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Thor Hanson's new book looks at the evolutionary significance of feathers in birds. Hanson tells Fresh Air that he's amazed by birds' magnitude of feathers, how feathers grow and how they're the "most efficient insulation known."

California is working on a plan to balance goals of developing renewable energy projects on desert lands and protect the endangered species that live…

Gina Rinehart inherited a mining company and built it into a multi-billion dollar fortune. She says Australia needs to cut labor costs and cut taxes because many "Africans want to work" and are willing to do so "for $2 a day."

New York Times Washington bureau chief David Leonhardt compares Obama's and Romney's tax plans, Medicare plans and conflicting claims on whether Americans are better off now than four years ago. "I think it's fair to say the typical American household isn't better off, but the country is," he tells Fresh Air.

One of the twin space probes launched 35 years ago has traveled more than 11 billion miles. The Voyager probes were originally slated just to examine Jupiter and Saturn during a five-year trip.

The news out of the Democratic National Convention Wednesday was that President Obama's speech was being move indoors because of a severe weather threat. The big speaker of the evening is set to be former President Bill Clinton. Although a polarizing figure while in office, Clinton's name and record have even been invoked by Republicans this year. And he's beloved by Democrats. Mara Liasson joins Melissa Block to talk about Clinton and the night's other speakers.

A USDA report shows that 18 million households are struggling with the lingering effects of the recession. Particularly hard hit are households with children headed by single mothers who may be working but aren't earning enough to get by without assistance.

At the Paralympics, the South African double amputee faces his rivals in the 100-meter sprint.

State officials express confidence that a federal immigration database will expose more ineligible voters, but critics say the effort harms eligible minorities.

As Democrats gather for their national convention in Charlotte, N.C., troubled homeowners have also converged on the city. They have come to voice their dissatisfaction with how the Obama administration and the nation's big banks have handled the foreclosure crisis.