Search results for

Concern over lost U.S. jobs and corporate "outsourcing" is prompting lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures to propose laws to discourage companies from sending work overseas. But a group of about 200 well-financed trade groups has formed a new coalition to try to keep these bills from ever becoming law. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says the central bank is prepared to raise interest rates more quickly if inflation suddenly worsens. Greenspan, testifying on Capitol Hill, noted the nation's improving economic conditions but said the Reserve would remain vigilant to stabilize prices. NPR's Jack Speer reports.

On Capitol Hill, Senators grilled the head of the CIA about interrogation techniques and the destruction of interrogation videotapes. Michael Hayden announced last week that two tapes showing tough interrogations were destroyed in 2005.

A mountain lion named "P-22," known to prowl the Hollywood Hills, is something of a local celebrity in the Los Angeles area.

The former Countrywide Financial Corp. made hundreds of discount loans to buy influence with people on Capitol Hill, according to a House report being released Thursday. Countrywide's subprime loans helped start the nation's foreclosure crisis.

In 2009, the city denied requests to paint crosswalks in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Polish Hill. An unknown person has taken the law into his own hands and painted unofficial crosswalks. By coincidence, officials are also promising to install real crosswalks within a few weeks.

If you were a fan of Burt Reynolds, you might want to find your way to Beverly Hills this weekend. Many of his personal items will be up for auction.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the flurry of activity on capitol hill this week. Congress passed a number of bills -- including legislation to raise the debt ceiling, a line-item veto, and an overhaul of the farm bill . But lawmakers also got bogged down in some partisan fights, including a move by democrats to try to increase the minimum wage. That feuding is seen as a sign of trouble to come for the rest of the year, as democrats try to stymie the legislative efforts of presumptive gop presidential nominee Bob Dole.

President Clinton offered to sign a repeal of the gas tax today, along with a bill to raise the minimum wage, if the Republicans would offer them separately, instead of combining them into one "poison pill" bill. The President also criticized the Republicans for gridlock on Capitol Hill, and asked for a three-month period break from politicking. Senate Majority Leader and presumptive Repulbican presidential nominee Bob Dole responded immediately that Democrats in Congress are creating the gridlock. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

in damage, this winter's floods out west have restarted the debate between environmentalists and the construction industry. To accommodate a population boom in California, people are building houses everywhere...in many places they shouldn't be...on fault lines, in flood plains and on hill sides.