The Two-Way
12:22 pm
Fri March 9, 2012

How Divided Is Congress? Two Charts Explain It

This is from a few days ago, but we missed it until The Atlantic pointed it out today.

We know Congress is divided. But how much so?

Here's a graph The Atlantic dug up from data The National Journal has put together using data they've collected for about 30 years analyzing congressional votes:

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Planet Money
11:11 am
Fri March 9, 2012

This 14-Year-Old Girl Just Bought A House In Florida

Originally published on Mon March 12, 2012 8:46 am

Meet Willow Tufano, age 14: Lady Gaga fan, animal lover, landlord.

In 2005, when Willow was 7, the housing market was booming. Home prices in some Florida neighborhoods nearly doubled from one month to the next. Her family moved into a big house; her mom became a real estate agent.

But as Willow moved from childhood to adolescence, the market turned, and the neighborhood emptied out. "Everyone is getting foreclosed on here," she says.

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Fronteras
10:08 am
Fri March 9, 2012

Mexican Magazine Director Recognized By Newsweek

Credit Zeta Tijuana

The co-director of the Tijuana-based Zeta magazine has been named one of Newsweek’s 150 “Women Who Shake the World.” From the Fronteras Changing America Desk, Jill Replogle explains what she did to make the list.

It's All Politics
10:00 am
Fri March 9, 2012

The Fight Over Voter ID Laws Goes To The United Nations

Credit Rainier Ehrhardt / Reuters /Landov
NAACP president Ben Jealous hopes that international pressure might be another weapon against strict new voter ID laws. Here Jealous speaks on Jan. 16 at the South Carolina State House in Columbia, S.C. for Martin Luther King Day.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced it will appear before the United Nations' Human Rights Council in Geneva next week to seek support for its fight against voter identification laws enacted in U.S. states.

The civil rights organization says the laws are among several measures adopted by some states that violate the human and civil rights of minority voters by suppressing their participation in elections.

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The Two-Way
10:00 am
Fri March 9, 2012

Photo: Northern Lights Over Iceland

Credit Jonina Oskardottir / AP
The Northern Lights in the sky Thursday above Faskusfjordur on the east coast of Iceland Thursday.

Originally published on Fri March 9, 2012 11:28 am

The solar storm that swept over Earth Thursday didn't seem to cause any major problems, as some had feared.

But the prediction that it would create some beautiful Northern Lights has proved to be quite true. The Associated Press has moved a quite striking photo taken Thursday on the east coast of Iceland.

If you see others, and good videos as well, share any links in the comments thread.

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Education
10:00 am
Fri March 9, 2012

Questions Grow Over Race Discipline Report

The Department of Education's top civil rights official, Russlynn Ali, speaks with host Michel Martin about a new report. It finds students of color have less access to high-level classes, their teachers are often paid less than those of white students in same district, and suspension rates for black students are disproportionately high.

Fronteras
9:57 am
Fri March 9, 2012

American Indian Reservations Expanding

Credit John Wardell

As some Native American tribes have become wealthy with casino profits, they've been buying land and expanding the size of their reservations. But as Adrian Florido reports for the Fronteras Changing America Desk, these efforts are stirring controversy, because once the private land becomes part of the reservation, it's no longer subject to local taxes or laws.

The Two-Way
9:00 am
Fri March 9, 2012

VIDEO: Check Out This 7-Year-Old's Monster Trap

Credit YouTube.com
Audri, up close.
National Security
8:03 am
Fri March 9, 2012

Drones Over America: What Can They See?

Originally published on Tue March 13, 2012 6:15 am

Unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, have long played a role in military operations. But imagine thousands of drones flying over U.S. skies — something we may see in just a few years. In February, President Obama signed an aviation bill requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to make plans to integrate drones into American airspace.

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Shots - Health Blog
7:59 am
Fri March 9, 2012

FDA: Skin-Lightening Creams Pose Mercury Threat

What is it with heavy metals showing up in cosmetics?

First it was lead in lipstick. Now, the Food and Drug Administration warns that some beauty products made overseas contain mercury.

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