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Sports
4:30 am
Fri August 3, 2012

U.S. Swims Deeper Into The Record Books

Michael Phelps won his 20th Olympic medal, the gold, in his last race with Ryan Lochte, who took the silver. Rebecca Soni won a gold, as well. All in all, it was a good day for American swimmers. NPR's Howard Berkes reports from London.

Economy
4:30 am
Fri August 3, 2012

July Jobs Report: A Political Analysis

The Labor Department announces the number of jobs added in July and the national unemployment rate Friday. NPR's Scott Horsley joins Renee Montagne to talk about the report and the consequences for the presidential race.

Movies
4:14 am
Fri August 3, 2012

Back To The Future With 'Total Recall' Remake

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 4:30 am

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Look for a review of the new science fiction epic "Total Recall" and you'll see headlines ready Total Makeover. You might recall the 1990 original starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. With our review of the remake, here's Kenneth Turan.

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The Torch
4:14 am
Fri August 3, 2012

Would You Rather Win Silver Or Bronze? (Be Careful What You Wish For)

Credit Julian Finney / Getty Images
Who's The Happiest? Researchers studied photos of Olympic medalists to learn who is the happiest. Here, bronze medalist Aliya Mustafina of Russia, gold medalist Gabby Douglas of the U.S., and silver medalist Victoria Komova of Russia pose after the all-around gymnastics final.

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 8:32 am

Both athletes were U.S. swimmers, both were dripping wet after finishing an Olympics final, and both had just won medals.

The first said, "It's not my normal specialty. ... We went out there and raced tough – and just came up a little short."

The second had a beaming face. He said, "[I] swam my own race. And knew I had a lane, and had an opportunity, and I went for it. It worked out, you know, it's just awesome that I get to go on the podium tonight. Honestly, I'm really proud of myself!"

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Middle East
4:14 am
Fri August 3, 2012

U.S. Sees Signs Of Al-Qaida Arm In Syria

Credit AP
Members of the Free Syrian Army are seen in a neighborhood of Damascus, Syria on June 28. Several huge suicide bombings this year suggest al-Qaida or other extremists are joining the battle against President Bashar Assad's regime.

Originally published on Sat August 4, 2012 4:34 am

Late last month, counterterrorism officials discovered a disturbing video on YouTube that showed what appeared to be a faction of the Syrian rebel army standing in front of a fluttering black banner. The mysterious flag — which read "no god but God" in white Arabic cursive — is thought to be a reproduction of the Prophet Muhammad's battle flag. It has also become al-Qaida in Iraq's calling card in Syria.

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Energy
4:14 am
Fri August 3, 2012

States Ask Detroit: 'Build Us A Natural Gas Car, Please'

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 4:31 am

More than 20 state governors are taking an unusual step to boost the natural gas vehicle industry. Independent of the federal government, they're asking Detroit carmakers to build them a new kind of car: a midsize sedan that runs on compressed natural gas instead of gasoline.

The governors are hoping to boost demand for natural gas cars with their collective buying power. Combined, the states say they could ultimately buy thousands of CNG vehicles to replace their current vehicle fleets — if those cars were available.

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Joe's Big Idea
4:14 am
Fri August 3, 2012

Crazy Smart: When A Rocker Designs A Mars Lander

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 5:43 pm

Shots - Health Blog
3:43 am
Fri August 3, 2012

Nursing Schools Face Faculty Shortage

Credit Elizabeth Lee Cantrell / UVA School of Nursing
Nursing students in a simulation lab at the University of Virginia School of Nursing.

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 2:43 pm

There have been lots of goodbye parties this year at the University of Virginia School of Nursing. So far, 11 professors have retired. That's one-fourth of the faculty, and Dean Dorrie Fontaine is in no mood to celebrate.

Over the next few years, the Affordable Care Act will probably boost demand for nurses to take care of the newly insured, she says, "and I need faculty to teach the practitioners that are going to take care of these uninsured."

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Planet Money
2:30 am
Fri August 3, 2012

Keeping The Biggest Secret In The U.S. Economy

Credit Bureau of Labor Statistics
In one part of the BLS offices, a supervisor rings this bell to let employees know that it is officially 8:30 AM.

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 9:04 am

Opinion
11:10 pm
Thu August 2, 2012

Grandfathers Go To The Mat For Gymnast Grandson

Credit StoryCorps
Gymnast C.J. Maestas has been tumbling since he was 18 months old. His grandfathers Frank Barela (left) and Frank Maestas have been a lifelong source of support.

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 9:39 am

As fans around the world are riveted to the 2012 Summer Games in London, one young gymnast already has his sights on 2016.

Albuquerque, N.M., native C.J. Maestas, 20, has been tumbling his entire life. A self-described "hyper" kid who loved to climb on things, C.J. joined his first gymnastics class when he was 18 months old.

"As a little baby, you were always jumping," C.J.'s grandfather Frank Maestas recalls.

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