NPR News

A top Massey Energy executive who presided over the company while it compiled some of the most criticized safety records in the coal mining industry will jointly manage the main safety program at Alpha Natural Resources if the two companies merge as expected.

That's one of the merger management shifts announced late Friday by Alpha that ensures key roles for several Massey executives in the combined company.

This Sunday, at Chinese embassies all over world, protesters are planning a global sit-in to protest the detention of the internationally renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Ai was taken into custody by Chinese authorities nearly two weeks ago for what government officials now say are questions about his finances.

I've voted nine times already today and I'm exhausted.

I've voted for my favorite news story of the day. I've voted for my favorite western movies—once for Shane, once for Blazing Saddles. Yeah, the campfire scene.

This week, as President Obama presented his budget plan and criticized Congressman Ryan's plan, he invoked the name of David Stockman, the first budget director under former President Ronald Reagan. Stockman also found faults in the Republican proposal, but he has criticism for Obama, too. Host Scott Simon talks with Stockman about the debate over the nation's fiscal future and the latest budget proposals from the White House and House Republicans.

Nearly one year ago, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded, killing 11 people and beginning one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Debbie Elliott, who has covered the spill and its aftermath.