Search results for

Ford is announcing today that it will increase the average fuel economy of its sports utility vehicles by 25 percent over five years. As NPR's Jack Speer reports, the company said it was responding to environmentally-conscious consumers who want their vehicles to burn less gas. Ford, which pioneered the trend toward big, gas-guzzling SUVs, appears to be shifting course under the direction of chairman William Ford Jr., an avowed environmentalist. But Ford's move may be prompted by economics, too. SUVs are highly profitable and high gas prices could put that lucrative market at risk.

NPR's Joshua Levs reports a Georgia judge has ordered evidence from a nineteen year old murder case to be turned over for DNA testing to determine whether the man executed for the murder was innocent. Ellis Wayne Felker was convicted in 1983 for the rape and murder of a teenage girl. At the time of his conviction, DNA analysis did not exist. Felker was executed for the crime in 1996, after pleas by his lawyers to have evidence submitted for DNA analysis were turned down by the courts. Yesterday's ruling was on a request by four news organizations, who told the court they would pay for new DNA tests on that evidence.

Banning Eyre reports on the legacy of Nigerian bandleader and activist Fela Kuti. Kuti came from a talented and educated family. He was educated in England and spent time in America. In the 1970's, his jazz and funk-influenced music challenged the political and military leadership of Nigeria. His lifestyle reflected his sharp rejection of Western ideas. Kuti eventually died of complications from AIDS. But his life is attracting new attention here in the US as his son Femi tours with a band, and a new biography by Michael Veal details his life. (12:30) Please note, Fela: The Life & Times of an African Musical Icon, by Michael E. Veal is published by Temple University Press; ISBN# 1566397650, June 2000.

Catholic voters were traditionally thought of as a Democratic, but in recent decades they have become swing voters -- willing to support either party This year, they are a prize trophy in the presidential contest. NPR's Lynn Neary reports on the Republican strategy for attracting Catholic votes.

Sixty years ago today, Bugs Bunny debuted in A Wild Hare. Linda and Robert have a few notes about Bugs' creation and we hear clips from the cartoon.

Robert talks to Charlie Pacas, an aquatic specialist at Banff National Park, about a plan to remove non-native fish from Moraine Lake. The lake is within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. The lake was stocked with non-native fish which are pushing out the indigenous bull trout.

Linda talks with Jere Longman about the U.S. Woman's Soccer Team, the challenges they faced and how the team's success influenced the way women in sports are viewed. Longman is a sports writer for The New York Times and author of Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How it Changed the World. (5:00) Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How it Changed the World, by Jere Longman is published by Harper Collins, July 2000.

Reporter DAVE DAVIES talks about Philadelphia and next weeks Republican National Convention. Hell talk about what the city did to get the convention, what image the city is trying to project, and what the city is doing to prepare for the delegates, the protestors, and the media. DAVIES will also talk about the current controversy surrounding the Philadelphia police. DAVIES is a long time reporter in the Philadelphia area. He covers City Hall and city politics for the Philadelphia Daily News.12:28:30 FORWARD PROMO (:29)12:29:00 I.D. BREAK (:59)12:

Biographer HOWARD POLLACK is the author of –Aaron Copland: The Life and Work of an Uncommon Man— (University of Illinois Press). This year marks the 100th anniversary of Coplands birth. Though Copland was jewish, gay, and raised in Brooklyn, his work came to personify the American West, with such well known compositions as –Billy the Kid— and –Rodeo.— Copland also wrote –Appalachian Spring,— and –Fanfare for the Common Man.— Copland also wrote the film scores for –The Red Pony,— and –The Heiress.— POLLACK is professor of music history and literature at the University of Houston. 12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next fresh air how Philadelphia won the bid to host the Republican National Convention and what its done to prepare for it. We talk to Philadelphia Daily News reporter Dave Davies. Also the life and work of composer Aaron Copland (–Cope-land—). This year marks the centenary of his birth. Join us for the next fresh air.

NPR's Aaron Schachter reports on a little known option for minor criminals in Southern California. If a judge approves, a prisoner may be allowed to leave the crowded and dangerous county jail for "nicer" accommodations in a small city lock up. The pay-to-stay program costs detainees anywhere from 40 to 145 dollars a night. Some lawyers who know about the program say it's a legitimate way to keep clients safe. Civil libertarians say it's inherently unfair, since it gives an advantage to those with money.