Middle East
5:29 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Kerry: We're Trying To Offer Syrian President A Rational Choice

Originally published on Tue March 5, 2013 6:20 pm

Secretary of State John Kerry is wrapping up his first official overseas trip to Europe and the Middle East. He's shifted U.S. policy on Syria, offering direct assistance to the opposition coalition and non-lethal aid to fighters. He's also offered Egypt's Islamist government $190 million to avert a budget crisis and he's warning Iran that talks can't go on indefinitely.

Remembrances
5:29 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Venezuela's Chavez: An Outsized Personality, A Domineering Figure

Originally published on Tue March 5, 2013 6:20 pm

Sports
5:29 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

No Obvious Favorites As NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Starts

Originally published on Tue March 5, 2013 6:20 pm

Go on, pick a favorite in this year's NCAA tournament. We dare you. There's more than a dozen legitimate contenders to pick from. And then there's all those potential Cinderella teams. Mike Pesca talks to Audie Cornish about the upcoming NCAA Men's College Basketball tournament, which is as wide open as it has even been.

NPR Story
4:50 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Manslaughter Charges Upgraded In Florida A&M Hazing Case

Originally published on Tue March 5, 2013 6:20 pm

Twelve former members of the Florida A&M marching band are charged in the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion. The charges have now been upgraded to manslaughter. Champion's parents said Tuesday that they are encouraged by the stiffer charges.

NPR Story
4:50 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Posthumous Pardon For Heavyweight Boxer Jack Johnson A Bipartisan Effort

Originally published on Tue March 5, 2013 6:20 pm

Democratic Senators Harry Reid and Mo Cowan have joined Republicans John McCain and Representative Peter King to call for the pardon of former heavyweight boxing champ Jack Johnson. He was the first black fighter to win that title, in 1908. Another win in 1910 sparked race riots nationwide, and his relationships with white women only added to the controversy. He was convicted of taking women across state lines for "immoral purpose." Audie Cornish has more.

3:21 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Detroit plans appeal against emergency financial manager

Lead in text: 
The city of Detroit is preparing its appeal to prevent an emergency financial manager from running the city. Governor Rick Snyder announced on Friday that the city is in a state of financial emergency, and that he plans to appoint an emergency financial manager to solve the city’s problems.
Detroit - Residents and others from communities under emergency management turned up at Tuesday's City Council meeting, urging leaders to wage a legal battle against a state takeover. "This is a dark time for us," said Detroit resident Lillian Scott Jr. "It's time for you all to stand together and take this to court.
Around the Nation
3:20 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Sequestered Spring Means Fewer Rangers, Services At National Parks

Credit Gosia Wozniacka / AP
Hikers walk on the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall at Yosemite National Park in California. The National Park Service has to cut $134 million from sites around the country, including Yosemite, due to the lack of a budget deal in Congress.

Originally published on Thu March 7, 2013 11:49 am

Spring has come early to the Yosemite Valley, and the melting snow makes for a spectacular rush of water off the granite face of Yosemite Falls, the tallest in North America.

Early March is when park officials would normally be gearing up for the busy tourist season. Instead, they're figuring out how to cut $1.5 million from their budget. Without a budget deal, the sequestration has forced the Park Service to cut a total of $134 million from sites around the country.

Read more
3:18 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Bill would require higher patient-to-staff ratios in hospitals

Lead in text: 
Nurses unions and lawmakers want the state to require a minimum number of staff in Michigan hospitals. According to the Lansing State Journal, the bills would mandate things like having one nurse to every four patients in pediatric units.
The Michigan Nurses Association joined Democratic lawmakers Monday in their push to make Michigan the second state to mandate hospital staffing levels, but hospital officials expressed concern the requirement could backfire due to higher costs. Democratic Sen. Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor and Rep.
3:17 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Salvation Army plans expansion in Battle Creek

Lead in text: 
3,400 square foot addition will include community room, chapel and a day camp area.
When the Salvation Army moved from its home on Van Buren Street to the former McKinley Elementary School at Union and Capital Avenue Northeast, the leadership had hopes of expanding, but the focus then was meeting the immediate needs of the community.
3:11 pm
Tue March 5, 2013

Charter school proposed for elite athletes in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek

Lead in text: 
Grant filed with Michigan Education Department for proposed Legacy Academy says it would serve grades 7-12.
  • Source: Mlive
  • | Via: Kalamazoo Gazette
KALAMAZOO, MI -- A charter school that would cater to the specific needs of teenage elite athletes -- specifically in hockey, soccer and figure skating -- is being proposed for the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area.

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