Over the last two years, Wisconsin seems to have become an epicenter of national politics, and even more so conservative politics. Currently, Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick Paul Ryan is directing political heat Wisconsin’s way and earlier this week, long-time Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson overcame a competitive primary battle. Guest host Cheryl Corley discusses politics

The weak economy is helping to drive thousands more college graduates into the U.S. military. Since the recession began in 2007, there’s been a steady increase in the number of college graduates joining the armed forces. The Navy and Army have seen the biggest jumps. About 60 percent more college grads joined the Navy last

Enlarge Cheryl Corley/NPR Elias Roman, 17, has been through Illinois’ juvenile justice system twice. But the second time around, he was paired with a mentor, and he’s looking at things differently. Cheryl Corley/NPR Elias Roman, 17, has been through Illinois’ juvenile justice system twice. But the second time around, he was paired with a mentor,

Good morning. Our early headlines: — Two U.S. Troops Killed By Afghan Police Officer; Latest ‘Green On Blue’ Attack. — Women In Russian Punk Band Found Guilty Of Hooliganism. And we’ve updated a post we first published last evening: — South African Police Open Fire On Striking Miners, More Than 30 Killed. Other stories in

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office / AMC “Real” Walter White is at left. “TV Walter” is at right. In this case, life is imitating art: “The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has placed Walter White on their priority list of the county’s most wanted,” The Tuscaloosa News reports. “White, 55, was on probation for a 2008 charge

A federal court has rejected part of Florida’s new election law that would have restricted the number of early voting days across the state. The court said the new law cannot take effect in five counties where the African-American vote could be key in November. The ruling — which was announced late Thursday — is

The crash of an International Security Assistance Force helicopter in southern Afghanistan today killed 11 people who were on board, according to the NATO command in Kabul. It has posted a statement saying: “The crash resulted in the deaths of four International Security Assistance Force service members, three United States Forces-Afghanistan service members, three members

There were 366,000 first-time claims for unemployment insurance last week, up by 2,000 from the week before, the Employment and Training Administration says. So what we said last week applies again: “Claims have stayed in a range between 350,000 and 400,000 all year. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, has also varied little: it’s low this year

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been granted asylum by Ecuador, Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño just announced in Quito. Enlarge Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Now, the question becomes whether Great Britain will allow Assange to leave Ecuador’s embassy in London so that he can travel to the South

Enlarge NPR For customer Laura Hargrove, the choice between moving-truck companies Budget and Penske came down to how they use Twitter. NPR For customer Laura Hargrove, the choice between moving-truck companies Budget and Penske came down to how they use Twitter. Once used mostly for one-time promos and marketing, businesses are relying on Twitter to

Despite being a busy M.D.-Ph.D. student at Brown University, Bill Brucker is determined to improve science education in the United States. Enlarge Courtesy of PACE Bill Brucker is spreading the love of science. Courtesy of PACE Bill Brucker is spreading the love of science. To that end, Bill has set up the Providence Alliance for

Enlarge Roger L. Wollenberg /UPI /Landov Nellie Gray, president of the March for Life Fund, at the March for Life rally near the White House in 2004. Roger L. Wollenberg /UPI /Landov Nellie Gray, president of the March for Life Fund, at the March for Life rally near the White House in 2004. Nellie Gray,