Steve Inskeep http://wlrn.org en Politics In The News http://wlrn.org/post/politics-news-9 Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning, I'm David Greene.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>Again and again, President Obama's administration tries to pivot attention toward East Asia. Administration officials believe China and its neighbors are where the economic future lies.<p>GREENE: And yet it's the Middle East that keeps demanding the president's attention. It brings to mind that line from F. Mon, 13 May 2013 08:21:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 13934 at http://wlrn.org U.S. Point Man On Syria Meets With Rebels Inside Syria http://wlrn.org/post/us-point-man-syria-meets-rebels-inside-syria Ambassador Robert Ford crossed into northern Syria on Wednesday. The secret visit was confirmed by Syrian activists at the media office at the Bab al-Salama crossing on the Turkish frontier. Fri, 10 May 2013 09:45:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 13824 at http://wlrn.org FAA Expected To Gain Flexibility On Budget Cuts http://wlrn.org/post/faa-expected-gain-flexibility-budget-cuts Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>Now that automatic spending cuts are causing wider pain, Congress has begun finding ways to adjust some of them.<p>MONTAGNE: Today the House is expected to take up a bill the Senate has already approved. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:45:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 13052 at http://wlrn.org Racin Case: Charges Dropped Against Miss. Man http://wlrn.org/post/racin-case-charges-dropped-against-miss-man Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm David Greene.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep. Here's another reminder that a fast-moving news story can completely change. Prosecutors have dropped the charges against Paul Kevin Curtis. He's the Elvis impersonator first arrested in the case of ricin being sent to U.S. officials, as we reported last week.<p>Now we're reporting, just as prominently, the change in focus to another Mississippi man's house. NPR's Debbie Elliott has been following this case. She's on the line. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:03:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 12924 at http://wlrn.org Boston Marathon Investigation Continues http://wlrn.org/post/boston-marathon-investigation-continues Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm David Greene.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:35:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 12573 at http://wlrn.org Popular Writer Debates His Own Kidnappers On Venezuelan Politics http://wlrn.org/post/popular-writer-debates-his-own-kidnappers-venezuelan-politics Earlier this week in Caracas, we were about to go to an interview when it had to be rescheduled. The man we were going to speak with was unavoidably detained — kidnapped, to be precise.<p>It took awhile after that for Laureano Marquez to free up his schedule and meet us in a coffee shop.<p>"I'm so sorry," he said when he finally arrived, as if it was his fault for being thrown into a car and driven off to the far reaches of town.<p>We'd been planning to talk with Marquez about Venezuela's presidential election this weekend, an election that opens a door on a changing Latin America. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:22:43 +0000 Steve Inskeep 12330 at http://wlrn.org Popular Writer Debates His Own Kidnappers On Venezuelan Politics A Look At The Legacy Of Hugo Chavez From The Ground Up http://wlrn.org/post/look-legacy-hugo-chavez-ground In the days before elevators, there was no such thing as a penthouse on the top floor. The highest floors of a building had cheaper rents because the stairs were hard to climb.<p>Caracas, Venezuela, is organized roughly the same way, with many poor neighborhoods climbing up the sides of a mountain valley. Some of the poorest homes are among the most remote, accessible not by any road but by alleyways and long flights of stairs.<p>Up one of those flights of stairs, we found a woman whose life says a lot about Venezuela and by extension about Latin America. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:44:30 +0000 Steve Inskeep 12251 at http://wlrn.org A Look At The Legacy Of Hugo Chavez From The Ground Up Hugo Chavez's Legacy Looms Over Venezuelan Election http://wlrn.org/post/hugo-chavezs-legacy-looms-over-venezuelan-election Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm David Greene.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep in Caracas, Venezuela. This country is about to hold a presidential election. Voters are replacing the late Hugo Chavez, who shouldered this oil-rich republic onto the world stage. He often denounced the United States as an oppressive empire - even as he sold Americans oil - and imported gasoline from U.S. refineries. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:56:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 12182 at http://wlrn.org Pentagon May Take Over Drone Program From CIA http://wlrn.org/post/pentagon-may-take-over-drone-program-cia Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep. Good morning.<p>We're learning this morning of a possible change in the American use of unmanned drones. The change, if it happens, would affect who gives the orders and possibly how much the public learns.<p>MONTAGNE: A senior U.S. official tells NPR the administration may now move the drone program away from control of the Central International Agency. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:10:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 11199 at http://wlrn.org Installation Mass Launches Pope Francis' Papacy http://wlrn.org/post/installation-mass-launches-pope-francis-papacy Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>(SOUNDBITE OF BELLS RINGING)<p>INSKEEP: That's the sound of bells in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, as Pope Francis celebrated his inaugural Mass today. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:52:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 11071 at http://wlrn.org When Pitching The Common Good Is Bad http://wlrn.org/post/when-pitching-common-good-bad Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>When President Obama recently called for stricter gun control laws, he started out by saying this.<p>(SOUNDBITE OF SPEECH)<p>PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: This is the land of the free, and it always will be.<p>INSKEEP: The land of the free, he said. But he added this.