National News From NPR

Head Of IRS Tax-Exempt Division Reportedly Placed On Leave Thu, 23 May 2013 18:12:00 -0400: Lois Lerner has been at the center of a scandal over the tax agency's alleged targeting of conservative groups.

Alabama Republican Jo Bonner Says He's Leaving Congress Thu, 23 May 2013 18:09:00 -0400: The Congressman says he will step down in August to take a senior position at the University of Alabama.

Black Caucus Leader: We Disagree With Presidents, Even Obama Thu, 23 May 2013 17:41:00 -0400: Rep. Marcia Fudge, the Congressional Black Caucus chair, said her group is concerned that any immigration overhaul significantly boosting the numbers of high-skilled immigrants will negatively impact African Americans with similar skills.

Justice Sotomayor Takes Swing At Famed Baseball Case Thu, 23 May 2013 17:23:00 -0400: The Supreme Court justice and noted Yankees fan showed her baseball acumen Wednesday while presiding over a re-enactment of the 1972 case that challenged the sport's antitrust exemption.

Breaking Down Obama's New Blueprint For Fighting Terrorism Thu, 23 May 2013 16:56:00 -0400: In a major speech, the president rejects the idea that the country can fight an opened-ended "global war on terror." In setting his own guidelines, he defines the standards for using drone strikes and again calls for closing the Guantanamo Bay prison.

For Second Time, Moore Family Loses Home To A Tornado Thu, 23 May 2013 16:53:00 -0400: The tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., Monday destroyed some 12,000 homes, according to Oklahoma City Police. And for one family, it was the second house they've lost to a tornado in the past 14 years. Rena and Paul Phillips say that the recent loss won't make them move.

NOAA Predicts Above-Average Hurricane Season Thu, 23 May 2013 16:03:00 -0400: Forecasters predict as many as six major hurricanes in the Atlantic this year due in part to warmer-than-average ocean temperatures.

This 9-Year-Old Girl Told McDonald's CEO: Stop Tricking Kids Thu, 23 May 2013 15:55:00 -0400: Over the years, McDonald's has gotten a lot of flack for marketing to kids. At a shareholders meeting Thursday morning, Hannah Robertson, age 9, took the fast-food giant's CEO to task.

'Extremely Active' Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted Thu, 23 May 2013 18:01:00 -0400: Officials are forecasting hurricane activity will be "above normal" this season, with 13 to 20 named storms. Up to six of those could be major hurricanes. Warm ocean waters and the lack of El Nino conditions are partly to blame.

After The Storm: Students Gather For One More School Day Thu, 23 May 2013 17:59:00 -0400: There were hugs and tears, smiles and laughter: Parents and students from two schools destroyed in Monday's tornado in Moore, Okla., reunited Thursday with their teachers. The school district reopened all of its schools just for the day on what would have been the final day of classes before summer vacation.

Abortion Opponents Try to Spin Murder Case Into Legislation Thu, 23 May 2013 17:52:00 -0400: Abortion opponents are hoping the recent murder conviction of Pennsylvania abortion provider Kermit Gosnell will lead to more scrutiny of second trimester abortions. They're working on a bill that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy — nationwide.

Descending Into The Mariana Trench: James Cameron's Odyssey Thu, 23 May 2013 17:41:00 -0400: At nearly seven miles below the water's surface, the Mariana Trench is the deepest spot in Earth's oceans. And the site north of Guam is where director and explorer James Cameron fulfilled a longtime goal of reaching the bottom in a manned craft.

Health Officials Decry Texas' Snubbing Of Medicaid Billions Thu, 23 May 2013 17:03:00 -0400: The state is turning down an estimated $100 billion in federal funds that would have paid for health care coverage for more than 1 million poor Texans. For Gov. Rick Perry and the state's Republican-dominated Legislature, the potential appearance of supporting "Obamacare" was too much.

In La., Families Still Searching For Storm-Scattered Remains Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44:26 -0400: In August, Hurricane Isaac's 12-foot storm surge plowed through cemeteries in Plaquemines Parish, ripping tombs off their foundations and displacing the remains of almost 200 people. About 60 are still unidentified, and at least one is missing.

Obama Pledges To Be More Transparent About Drone Program Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: In a major speech on counterterrorism on Thursday, President Obama said the war on terror has changed and U.S. policy must be adjusted. He promised to be more forthcoming about the government's targeted killing program for terrorism suspects, and said he was open to talking to Congress about ways to review the use of weaponized drones. Carrie Johnson talks to Melissa Block about the evolving drone policy.