WLRN

Flooding Brings San Antonio To Standstill, Kills One

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 20:55:00 +0000

A massive storm system has dumped more than 10 inches of rain over San Antonio, leaving the Texas city flooded and at a standstill.

Texas Public Radio's Ryan Loyd reports the area is still under a flash flood emergency. Ryan filed this report for our Newscast unit:

"Some people didn't have time to make it to safety in rain drenched San Antonio. A woman died when raging flood waters swept her away in her car. So much rain fell that it floated a city bus.

'We'll Keep Running': Thousands Complete Final Mile Of Boston Marathon

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 20:24:00 +0000

It was cold and rainy today in Boston. Still, thousands of runners laced up their shoes and headed to Kenmore Square.

That's the site of the final mile marker for the Boston Marathon. On April 15, when two bombs exploded near the finish line, thousands of runners could not finish the most illustrious road race in the world.

Today, thousands tried to remedy that with a one-mile run that covered the final stretch of the Boston Marathon. J.

Stunned By Military Sex Scandals, Advocates Demand Changes

Liz Halloran — Sat, 25 May 2013 19:50:00 +0000

West Point alum Donna McAleer was at her Utah home last week when she got a call asking if she'd "seen the latest."

A male Army sergeant, a friend told her, had just been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping at least a dozen female cadets at McAleer's alma mater.

Many of the women were naked; some images were taken in a bathroom at the U.S. Military Academy in New York.

Obama Forgets To Salute; Sparks Debate On Presidential Tradition

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:33:00 +0000

As President Obama boarded Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday, he didn't return the salute of the Marine standing at the base of the stairs.

Obama realized it once he got into the helicopter, so he turned around and shook the Marine's hand.

Meet London's Master Architects In Jell-0

Amy Guttman — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:40:00 +0000

Banana-flavored vapors? A pineapple island?

These may sound like the makings of a Roald Dahl children's book (he of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fame).

Missouri Train Collision Injures 7, Collapses Overpass

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:04:00 +0000

Two freight trains collided in Scott County, Mo., early Saturday morning, leaving seven injured and collapsing an overpass.

KMOV-TV reports:

"Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter says a Union Pacific train t-boned a Burlington Northern train that had just made it through an intersection.
"The collision caused one of the trains to derail and hit a pillar under the overpass causing it to collapse.

Tough Arizona Sheriff Gets Judicial Reprimand

Ted Robbins — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:54:00 +0000

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. A federal judge in Arizona has ruled against the man who calls himself America's toughest sheriff. The judge ruled that the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department has used racial profiling to enforce the state's tough immigration laws. Sheriff Joe Arpaio has maintained that his department has the authority to round up undocumented immigrants. NPR's Ted Robbins has been following the case and joins us now.

Chasing Okla. Storms: 'Technology Can Only Go So Far'

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:54:00 +0000

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

When huge tornadoes, like the one that hit Moore, churn, swirl and scream, most people run for cover. Then there are people like Val Castor, who jumps into his truck and heads straight towards it. Mr. Castor is the senior storm tracker for Channel 9 News in Oklahoma City. He's been covering Oklahoma's temperamental and often treacherous weather for the last 22 years. Val Castor, we had the honor of spending a little time with you in your truck a couple of years ago.

One Hit Wonder: Anibal's Sanchez's Not-Hit Bid Spoiled In The Ninth

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:59:00 +0000

You've gotta feel for Detroit right-hander Anibal Sanchez.

He was cruising toward a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins Friday night. It was the ninth inning, two outs to go, the count was 1-1 on Joe Mauer.

For his 121st pitch, Sanchez hung a pitch over the heart of the plate. Mauer delivered a bullet to center field, spoiling Sanchez's no-hit bid.

As the baseball gods are wont to do, it set up a trifecta of statistical curiosities.

'We Need Help Bad': 911 Calls Reveal Chaos In Tornado's Wake

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:13:00 +0000

Authorities in Moore, Okla., just released some of the calls that were made to 911 during the EF-5 tornado that devastated the city.

They're harrowing and they offer a glimmer of the chaos and emotion that followed the storm.

During one of the calls, a man tells the dispatcher that the tornado has "cremated" a daycare.

"We need help bad," the man says. You can hear the sounds of children crying in the background. "We need help bad. We got tons of babies in here."

Another woman calls just as the tornado is approaching her. She asks where the tornado is.

Fresh Air Weekend: Soderbergh, Sarah Vaughan, Julianne Moore

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:03:00 +0000

Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks and new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors and musicians, and often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:

'Las Caras Lindas': To Be Black And Puerto Rican In 2013

Jasmine Garsd — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:03:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uetxtJEyFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO4yqTU8Qgo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPhYKAcEJEE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsyTzqAwGKs

Tour Guide Discovers Lincoln Road Ghost Town During Urban Beach Week

Kelly Woodward — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:01:00 +0000

In preparation for Urban Beach Week, WLRN-Miami Herald News asked members of the Public Insight Network to weigh in on the festival.

Caesar Salad: The Most Unconquerable Of History's Salads

Daniel Rivero — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Without a doubt this is history’s most unconquerable of all Caesars!
Go anywhere in the U.S. and, from truck stops to swank spots, this is the one salad you are most likely to encounter.

