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New Orleans, where roughly one-third of residents can barely read, has become the latest of several U.S. cities to use the book A Lesson Before Dying in a campaign to fight illiteracy and promote reading. Set in 1948, the novel addresses literacy, poverty and race relations in the segregated South. NPR's Bob Edwards speaks with author Ernest Gaines.

An unusual anti-communist ordinance passed by the city council of Garden Grove -- a California town with a large Vietnamese-American population -- draws criticism from Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman. Many residents of Garden Grove and nearby Westminster fled Vietnam when communist forces took over the nation in 1975. NPR's Michael Sullivan reports from Hanoi.

A tenuous cease-fire with the militia of radical Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has yet to take full hold in the holy city of Najaf. Units tied to Sadr fired mortar rounds at U.S. forces at a bridge to neighboring Kufa. It's unclear how much control Sadr has over his fighters. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Eric Westervelt.

U.S. forces suspend offensive operations in Najaf and radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr promises to pull his armed supporters out of the city in the latest sign of a potential end to the standoff there. U.S.-led military and militia loyal to the Shiite leader have been engaged in skirmishes in the area for nearly two months. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

London is home to Europe's tallest building called The Shard. It sort of looks like a giant shard of glass. It stands out in the city which has a relatively low skyline.

Coordinated car bombings in the southern Iraqi city left at least 40 dead and more than 100 wounded. Earlier this year, British forces handed over security duties in the province to Iraqi government troops. A similar handover in neighboring Basra is set for next week, raising fears of more violence in the largely Shiite region.

A wind advisory remains in effect for McLean County until 6 this evening. In the Peoria area, a winter storm warning is in effect until 3 pm.Nearly 900…

The story said Santa Claus was born in 1788 in a northern Norwegian city and that a funeral was set for a chapel at the North Pole. The newspaper has apologized and says printing the ad was a mistake.

A bankruptcy auction of two Peoria hotels was called off after the effort attracted no bidders.As a result of Tuesday's action, the Marriott Pere…

The production company for The Walking Dead assembled sets in tractor trailers, which are currently in Salt Lake City. For $60, you can fend off zombies or be made up as a blood-covered walker.