U.S.

Mas Masumoto grew up on his family farm southeast of Fresno, Calif. His 1987 essay "Epitaph for A Peach," in which he bemoaned the loss of heirloom flavors, captured his changing philosophy as a farmer. It also helped turn his farm into a landmark in the

The Family Peach Farm That Became A Symbol Of The Food Revolution

1:50pm March 17, 2015

by Dan Charles

Heirloom peach trees, and an essay about them, turned one California farm into a landmark of local food. It's now the scene of another unconventional choice: a daughter's return to take the helm.

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Looks Matter: A Century Of Iconic Food Packaging

1:49pm March 17, 2015

by Tove Danovich

Many of the boxes, bags and bottles that contain our edibles were once groundbreaking — both in their design and in how they changed our perception of what's inside. Designers tell us their favorites.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland (50) is seen here in a game last year against the New York Giants. Borland, who had two interceptions in that game, has announced that he is retiring from the NFL after his rookie season.

49ers Linebacker Quits After 1 Season, Citing Safety Concerns

12:56pm March 17, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Worries about possibly incurring brain injuries prompted 24-year-old Chris Borland to end his NFL career after one season. "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," he said.

National

7 Creative Wedding Ideas From History

12:43pm March 17, 2015

by Linton Weeks

Couples nowadays are tying the knot in original ways — like some pioneering newlyweds in America's past.

For all the attention the president's and Congress' budget proposals receive, they don't actually fund any program or levy any taxes. They're more about politics.

Why Federal Budgets Aren't What You Think They Are

10:44am March 17, 2015

by S.V. Dáte

Congressional Republicans' budget is expected to be released Tuesday, but a federal budget is not really a budget at all.

Mars, anyone? Six researchers from the Mars Society sport their best space duds during this 2014 simulation of the conditions that explorers of the Red Planet might face. (From left) Ian Silversides, Anastasiya Stepanova, Alexandre Mangeot and Claude-Mich

Are Humans Really Headed To Mars Anytime Soon?

9:15am March 17, 2015

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Public passion is all well and good, but it will take more than big talk to get to Mars by 2025, space specialists say. Even several rockets' worth of cash won't easily solve the technical challenges.

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National

Robert Durst Charged With Murder, May Face Death Penalty

9:00pm March 16, 2015

by Sam Sanders

A real estate heir linked to two murders and a disappearance was arrested after an HBO documentary brought renewed attention to a case in which he was involved.

National

Most Americans' Behavior Unchanged After Snowden Revelations, Study Finds

8:01pm March 16, 2015

A Pew Research Center study finds that while most are aware of government surveillance programs after Edward Snowden's revelations, many have not changed their behavior to protect their privacy.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he won't let the chamber vote on Loretta Lynch — the nominee to become the next attorney general — until the Senate passes its human trafficking bill.

Missed Abortion Language Tangles Senate's Trafficking Bill

8:01pm March 16, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

A bill cracking down on human trafficking was supposed to be an easy one to pass, but that was before Democrats discovered the bill also contained language restricting abortion rights.

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U.S. Returns Dozens Of Artifacts To Iraqi Government

8:01pm March 16, 2015

by Jackie Northam

The U.S. handed over dozens of antiquities to the government of Iraq Monday. The cultural treasures, including a limestone head of the Assyrian King Sargon II, were looted from Iraq and smuggled into the U.S. It's taken more than seven years to identify the pieces and return them.

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