The NPR Fanboy

Public Concern, Not Science, Prompts Plastics Ban

Fan Boy — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:49:22 +0000

A new federal ban on chemicals in kids’ plastic toys isn’t necessary, say government scientists who studied the problem. Despite alarm prompted by animal studies, tests with children show they don’t absorb enough of the plastic softeners called phthalates to be anywhere near a health risk. In high doses, some phthalates can cause cancer in rodents

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Gunmen Assault Pakistani Police Academy

Fan Boy — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:39:53 +0000

A group of gunmen, some in police uniforms, attacked a police academy in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday and held it for hours, seizing hostages, throwing grenades and killing at least six trainee officers before being overpowered by Pakistani commandos.

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Is The Time Right For Economic Patriotism?

Fan Boy — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:07:23 +0000

The government is pushing executives of bailed-out firms to give up bonuses. It’s also looking for investors to buy up toxic bank assets. And U.S. automakers want Americans to buy domestic cars. Do such appeals to economic patriotism make sense?

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Past 60, Mick Fleetwood Plays On

Fan Boy — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:30:44 +0000

Drummer Mick Fleetwood explores the resurgence of blues in America, thanks to an ongoing interest in British blues-rock bands like The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac — which is touring again after a five-year hiatus. Fleetwood says he hopes to bring the group back to its blues roots.

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Two More States Hit Double-Digit Joblessness

Fan Boy — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:12:26 +0000

North Carolina and Rhode Island now have unemployment rates of more than 10 percent, according to a new federal report, bringing the number of states with double-digit unemployment to seven.

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Herring School For Safer Sex

Fan Boy — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:20:05 +0000

Hidden below the deep, dark ocean, millions of herring come together in a nightly ritual migration in order to mate. It happens within minutes: Small groups of fish cluster and coalesce, forming groups as large as a half-billion. The swarm behaves as one, navigating the dangerous ocean en masse to get to the mating site.

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In Quiverfull Movement, Birth Control Is Shunned

Fan Boy — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:06:22 +0000

Two Michigan families that ascribe to the Quiverfull movement didn’t always want to have multiple children. Both now are part of the 10,000-strong movement, based on a Biblical verse, that urges families to have as many babies as possible, in part to spread Christ’s message.

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The Vietnam War, Through Eddie Adams’ Lens

Fan Boy — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:16:50 +0000

Adams photographed 13 wars, and made some of the most iconic images of the Vietnam War. But the Pulitzer Prize he won for one photograph left him conflicted for the rest of his life.

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The Lost Promise Of Buddy Holly

Fan Boy — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:43:53 +0000

Decca records has just released two albums featuring Buddy Holly — Memorial Collection and Rarities. Rock historian Ed Ward considers Buddy Holly’s music and tragic death.

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Report: Rise In Binge Drinking By Teens.

Fan Boy — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:05:42 +0000

New research out of the University of California found a 30 percent spike in ER visits from teens with alcohol-related injuries. Emergency rooms across the country say they’re seeing the same trend…..

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