Search results for

NPR's Nina Totenberg previews the arguments in the capital punishment case the US Supreme Court hears today. The Justices will consider whether the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution applies to the penalty phase of a capital trial. In his first trial, the defendant in today's case was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On appeal, he was re-tried, convicted again, and sentenced to death. His lawyers argue that the ban on double jeopardy should have prevented the second jury from even considering the death penalty.

NPR's Howard Berkes reports on controversy of federal land swaps in the state of Utah. Critics of the deals that exchanged state land for federal land appear to have the federal government cheating itself.

Commentator Elissa Ely remembers a girl from high school who desperately wanted to be in with the 'in' crowd but would never be accepted because suffered from severe psoriasis on her knees. Now, Elissa realizes, that girl's hopeless yearning mirrored her own. (2:30)

President Bush has been traversing the country campaigning on behalf of Republican candidates. His itinerary is telling about which races are the tightest. NPR's White House correspondent Don Gonyea has been on the trail with the White House team and tells John Ydstie about the various congressional and gubernatorial races where both parties are throwing all of their weight into winning. (2:45)

Some non-Indian settlers in the Brazilian Amazon believe much of the land being given to the Indians could be used more productively for agriculture or mining. And they suspect that Brazil's government is enlarging the Indian territory as a back-door means of keeping it undeveloped. NPR's Martin Kaste reports from Amazon state.

The NASA spacecraft Galileo makes a final flyby of Jupiter's moon Amalthea as the probe ends the science-gathering portion of a 13-year mission.

A federal court judge in Maryland rules Washington, D.C.-area sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad should be held without bail. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

Harvey Pitt resigns as chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission. Pitt had a stormy tenure as SEC chief and was recently under fire for his handling of the appointment of William Webster to head an accounting oversight board. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

Harvey Pitt resigns as chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission. Pitt had a stormy 15-month tenure as SEC chief and was recently under fire for his handling of the appointment of William Webster to head an accounting oversight board. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

As midterm election results roll in, Republicans appear headed for gains in the House and are making a strong bid to regain control of the Senate. Democrats are making a solid showing in governor's races around the nation. NPR News reports.

Midterm election results show Republicans regaining control of the Senate and adding to their advantage in the House, while Democrats gain ground in governor's mansions around the nation. NPR News reports.

Republicans recapture control of the Senate and add to their advantage in the House. Democrats gain ground in governor's mansions around the nation. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.