At the groundbreaking on the National Mall on Wednesday, President Obama said the newest Smithsonian museum has been "a long time coming" and will serve "not just as a record of tragedy, but as a celebration of life." The National Museum of African American History and Culture is expected to open in 2015.

Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer seems to have hit on how to get noticed in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination: drop out of the race. Or, more specifically, redouble his efforts by switching to the nascent "Americans Elect" movement while seeking the Reform Party nomination.

Traffic cameras that snap pictures of cars running red lights or speeding are used in 661 cities around the U.S. NPR's Corey Dade explains that while local governments argue they make driving safer, some motorists believe the cameras are nothing more than revenue generators.

Red-light and speed cameras are now used in 24 states. But angry drivers are fighting back with lawsuits, vandalism and a raft of ballot initiatives.

The U.S. has used military force to help oust three dictatorial regimes since 2001. But other autocrats have good relations with the U.S., and some even get the red-carpet treatment. What factors account for the different responses around the world?

Federal prosecutors Wednesday unveiled the most serious criminal charges yet in the West Virginia explosion that killed 29 workers. The new charges involve officials at former mine owner Massey Energy who were directly responsible for managing Upper Big Branch.