The Giant Book That Creates And Destroys Entire Industries
The book lists the tax that importers have to pay on approximately every single thing in the universe — and raises a key question about the Planet Money T-shirt.
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Adrift In Frigid Water, Not Caring 'If You Live Or Die'
A ship called the Daniel J. Morrell was making its last haul of the season when it broke apart in a heavy storm on Lake Huron in November 1966. A few crew members struggled to stay afloat in the driving wind and waves, but ultimately, Dennis Hale was the shipwreck's sole survivor.
HealthCare.gov Now Allows Window Shopping, And A Do-Over
Probably the best feature of the retooled HealthCare.gov website is that you can actually use it. People are now able to get a customized list of plans and prices, and click through to see an insurer's provider directory. Still, better though it is, it's clearly not 100 percent.
Beyond Good Cop/Bad Cop: A Look At Real-Life Interrogations
How close are TV interrogations to the real thing? Not very, says Douglas Starr. In a New Yorker article, he explores the "gold standard" of interrogation methods, developed in the 1940s. But there's concern that this technique is based on outdated science, and may produce false confessions.
Pipeline On Wheels: Trains Are Winning Big Off U.S. Oil
Railroads are increasingly becoming the preferred means of shipping the masses of oil being produced in North Dakota and surrounding states. The railroad industry is eager to fill in for the lack of pipeline capacity. But some say the train growth needs to slow down.
Nothing Says Christmas Like 700 Screaming Faces
Every year, as a gift to the American people, the Norwegian Embassy decorates the Christmas tree at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station. This year's tree is decorated with 700 reflective ornaments featuring the man from the painting The Scream by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. This month marks the 150th anniversary of Munch's birth.
FCC Proposes AM Radio Changes To Give The Band A Boost
AM radio was what folks used to gather around to listen to soap operas, big bands and live drama. Later, it's where baby boomers heard the Beatles. Now, it's largely the province of news and talk — and often hard to hear because of interference. The FCC is proposing some changes it hopes will make the AM band relevant again.
Washington State Growers Roll The Dice On New Pot Licenses
The deadline to apply to legally grow and sell pot is coming up in Washington, but growers are finding there are pros and cons to going legit. Applicants must invest big money to qualify for a license, and it's unclear what the new system will mean for existing medical growers.
Obama Offers Second Chance For Missouri Court Nominee
President Obama quietly nominated Ronnie White, who was rejected for a federal judgeship in 1999, to the bench last month. Experts say they can't remember a time when a judge who's been voted down in the Senate has been renominated.
Why Chaucer Said 'Ax' Instead Of 'Ask,' And Why Some Still Do
People often question why some pronounce the word "ask" as "ax." We axed several linguists, and it turns out that "ax" has long been an accepted form of the word, used by English speakers for more than a thousand years.