Washington State Lawmakers OK Gay Marriage

Wed, Feb08, 2012

The move would make the state the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed. Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the measure into law next week. The vote comes a day after a federal appeals court ruled that California's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.

Counting The GOP Delegates, But Not Before They're Official

Wed, Feb08, 2012

The NPR Delegate Tracker credits a candidate with delegates only when party rule or state law unambiguously awards those delegates to that candidate.

American Convicted Of Stealing Trade Secrets

Wed, Feb08, 2012

However, the Chinese-born Motorola employee was acquitted of more serious charges of corporate espionage. The trial in Chicago highlighted fears about China pilfering U.S. company secrets.

Buoyant Santorum Takes Campaign To Texas — And Corrals Some Perry People

Wed, Feb08, 2012

Fresh off victories in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum campaigned in Texas on Wednesday. He told a small group of pastors, some of them former supporters of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, that he is the true conservative left to challenge Mitt Romney.

A New Weapon Against Nukes: Social Media

Wed, Feb08, 2012

A top State Department official wants to unleash the power of Twitter, Facebook and other services to crowdsource the fight to control the world's nuclear weapons.

Detroit Schools' No. 1 Mission: Getting Kids To Class

Wed, Feb08, 2012

Dismal attendance rates have put Detroit Public Schools at risk of losing vital state funding, so the city has launched an assault on truancy. Attendance agent George Eason says, "If we see that the parent is willfully ... not sending the child to school, then we will take every means necessary to enforce the law."

Beached Dolphins Keep Cape Cod Rescuers Busy

Wed, Feb08, 2012

Dolphins have been stranding themselves along the shores of Cape Cod Bay since the Pilgrims' times, and this winter is no different. What is different is how long the latest round of strandings has lasted — almost a month. No one knows why the animals come ashore, but when they do teams of rescuers mobilize to try to save them.

After Glum Night, Romney May Find Signs Of Hope In Colorado Swing County

Wed, Feb08, 2012

Rick Santorum won the Colorado caucuses Tuesday on the strength of social conservative and Tea Party voters. Yet he fared differently in one battleground county that will be key in the swing state in November.

States Debate Foreclosure Robo-Signing Settlement

Wed, Feb08, 2012

California, New York and a handful of other states have yet to sign on to a deal with mortgage lenders that would resolve the "robo-signing" issue. Lenders have pledged $25 billion to reduce outstanding mortgages, but some states say the deal doesn't go far enough to protect consumers.

Obama Shifts His Position On Super PACs

Wed, Feb08, 2012

President Barack Obama's campaign has urged top donors to support a super PAC run by former Obama aides. The president previously called the fundraising groups a "threat to democracy." The Center for Responsive Politics' Sheila Krumholz discusses the shift and NPR's Ken Rudin reviews the week in politics.

Three Takes On What Defines Conservatism In 2012

Wed, Feb08, 2012

The remaining GOP presidential candidates, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, New Gingrich and Ron Paul, are all fighting to sell a slightly different brand of conservatism. Conservatism has undergone some big changes and its definition in 2012 continues to morph.

Romney Still Looks Like Front-Runner Even After Santorum's 3-State Romp

Wed, Feb08, 2012

While it obviously would have been better for Romney if he had won at least one and preferably two if not all three of Tuesday's contests, he has the money hoard and all the organization and TV ads it can buy to get through a rough week and then some. And let's not even get into his allied superPAC.

Is Komen's Image Beyond Repair?

Wed, Feb08, 2012

The breast cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, took a lot of heat last week for cutting grants to Planned Parenthood. The group reversed the decision this week, and Karen Handel resigned as vice president. Host Michel Martin continues the conversation on this week's major news with a diverse panel of politicos.