3:19am

Fri April 20, 2012
StoryCorps

After Marriage Ends, Exes Become 'Best Friends'

Originally published on Fri April 20, 2012 6:53 am

Credit StoryCorps

After the marriage between James Hanson-Brown and Lisa Combest ended, something unusual happened: Their relationship deepened.

"We got married Jan. 11, 1986, and the minister who married us told me, 'You guys are the best-matched couple I've ever talked to,' " Lisa recalls. "But I guess we were in our marriage for about a year when I started thinking that something was wrong. Emotionally I was supported, but it was the physical side of things."

At the same time, James was trying to figure out what was going wrong, as well.

Read more

7:05pm

Thu April 19, 2012
It's All Politics

Congress' Approval Rating Recovers Slightly

Originally published on Thu April 19, 2012 7:14 pm

Americans seem happier with Congress these days. That's what Gallup's two latest polls show: Congress, with an approval rating of 17 percent, has gained a whole seven points since February.

Still, they shouldn't get too cocky on the Hill, because this just means that 79 percent of Americans disapprove of the institution. That's down from a record high 86 percent in December of 2011. We suppose that's like saying in December almost everyone disapproved of Congress and now mostly everyone disapproves.

Here's Gallup's historical chart of Congress' approval rating:

Read more

6:34pm

Thu April 19, 2012
Sports

A Century Of Joy And Heartbreak At Fenway Park

Originally published on Fri April 20, 2012 12:09 pm

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about Fenway Park. A century after it was built, fans still gush about this "lyric little bandbox," as John Updike called it. To guys like Ed Carpenter, Fenway is history and home, magic and mystique.

"I love this place," he says, tearing up. "I mean, it's not mortar and bricks and seats."

Carpenter first started coming to Fenway with his dad in 1949, when he was 6.

"We walked up this ramp right behind this home plate," he recalls. "I can still see everything was green, emerald green. It was love at first sight."

Read more

6:25pm

Thu April 19, 2012
It's All Politics

In A Closed Ohio Factory, Romney Reminds Voters, 'It's Still Empty'

Originally published on Thu April 19, 2012 7:31 pm

Credit Jae C. Hong / AP

GOP front-runner Mitt Romney is matching President Obama's recent appearance in the key swing state of Ohio while intensifying his rhetoric, attacking the president's record on the economy.

For the second day in a row, Romney used his location on the campaign trail to send a message.

Read more

6:06pm

Thu April 19, 2012
The Two-Way

Sister Simone Campbell: Vatican Reprimand 'Like A Sock In The Stomach'

Credit Network Lobby

"Quite frankly, it's very visceral. It's like a sock in the stomach."

That's what Sister Simone Campbell, the executive director of Network, a Catholic social justice lobby, said when NPR's Melissa Block asked her what her reaction was to a Vatican reprimand issued yesterday.

Read more

5:13pm

Thu April 19, 2012
Latin America

Ignoring Critics, Argentina To Nationalize Oil Firm

Originally published on Fri April 20, 2012 10:39 am

It's sounds like a story from the past: A Latin American leader announces plans to nationalize a large foreign company, touching off a high-stakes battle that involves money, politics and diplomacy.

Yet it's happening right now. Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez said this week that her country plans to take over a giant Spanish oil company at a time when the economies in both countries are facing challenges.

Spanish officials are threatening to retaliate against Argentina for seizing a majority of shares in the biggest oil company in Argentina, YPF.

Read more

5:06pm

Thu April 19, 2012
Education

Alabama School Strife Strikes Outside Of Class

Originally published on Thu April 19, 2012 6:34 pm

Alabama is near the bottom of the country's academic rankings. The state has problems with test scores, school improvement ratings and dropouts. But the district in Birmingham has a different kind of issue. The state recently took over the school board because of infighting on the board. The move has triggered cries of racism.

5:06pm

Thu April 19, 2012
Sports

Bahrain Prepares Grand Prix Despite Expected Protests

Originally published on Thu April 19, 2012 7:26 pm

More than 100 million viewers around the world are expected to tune-in to watch a Grand Prix race in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain this weekend. The same race was cancelled there last year for safety reasons, amid Arab Spring protests and police crack downs. While turmoil still exists, ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee tells Audie Cornish this year's race will likely go on, but it won't be without controversy.

5:06pm

Thu April 19, 2012
Sports

Fenway Park Celebrates 100 Years Of Baseball

Originally published on Fri April 20, 2012 3:30 pm

The nation's oldest ball park is turning 100. Boston's Fenway Park has been home to the Red Sox through some of baseball's greatest highs and most heartbreaking lows. The park also narrowly escaped the fate of similar old stadiums that were torn down.

5:05pm

Thu April 19, 2012
Shots - Health Blog

Doctors Group Tells Patients To Go For Cheaper, High-Value Treatments

Originally published on Fri April 20, 2012 10:30 am

Credit iStockphoto.com

The American College of Physicians is urging patients with newly diagnosed diabetes and back pain not to opt for the latest-and-supposedly-greatest.

It's part of a new campaign to steer patients (and their doctors) to what the College of Physicians calls "high value care," and away from expensive tests and treatments that aren't any better — and often are worse.

Read more

Pages