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N.C. City To Make Nation's First Digital Switch

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:51:00 -0400 - On Monday, the city of Wilmington, N.C., will be the canary in the digital coal mine when it becomes the first U.S. city to permanently switch television broadcasts from analog to digital.

China Eyes Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Bailout

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:39:00 -0400 - The government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is making waves far off American shores. China is watching the events closely because some 10 percent of China's gross domestic product is invested with the troubled mortgage giants. NPR's Adam Davidson talks with host Jacki Lyden about China's stake in the U.S. mortgage industry.

Ex-Mexican Mafia Head Now Lives Under The Radar

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:33:00 -0400 - What's it like for a prison-gang leader when he decides to drop out? For Rene Enriquez, who is serving two life sentences in California, cooperating with police has its perks — like video games and a razor for shaving. But it also means he leads a secret life.

Paulson: Action on Fannie, Freddie Was Necessary

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:45:00 -0400 - The federal government today announced its plans for a takeover of the troubled mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While U.S. officials had hoped to avoid a bailout, the deterioration of the two companies could no longer be ignored.

Hurricane Ike Churns Through Caribbean

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:34:00 -0400 - Hurricane Ike has passed over Haiti and is now steaming toward the Gulf of Mexico, leaving devastation in its wake. Flooding has hampered relief efforts in the port city of Gonaives, Haiti, which is still suffering from the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna.

U.S. Takes Over Troubled Mortgage Giants

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:11:00 -0400 - U.S. mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be put into conservatorship and their top executives will be removed, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said. The intervention comes after the companies lost billions in the housing market turmoil, with no sign things are getting better.

Calif. Church Provides Sanctuary To Immigrant

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:30:00 -0400 - A small church north of Los Angeles became a sanctuary nearly a year ago for a female, illegal immigrant facing deportation. The United Church of Christ in Simi Valley is attracting anti-illegal immigration demonstrators angry that the church is sheltering the woman.

Haiti Is Struck By Hanna, Drenched By Ike

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:22:00 -0400 - In Haiti, relief efforts continue almost a week after Tropical Storm Hanna caused extensive flooding on the island. The town of Gonaives was the hardest hit; scores of people were killed and much of the city remains under water. Aid workers are desperately trying to provide food, shelter and medicine to people there while fearing more flooding from Hurricane Ike.

U.S. To Take Over Mortgage Giants Fannie, Freddie

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:01:00 -0400 - The Treasury Department is poised to announce it will takeover Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which together back roughly half of all outstanding U.S. mortgages. The government intervention comes after the companies lost billions in the housing market turmoil, with no sign things are getting better.

Effects Of The Fannie/Freddie Takeover

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0400 - Host Liane Hansen speaks with Nariman Behravesh, Chief Economist at Global Insight. Behravesh says that without major action, chances of the housing crunch and credit crisis dragging on for another year are very high. But early action will probably save taxpayers in the long run, because the damage to the economy will be less.

U.S. Immigration Agency And Deportation

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0400 - Some 600 illegal immigrants were arrested in a major federal raid at a Mississippi manufacturing plant recently. The Bush Administration charged only eight of the immigrants criminally and sent the rest for civil deportation proceedings. Host Liane Hansen speaks to NPR's Jennifer Ludden to find out if this signals a shift in administration policy.

Louisiana Oyster Industry Reels From Gustav

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0400 - Host Liane Hansen speaks with Kevin Voisin, Vice President of Marketing at Motivatit Seafoods in Houma Louisiana. The company was hit hard by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and now the Houma area is reeling in the aftermath of Gustav.

Relief Efforts Under Way In Flood-Stricken Haiti

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:23:00 -0400 - Haitians are heading to higher ground to escape massive flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hanna, and they're bracing themselves for Hurricane Ike. More than 150 people have been killed.

Gangster Reveals Mexican Mafia Secrets

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:16:00 -0400 - Rene Enriquez was once a leader in the Mexican mafia. He killed for the gang and ordered the deaths of many men and women. But after reaching the pinnacle of prison-gang life, he decided to leave and share information with the police.

Bhutto's Widower Elected President In Pakistan

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:04:00 -0400 - Just over nine months after his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in a suicide attack, Asif Ali Zardari has been chosen as the new president of Pakistan. His election Saturday has been received warily by the Pakistani public. It came on a day marred by death and mayhem after a suicide bomb attack in Peshawar killed at least 30 people.