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It's All Politics
12:55 pm
Thu April 26, 2012

Some Campaign Donors Putting Their Money Where Their Mouth Isn't

Originally published on Thu April 26, 2012 1:09 pm

Much of the attention on money in politics this election cycle has been focused on the new superPACs, and with good reason.

Recent court rulings allow superPACs — which officially are independent of specific candidates — to raise and spend unlimited money to support their favorite politician or cause.

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The Salt
12:26 pm
Thu April 26, 2012

Your 'Food Porn' Verdict? Keep The Photos Coming

Credit Keith Jenkins / NPR
NPR's Keith Jenkins has been known to document an especially tasty meal, like this pho tai from Pho DC.

Originally published on Fri April 27, 2012 7:25 am

Snarky comedians who mock people who share food photos on Facebook and Twitter (see this video) may be good for a chuckle, but they don't have the will of the people behind them.

That's what we've learned from our online survey this week, which asked: "Are your friends bombarding you with 'food porn'?"

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The Two-Way
12:01 pm
Thu April 26, 2012

With A Tweet, A's Player Unleashes Debate: Is 'Kiss Cam' Homophobic?

Yesterday, in the San Francisco Chronicle, columnist Gwen Knapp hailed a tweet from an Oakland Athletics' player as the dawn of the "age of enlightenment."

In short, pitcher Brandon McCarthy sent out a tweet that suggested the "Kiss Cam" — a feature shown on scoreboards across the country in which a camera focuses on couples in hopes of a kiss — was anti-gay.

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Education
10:45 am
Thu April 26, 2012

Boehner: House Will Vote On Student Loans

The House is set to vote Friday on a GOP proposal to keep some student loan interest rates at current levels. Many students have been concerned at news that the current 3.4 percent rate could double if Congress fails to extend the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Host Michel Martin talks with Jason Delisle of the New America Foundation.

Business
10:45 am
Thu April 26, 2012

Is Bribery 'Business As Usual' South Of Border?

Mexican officials are probing allegations that Wal-Mart paid $24 million in bribes to speed construction of new stores there. Wal-Mart has also been accused of lobbying to amend U.S. anti-bribery laws. Host Michel Martin talks with reporter Ana Maria Salazar, who says even big companies have to grease the wheels in Mexico.

Law
10:45 am
Thu April 26, 2012

Sybrina Fulton: 'I Can Wait A Year' For Justice

Days after George Zimmerman was freed on bail to await a second-degree murder trial for shooting Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Fulton, Martin's mother, says she's "willing to wait for justice to be served" in her son's case.

Speaking with Tell Me More host Michel Martin, Fulton also says that she feels like "I have a little hole in my heart. And that little hole is caused by the tragedy of Trayvon's death."

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Favorite Sessions
10:41 am
Thu April 26, 2012

Punch Brothers: Sophisticated Strings

Credit Tim Teeling / WFUV
Punch Brothers' members perform in WFUV's Studio A in New York.

Originally published on Thu April 26, 2012 11:12 am

The term "string band" tends to conjure up images of rustic simplicity, but Punch Brothers' music is anything but simple. Challenging to play, it offers many subtle pleasures, from strange musical structures to opaque lyrics. (I wouldn't have known that "Movement and Location," from the band's new album Who's Feeling Young Now?, had anything to do with baseball if Chris Thile hadn't explained it to me himself.)

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Music Reviews
10:40 am
Thu April 26, 2012

Howlin' Wolf: A Blues Legend With An Earthy Sound

Howlin' Wolf's masters from the Chess label have just been released on a four-disc set titled Smokestack Lightning: The Complete Chess Masters 1931-1960.

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The Two-Way
10:26 am
Thu April 26, 2012

VIDEO: Norwegians Stand Up To Killer's Hate By Joining In Song

Credit Kyrre Lien / AFP/Getty Images
People gathered in Oslo today to sing Children of the Rainbow, in a demonstration against the views of killer Anders Behring Breivik.
The Two-Way
10:09 am
Thu April 26, 2012

New Allegations Surface Of Secret Service Misbehavior In El Salvador

Credit U.S. Secret Service

Originally published on Thu April 26, 2012 12:24 pm

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano pledged on Wednesday the investigation into Secret Service agents who allegedly hired prostitutes this month in Cartagena, Colombia, "will be complete and thorough and we will leave no stone unturned."

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