<p>(SOUNDBITE OF SPEECH)<p>OBAMA: We don't live in isolation. We live in a society, a government of and by and for the people. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:43:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 11066 at http://wlrn.org Selection Sunday Sets NCAA Tournament Brackets http://wlrn.org/post/selection-sunday-sets-ncaa-tournament-brackets Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>OK. The field is set for the NCAA Division One men's basketball tournament. Top seeds include Kansas, Louisville, Indiana and Gonzaga. The team previously known for its heroic upsets in the NCAA tournament is now one of the teams to beat. NPR's Mike Pesca is here to discuss the selections. Mike, good morning.<p>MIKE PESCA, BYLINE: Hello.<p>INSKEEP: How'd Gonzaga do it?<p>PESCA: I know, right? You read those other teams, and it's, like, perennial power, perennial power, perennial power, Jesuit school from Spokane.<p>(LAUGHTER)<p>PESCA: But they're awesome. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:31:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 11006 at http://wlrn.org Pakistani Advocate For The Poor Slain By Gunmen http://wlrn.org/post/pakistani-advocate-poor-slain-gunmen Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Gunmen killed a woman in Pakistan yesterday. The news stories about this were formulaic for Pakistan, she was killed in a customary manner by assassins on motorcycles who rolled away with impunity. What's remarkable is the way she lived. Parveen Rehman came from Karachi, one of the world's largest cities. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:26:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 10829 at http://wlrn.org Venezuela To Display Chavez Body For Perpetuity http://wlrn.org/post/venezuela-display-chavez-body-perpetuity Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Thousands of Venezuelans have been filling streets this week, listening to music and lining up to see the coffin of their leader, Hugo Chavez, who died on Tuesday. Leaders from around the world have also come to the capital city, Caracas, for a funeral which formerly takes place today. And in keeping with his often larger-than-life persona, the Venezuelan government plans to embalm Chavez and keep his body on display under glass, in perpetuity. NPR's Juan Forero is in Caracas, following events there. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:39:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 10550 at http://wlrn.org Vatican Is Without Sitting Pope http://wlrn.org/post/vatican-without-sitting-pope Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep. Good morning. In Italy the papacy is officially vacant. The Vatican is now under the control of the cardinals who will elect a new leader of the Catholic Church. Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI gave up his ring, his cape and red papal shoes to become Pope Emeritus. Cokie Roberts was there, joins us from Rome. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:41:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 10179 at http://wlrn.org Witnesses To Take The Stand In BP Trial http://wlrn.org/post/witnesses-take-stand-bp-trial Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: <p>And I'm Linda Wertheimer.<p>Today, a federal judge in New Orleans hears from witnesses to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A civil trial of BP opened yesterday in a case to determine blame and financial liability for the environmental disaster that was the worst disaster in U.S. history.<p>INSKEEP: NPR's Debbie Elliott covered that disaster as a reporter, and is now covering the trial. She was in the courtroom yesterday. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:21:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 9968 at http://wlrn.org Syria Accuses Israel Of Bombing Its Military Facility http://wlrn.org/post/syria-accuses-israel-bombing-its-military-facility Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Let's sort through what we know and do not know about Israel's reported airstrike on Syria. Syrian officials, the government of Bashar al-Assad, have affirmed that Israeli warplanes struck, although we have conflicting reports about what the target was. We're going to work through the information with NPR's Jerusalem correspondent, Larry Abramson. Hi, Larry.<p>LARRY ABRAMSON, BYLINE: Hi there, Steve.<p>INSKEEP: What do you know, and how do you know it?<p>ABRAMSON: Well, some of this we know from confirmation by U.S. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:29:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 8625 at http://wlrn.org Egypt's Morsi Declares State Of Emergency http://wlrn.org/post/egypts-morsi-declares-state-emergency Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has declared a state of emergency after a deadly bout of violence over the weekend left at least 50 dead in three cities the Suez Canal. Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:11:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 8422 at http://wlrn.org Politics In The News http://wlrn.org/post/politics-news-3 Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>And I'm Renee Montagne.<p>We have a clearer picture this morning of just what an immigration overhaul might look like.<p>INSKEEP: A bipartisan group of senators is spreading word that they have agreed on principles for change.<p>MONTAGNE: The proposal would include a pathway to citizen for millions of people now in the U.S. illegally. Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:00:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 8421 at http://wlrn.org Gen. John Allen Cleared In Email Probe http://wlrn.org/post/gen-john-allen-cleared-email-probe A Pentagon investigation has cleared General John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. The Pentagon had been looking into whether the general's email correspondence with a Florida socialite was inappropriate and violated military rules. Allen's nomination to become the top commander of NATO is still on hold, however. Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:14:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 8181 at http://wlrn.org Major League Baseball Enacts New Anti-Doping Policies http://wlrn.org/post/major-league-baseball-enacts-new-anti-doping-policies Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Major League Baseball has enacted new anti-doping policies that are being described as unprecedented in American professional sports. Yesterday, Major League Baseball and its Players Union said that starting next year they will be fighting the use of human growth hormone and testosterone - two allegedly popular banned substances.