2012 FEBRUARY
Feb. 13, 2012

The Life and Legacy of Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston, the superstar known for turning gospel and soul into pop music gold, was found dead over the weekend in her Los Angeles hotel room. She was 48. Jeffrey Brown and songwriter Gordon Chambers discuss her life and legacy, including some recent struggles that drew public concern.

Feb. 13, 2012

'Slavery by Another Name' Relays the Forgotton Stories of Post-Civil War Slaves
A new PBS documentary called "Slavery by Another Name" tells the story of the adapted forced labor practices that helped extend slavery long after the end of the Civil War. Gwen Ifill speaks with Douglas Blackmon, the film's co-executive producer, about this largely forgotten piece of history and the forces that propelled it.

Feb. 13, 2012

After Weekend Wins, Some Republicans Still Question Romney's GOP Values
Despite weekend wins by Mitt Romney in Maine's caucuses and the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll, a recent nationwide survey of voters found Rick Santorum slightly ahead. Judy Woodruff discusses the evolving GOP field with USA Today's Susan Page and The Rothenberg Political Report's Stuart Rothenberg.

Feb. 13, 2012

Obama, Republicans Square Off Over $3.8 Trillion Budget Plan
Unveiling a $3.8 trillion budget blueprint on Monday, President Obama cast the plan as an essential tool to spur economic growth and noted that tough choices would put the country "on a more sustainable fiscal path." Republicans called the plan a "campaign document." Ray Suarez reports.

Feb. 13, 2012

Covering the Eurozone's Financial Crisis
The 17-country monetary union known as the eurozone finds itself on precarious footing 13 years after the currency came into existence in 1999. European countries drowning in debt. Governments enacting austerity programs. Unemployment rising. Follow all of NewsHour's coverage of the eurozone financial crisis here.

Feb. 13, 2012

Weekly Poem: 'Chocolate'
Rita Dove served as the U.S Poet Laureate from 1993-1995, and for the past two decades she has taught at the University of Virginia.

Feb. 13, 2012

The Daily Frame
Fans remembered singer Whitney Houston outside the Apollo Theater in New York on Sunday.

Feb. 13, 2012

Rivals Dismiss Romney's Weekend Gains
Mitt Romney's rivals are looking to take the luster off of his pair of weekend victories by casting doubts on the outcomes in hopes of preventing the GOP front-runner from regaining his momentum following losses in three states last week.

Feb. 10, 2012

Shields, Brooks on Obama's Contraception Compromise, CPAC, Santorum's Big Night
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news including President Obama backtracking on the administration's earlier contraception mandate, the GOP field at the Conservative Political Action Conference and Rick Santorum's latest surge in the delegate race.

Feb. 10, 2012

News Wrap: Romney, Santorum Pitch Conservative Values at CPAC
In other news Friday, presidential hopefuls Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney touted their conservative credentials to activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. In Syria, at least 28 people were killed in a pair of suicide car bombings.

Feb. 10, 2012

Sebelius Explains White House's Contraception Compromise
In an abrupt shift in policy Friday, President Obama backtracked some, announcing that religious employers would not be required to offer free birth control to employees after all. Instead the burden would be on insurers. Ray Suarez and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius discuss the president's new plan.

Feb. 10, 2012

Election 2012: Managing Alternatives
In politics, the language of choice often comes loaded. School choice. Abortion rights. Public option. Proponents embrace these descriptions to put the best possible face on otherwise contentious issues.

Feb. 10, 2012

Schools Look to Holistic Approach to Improve Attendance
When it comes to lowering the high school dropout rate, many school leaders have found that something fairly basic works: the ABCs -- Attendance, Behavior and Class.

Feb. 10, 2012

Conversation: Pianist Jonathan Biss
Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas remain landmarks in music history, works that pianists in every generation have felt the desire, the inspiration, the need to take on. A new recording by Jonathan Biss is recently out, the first of nine to be released over nine years, that will eventually include the entire cycle.

Feb. 10, 2012

After Uproar, Obama Revises Contraception Rule
Under mounting pressure, the Obama administration today proposed an "accommodation" to a mandate that religious groups cover employee birth control free-of-charge.

Feb. 10, 2012

Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme?
Security was originally designed as a "pay-as-you-go" system in which each succeeding generation of workers is supposed to take care of the last. all workers are charged a "payroll" tax, as are their employers. (The employee half has been suspended again until Feb. 29.) That money is supposed to provide for today's retirees.

Feb. 10, 2012

Romney Faces Conservative Test at CPAC
Four years ago, Mitt Romney ended his presidential campaign at the Conservative Political Action Conference. This time around, he hopes to give his current White House bid a jolt with a speech he is set to deliver on Friday.

