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There are close to half a dozen investigations into abuse of detainees by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and in each of these probes, the military is investigating itself. Some experts say that's appropriate, because only the military has the expertise to investigate violations of its procedures. But other experts say there should be an independent, bipartisan commission to conduct an overarching investigation -- one that reaches to the highest levels of government. NPR's Jackie Northam reports.

In the wake of the prisoner abuse scandal at the now-notorious Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, U.S. military authorities make some significant changes. The number of detainees at the sprawling complex has been sharply decreased, and living conditions appear to be improving. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Radio producer and commentator Paul Ingles offers an appreciation of rhythm & blues legend Ray Charles, who died this past Thursday. For Ingles, there's one song that towers above all others.

At least 12 people, including five foreign contractors, are killed in a car bombing in Baghdad. Over the past three days, a series of attacks have killed numerous Iraqis, including a senior civil servant and a top official in the foreign ministry. The attacks illustrate the security concerns Iraq's new government faces as it prepares to assume sovereignty June 30. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt.

Long-deferred maintenance, a changing climate and the construction of homes, businesses and highways below previously remote dams are all contributing to the soaring numbers.

A federal judge rules that a sex-discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart can become a class-action suit, encompassing 1.6 million current and former female employees. Wal-Mart said it would appeal the decision. The class-action status makes the suit the largest discrimination case ever brought against a private employer in the United States. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

NPR's Melissa Block talks with John Gorenfeld, a freelance writer for Salon.com and writer of the blog "Where in Washington, D.C., Is Sun Myung Moon?," about a peculiar ceremony held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building this past March. In the course of the event, Moon declared himself the Messiah. Most congressmen who attended the event are now distancing themselves from Moon and his claims.

The Los Angeles Times won an enviable five Pulitzer Prizes for reporting, writing and photography this year -- but those honors didn't shield the paper from recent company-wide job cuts due to a serious drop in advertising revenue. NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates reports on the impact the cuts are having on one of America's biggest news organizations.

Grammy-winning gospel singer-songwriter Andrae Crouch talks with NPR's Tavis Smiley about his latest accomplishment: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is just the third gospel singer to have that honor.

People waiting in the hours-long line to view former President Ronald Reagan's body, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda, share their memories of Reagan and how he affected their lives.