Politics
7:00 am
Thu October 25, 2012

Anti-Abortion Advocates Defend Mourdock, Pro-Life Views

Republican Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock has ignited a national firestorm for his abortion comments this week, but pro-life activists are coming to the GOP nominees defense and see the remarks as a chance to explain their views.

Democrats and Republicans have pounced on Mourdock after he said that pregnancies resulting from rape should not be an exception to an abortion ban because it is the will of God. At a press conference Wednesday, Mourdock stood by his position, but he explained that he abhors rape and apologized if anyone "came away with the wrong impression" from his statement.

Anti-abortion activist Rebecca Kiessling is a spokeswoman for Personhood USA. She says pro-life voters are are proud that Mourdock stood up for life against abortion even in cases of rape, and that critics are deliberately exaggerating his comments to score political points.

"Of course he was saying that the life of the child conceived in rape was created by God. And I believe that he’s in line with the overwhelming majority of Americans and Hoosiers who understand that God is the author of life," he says.

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Shots - Health News
6:03 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Geneticists Breach Ethical Taboo By Changing Genes Across Generations

Credit Courtesty of Oregon Health & Science University
An image of researchers at Oregon Health & Science University removing the nucleus from the mother's cell before it's inserted into the donor's egg cell.

Originally published on Thu October 25, 2012 2:21 pm

Geneticist reported Wednesday that they had crossed a threshold long considered off-limits: They have made changes in human DNA that can be passed down from one generation to the next.

The researchers at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland say they took the step to try to prevent women from giving birth to babies with genetic diseases. But the research is raising a host of ethical, social and moral questions.

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Credit Emily Bogle / NPR

Rob Stein is a correspondent and senior editor on NPR's science desk.

In his reporting, Stein focuses on the intersection of science, health, politics, social trends, ethics, and federal science policy. He tracks genetics, stem cells, cancer research, the obesity epidemic, and other science, medical, and health policy news.

Before NPR, Stein served as The Washington Post's science editor and national health reporter for 16 years, editing and then covering stories nationally and internationally.

Earlier in his career, Stein spent about four years at NPR's science desk. Before that, he served as a science reporter for United Press International in Boston and the science editor of the international wire service in Washington.

Stein is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He completed a journalism fellowship at the Harvard School of Public Health, a program in science and religion at the University of Cambridge, and a summer science writer's workshop at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass.

It's All Politics
5:24 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Political Memes: Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control?

Originally published on Thu October 25, 2012 10:49 am

Even if you didn't watch any of the three presidential debates, chances are you're familiar with Big Bird, binders and bayonets.

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Local News
4:14 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

EKU's Rugby Team Suspended During Hazing Investigation

Eastern Kentucky University officials have suspended the school’s club rugby team following hazing allegations.

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Mike Reagle says the suspension means more than not playing games. The student-run team cannot meet, practice, have parties or do anything together as a group. Reagle said the prohibition is for the safety of team members.

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Education
4:02 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

James Heckman: Family, Early Childhood Development Key for Kentucky's Future

A Nobel laureate from the University of Chicago says for Kentucky to make real progress in student achievement, it must prioritize family initiatives and early childhood development.

Dr. James Heckman spoke Wednesday to a large group of politicians, educators, and business leaders in Louisville. For years he has studied how communities measure success, and he says more attention should be paid to building what he calls “character” skills in children under five years old.

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The Two-Way
3:50 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Equal Pay For Equal Work: Not Even College Helps Women

Credit Richard Drew / AP
Barnard College graduates listen to President Barack Obama at commencement ceremonies on May 14, 2012.

Originally published on Wed October 24, 2012 11:10 am

A startling new report finds freshly graduated college women will likely face this hurdle when entering the work world: they're worth less than equally educated men.

The American Association of University Women is releasing a new study that shows when men and women attend the same kind of college, pick the same major and accept the same kind of job, on average, the woman will still earn 82 cents to every dollar that a man earns.

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Local News
3:44 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Fungal Meningitis Causes 3 Deaths In Indiana's Elkhart County

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Elkhart County's health officer says three people have died from fungal meningitis are receiving injections there of a recalled back pain medication.

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WFPL's reporters are everywhere, gathering news and information about this year's elections. Check here for information on the contests for Congress (Kentucky and Indiana), the Kentucky General Assembly, Metro Council, Jefferson County School Board.

Politics
3:08 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Yoder Jabs Young Over Ryan Budget Plan, Health Care Reform

In the race for Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District seat, Democratic challenger Shellie Yoder sparred with Republican incumbent Todd Young during their first debate at Franklin College on Wednesday.

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