School Bus Fire Kills 15 Children In Pakistan

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:48:00 +0000
A fire onboard a school bus left at least 15 children dead in Pakistan Saturday morning.
The New York Times reports the private school bus caught fire near the town of Gujrat, when the driver tried to switch from using gasoline to natural gas.
"Because of high petrol prices, most public transport vehicles in Pakistan have been fitted with compressed natural gas kits, which, although cheaper, often pose a safety threat," the <

Three-Minute Fiction Readings: 'Geometry' And 'Snowflake'

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:08:00 +0000
NPR's Bob Mondello and Susan Stamberg read excerpts of two of the best submissions for Round 11 of our short story contest. They read Snowflake by Winona Wendth of Lancaster, Mass., and Geometry by Eugenie Montague of Los Angeles. You can read their full stories below and find other stories on our Three-Minute Fiction page or on Facebook.

Gals Who Grill: What Will It Take For Women To Man The Q?

Allison Aubrey — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000
There's a lot of innovation in grilling — everything from fancy briquettes to gadgets that help grill veggies to perfection.
But according to survey data from the NPD Group, one thing that's not changing is who's firing up the grill.
Men are more than twice as likely as women to be the primary griller in the household, according to the survey.

IRS Hearings Highlight Ambiguity Of Nonprofits In Politics

Peter Overby — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
The congressional hearings about the IRS's handling of Tea Party applications for tax-exempt status raise the question of why and how tax-exempt groups engage in politics in the first place.

'Steal The Menu': A Chronicle Of A Career In Food Coverage

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Transcript
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. You know when Raymond Sokolov began writing about food, it was considered a specialty portfolio. Today, celebrity chefs abound at the U.S. and Britain with cookbooks, TV shows and groupies. Kids from the kinds of families who used to eat SpaghettiO's now know the difference between capellini, fusilli and zitoni. They root for Iron Chef contestants. There are four-star restaurants in one-horse towns. Great deli in Ann Arbor; great sushi in landlocked places. What's happened?

Pentagon's Historical Displays Honor Americans' Sacrifices

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Nearly 18 million tourists descend on our nation's capitol every year, and most of them are keen to spend time at the many free museums in Washington, D.C. But only about 100,000 people take the trip across the river to a museum of a different sort: the Pentagon. The Pentagon's exhaustive historical displays offer fresh insight into the range of the Defense Department's activities.

Sports: Playoff Time In The NBA

Tom Gjelten — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Host Scott Simon catches up on the week's sports with NPR's Tom Goldman.

Baptist Church In Oklahoma Churns Out Meals For Victims

Kirk Siegler — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Hundreds of volunteers have come to Moore, Okla., to help the community following Monday's tornado. Some are helping clear debris, others bringing out water and supplies to people whose homes were damaged or destroyed, and whose lives are in disarray. One group of volunteers is cooking more than 10,000 meals a day.

Obama Keeps Distance From Torture Debate, At Least For Now

Tom Gjelten — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
In his national security speech Thursday, President Obama discussed drone warfare and the Guantanamo detention camp. But a third controversial issue went largely unmentioned: the use of interrogation methods that are tantamount to torture.
Obama banned those interrogation techniques on his second day in office. But he has largely avoided the debate over whether torture in some cases has produced valuable information.

Gnomes Crash Distinguished Garden Show In England

editor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Gnomes marched their way into one of England's most prestigious gardening events this year.

War Of Words: France Debates Teaching Courses In English

Eleanor Beardsley — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
Will teaching in English at France's universities undermine the French language? That's up for debate in the country now, and the argument is heated.
The lower house of parliament approved a measure Thursday that would allow courses to be taught in English, something that is currently against the law.
Those in favor of the proposal say it will attract more international students and improve English language skills of French students.

'Please, No More Clothes': Okla. Asks For Monetary Donations

Pam Fessler — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
The tornado that devastated much of Moore, Okla., has drawn loads of donations from across the country: food, clothing, medical supplies, toys. Much of it is needed by the victims, but not everything.
After every disaster, relief groups usually ask for one thing: money. But writing a check or texting a donation isn't always that satisfying for those who want so desperately to help.

In India, More Women Are Playing Matchmaker For Themselves

Julie McCarthy — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000
In India, some of the most entertaining reading on a Sunday afternoon is found in the classified ads.

Court Rules That Arizona Sheriff Engages In Racial Profiling

Scott Neuman — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:44:00 +0000
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Obama's Terrorism Fight Is Colored Gray, Not Black And White

Frank James — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:08:00 +0000
It's difficult for an American president to govern through nuance, especially when it's necessary to persuade a majority of the people that certain actions are essential for national security. And effective persuasion usually requires clarity.
That's how you arrive at President George W. Bush's stark formulation "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists" after Sept.

Toronto Mayor: 'I Do Not Use Crack Cocaine'

Scott Neuman — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:57:00 +0000
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he doesn't smoke crack cocaine and isn't an addict, in response to a video that surfaced recently purporting to show him using the illegal drug.
Last week Ford called the cellphone video obtained by The Toronto Star "ridiculous" and blamed the newspaper for "going after me."
Friday's comments from Ford were more emphatic.
"I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine," he said at a news conference.