KMUW

Weekend Tornado In Western Kansas Was An EF4

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:34:26 +0000

The National Weather Service says a tornado that traveled seven miles across rural western Kansas during the weekend was an EF4, with winds of 165 to 185 miles per hour.

The report from the agency's Dodge City office follows a survey of the tornado's path Saturday night in Pawnee County.

An EF4 is the second-strongest on the scale used to measure the strength of tornadoes.

Losers In Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials

Cheryl Corley — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:07:00 +0000

A day after school officials approved shutting down 50 schools, the Chicago Teachers Union and community activists say they'll hold a voter registration and education campaign.

Funerals Begin In Tornado-Ravaged Moore, Okla.

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:41:00 +0000

Funerals begin Thursday for the 24 people known to have been killed by the tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday.

NBC News says that 9-year-old Antonia Candelaria, one of the 7 children killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School, is due to be remembered at a local church.

Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Jim Erickson — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Science fiction movies always are hard for me to discuss, because they go by rules that are obscure to me, such as those allowing amputations—and even death—to be temporary conditions. But let’s see what can be done with Star Trek Into Darkness.

Director Lin Shifts The Identity Of 'Fast & Furious'

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:51:00 +0000

The sixth installment of the Fast & Furious movie franchise opens Friday. David Greene talks with director Justin Lin, about the new film. Lin, an Asian American, was bothered by how Asian characters were portrayed in the franchise.

Obama Speech Expected To Touch On Drones, Guantanamo

Dina Temple-Raston — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:44:00 +0000

On Thursday, President Obama is expected to explain how the fight against al-Qaida has changed, and how the U.S. will adapt its counter-terrorism policies to the evolving threat. The president will speak at the National Defense University.

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

Peter Overby — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:38:00 +0000

On Wednesday, Lois Lerner, the IRS official overseeing the tax-exempt organizations office, refused to testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, and was attacked by some Republicans on the House committee. Her brief appearance was the beginning of a five-hour session marked by angry outbursts and allegations of political motives.

Obama Group's Climate Push Puts President Under Scrutiny

Ari Shapiro — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:06:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biUc0D6_UPA

Sick Inmates Dying Behind Bars Despite Release Program

Carrie Johnson — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:05:00 +0000

Prison is a tough place, but Congress made an exception nearly 30 years ago, giving terminally ill inmates and prisoners with extraordinary family circumstances an early way out. It's called compassionate release.

But a recent investigation found that many federal inmates actually die while their requests drift through the system.

One of them was Clarence Allen Rice.

Rice operated a leasing company in Iowa for decades.

Living In Two Worlds, But With Just One Language

Michele Norris — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:05:00 +0000

NPR continues its conversations about The Race Card Project, where NPR Host/Special Correspondent Michele Norris asks people to send in six-word stories about race and culture.