Talk Of The Nation

HIV Status Disclosure Laws Under Scrutiny

editor — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Failing to disclose positive HIV status to sexual partners is a crime in more than 30 states. In Iowa, it can carry a 25-year jail term. Advocates say the rules are discriminatory, and are urging state governments to reword laws that solely target HIV, but not other transmittable diseases.

GOP Candidates Jockey Ahead Of Iowa Caucuses

editor — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

The Iowa caucuses will be critical for Rep. Michelle Bachmann and former Sen. Rick Santorum, or a chance for Rep. Ron Paul to steal the national spotlight from Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Proposed Child Labor Rules Could Alter Farm Life

editor — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

The Department of Labor has proposed regulations that would limit the kinds of work children can do on farms. Opponents feel the rules would hurt family farms and fundamentally alter farming life, while proponents say the changes would help keep kids safe.

As Nuclear Plants Age, No Easy Energy Solutions

editor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan in Washington. No nuclear power plants have been built in this country since the accident at Three Mile Island more than 30 years ago. The old reactors continue to provide 20 percent of our electrical power, but many of them will start to come offline in the next 10 years or so.

Given the time it takes to construct any kind of power plant, decisions have to be made soon about how we replace one-fifth of our electrical power and add the additional capacity we're going to need.

NPR's Long-Running 'Piano Jazz' Gets A Makeover

editor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

For decades, the great Marian McPartland illuminated public-radio airwaves with her duets and conversations as the host of PIANO JAZZ. Since 1979, she spoke and played with established artists like Herbie Hancock, Alice Coltrane, Carla Bley and - of course - Dr. Billy Taylor. Next week, a new kind of PIANO JAZZ launches on NPR. The show will feature young talents who shine through their energy, innovation and artistry.

If you're a jazz musician, how and where did you learn how to play? Give us a call, 800-989-8255; email talk@npr.org.

A Violent Abolitionist's 'Midnight Rising'

editor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

On an October night in 1859, 21 men staged a takeover of a national armory in tiny Harpers Ferry, Va. Though unsuccessful, the raid drew the nation's attention to its electrifying leader, a man named John Brown — and set the nation on the path to war.

Brown went on to become perhaps one of the most polarizing figures in American history.