<p>NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman has been covering this story. Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:55:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 7591 at http://wlrn.org Baseball Writers Vote For No Hall Of Fame Candidates http://wlrn.org/post/baseball-writers-vote-no-hall-fame-candidates Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Baseball writers send a message when they vote for candidates for the Hall of Fame, both in who they select and in who they pass up. And for the first time since 1996, only the eighth time in baseball history that baseball writers decided not to nominate anyone for induction. The winners are no one. The pool of candidates was one of the most star-studded ever. It included Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa - players all linked to performance-enhancing drugs.<p>NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman joins me. Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:39:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 7532 at http://wlrn.org What Does Senate Budget Deal Mean For You? http://wlrn.org/post/what-does-senate-budget-deal-mean-you Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning, I'm David Greene.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep. Happy New Year.<p>Let's start with the upside. Congress has yet to rattle the financial markets so far in 2013.<p>GREENE: Of course, the markets are closed on this New Year's Day, as the House considers a deal on taxes and spending. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 09:59:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 7100 at http://wlrn.org A Moment Of Silence To Remember Newtown Victims http://wlrn.org/post/moment-silence-remember-newtown-victims Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>It is raining in Newtown, Connecticut, where people observed a moment of silence seven days to the minute after a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School. NPR's Kirk Siegler is in Newtown; he's on the line. And Kirk, what do you see this morning?<p>KIRK SIEGLER, BYLINE: Well, right now, Steve, the bells are still ringing, as you may be able to hear in the background here. It's a very moving scene. People have literally stopped. The town is at a standstill. All the traffic has stopped. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:41:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 6670 at http://wlrn.org Under Fire, Egypt's Morsi To Meet With Judicial Officials http://wlrn.org/post/under-fire-egypts-morsi-meet-judicial-officials Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi has granted himself almost absolute power, but has not been able to win anything like unanimous approval. The new president faces criticism for a decree stating he can do anything he thinks will advance Egypt's revolution, and that courts cannot review his decisions. Egyptians have taken to the streets in protest. Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:16:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 5266 at http://wlrn.org Notre Dame Beats USC, Moves To BCS Title Game http://wlrn.org/post/notre-dame-beats-usc-moves-bcs-title-game Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>College football's wild season was not so wild this past weekend. There were no major shifts at the top of the BCS rankings as there were the week before. That's mainly because Notre Dame beat the University of Southern California on Saturday and maintained its number one ranking.<p>And no, you are not caught in a time warp back to the last century when the Fighting Irish often ruled college football. This is indeed 2012. Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:16:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 5268 at http://wlrn.org Miami Marlins Trade Starters To Toronto Blue Jays http://wlrn.org/post/miami-marlins-trade-starters-toronto-blue-jays The Florida Marlins have dumped much of their starting line-up, engineering a huge trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. The players include high-priced free agents the team pursued for its inaugural season in its new stadium. Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:52:41 +0000 Steve Inskeep 4641 at http://wlrn.org Voters In Swing Counties Revisit Election Issues http://wlrn.org/post/voters-swing-counties-revisit-election-issues Now that the election is over, Morning Edition is getting back in touch with some voters we met over the summer for our series First and Main. That's when we visited three political swing counties.<p>Steve Inskeep talks to Jim Meeks and his daughter-in-law Xiomara in Hillsborough County, Florida. Jim supported Governor Romney and Xiomara, President Obama.<p>David Greene spoke to voters in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:28:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 4392 at http://wlrn.org Sandusky Sentenced For Penn State Assaults http://wlrn.org/post/sandusky-sentenced-penn-state-assaults Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And here's another story we've been following throughout the morning. Jerry Sandusky was sentenced today to at least 30 years in prison. The former Penn State assistant football coach was convicted in June of sexually abusing 10 boys. NPR's Jeff Brady was in the Pennsylvania courtroom today. He joins us now. Jeff, what's the sentence? More details.<p>JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: Well, the sentence is no less than 30 years, no more than 50 years. Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:25:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 2493 at http://wlrn.org Major League Baseball To Begin Post-Season Play http://wlrn.org/post/major-league-baseball-begin-post-season-play Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Major League Baseball's regular season ended yesterday with the kind of day that would warm the commissioner's heart: fans cheering from coast to coast, a towering achievement for one very good hitter, and the promise of even more excitement to come as the playoffs begin. NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman has been tracking this season. He's on the line.<p>Good morning, Tom.<p>TOM GOLDMAN, BYLINE: Hello.<p>INSKEEP: Got to start with the hitter I mentioned. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera did something that no one has done in 45 years.<p>GOLDMAN: He sure did. Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:26:00 +0000 Steve Inskeep 2218 at http://wlrn.org