U.S.
3:49 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Ohio Town Roiling As Rape Case Accusations Fly

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 6:17 pm

The small river town of Steubenville, Ohio, is in turmoil over an alleged rape involving high school football players, a 16-year-old girl and accusations of a cover-up.

Steubenville is nestled in the foothills of Appalachia at the juncture of Ohio and West Virginia, less than 10 miles from the Pennsylvania border. To the west, reclaimed strip mines, woods and hills stretch far into rural Ohio. Pittsburgh lies 37 miles to the east.

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The Two-Way
3:48 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Sebelius, Holder, And Shinseki Will Stay Put When Obama's Second Term Begins

Credit Alex Wong / Getty Images
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks as Attorney General Eric Holder listens during a news conference last October. The two plan to remain in their current jobs as President Obama's second term begins.

Originally published on Thu January 10, 2013 4:41 am

Attorney General Eric Holder, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki plan to remain with President Obama's administration as his second term begins, according to a White House official. The news that the three will remain in their current posts comes amid the departure of other Cabinet officials, including Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, who submitted her resignation today.

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Latin America
3:29 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Buyback Program Gets Some Guns Off Mexican Streets

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:31 pm

In Mexico, a country plagued by drug cartel violence, the mayor of the capital city is offering residents cash, new bikes and computers in exchange for their guns. He says the buyback program will get dangerous weapons out of the hands of residents and make the streets safer.

But not all mayors in Mexico — where it's extremely difficult to legally buy a gun — are rushing to replicate the program. In fact, in cities overrun by drug traffickers, some say law-abiding citizens should be able to have them for protection.

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Law
3:21 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

High Court Considers Constitutionality Of Mandatory Blood Alcohol Tests

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 5:53 pm

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case testing whether the police must get a warrant before ordering blood to be drawn from an unwilling drunken-driving suspect.

The court has long held that, except in emergency situations, warrants are required when government officials order bodily intrusions like a blood draw. But in Wednesday's case, the state of Missouri and the Obama administration contended that warrants should not be required before administering blood tests to suspected drunken drivers.

The Case

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Asia
3:21 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Critics Say 'Google Delegation' Lends Legitimacy To North Korean Regime

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:31 pm

Melissa Block talks to Jean Lee, Korea Bureau Chief of the Associated Press, about the private delegation that is visiting North Korea. The group is led by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and includes Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt.

Latin America
3:19 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

With Chavez Ill, Loyalists And Government Battle Over Inauguration Date

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:31 pm

Hugo Chavez will not appear on Thursday to be sworn in for his fourth term as president. Chavez is undergoing treatment for cancer in Cuba and the government says his inauguration will be postponed. The opposition says the government is running roughshod over the constitution.

National Security
3:19 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Iranian Government May Be Behind Recent Cyber Attacks

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:31 pm

Over the last several months, U.S. banks have been subjected to a series of cyber attacks apparently aimed at disrupting normal operations. A volunteer cyber militia group has taken credit for the attacks, saying they are to protest the anti-Islam video that has angered the Muslim world. But U.S. officials and cybersecurity experts are increasingly convinced the government of Iran is behind the attacks. Tom Gjelten talks to Melissa Block.

Around the Nation
3:17 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

New York Governor Calls For Nation's 'Toughest' Ban On Assault Weapons

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:31 pm

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed tough new gun laws in his State of the State address on Wednesday. Audie Cornish talks to Joel Rose about the new laws, and their chances of passing a state legislature where Republicans hold considerable power.

Religion
3:16 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

National Cathedral Hopes To Set Example By Performing Same-Sex Marriages

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:31 pm

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

Another milestone for same-sex marriage. Today, the Washington National Cathedral announced it will begin celebrating same-sex weddings. The soaring neo-gothic cathedral has hosted presidential funerals and prayer services for presidential inaugurations. Now, the dean of the cathedral, the very Reverend Gary Hall, says his church will enthusiastically affirm each person as a beloved child of God to the sacramental blessings of Christian marriage.

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Sports
3:16 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Baseball Hall Of Fame Shutout A Ringing Verdict On Sport's Steroid Era

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 4:31 pm

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

And I'm Melissa Block.

JEFF IDELSON: Time to open up the envelope.

(SOUNDBITE OF PAPER)

BLOCK: The envelope revealing the results of this year's vote for baseball's Hall of Fame. We're hearing Jeff Idelson on the MLB Network. He's president of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

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