Talk of the Nation

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When Americans want to be a part of the national conversation, they turn to Talk of the Nation, NPR's midday news-talk show.

Journalist Neal Conan leads a productive exchange of ideas and opinions on the issues that dominate the news landscape. From politics and public service to education, religion, music and health care, Talk of the Nation offers call-in listeners the opportunity to join enlightening discussions with decision-makers, authors, academicians, and artists from around the world.

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Friday, December 9, 2011

Debating Genetically Modified Salmon

Biotech company AquaBounty has not yet received FDA approval for its fast-growing, genetically-modified salmon. Biotechnologist Alison Van Eenennaam and environmental scientist Anne Kapuscinski discuss the food safety and environmental concerns associated with transgenic fish.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Two Shot And Killed Near Virginia Tech Campus

The campus of Virginia Tech in Roanoke, Va. was on lockdown Thursday after a gunman killed a police officer during a traffic stop, and one other person. Campus officials instructed everyone to stay in a secure place indoors and barred visitors while police continued their search for the shooter. Virginia Tech established a number of security and emergency response measures after the 2007 mass shooting that killed 33 people. Mallory Noe-Payne, intern with NPR member station WVTF in Roanoke provides an update.

Stability May Mean Tradeoffs For Some EU Members

As the Euro crisis continues, Germany and France have proposed giving European Union leaders more power to demand fiscal discipline from member states. The crisis has raised difficult questions about national sovereignty for many E.U. member states.

Climate Talks Near Close, No Breakthroughs Expected

Delegates from nearly 200 countries gathered for a U.N. climate conference in South Africa have been frustrated by a lack of consensus on how to reduce carbon emissions. Many participants are pointing to major emitters like the U.S. and China for the lack of progress.

Recession Roadtrip: Telling Tales Of 'Hard Times'

NPR's Debbie Elliott and Richard Gonzales spent a month on the road across the nation, reporting stories of economic struggle for the NPR series "Hard Times." They heard stories of people and places grappling with economic hardship, and also found a few bright spots along the way.

After 7 Seasons, Kyra Sedgwick Closes 'The Closer'

After more than 100 episodes, TNT's The Closer is coming to a close. Brenda Leigh Johnson leads the major crimes department of the Los Angeles Police Department on the hit show. Played by Kyra Sedgwick, Johnson uses charm and guile to coax confessions from killers.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Gingrich Enjoys Lead With Iowa On The Horizon

Newt Gingrich has risen to the top of the polls at a pivotal moment. With less than one month until the Iowa Caucuses, he has a double-digit lead in the state. Political junkie Ken Rudin and columnist Michael Gerson talk about how the field of GOP candidates is faring in the final stretch.

War And Violence On The Decline In Modern Times

Despite news of terrorist bombings, U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and crackdowns in Syria, two recent books argue the world has never seen so little war and violence. Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature, and Joshua Goldstein, author of Winning the War on War, discuss.

Conservative Wins Make Liberal Egyptians Wary

Roughly one-third of Egyptians voted in the country's first round of parliamentary elections, and Islamist parties scored big victories. That's given some liberal Egyptians and observers pause. Ed Husain, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, talks about Egypt's Islamist parties.

The 'Codebreaker' Who Made Midway Victory Possible

A turning point in WWII came in June of 1942, when the U.S. surprised and defeated the Japanese in the Battle of Midway. That victory was possible, in large part, because of the work of a little-known naval codebreaker named Joe Rochefort. Elliot Carlson tells his story in Joe Rochefort's War.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Court Rules Bone Marrow Donors Can Be Paid

A federal appeals court ruled that most bone marrow donors can be paid. The decision has sparked debate among advocates who believe compensation will create incentives for people to donate bone marrow, and the Justice Department, which argues compensation may compromise patient safety.

Manjoo: Making Facebook Private Is 'Oxymoronic'

Facebook has developed new privacy features and agreed to 20 years of independent audits of its privacy practices. Google and Twitter previously settled similar cases with the Federal Trade Commission. Farhad Manjoo argues that Facebook, or any social network, can never be truly private.

Snail Mail May Arrive More Slowly. Will It Matter?

The U.S. Postal Service has announced it will move forward with plans to close some 250 processing centers and lay off workers. The cuts may help save $3 billion a year by 2015, and could add a day to the delivery time of many shipments. The USPS is also reviewing post offices for possible closures.

Letters: NPR's New CEO And Becoming A Poet

NPR's Neal Conan reads from Talk of the Nation listener comments on previous show topics, including advice for NPR's new CEO, Gary Knell, and the moments when a writer realizes he or she has become a poet.

'Gossip': It's Salacious, Yes, But Never Trivial

Joseph Epstein has already traced the history and practice of snobbery and envy. In his new book, Gossip: The Untrivial Pursuit, he turns his attention to one of humanity's oldest endeavors: Our deep desire to hear — and share — the secrets of others, even if we feel guilty about doing so.

Pages

Arts & Culture

NPR

Cannes Film Festival Keeps Kenneth Turan Coming Back

David Greene talks with Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan about some of the movies at this year's Cannes Film Festival in France. They include a standout from American director Alexander Payne called Nebraska. Turan first covered the movie festival 42 years ago.

Food

NPR

In Raw Milk Case, Activists See Food Freedom On Trial

Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.

Politics

NPR

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

On Wednesday, Lois Lerner, the IRS official overseeing the tax-exempt organizations office, refused to testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, and was attacked by some Republicans on the House committee. Her brief appearance was the beginning of a five-hour session marked by angry outbursts and allegations of political motives.

Technology

NPR

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.

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Talk of the Nation

Arts & Culture

Cannes Film Festival Keeps Kenneth Turan Coming Back

Food

In Raw Milk Case, Activists See Food Freedom On Trial

Politics

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

Technology

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

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