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'It's All Politics': NPR's Weekly News Roundup
9:45 am
Fri June 29, 2012

It's All Politics, June 28, 2012

A landmark decision by the Supreme Court on health care reverberates across the nation — and now comes the political implications. NPR's Ron Elving and guest host Don Gonyea break down the ruling and what it means for November.

Plus, the House votes to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress. And a review of key primary races.

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The Two-Way
9:10 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Stockton, Calif., Files For Bankruptcy

Credit Ian Hill / KQED
Among the projects that have helped put Stockton in the red: this downtown multiplex, which opened in 2003 and cost $15 million in public and private money.

The city of Stockton, Calif., has officially filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, The Stockton Record writes.

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Around the Nation
8:47 am
Fri June 29, 2012

How To Avoid Bankruptcy (If You're A City)

Credit Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
A headline in The Record newspaper in Stockton, Cailf., tells the story of the city's plan for operating under Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection following failed talks with bondholders and labor unions.

The city of Stockton, Calif., filed for federal bankruptcy protection Thursday, becoming the largest city in U.S. history to do so.

Some worry it's part of a wave. Six other municipalities have filed for bankruptcy protection this year. That's roughly on track with last year's pace, which saw 13 bankruptcies — the most in two decades.

A wave of municipal bankruptcies could be the country's next big financial crisis, several Wall Street analysts have warned.

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The Two-Way
8:41 am
Fri June 29, 2012

On The Morning After, Who's The Winner Is Everybody's Guess

Credit Kris Connor / Getty Images
Susan Clark (left) argues with another protester about the Affordable Care Act outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday.

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 10:38 am

Figuring out who benefits most politically from Thursday's Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of President Obama's health care overhaul seems to be today's toughest assignment.

On It's All Politics, our colleague Frank James says it's "difficult to overstate how big a win" it was for Obama.

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It's All Politics
7:04 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Roberts' Ruling Recalls Other Moments When High Court Shocked the Nation

Credit Alex Wong / Getty Images
The U.S. Supreme Court on the eve of a hearing about the Florida presidential election recount, Nov. 30, 2000. The justices later ruled 5-4 in the case of Bush v. Gore, effectively deciding the outcome of the presidential race.

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 8:24 am

You may already have made a mental note as to where you were when you heard the Supreme Court had upheld the health care law known as Obamacare. It's one of those moments that become touchstones of our memory, personal connections to the history we have witnessed in our lifetimes.

The Supreme Court may not be the source of such moments very often, but when its rulings reach this level of our awareness, they alter the course of our lives.

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The Two-Way
6:36 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Syrian Opposition Says 190 Civilians Killed In Deadliest Day So Far

"Syrian opposition groups that track casualties reported on Friday that the previous day was the deadliest so far this year, and possibly in the entire Syrian uprising, with as many as 190 civilians killed in a 24-hour period," The New York Times is reporting.

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It's All Politics
5:58 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Recent Rulings Show How Hard It Is to Predict High-Profile Court Decisions

Credit Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images
Chief Justice John Roberts, shown in 2010, is still "finding his role as chief justice," says one law professor.

Originally published on Tue July 3, 2012 9:59 am

Pessimism swept over advocates of the Affordable Care Act after oral arguments this spring seemed to go decidedly against the Obama administration. But the Supreme Court's ruling on Thursday — and its decision in another high-profile case this week — suggest oral arguments aren't as predictive of final outcome as some believe.

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Around the Nation
5:19 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Twitter Was On Fire After Court's Health Decision

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

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World
5:11 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Train Offered For Auction Is Not A Toy

Transcript

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Linda Wertheimer. Much excitement about a big bid on a New Zealand public transit train offered on an online auction. The broken-down train has close to three million miles on it. It's over 60 years old. That's significantly older than the highest bidder, who is four years old. The tech-savvy toddler's $30,000 bid has been removed, and the posting now reads: Adults only. This is not a toy. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.

The Two-Way
5:10 am
Fri June 29, 2012

First Death Confirmed From Colorado Springs Wildfire

Credit RJ Sangosti / Denver Post / AP
This aerial photo taken Thursday shows the destructive path of the Waldo Canyon fire in the Mountain Shadows subdivision area of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 12:32 pm

  • Jeff Brady reporting on 'Morning Edition'

Though there's been welcome news about progress in fighting the wildfire that has now destroyed about 350 homes in and around Colorado Springs, Colo., there's also the sad news that at least one person has died.

Here's this morning's lede from The Denver Post's coverage:

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Law
4:18 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Revisiting Some Recent Supreme Court Decisions

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 4:29 am

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The Supreme Court's decision on health care yesterday was just one of several handed down this week. The justices also struck down mandatory life sentences for juveniles, citing cruel and unusual punishment.

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

There are more than 2,000 inmates serving mandatory life sentences for crimes they committed as minors. The high court said judges should be allowed to consider mitigating factors such as a young defendant's immaturity or the circumstances of his or her upbringing.

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Around the Nation
4:00 am
Fri June 29, 2012

One Dead In Colorado Wildfire

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 12:06 pm

Hundreds of people in Colorado are coming to grips with a wildfire that tore through Waldo Canyon. Authorities say more than 340 homes were destroyed. Human remains were found in the rubble of a burned-out suburban home, and police say a second person is missing.

Politics
3:26 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Health Care Ruling To Fuel Presidential Campaigns

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 2:16 pm

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

And I'm Linda Wertheimer.

The Supreme Court surprised almost everyone yesterday when it upheld the heart of President Obama's health care law: a requirement that everyone either have insurance or pay a fine or tax. It's a big victory for president. It also gives his challenger, Mitt Romney, some important opportunities.

Here's NPR's national political correspondent, Mara Liasson.

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Planet Money
1:34 am
Fri June 29, 2012

After Years Of Uncertainty, A Health-Care Business Gets An Answer

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 7:59 pm

It's 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the headquarters of Health Plan One, a health insurance agency that sells private policies. It's the morning of what is the biggest court decision ever regarding health insurance. Will the court uphold the health-care bill? Will it strike it down?

"Either way is fine with me," says Bill Stapleton, the company's CEO.

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StoryCorps
1:32 am
Fri June 29, 2012

Stories, Old Friends, A Good Time 'Til The End

Credit StoryCorps
Bishop Ricardo Ramirez visited StoryCorps in in Mesilla, N.M., to remember his grandmother, Panchita Espitia.

Originally published on Fri June 29, 2012 2:15 pm

Bishop Ricardo Ramirez's grandmother lived a long and full life. But it was the way Francisca Espitia approached her final years that may have impressed her grandson the most.

Ramirez, 75, recently visited StoryCorps to remember his grandmother, whom he called Panchita, in a family story that begins in 1981. That's when he was elevated to bishop in the church. The occasion called for a reception — so Ramirez called his grandmother.

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