KBIA

Crop insurance subsidies are winning; theater screens 'sensory-friendly' film

Kristofor Husted — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:55:11 +0000

Crop insurance is a big part of the farm bill debate in Washington this year. The Senate recently passed a bill that would expand the heavily subsidized program. And now the House is zeroing in on the issue. Several amendments to the farm bill pending in the House would curb how much the government provides to cut the cost farmers pay for crop insurance. But, premiums aren’t the only part of the system supported by tax payers. Crop insurance companies also enjoy lots of government largess. Harvest Public Media’s Frank Morris reports.

After A Marine's Suicide, A Family Recalls Missed Red Flags

NPR Staff — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:19:00 +0000

Last year, more U.S. service members took their own lives than died in combat. And despite the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan, the pullout in Iraq, and hundreds of new programs designed to help troubled servicemen and women, the number of suicides continues to rise.

Nicholas Rodriguez is one such young man. Military service was practically a foregone conclusion for Nick. His family's history in the armed forces stretches back to the Revolutionary War.

The-Dream On Why We All Need R&B

Frannie Kelley — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:16:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpAOYL4T_OE

To Rebuild NYC's Beaches, A Native Plant Savings And Loan

NPR Staff — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:16:00 +0000

Across the New York region, people are still working to rebuild homes and businesses after the havoc wrought by Hurricane Sandy. But the storm also devastated the dunes and native flora of New York's beaches.

When the city replants grasses on those dunes, it will be able to draw on seeds from precisely the grasses that used to thrive there.

A Dry Reservation Clashes With Its Liquor Store Neighbors

Charles Michael Ray — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:16:00 +0000

At the Pine Ridge Reservation just outside the town of Whiteclay, Neb., an upside-down American flag flies on a wooden pole next to a teepee. About 60 people gathered here Monday to protest as beer truck drivers unloaded cases into a Whiteclay liquor store a few hundred yards away.

Whiteclay has one paved street and four liquor stores. Alcohol is banned on Pine Ridge, but alcoholism is rampant here and the unemployment rate hovers around 80 percent. The town sells the equivalent of about 5 million cans of beer annually — mostly to impoverished tribal residents.

Pitchman Who 'Guaranteed' Our Look Fired By Men's Warehouse

Steve Mullis — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:07:00 +0000

He might like the way you look, but may no longer be able to guarantee you will.

Men's Warehouse Inc. announced Wednesday that George Zimmer, founder and executive chairman of the company, has been fired.

Zimmer is likely familiar to most TV viewers who've been greeted by his comforting demeanor, baritone voice and the pleasing delivery of the brand's slogan, "You're going to like the way you look.

How well are Missouri colleges preparing future teachers?

Teddy Nykiel — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:03:18 +0000

Each year, around 200,000 college graduates earn teaching degrees in the U.S. But the National Council on Teacher Quality released a report Tuesday explaining that colleges and universities are not doing enough to properly train future teachers. NCTQ is a Washington-based group that believes in fundamental education reforms. Of the 34 Missouri institutions included in its study, none received the highest score of four stars.

Snowden Reportedly In 'Informal' Asylum Talks With Iceland

Bill Chappell — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:51:00 +0000

Edward Snowden, the man commonly called "the NSA leaker" for his role in publishing documents that exposed a secret U.S. surveillance program, would reportedly not receive special treatment from the United Nations if he applies for asylum. The AP says Snowden is in "informal talks" with Iceland about applying for asylum there.

Snowden's last known location was Hong Kong, where he was when revelations about the secret PRISM program first came out.

U.S. Wants Global Trafficking Report To Hit Home

Krishnadev Calamur — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:42:00 +0000

The U.S. State Department releases its report on human trafficking every year, naming the countries it believes aren't doing enough to combat modern-day slavery.

The department released a new report Wednesday, and NPR's Michele Kelemen is reporting on the story for All Things Considered.

Infections From Contaminated Injections Can Lurk Undetected

Nancy Shute — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:36:00 +0000

People who think they didn't get sick from a nationwide meningitis outbreak caused by contaminated steroid injections used to treat back pain may want to think again.

Doctors at hospitals in Michigan did MRI scans of people who had been given tainted injections but didn't report symptoms of meningitis afterwards.

About 20 percent of the 172 people tested had suspicious-looking MRIs, and 17 ended up needing surgery to treat fungal infections in or around the spine.

The patients had gotten steroid injections about three months before the MRI, in mid to late 2012.

Even though some of the