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Wednesday

For Iranian-Americans, A Minefield

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks while Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner looks on during a Nov. 21 news conference about new sanctions against Iran. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

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Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Middle East

For Iranian-Americans, A Minefield

Members of the Iranian-American community maintain contacts with friends and family in Iran. But that means negotiating the confusing array of sanctions the U.S. government has imposed on Iran for more than three decades. One recent legal case highlights the issue.

In Texas, Keeping Kids In School And Out Of Court

Seventy students a day are sent to the Waco Alternative School Campus, after being "ticketed" for bad behavior in municipal court. Marisa Peñaloza/NPR hide caption

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Marisa Peñaloza/NPR

Education

In Texas, Keeping Kids In School And Out Of Court

Instead of being sent to the principal's office for things like truancy or dress code violations, young people in Texas are "ticketed" by school police and sent to court with misdemeanor charges. Some schools are changing their disciplinary policies to keep students from dropping out.

In Texas, Keeping Kids In School And Out Of Court

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Medicare Offers Expanded Coverage To Battle Expanding Waistlines

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says it will cover screening and counseling for obesity as a free preventive service for Medicare beneficiaries. M. Spencer Green/AP hide caption

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M. Spencer Green/AP

Shots - Health News

Medicare Offers Expanded Coverage To Battle Expanding Waistlines

KFF Health News

Medicare will now cover screening and counseling for obesity as a free preventive service. Advocates hope the decision will encourage private insurers and Medicaid to do the same.

Listen to Patti Neigmond's related report on Morning Edition

U.S. Weighs Sanctions Targeting Iran's Central Bank

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves in Pakdasht, southeast of Tehran, Nov. 23. Ahmadinejad on Wednesday said he was surprised at European moves to isolate Tehran's central bank. HO/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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HO/Reuters/Landov

World

U.S. Weighs Sanctions Targeting Iran's Central Bank

Iran may soon face economic measures tougher than anything it has encountered before: The U.S. Congress is considering sanctions against the central bank of Iran, with the likely effect of limiting Iran's oil exports. But some analysts say the move could lead to a dangerous spike in oil prices.

U.S. Weighs Sanctions Targeting Iran's Central Bank

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Solar Project Moves Forward Without Uncle Sam

SolarCity has received financing from Bank of America Merrill Lynch to install solar electricity systems on houses on military bases, like one here at Soaring Heights Communities at Davis Monthan Air Force Base outside Tucson, Ariz. Lend Lease hide caption

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Lend Lease

Energy

Solar Project Moves Forward Without Uncle Sam

SolarCity says it will install solar systems on the roofs of up to 120,000 military homes, with financing coming from Bank of America Merrill Lynch. It's the first time a project of this scale has been launched without the federal government basically co-signing the loan.

Solar Project Moves Forward Without Uncle Sam

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Stocks Soar, But How Strong Is The Economy?

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday. Stocks soared on news that central banks agreed to work together to support the global financial system. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

Economy

Stocks Soar, But How Strong Is The Economy?

Reports of increased hiring and strength in manufacturing along with central banks moving to help ease Europe's financial crisis sent stock markets up sharply Wednesday. Analysts said the economy isn't on the verge of booming, but the risks of a double-dip recession have eased.

Gingrich Attracts Jubilant Crowds In S.C.

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich addressed large crowds at campaign stops like this one at Tommy's Ham House in Greenville, S.C. on Wednesday. Richard Shiro/AP hide caption

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Richard Shiro/AP

It's All Politics

Gingrich Attracts Jubilant Crowds In S.C.

Just a few weeks ago, many GOP voters said they wanted a new face, a nontraditional, outsider candidate to take on Obama. But after studying the Republican lineup, many now say they want someone who knows the system.