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The Two-Way
5:55 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

North Dakota Higher Ed Board Will Sue To Drop 'Fighting Sioux' Nickname

Credit Dale Wetzel / AP
Charles Tuttle, a backer of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname, watches as a woman signs petitions supporting the nickname on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

It's an issue that's been controversial since at least the 1960s and, through the years, the University of North Dakota has vacillated on whether to keep its controversial "Fighting Sioux" nickname for its sports teams.

Today that controversy was extended, yet again, when North Dakota's Higher Education Board decided to go to court to challenge a voter referendum that could have forced the university to adopt the name again.

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It's All Politics
5:16 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

GOP Candidates And The Budget: A Look At Their Plans

Credit Ted S. Warren / AP
A sign on a car window at a Feb. 2 rally for Ron Paul in Elko, Nev.

Originally published on Mon February 13, 2012 6:06 pm

It goes without saying that the men who are vying for the Republican presidential nomination found serious flaws with the budget plan President Obama released Monday. But it got us thinking that this might also be a good time to dig into the budget plans offered by the GOP candidates.

All of the candidates want to cut government spending and balance the federal budget. They also want to cut taxes.

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The Two-Way
5:12 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

Federal Appeals Court Hears Challenge To California Affirmative Action Ban

U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard a challenge to California's 15-year ban on using affirmative action in public college admissions.

As the AP put it, Proposition 209, as it's known, "barred racial, ethnic or gender preferences in public education, employment and contracting." And over the 15 years since it was approved by California voters, that same court has upheld it.

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Music
5:10 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

The Ballad Of The Tearful: Why Some Songs Make You Cry

Credit Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Adele won the song of the year category at this year's Grammy Awards for her tear-jerker "Someone Like You."

Originally published on Tue February 14, 2012 4:45 pm

Note: A number of listeners responded to this story and said the definition of appoggiatura was incorrect. Music commentator Rob Kapilow has a second opinion here.

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Shots - Health Blog
4:41 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

Why Catholic Groups' Health Plans Say No To Contraceptives, Yes To Viagra

Credit Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Covered? Usually.

If health insurance plans offered by Catholic-sponsored entities refuse to cover contraceptives for women because of the religion's moral teachings banning artificial birth control, do they cover Viagra for men?

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It's All Politics
4:40 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

With Focus On Obama Budget, Fiscal Watchdog Warns Of Broken Process

Originally published on Tue February 14, 2012 9:36 am

The Two-Way
4:25 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

Republicans To Introduce Backup Bill That Extends Payroll Tax Holiday

Facing an end-of-month expiration of the payroll tax holiday, Republicans said they would introduce a backup bill that would extend that tax cut without offsetting its costs with other cuts.

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Music Videos
3:44 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

Igudesman And Joo: 'I Will Survive'

Credit Doriane Raiman / NPR

Violinist Aleksey Igudesman and pianist Hyung-ki Joo believe that classical music should be fun. That's why they subvert it whenever they appear on stage.

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Health
3:27 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

Komen Hopes Walkers Won't Walk Out On 3-Day Event

Credit Scott M. Lieberman / AP
Several thousand people participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Tyler, Texas, in 2007. Some walkers for this year's races, including the 3-Day walk, are worried that they might have trouble raising money because of the Planned Parenthood controversy.

Originally published on Tue February 14, 2012 11:30 am

Over the weekend, the Susan G. Komen foundation held meetings in 15 cities around the country for people who have registered for this summer's 3-Day walks.

The annual events are key fundraisers for the breast cancer research and treatment organization. But after the recent controversy over Komen's grants to Planned Parenthood, some walkers are worried it might be harder to get donations this year.

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U.S.
3:24 pm
Mon February 13, 2012

U.S. Watches Closely As Oil Drilling Begins Off Cuba

There are big plans for oil exploration in the Caribbean, not far off the coast of Florida. A Spanish company recently began drilling in Cuban waters — just 55 miles from Key West.

The well is the first of several exploratory wells planned in Cuba and the Bahamas. The drilling has officials and researchers in Florida scrambling to make plans for how they'll respond in case of a spill.

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