News Archive - September 16, 2013

Who Is Navy Yard Shooter Aaron Alexis?

While the FBI is still pursuing a motive and a possible second suspect in the Washington Navy Yard shooting, details have emerged about deceased shooter Aaron Alexis.

Analysis: Vice Admiral Peter Daly Addresses Security Issues At U.S. Naval Bases

Today's shooting at the Washington Navy Yard has prompted Navy leaders to examine security issues at U.S. Naval Bases around the country. Vice Admiral Peter Daly discusses how officials will address the issues.

Witness To Navy Yard Shooting Describes 'Surreal' Experience

Long-time Navy Yard engineer Doug Hughes describes the harrowing experience of hiding in place during the shooting that claimed 13 lives on Monday.

Aaron Alexis 2010 Arrest

Alexis Police Report

Street Closures Related To Navy Yard Shooting

Several streets are temporarily closed due to today's Navy Yard shooting that left at least 12 people dead.

'It Could Have Been Me': The 1983 Death Of A NYC Graffiti Artist

Aspiring artist Michael Stewart died at the hands of police in the wake of an aggressive crackdown on graffiti by New York City authorities during the 1980s. His death inspired the creation of one of Jean-Michel Basquiat's best-known drawings.

Nationals Game Postponed In Wake Of Navy Yard Shooting

In the wake of the shooting at Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning, the Nationals have postponed their game until Tuesday.

A War Of Tweets Erupts Over Latest Miss America

Following the crowning of Indian-American Nina Davuluri as Miss America on Sunday, some angry Twitter users filled the Internet with racist tweets. But this time, many others fired back.

Alleged Navy Yard Killer A Former Reservist, Authorities Say

The 34-year-old, who reportedly died at the scene, had been less-than-honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy Reserve for "misconduct issues" in 2011.

CDC: Deadliest Drug Resistance Comes From Hospitals, Not Farms

The agency said that the most problematic resistant bacteria are emerging in hospitals. But it also called bacteria that have become resistant to drugs used on the farm a "serious threat."

A President Too Practiced In Tragic Words To The Nation

Some of the worst mass shootings in American history have occurred since President Obama took office in 2009. The shootings Monday at the D.C. Navy Yard now joins the grim list.

Cycling Team Defends American Chris Horner After Win In Spain

Conjecture over Chris Horner, the 41-year-old American who won Spain's Vuelta bike race on Sunday, grew after drug testers couldn't find him at a team hotel Monday morning.

Bill Gates, Warren Buffett Again Top Forbes 400

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison ranks No. 3 and the Koch brothers jointly occupy the No. 4 spot on the list of the wealthiest Americans.

Young Actors Remember Historic Birmingham Bombing On Stage

The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was blown up in September of 1963, a tragic and world-changing event explored by a group of young actors at the Kennedy Center's Family Theater.

Atkins Hopes To Ride Paleo, Low-Carb Craze To A Comeback

Atkins Nutritionals says a renewed faith in the low-carb approach to dieting is helping the company grow again. It has launched a low-carb frozen food line and is plowing millions into advertising to win back dieters.

Both Mexican Coasts Are Lashed By Deadly Tropical Cyclones

At least 21 people were reported dead, as Tropical Storm Manuel and Hurricane Ingrid made landfall within hours of each other.

'A Sense Of Panic,' Says Witness To Navy Yard Shooting

Two people describe escaping a building as a gunman with a rifle shot at them from down the hall.

Post-Sandy Reconstruction Far From Finished In Crisfield

Eleven months ago, super storm Sandy destroyed hundreds of properties in Crisfield, Md. Today, many of those homes are still in need of major repair.

Summers' End: A Metaphor For Obama's Economic Agenda

After some initial successes, Obama's ability to achieve the other pieces of his economic to-do list has been spotty at best.

Teens Curb Sodas And TV, But More Work Needed In Obesity Fight

After a decade of pressure from schools, parents and public health officials, teenagers do seem to be doing a wee bit better when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables and cutting back on sugary drinks. But they've got a long way to go to be considered healthy eaters.

Virginia Attorney General Candidates Divided On School Takeover

Candidates for Virginia's attorney general are taking opposing views of an effort to take over troubled schools in the state.

With Summers Out, Will Obama Turn To Yellen For Fed Post?

