A Wild Turkey in New York's Battery Park
November 27, 2003 • New York City's Battery Park has a new resident celebrity -- a wild turkey named Zelda. Whether by luck or instinct, the female turkey is living in probably the last place a hunter would think to look. NPR's Robert Smith reports.
Soccer Prodigy Stays Home
November 19, 2003 • Freddy Adu, the most highly regarded teenager in U.S. soccer, signs with the MLS to play for D.C. United. The 14-year-old Adu's decision is a major coup for the soccer league, as he was vigorously recruited by elite European teams. Adu, a native of Ghana, plays with a style that has already drawn comparisons with soccer legend Pele. NPR's Robert Smith reports.
Abortion Law Challenged
November 6, 2003 • A federal judge in New York is expected to rule Thursday on whether he will block enforcement of a new federal abortion law. President Bush signed a bill Wednesday that would ban a procedure abortion opponents call "partial-birth" abortion. A district court judge in Nebraska has temporarily blocked the law. Other legal action is expected in California. Hear NPR's Robert Smith.
New Abortion Law Challenged in Courts
New York City's High Line
August 5, 2003 • NPR's Robert Smith reports on New York City's High Line. The abandoned elevated rail spur has become a cause for conservationists -- and a hot real estate fight.
Judge Dismisses Terrorism Charges Against Lawyer
July 23, 2003 • A federal judge throws out two terrorism counts against an American civil rights lawyer and two co-defendants, saying charges that they aided a terrorist organization were unconstitutionally vague. Lynne Stewart was accused of helping deliver messages from a client serving a life sentence for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Hear NPR's Robert Smith.
Judge Dismisses NAACP Gun Lawsuit
July 22, 2003 • A federal judge in New York throws out the NAACP's case against gun manufacturers, saying the organization could not prove, as required by law, that its members were uniquely harmed. But the judge is also critical of the gun industry, finding that it bears some responsibility for illegal gun violence. Hear NPR's Robert Smith.
New Yorkers Adjust to New Smoking Ban
July 14, 2003 • NPR's Robert Smith reports on the brave new world New York City smokers have had to adjust to. It's been three months since the city banned smoking in most of its bars.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
July 4, 2003 • America may be home to the best ballpark franks, but it's not the home of the world's greatest hot dog eater. NPR's Robert Smith reports on a surprising development in food-eating championships.
Summer Street Music Series: New York
July 4, 2003 • The New York Subway system is designed to move millions of people quickly and efficiently. But on any given Friday afternoon, trombonist Alex Lo Dico and his jazz band can bring commuters to a complete halt. The subways have been Lo Dico's stage for two decades now, and his philosophy is "swing 'til you drop." NPR's Robert Smith has the first in a summer series of street musician profiles.
Flag Day: Marketing the Stars and Stripes
June 14, 2003 • Selling the American flag has become big business, and Flag Day creates even more opportunities for merchants. But many say they try not to let materialism prevent them from paying due respect to Old Glory. NPR's Robert Smith reports.
Funny Cide Falls Short
June 7, 2003 • Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide falls short in his bid to win horse racing's Triple Crown, finishing third in the Belmont Stakes. The gelding led for much of the race, but was overtaken down the stretch by Empire Maker and Ten Most Wanted. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Robert Smith.
Empire Maker Ends Funny Cide's Triple Crown Run
Top 'N.Y. Times' Editors Quit
June 5, 2003 • New York Times Executive Editor Howell Raines and Managing Editor Gerald Boyd resign in the wake of an ethics scandal involving former reporter Jayson Blair. Raines led the paper to a record seven Pulitzer Prizes in one year, but also faced intense criticism for his handling of the Blair case. Hear NPR's Robert Smith and former Times reporter Alex Jones.
Top Editors at 'New York Times' Resign
June 5, 2003 • NPR's Robert Smith reports that the top editors at The New York Times have resigned. Executive Editor Howell Raines and Managing Editor Gerald Boyd stepped down Thursday amid a storm of criticism over the paper's management of former Times reporter Jayson Blair. Blair was accused of fabricating or plagiarizing elements in dozens of stories for the paper. One Times reporter said there was a lot of crying when Raines made his announcement, but that there is a sense of relief among the staff.
Pulitzer Winner's Suspension a New Blow to 'Times'
May 27, 2003 • As The New York Times investigates the soundness of its own reporting in the wake of an ethics scandal, the paper suspends Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Rick Bragg. He's accused of taking credit for reporting done by an assistant. Earlier, rising Times star Jayson Blair left under a cloud of plagiarism and fabricated details. NPR's Robert Smith reports.
Coney Island's 'Shoot the Freak'
May 24, 2003 • NPR's Robert Smith reports from Coney Island, Brooklyn, on a new amusement that's attracting crowds to the boardwalk. It's called "Shoot the Freak." Buy a ticket and you can shoot at a live human being -- with paint balls.