'The Tenth,' A Slick New Magazine For Queer Black Men

11:27am January 27, 2016

by Hugh Ryan

Now on its third issue, The Tenth wants the fashion industry to stop seeing queer blacks folks as "the flavor of the month."