Financial markets rallied Monday, a day after Lawrence Summers took himself out of the running to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. Summers had been seen as a front-runner to replace Ben Bernanke, whose term expires in January. Now the focus turns to whether Obama will pick Fed Vice Chairman Janet Yellen to be the first woman to run the central bank.

Sandwich Monday: The Steak, Egg & Cheese McMuffin

For this week's Sandwich Monday, we try the newest attempt to class up the McDonald's Breakfast Menu: the Steak, Egg & Cheese McMuffin. McDonald's does not put "steak" in quotes.

Sarin Attack On Syrian Civilians Is A 'War Crime,' U.N. Says

The Aug. 21 attack near Damascus killed civilians, "including many children," and constitutes a "war crime," says U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He expressed his "profound shock and regret" at the findings.

Whether Facebook Makes You Lonely Depends On How You Use It

A recent study showed Facebook use makes us feel sadder and lonelier, but other studies show the exact opposite. How you engage with the platform explains the difference.

Washington Navy Yard, Site Of Shooting, Has Long History

Located on the banks of the Anacostia River and near the Washington Nationals ballpark in southeast D.C., it is the U.S. Navy's oldest shore facility. Today, it employs about 3,000 people and is home to the command that oversees ship construction, as well as the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Thirteen Killed In Shooting At Washington Navy Yard

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A shooting rampage at the Navy Yard Monday morning left 13 dead and 14 wounded; one shooter was killed after engaging with police and another suspect is still being sought by police.

South Korean Soldiers Kill Man Trying To Cross To North

While thousands of North Koreans have made their way to the South, the number of incidents that go in the other direction are exceedingly rare.

Democrats Dodge New York Family Feud, Mayoral Runoff Averted

Bill Thompson conceded the New York City mayoral primary to Bill de Blasio, assuring that the Democratic Party will avoid what promised to be an acrimonious intraparty runoff.

Former D.C. Council Member's Sentencing Delayed

A former D.C. Council member who pleaded guilty to a bribery charge will have to wait a little longer to know his fate.

Why Do We Describe Asian Eyes As 'Almond-Shaped'?

TV personality Julie Chen's recent revelation about getting plastic surgery to make her eyes look "less Chinese" has renewed a long-running discussion about how to describe an Asian person's eyes.

D.C. Council Readies To Punish Marion Barry For Taking Money From Contractors

Five D.C. Council members are about to finalize their recommendations about how to discipline their colleague, Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), for accepting cash gifts from two city contractors.

D.C. Completes Fixes On Two Of Five Structurally Deficient Bridges

D.C. officials say they've fixed two of five bridges in the city categorized by federal officials as both "fracture critical" and "structurally deficient."

Are Latinos Turning Away From Traditional Media For Information?

NPR's Tell Me More with Michel Martin hosted a Google+ Hangout on air, focusing on "Emerging Latinos and Innovations."

Former U.N. Inspector: Syria Plan 'Optimistic,' Requires Troops

The U.S.-Russia plan to rid Syria of chemical weapons by next summer faces many hurdles and includes "unrealistic" deadlines, says former U.N. weapons inspector David Kay, who previously has worked on efforts to find chemical weapons in Iraq.

Attack At The Navy Yard: Latest On The Shootings In D.C.

Eleven victims were killed and several more were injured, authorities say, in what President Obama called a "cowardly act." A gunman is also dead, say police. Meanwhile one person thought to have been a "potential" gunman has been cleared. Another is still being sought.

Homeless Man With 'Great Heart' Finds $42,000, Turns It In

In Massachusetts over the weekend, a store employee misplaced a backpack filled with cash and travelers checks. The homeless man who found it immediately turned it in. "Homeless people are the first to help you out," says Bob Boisselle, who knows the Good Samaritan and also stays at a Boston-area homeless shelter.

How To Watch As The Costa Concordia Is (Hopefully) Righted

The cruise ship ran aground and slumped over on its starboard side off the coast of Tuscany in January 2012. Thirty-two people died. The effort to pull it upright is said to be the biggest such operation ever. At 114,000 tons, the ship is twice the size of the Titanic.

Rescue Efforts To Resume In Flooded Colorado; More Rain Due

Floodwaters have washed out roads and made it difficult to get to many people. Bad weather grounded helicopters on Sunday. Though more rain is expected, authorities think the rescue flights will be able to resume Monday. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for.