NPR News

A population exodus, as well as bad financial management, has put the city on the brink of bankruptcy. These drastic times forced the governor to appoint an emergency financial manager, who has the Herculean task of reviving what was once the bustling car capital of the U.S.

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Pope Francis traveled Saturday from the Vatican to a hilltown south of Rome to have lunch with his predecessor, Benedict XVI, an historic and potentially problematic melding of the papacies that has never before confronted the church.

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The U.S. has reached an agreement with the Afghanistan government to transfer the Parwan Detention Facility to Afghan control, the Pentagon said Saturday, two weeks after negotiations broke down over whether the U.S. would have the power to block the release of some detainees.

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As the Supreme Court considers the constitutional case for gay marriage, we look back at the role Vermont played just 13 years ago in the historic metamorphosis of the issue. The state's governor, who wore a bulletproof vest that year, called it "the least civil public debate in the state in over a century."

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As the Supreme Court considers the constitutional case for gay marriage, we look back at the role Vermont played just 13 years ago in the historic metamorphosis of the issue. The state's governor, who wore a bulletproof vest that year, called it "the least civil public debate in the state in over a century."

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WNYC is asking "armchair scientists, lovers of nature and DIY makers" for their help to predict this year's cicada emergence in the Northeast. The bugs have been underground for the past 17 years.

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Rebounding machine Arsalan Kazemi is the first Iranian-born player in Divison I men's college hoops. He's focused on helping the Ducks beat St. Louis on Saturday — and well aware of his role as a pioneer.

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Anyone looking for a glimmer of bipartisanship in Washington might want to pay attention to the medical device tax that is part of Obamacare. It took a notable, if largely symbolic, hit this week from the left and the right.

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Newcomer Florida Gulf Coast made quite an entrance Friday: The No. 15 seed beat No. 2-ranked Georgetown. Other notable wins went to La Salle and Iowa State.

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This week scientists announced they have reproduced the genome of an extinct amphibian, the gastric brooding frog. But animals are more than just their genomes, so NPR's Scott Simon wonders if it's necessary — or kind — to bring them back.

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When the Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996, it had strong bipartisan support. All of the 15 sitting Democrats who voted for it are now against it. But so far, Sen. Rob Portman is the only current Republican Senator to change his mind.

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When demonstrators began rising up against Arab governments in 2011, Saudi authorities responded with large spending projects and with tough actions against protesters. However, the Shiite minority in eastern Saudi Arabia persists with regular demonstrations.

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What was once a local issue is growing into a nationwide concern, as civil rights activists argue that school closings are disproportionately hurting minority communities. But cities are in a bind with budget shortfalls, and closing under-populated schools may offer a way to cut costs.

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Political divisiveness over the health care law is as strong as ever, and the American public has never been more confused. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says that may not be such a terrible thing.

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The city of Gladstone is the world's fourth largest coal-export hub. It's also a jumping off point to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. But coal mining could eventually kill the reef that Australians revere.

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The $3.7 trillion nonbinding budget was approved early Saturday morning. The vote came after lawmakers labored through the night on scores of symbolic amendments, ranging from voicing support for letting states collect taxes on Internet sales to expressing opposition to requiring photo ID's for voters.

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There's disagreement in Washington, D.C., this week on whether the USPS has the freedom to end Saturday mail delivery in August, as planned. The passage of a bill funding the federal government through September re-ignited the debate.

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Democrats are winning the digital arms race, a recent GOP report concludes. Republicans say Democrats have a built-in advantage: that many technology and social media experts aren't Republican. Now, the GOP is taking distinct steps to improve its digital strategy and online presence.

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The 20 women in the U.S. Senate this year is the largest number in history. Female senators also now claim an unprecedented number of leadership positions. And several female senators interviewed say that is causing a change on Capitol Hill in the tone and process of legislating.

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The 20 women in the U.S. Senate this year is the largest number in history. Female senators also now claim an unprecedented number of leadership positions. And several female senators interviewed say that is causing a change on Capitol Hill in the tone and process of legislating.

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