Feb. 9, 2012

Love Story Sheds Light on How Society Treats People With Disabilities
A New York Times bestseller, Rachel Simon's "The Story of Beautiful Girl" explores empathy and tolerance in the form of a love story where characters with disabilities overcome heavyweight obstacles. Judy Woodruff and Simon discuss how society deals with disabilities and how they are portrayed in literary works.

Feb. 9, 2012

Can White House, Religious Leaders, GOP Reach Consensus on Birth Control?
A new birth control mandate was under duress this week as Roman Catholic officials said it violated Church teachings and Republicans said it threatened religious freedom. Ray Suarez discusses the rule with Anthony Picarello of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Methodist Federation for Social Action's Jill Warren.

Feb. 9, 2012

News Wrap: Obama Waives No Child Left Behind Requirements for 10 States
In other news Thursday, President Obama excused 10 states from No Child Left Behind requirements. The law requires all public school students be proficient in reading and math by 2014. Republicans said the president was overreaching in granting waivers. Also, at least 100 people were killed in Syria by government forces.

Feb. 9, 2012

As 'Let's Move!' Campaign Turns 2, Time for a Check-Up
Two years after First Lady Michelle Obama launched the "Let's Move!" campaign, we take stock of her progress in the fight against childhood obesity -- both the high-profile successes and equally loud criticism.

Feb. 9, 2012

Big Banks, 49 States Reach $25 Billion Deal Over Foreclosure Abuses
Even as foreclosed homes -- casualties of the housing bubble -- still litter the American landscape, federal and state officials announced Thursday a $25 billion deal between 49 states and five mortgage giants designed to give relief to homeowners and hold banks accountable for abusive practices.

Feb. 9, 2012

Does Greater Equality Make Societies Stronger?
"Could you please talk to Richard Wilkinson or Kate Pickett about income inequality?" A reader writes to Paul Solman. "According to them, social mobility tends to be stronger in more equal societies, which contradicts Richard Epstein's views about inequality being an incentive for growth."

Feb. 9, 2012

Russians Drill Into Ancient Lake in Coldest Spot on Earth
After decades drilling through more than two miles of ice in the coldest spot on Earth, Russian scientists announced this week that they reached their goal: a subglacial lake the size of Lake Ontario, which has been sealed off from the world for as long as 20 million years.

Feb. 9, 2012

Culture Canvas
A roundup of the week's arts and culture headlines.

Feb. 9, 2012

Romney Readies His Conservative Pitch
Mitt Romney is taking a break from the campaign trail, no doubt preparing for his big moment Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.

Feb. 8, 2012

Legacy of S.F. Mayor, Killed With Harvey Milk, Revived on Stage by Son
In his new play "Ghost Light," Jonathon Moscone explores feelings of guilt and grief as well as the legacy of his father, San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, who was gunned down at City Hall 33 years ago, along with gay rights advocate Harvey Milk, whose assassination has been better-remembered. KQED's Dave Iverson reports.

Feb. 8, 2012

Investigation Finds Members of Congress Steer Millions Close to Home
A Washington Post investigation found that 33 members of Congress earmarked more than $300 million total for public projects near properties they own while 16 members sent taxpayer money to companies with connections to their close family members. Gwen Ifill and Post reporter Kimberly Kindy discuss the findings and the laws.

Feb. 8, 2012

Brzezinski: U.S. Should Work With Russia, Turkey to Solve Global Problems
Zbigniew Brzezinski says that as American power declines relative to other countries, and China's influence grows, the United States can no longer dictate to the world, or be "the determining player of everything that is important on the global scene." Jeffrey Brown speaks with the author and former national security adviser.

Feb. 8, 2012

News Wrap: Boehner Calls Contraception Mandate 'Attack on Religious Freedom'
In other news Wednesday, Republicans increased pressure on President Obama over a mandate that requires religious schools and hospitals to provide employees with birth control. In Syria, military assault in Homs was unrelenting, despite President Bashar al-Assad's talk of peace.

Feb. 8, 2012

How Significant Were Santorum's 3 Victories?
Rick Santorum was projected to move into second place in the GOP nomination delegate count after scoring wins in three states Tuesday. Gwen Ifill and Christina Bellantoni examine the new state of play in the Republican race, then Judy Woodruff and senior Santorum strategist John Brabender discuss his candidate's campaign.

Feb. 8, 2012

A Bad Night for Romney, but How Bad?
So what exactly happened Tuesday night? Suddenly former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum has reemerged from the pack to claim the Republican spotlight with three wins - Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri - while front-runner Mitt Romney is combing through the wreckage.

Feb. 8, 2012

In California, Some Students Rethink Dropping Out
Santa Barbara High School covers 40 acres in tree-lined hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a few miles away.

