NPR News

Bill James is best known for his contributions to baseball, but his latest book focuses on another, very different, favorite pastime: crime stories. Popular Crime looks at the effects infamous crimes have had on our culture.

The U.S. Department of Commerce reported today that retail sales are up for the tenth straight month. Sales in April rose half a percent. Host Michel Martin and NPR's Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax discuss what these retail sales figures mean for the economy this summer and for the country's long term fiscal health.

Betty White has been on television — in her words — "forever." Her new memoir, If You Ask Me, focuses on the past 15 years of her life and career. Far from slowing down, that career has been skyrocketing as a new generation gets to know her.

Oil prices have taken a dive and the demand for gasoline in the U.S. is down, but in the long-term, it sounds like higher prices are here to stay. What's the tipping point where we'll see a significant change in consumer behavior? Host Liane Hansen talks with Phil Flynn, an energy analyst with PFGBEST about the economic impact of high gas prices.

Longtime Weekend Edition Sunday host Liane Hansen is closing in on her last show, and we're reminding listeners that there's a timeline of special moments on the program going back to 1989, including Nelson Mandela's release from prison, singer Joni Mitchell and Liane's trip to Egypt. Listeners can suggest their own favorites at npr.org/Liane.

The killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces is aggravating already strained relations with Pakistan. His death is also raising questions from some lawmakers about the continued U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Seth Jones, senior political scientist with the Rand Corporation, about how the killing of Osama bin Laden may affect the United States' relationship with Pakistan.

Some residents of Kentucky living near the Mississippi River are being allowed back in their homes to survey the damage from floodwaters as they begin to recede. Downriver, however, the Mississippi is now threatening Vicksburg, Memphis and other river towns. Host Liane Hansen talks with NPR's David Schaper about preparations for massive flooding.

The largest crowd ever packed into Churchill Downs Saturday for the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby, but much of the intrigue happened behind the scenes. Host Liane Hansen has an update of the final standings of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, where a horse named Animal Kingdom surged to a surprise victory.

New York artist Glenn Ligon is perhaps best known for the text-based paintings he started making in the '80s. Now, his first midcareer retrospective takes a closer look at how the past has informed the work of this contemporary artist.

Just in time for Mother's Day, Melanie Notkin has come out with Savvy Auntie, a guidebook for women who don't have children, but still love them. A proud aunt to many, Notkin explains how to play a fun and supportive role in the lives of your nieces, nephews and god-children.