Search results for

NPR's Peter Overby reports on Senator John McCain's meeting with President Bush at the White House late yesterday, in which they talked about campaign finance reform. McCain and Wisconsin Senator Russell Feingold (fine-gold) have again introduced legislation that would tighten controls on political money. The meeting between the President and Senator McCain was described as a general discussion of the issue.

NPR's Diplomatic Correspondent Ted Clark reports both Israel and the Palestinians have given President Clinton a qualified endorsement of his Middle East peace proposals, but both sides still have reservations. White House officials are calling it a step forward, but they add it is far from certain that an agreement can be reached before he leaves office.

Among the movies nominated for Best Picture this year is The Lord of the Rings. Commentator Simon Tolkien remarks on the visionary mind of his grandfather, J.R.R., who wrote the trilogy the movie is based on. Simon relates details of his grandfather's life and how those experiences influenced The Lord of the Rings. (Simon Tolkien is author of the novel Final Witness. It's published by Random House.

Ross Reynolds of member station KUOW reports on the White House's plans to launch a new ad campaign targeting the drug ecstasy. The drug is often used at parties called raves, and its popularity is soaring. Ecstasy can be dangerous to those who use it, causing side affects ranging from mild nausea to panic attacks. But some "ravers" are coming up with their own safety strategies, and they aren't quite what the government had in mind.

President Clinton hit a series of Democratic campaign rallies today in northern California. He told the crowds that if they want the things they liked about his administration to continue, they have only one choice--Gore, Lieberman and Democratic congressional candidates. NPR's Richard Gonzales was at the president's event in Oakland, where Mr. Clinton said former-Governor, now-Mayor Jerry Brown helped him see there might be political life after the White House.

The title of the first novel by Lucinda Rosenfeld is unique, in that it includes more than a dozen men's names. It is called What She Saw In Roger Mancuso, Guenter Hopstock... followed by thirteen more names. Alan Cheuse reviews the book. (2:00) What She Saw In... by Lucinda Rosenfeld is published by Random House; ISBN # 0375503757.

Some state legislators worry the White House's economic stimulus plan, which would include the elimination of the taxes on corporate dividends, will hurt already ailing state budgets. NPR's Bob Edwards talks to California Gov. Gray Davis and Colorado Gov. Bill Owens.

In New Jersey, investigations continue into who bears responsibility for the death of 7-year-old Faheem Williams. His body was discovered last weekend a day after his two brothers were rescued from the same locked basement of a Newark house. The children had earlier been in the care of the state's child welfare system. Nancy Solomon reports.

House Democrats met late into the night on Thursday and say they're finally going to pass a $1.85 trillion social spending bill, which now includes work permits for some immigrants.

Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said today while the economy is still sluggish, it has performed somewhat better in the first two months of 2001. His remarks to a House committee suggest that the Fed is still prepared to cut interest rates at its March 20 meeting, but won't act before then. Wall Street had been hoping for immediate action. Stock prices fell after Greenspan's speech. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.