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Politics
9:10 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Poking Fun At Politics: A Year In Review

Zany presidential candidates, Clint Eastwood's chair, and vice-presidential trips to Costco. 2012 was a significant, and perhaps odd, year for politics. Host Michel Martin is joined by former White House staffers to review some of the best and worst political moments of the year.

On Aging
9:10 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Putting Granny Into A Pod

People hoping to provide care and independence for aging loved ones may want to consider the 'granny pod.' That's a high-tech cottage set up in your backyard. Host Michel Martin speaks to Socorrito Baez-Page, who bought one for her mother. Also with them is Susan Seliger, regular contributor to The New York Times' 'New Old Age' blog.

Author Interviews
8:51 am
Thu December 27, 2012

R.A. Dickey On 'Winding Up' As A Knuckleballer

Credit courtesy of the author
R.A. Dickey currently plays for the New York Mets. He was previously with the Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers.

Originally published on Thu December 27, 2012 9:18 am

As part of our year-end wrap up, we are sharing the best Fresh Air interviews of 2012. This interview was originally broadcast on April 10, 2012.

Most pitchers in the majors stick to fastballs, curveballs, sliders and change-ups when facing batters at the plate.

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Television
8:51 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Aaron Sorkin: The Writer Behind 'The Newsroom'

Originally published on Thu December 27, 2012 9:18 am

As part of our year-end wrap up, we are sharing the best Fresh Air interviews of 2012. This interview was originally broadcast on July 16, 2012.

Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama The Newsroom follows the inner workings of a fictional cable network trying to challenge America's hyperpartisan 24/7 news culture. It's a typical Sorkin drama, complete with fast-paced dialogue, witty scenes and a strong ensemble cast.

So why a newsroom?

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Race
8:42 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Census Bureau Rethinks The Best Way To Measure Race

Credit Spencer Platt / Getty Images
A crowd crosses the street in midtown Manhattan.

Possible revisions to how the decennial census asks questions about race and ethnicity have raised concerns among some groups that any changes could reduce their population count and thus weaken their electoral clout.

The Census Bureau is considering numerous changes to the 2020 survey in an effort to improve the responses of minorities and more accurately classify Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern and multiracial populations.

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Shots - Health News
7:39 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Random Acts Of Kindness Can Make Kids More Popular

Credit iStockphoto.com
A hug is good for Mom, and good for her daughter.

In the aftermath of Christmas, a parent could be forgiven for thinking that materialism has trumped human kindness.

Take heart. Children can easily become kinder and more helpful. And that behavior makes them more positive, more accepting and more popular.

At least that's how it worked for fourth- and fifth-graders in Vancouver, Canada. Researchers there have been studying empathy and altruism in schoolchildren for decades.

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The Two-Way
7:38 am
Thu December 27, 2012

EPA Administrator Jackson Stepping Down

Credit Mark Wilson / Getty Images
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, is stepping down.

The Associated Press reports that:

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The Two-Way
7:15 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Consumer Confidence Dips; New Home Sales Rise

American consumers aren't feeling quite as confident this month as they were in November.

The widely watched Consumer Confidence Index from the private Conference Board declined to 65.1 in December from 71.5 the month before. It also fell slightly in November from October.

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The Salt
6:51 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Hospital Bids Bye-Bye To Big Macs, Others May Follow Suit

Originally published on Thu December 27, 2012 10:25 am

The McDonald's at the Truman Medical Centers' main campus in Kansas City, Mo., has closed, ending an epic, two-decade stint inside the hospital and making it the fifth health facility in the past few years to give the Big Mac the boot.

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The Two-Way
5:57 am
Thu December 27, 2012

Top Stories: Wintry Blast, 'Fiscal Cliff' Talks

Credit Jeff Swensen / Getty Images
Snow-covered roads in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

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