Search results for

Commentator John Ridley explores the sinister repercussions behind a recent government proposal to buy and dispose of millions of gallons of cranberries.

Reina Gonzales of Youth Public Radio in Oakland, California, reports on two contrasting summer school experiences: enrichment courses; and remedial classes for students who failed during the regular year.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports on follow-up activities by North and South Korea to put into practice their landmark agreement reached last month. Today the two Koreas agreed to rebuild the railway that once connected them, and reunite families separated by the war.

David D'Arcy reports on Other Pictures, a new exhibition of amateur black and white pictures on exhibit at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Republican convention that began today, and its Democratic counterpart that begins in two weeks are underwritten by taxpayer financing. Each major party gets $13.5 million for its four-day nominating extravaganza. The public funding was supposed to fee the parties from their dependence on private sponsors for these events. But the parties have found ways to accept private donations as well. NPR's Peter Overby reports the conventions are now more elaborate and expensive than ever.

The "at" (@) sign -- the letter "A" encircled by a loop -- is everywhere these days -- thanks to the internet and E-mail addresses. But where did the sign originate and what is it actually called? According to Giorgio Stabile, a professor of history in Rome, the "at" symbol or "amphora symbol" is not a new sign at all -- and it predates the 18th century as historians previously believed. Professor Stabile has been hard at work for the past three months studying this ubiquitous symbol -- and has now traced it back to May 4, 1536 in a Roman mercantile document signed by Francesco Lapi. No doubt the race is on to find earlier recordings but for now -- the "at" symbol, drawn as we know it, dates back at least as far as the Italian Renaissance. We also went out to ask folks on the streets of Washington about @.

Robert talks to Jack Randorff, the acoustical engineer in charge of sound at the Republican Convention. It's Randorff's job to make sure everyone at the convention -- and perhaps more importantly, the broadcast audience -- can hear the sounds of the gavel, and the voices of the speakers. (2:30)NOTE: MUSIC HEARD HERE WAS THE ESKIMO "MOUTH BOW" VERSION OF THE "ALL THINGS CONSIDERED" THEME, PLAYED BY JOHN PALMES OF JUNEAU, ALASKA

NPR's Larry Abramson looks at the FBI's controversial Internet eavesdropping device, known as "Carnivore." Twenty-eight members of Congress have called on the FBI to stop using Carnivore because, depending on how it is programmed, it has the potential to invade the privacy of innocent citizens. But, if programmed to delete information unrelated to its search, a Carnivore tap on Internet communications can be less intrusive than court-approved wiretaps on telephones.

Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts is one of three co-chairmen of the Republican National Convention. He is also the only African American Republican in the House of Representatives. He and other blacks have prominent roles at the convention in Philadelphia as the GOP aims to soften its image with voters of all races. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand takes a tour of Philadelphia with 16-year-old Elise Beattie, who's lived in the city her whole life. They start out downtown, which, Elise points out, has been cleaned up and dressed up for the Republican Convention.