NPR's Morning Edition

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Weekdays, 7am - 9am
Steve Inskeep, Renee Montagne
Pam Bunch

Every weekday for over three decades, NPR's Morning Edition has taken listeners around the country and the world with two hours of multi-faceted stories and commentaries that inform, challenge and occasionally amuse. Morning Edition is the most listened-to news radio program in the country.

A bi-coastal, 24-hour news operation, Morning Edition is hosted by NPR's Steve Inskeep in Washington, D.C., and Renee Montagne at NPR West in Culver City, CA. Even as hosts, Inskeep and Montagne often get out from behind the anchor desk and travel across the world to report on the news first hand.

Heard regularly on Morning Edition are some of the most familiar voices including news analyst Cokie Roberts and sport commentator Frank Deford as well as the special series StoryCorps, which travels the country recording America's oral history.

Produced and distributed by NPR in Washington, D.C., Morning Editiondraws on reporting from correspondents based around the world, and producers and reporters in locations in the United States. This reporting is supplemented by NPR Member station reporters across the country as well as independent producers and reporters throughout the public radio system.

Since its debut on November 5, 1979, Morning Edition has garnered broadcasting's highest honors, including the George Foster Peabody Award and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award.

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StoryCorps
2:46 am
Fri May 24, 2013

Military Moms: A Bond Borne From Shared Loss

Originally published on Fri May 24, 2013 8:22 am

In 1991, Kentucky residents Sally Edwards and Lue Hutchinson had sons serving in the Gulf War. Sally's son, Jack, was a Marine captain. Lue's son, Tom Butts, was a staff sergeant in the Army. The two men never knew each other, but today, their mothers are best friends.

Both soldiers were killed in February of 1991. Jack was 34. "They were the cover for a medical mission. The helicopter lost its top rotor blade, and they didn't make it back," Sally says.

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Deceptive Cadence
2:03 am
Fri May 24, 2013

Igor Stravinsky's 'Rite Of Spring' Counterrevolution

Credit Erich Auerbach / Getty Images
After his shocking ballet, The Rite of Spring, Igor Stravinsky branched out in surprising directions.

Originally published on Fri May 24, 2013 8:54 am

As the 100th anniversary of Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring approaches, commentator Miles Hoffman reminds us that — as earthshaking as that infamous debut was — the composer soon branched out into a variety of musical styles that would surprise his fans and critics.

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Shots - Health News
6:27 pm
Thu May 23, 2013

Why You Have To Scratch That Itch

Credit Oktay Ortakcioglu / iStockphoto.com
The origin of itch has confounded scientists for decades.

Originally published on Fri May 24, 2013 8:01 am

Everybody itches. Sometimes itch serves as a useful warning signal — there's a bug on your back! But sometimes itch arises for no apparent reason, and can be a torment.

Think of the itchy skin disorder eczema, or the constant itching caused by some cancers. "A very high percentage of people who're on dialysis for chronic kidney disease develop severe itch that's very difficult to manage," says Dr. Ethan Lerner, an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

Scientists now say they've got a much better clue as to how itch happens.

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programming
10:27 am
Thu May 23, 2013

Morning Edition on Friday, May 24th: "FEARLESS" BY ERIC BLEHM

When it comes to military personnel, the members of the elite SEAL teams are among the most prestigious, most admired, and most secretive.  So how could author Eric Blehm write this story of one extraordinary member of the most elite SEAL team known, Team Six?  We'll talk about that and about this amazing young man who died just as he seemed to have everything he ever wanted.

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World
7:25 am
Thu May 23, 2013

Octogenarian Rivals Race To Top Of Mount Everest

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne. Five years ago, at the age of 75, a Japanese mountaineer raced a 76-year-old Nepalese climber to the top of Mount Everest. Japan's Yuichiro Miura lost. This morning, in an epic rematch, the now 80-year-old Miura won, becoming the oldest person ever to reach the summit. But that record may not last. Next week, his Nepalese rival, at 81, plans to make the ascent again. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Around the Nation
7:19 am
Thu May 23, 2013

New Jersey Officials Wrap Up 'Operation Swill'

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Good morning, I'm David Greene with a story of mistaken identity - at the bar. New Jersey officials have wrapped up an operation called Operation Swill that target bars who are trying to pull a fast one. They'll charge for good booze but actually pour the cheap stuff in your glass. They've caught 29 bars red-faced; 13 of those TGI Fridays. The operation involved confidential informants, gizmos to test out liquor, and more than 100 agents. I would say this was some top shelf police work.

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Movie Interviews
4:51 am
Thu May 23, 2013

Director Lin Shifts The Identity Of 'Fast & Furious'

Originally published on Thu May 23, 2013 2:31 pm

The movie Fast & Furious 6 hits theaters tomorrow. It is director Justin Lin's fourth film in the franchise, and is far different from his very first film, Shopping for Fangs, which starred a young John Cho and became a cult classic among Asian-American indie film fans.

Or is it so different?

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National Security
4:44 am
Thu May 23, 2013

Obama Speech Expected To Touch On Drones, Guantanamo

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And I'm David Greene.

For months now, the Obama administration has promised to reveal more about America's secret drone program, and today could be the day. The president will speak this afternoon at the National Defense University, and he's planning to discuss America's fight against terrorism. He is expected to address everything from drones to the prison at Guantanamo Bay.

NPR's Dina Temple-Raston has this preview.

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Politics
4:38 am
Thu May 23, 2013

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The IRS has admitted to targeting conservative groups seeking tax exempt status. And yesterday at a House hearing the IRS director of exempt organizations said, quote: "I have not done anything wrong." She then declined to testify. Lois Lerner's brief appearance at the committee was just the beginning of a stormy, five-hour session filled with angry outbursts and allegations of political motives.

NPR's Peter Overby reports.

PETER OVERBY, BYLINE: Lois Lerner did read a statement that she had done her job properly.

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NPR Story
4:32 am
Thu May 23, 2013

Poor Materials Cited In Bangladesh Building Collapse

Originally published on Thu May 23, 2013 5:14 am

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And let's turn to another story that we've been following, the aftermath of that factory collapse in Bangladesh last month. In a report out today, the Bangladeshi government says the Rana Plaza factory was, quote, "a disaster waiting to happen."

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

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