All Things Considered

Speaker John Boehner's plan for raising the debt ceiling in two steps and cutting the budget comes to the House floor Wednesday. Does he have the votes to pass it? Then what?

Michele Norris speaks with Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council and assistant to the president for economic policy. They talk about the latest developments in the debt ceiling negotiations.

The U.S. Postal Service released a list Tuesday of 3,700 post offices it is considering closing as part of an effort to become leaner and more competitive. For some ideas on what could become of vacant post office buildings, Michele Norris talks with Sarah Belhasen, a family physician who bought the old post office in her town of Paintsville, Ky., a decade ago. Belhasen turned the building into her home.

When the military stepped in and eased the way out for Hosni Mubarak earlier this year, its leaders insisted they only wanted to be a caretaker government, finding the best pathway to civilian and democratic rule. A new electoral law has been promulgated, and it looks like parliamentary elections will be held in November. Some in the military want the army to continue to play the role of safeguard for the new system that is emerging. But others — primarily the young — argue the military cannot be trusted with that kind of power.

A lack of challengers for four open seats on the Greeley City Council – including the office of Mayor – may force the city of Greeley to cancel its municipal elections this fall.

It’s believed that would be a first for Greeley. But after 21 years of working in elections City Clerk Betsy Holder says it’s still a bit premature.

“We’ve got until August 22 – almost a full month for folks to throw their hat into the ring and indicate an interest if they’d like to run for office,” says Holder.