Aug 09 New Jersey court strikes down murder conviction based on violent rap lyrics By Saskia de Melker, William Brangham This week, the New Jersey State Supreme Court overturned, by a vote of 6-0, the attempted murder conviction of an aspiring rapper and small-time drug dealer named Vonte Skinner, arguing that the extensive reading of Skinner’s violent rap lyrics during… Continue reading
Aug 09 Obama tests use of force doctrine in Iraq By Julie Pace, Associated Press In making the case for U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, President Barack Obama is drawing on the doctrine involving the use of American force that he outlined less than three months ago, when it seemed he was trying to avoid potential… Continue reading
Aug 08 Watch Need persists for new generation of Freedom Schools, 50 years after first summer By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Aug 08 Obama signs $10.8 billion temporary highway funding bill By Associated Press The bill the White House says Obama signed Friday will keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent through May, when lawmakers will again be challenged to come up with longer-term funding. Continue reading
Aug 08 IBM Researchers develop processor modeled after the human brain By Charles Pulliam-Moore Using the same kind of silicon used to make traditional computer chips, the “neurosynaptic processor” is designed to distribute various computing functions associated with memory storage and communicating across more than 4,000 individual cores. When linked together, the chips… Continue reading
Aug 08 Student documentary on vaccination rates released after months of controversy By Charles Pulliam-Moore The 16-student outfit drew inspiration for the film, which they began producing over their summer break, from the health statistics from their own neighborhoods. North County, a northern section of the San Diego region, was noted for having one of… Continue reading
Aug 08 Fish exposed to anti-anxiety meds live longer, better lives By Dave Sloan A study released on Friday revealed that young fish live longer after they are exposed to anti-anxiety medicine concentrated in sewage runoffs. Continue reading
Aug 08 FCC mandates text-to-911 service to all U.S. wireless carriers By Charles Pulliam-Moore After a 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Committee has moved to require all of the U.S.’s cell phone carriers and popular messaging applications to allow users to text 911 for emergencies. Continue reading
Aug 08 Getting lucky: Why the economy has grown faster under Democratic presidents By Simone Pathe Over the past 64 years, from Harry Truman's first elected term through Barack Obama's first term, the economy has grown faster when Democrats are in the White House. How much of that is good policy versus good luck?… Continue reading
Aug 07 Watch How Nixon tested the U.S. government and changed its relationship to the American people By PBS News Hour Interest in the character and legacy of President Richard Nixon has endured 40 years since his resignation. Judy Woodruff joins Beverly Gage of Yale University, Timothy Naftali of New York University, Patrick Buchanan, author of "The Greatest Comeback" and Luke… Continue watching