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Do big league hitters have naturally faster reflexes? Are African-Americans predisposed to be better athletes? In his new book, Sports Illustrated's David Epstein says science now has answers — or at least insights — to all these questions.

With just over a week before the New York City mayoral primary, polls show New York public advocate Bill de Blasio with a widening lead over his Democratic opponents. And they show the early frontrunner, city council speaker Christine Quinn, fading to a distant second.

Two stories out of China — the escape of a blind dissident from house arrest and the corruption scandal involving a top politician and his family — have attracted international attention. But inside China, the picture is different. The government has successfully suppressed the story about the dissident, Chen Guangcheng, such that most Chinese have never even heard of him. The Communist Party has waged a smear campaign against the fallen official, Bo Xilai, whom citizens see as a loser in a power struggle, a corrupt politician or both.

As a Dec. 23 enrollment deadline for health insurance that starts Jan. 1 looms, New York state is staffing up its call center and smoothing out the rough spots on its application to meet growing demand. As time runs down, the state is trying to fix technical and design issues that came up when the site debuted in October.

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Dr. Mark Wilson, the top health official for Jefferson County, Ala., about his county's response to an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy slashed $130 million, or 41%, from the budget of a university system that serves more than 26,000 students. Layoffs, elimination of programs and campus closures are likely.

The United Kingdom's top science adviser says, "The epidemic is doubling roughly every seven days" — warning of a dangerously high rate of new coronavirus cases.

The nomination of top White House lawyer Harriet Miers to replace the retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court draws mixed reviews from both sides of the political aisle. Conservative Republicans aren't happy.

The Pulitzer-winning rapper has returned with his first solo release since 2017's DAMN.

Inflation eased slightly in August thanks to falling gasoline prices, but the cost of many essentials continues to climb, including soaring power bills that are straining family budgets.