Feb. 8, 2012

America's Agricultural Success: A Well-Kept Secret?
Amid all the worry about how long it will take the economic recovery to kick into high gear, there's a little-noticed sector that's doing very well: American agriculture. Farm sector earnings hit a record last year, with farm income rising just above $100 billion.

Feb. 8, 2012

Choose Your Own Health Care Adventure, Part II
What will U.S. health care look like in a few years? Last week we asked you to rank the likelihood of four plausible scenarios. We now travel back to the future -- 2025, to be exact -- to analyze the results and find out what will need to happen in the next 13 years for each scenario to become reality.

Feb. 8, 2012

Is Our Economy Basically Just a Game of Monopoly?
Most of us have played Monopoly. You set up the board, deal out the money, roll the dice and play until one person collects so much of the wealth that the other players can't buy anything, or pay rent, or pay utility bills. The game stops. But is the correct purpose of regulation is to keep the game going as long as possible?

Feb. 8, 2012

Conversation: Edward Gero on Rothko, 'Red'
Mark Rothko's life has been turned into art in the play "Red," starring Edward Gero, written by John Logan and directed by Robert Falls, now at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Feb. 8, 2012

Santorum Sweeps Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado; Slows Romney's Momentum
Rick Santorum's sweep of the three contests Tuesday night revived his presidential prospects and stalled Mitt Romney's momentum after his two convincing victories in Florida and Nevada.

Feb. 7, 2012

In 'Pilgrimage,' Leibovitz Explores Portraits Without People
Known for portraits of celebrities and musicians, Annie Leibovitz has given herself a new assignment: capture striking landscapes and visit the homes of iconic figures to document significant items from their past. Jeffrey Brown and Leibovitz discuss her "Pilgrimage" book and exhibition at the Smithsonian's American Art Museum.

Feb. 7, 2012

Axelrod on Pro-Obama Super PAC: 'We Simply Couldn't Sit by'
President Obama's senior campaign strategist David Axelrod spoke with Judy Woodruff about the president's re-election campaign, the new Priorities USA Action super PAC run by former administration staffers, efforts to create jobs and the administration's ruling on contraceptives that created a firestorm among religious leaders.

Feb. 7, 2012

Will Prop. 8 Ruling Lead Supreme Court to Consider Same-Sex Marriage?
A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 Tuesday against banning same-sex marriage in California, upholding a lower court's ruling. Spencer Michels reports and Gwen Ifill discusses the decision and the next steps with David Boies of the American Foundation for Equal Rights and John Eastman of the National Organization for Marriage.

Feb. 7, 2012

Does the U.S. Tax Imports?
Marc Whitehead sends a follow-up question after reading Paul's thoughts on tariffs from early January: If we put a 15 percent tariff on all imported goods, how much money would that tax generate each year?

Feb. 7, 2012

Around the Nation
Here are four arts and culture videos from public broadcasting partners around the nation.

Feb. 7, 2012

Proposition 8 Ruling Expected in California
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco is expected to rule on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the 2008 ban on same-sex marriage in California, Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET.

Feb. 7, 2012

Obama Plays the Super PAC Game, Endorses Priorities USA
President Obama's re-election team announced Monday night that it will openly support Priorities USA Action, a super PAC run by former White House aides Bill Burton and Sean Sweeney to "fill a hole in our side."

Feb. 6, 2012

Hunter's Moons: Astronomers Use Kepler Spacecraft to Search for Exomoons
Astronomers have discovered a trove of exoplanets--more than 700 worlds in orbit around distant stars, with leads on thousands of additional suspects.

Feb. 6, 2012

In Colorado, Romney Ignores Gingrich, Targets Obama
As Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich campaigned Monday in Colorado, Gingrich targeted Romney, but the former Massachusetts governor focused his attention on President Obama. Gwen Ifill discusses the state of the Republican presidential race with USA Today's Susan Page and The Rothenberg Political Report's Stuart Rothenberg.

Feb. 6, 2012

Obama Administration, Catholic Leaders Clash Over Contraception Mandate
Catholic leaders are pushing back against a new Department of Health and Human Services ruling requiring employers who offer health insurance to provide contraception free of charge. While churches are exempt from the rules, Catholic hospitals and universities must comply. Betty Ann Bowser reports on the controversy.

Feb. 6, 2012

Next Health Care Mandate: Flu Shots for Medical Professionals?
In this moment of looming change in American health care, the debate over whether flu shots should be mandatory for hospital workers has become a smaller but important battle in the nation's ongoing fight to build a better system while protecting individual liberties.

Feb. 6, 2012

Boehner: Senate Wants 'No Part of Cutting Spending'
In an interview Monday with the NewsHour's Judy Woodruff, Speaker of the House John Boehner said that Congress gets along most of the time and that disagreements mostly occur over major bills. He also discussed his relationship with President Obama, the race for the GOP presidential nomination and the chances of a deficit deal.