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Wednesday

Political Junkie Eyes Calif. And Colo.

This week's political roundup includes an update on the new face in Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, and the news that former governor Sarah Palin's memoir is due on shelves sooner than expected. Also, 2010 races heat up in CA and CO.

Political Junkie Eyes Calif. And Colo.

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Can Obama Say No To His Generals On Afghanistan?

President Obama meets with Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the new U.S. Commander for Afghanistan, in the Oval Office May 19, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images hide caption

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Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images

World

Can Obama Say No To His Generals On Afghanistan?

The president met Wednesday afternoon with his full team of national security advisers to discuss the next steps in Afghanistan. But scaling back now could appear to many as a hasty reversal, particularly for a president who came into office without much of a foreign policy or military background.

Science

Senate Unveils Plan To Reduce Emissions

California Sen. Barbara Boxer unveils a bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent to help slow climate change. The plan uses a cap and trade system and would rework the nation's energy economy.

Senate Unveils Plan To Reduce Emissions

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Government Eyes Crackdown On Texting And Driving

A driver uses a cell phone, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Freeport, Maine. On Saturday, Sept. 12, a new law makes failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle while distracted a traffic infraction in Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/AP hide caption

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Robert F. Bukaty/AP

National

Government Eyes Crackdown On Texting And Driving

A two-day summit that kicks off in Washington Wednesday will examine the deepening safety concerns posed by distracted drivers. Some want a national ban on text messaging behind the wheel. But how do you convince overconfident drivers they are the danger?

Patient And Provider Perspectives

Poll: Public Says Voice Not Heard In Health Debate

A new poll by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard school of Public Health says while lawmakers bicker and deal, the public feels largely shut out. Despite public support, the Senate Finance Committee voted down the public option Tuesday.

Poll: Public Says Voice Not Heard In Health Debate

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Children's Health

NTSB Puts Heat On States Without Booster Seat Laws

The National Transportation Safety Board is scolding the leaders of three states for not passing tougher laws mandating child booster seats. Arizona, Florida and South Dakota are the only states that don't require older children to ride in boosters.

NTSB Puts Heat On States Without Booster Seat Laws

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Tracking The Overhaul

Obama And Big Health: Who's Co-Opting Whom?

In the still-evolving health care overhaul effort, are the doctors, pharmaceutical industry and insurers winning, by negotiating good deals for themselves? Or is this a success for the administration, because these groups are still in the game?

Obama And Big Health: Who's Co-Opting Whom?

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Tuesday

World

Kerry Seeks Close Review Of Afghan Troop Request

Al-Qaida's presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan's stability are the principal security concerns of the U.S., says Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He says, however, a request for additional troops should be reviewed carefully because poor Afghan governance is undermining the U.S. counterinsurgency strategy.

Kerry Seeks Close Review Of Afghan Troop Request

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Tracking The Overhaul

Senate Panel Rejects Public Health Option

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee rejected a provision to include a government-run public insurance option as part of the effort to overhaul the health care system. The vote was 15-to-8 against the measure.

Senate Panel Rejects Public Health Option

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How Madeleine Albright used jewelry as a diplomatic tool

Books

How Madeleine Albright used jewelry as a diplomatic tool

There were balloons, butterflies and flowers to signify optimism and, when diplomatic talks were going slowly, crabs and turtles to indicate frustration.

How Madeleine Albright used jewelry as a diplomatic tool

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Monday

Stacks Of Medical Bills Afflict The 'Underinsured'

Martha Martin of Durham, Maine, works three jobs and still can't keep up with her family's medical bills. She has medical insurance, but she and her husband can't make all of the payments. Emilie Sommer for NPR hide caption

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Emilie Sommer for NPR

Health Care

Stacks Of Medical Bills Afflict The 'Underinsured'

Martha Martin and her husband spent nearly 45 percent of their income on medical costs for their family last year. Like millions of other Americans, they have some insurance, but it doesn't cover enough of their needed care.

Stacks Of Medical Bills Afflict The 'Underinsured'

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