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Home Births Grow More Popular In U.S.

Credit Amanda Steen / NPR

Shannon Earle holds her new baby Kiera Breen Earle, moments after she was born at their home last year.

By Rob Stein

The number of women delivering babies at home in the United States has increased significantly, according to the latest government data released Thursday.

Home births increased by 29 percent between 2004 and 2009.

The upward trend is being welcomed by some advocates of home births and midwives, but it's also raising concern among some doctors.

10:18 am

Thu January 26, 2012

The Baffling, Befuddling Primary Season

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Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney greets supporters during a campaign event at Paramount Printing in Jacksonville, Fla., on Thursday.

Credit Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Supporters of the GOP candidates jockey for position outside Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville, S.C., on Jan. 21, the day of the South Carolina primary.

By Linton Weeks

It was so clear for a moment: Mitt Romney was in the lead in the presidential nomination race. Newt Gingrich was a distant second. Rick Santorum — the youthful candidate — was appealing to the socially conservative voters. And Ron Paul was hanging on.

Then things got weird.

10:00 am

Thu January 26, 2012

Republicans Fight For The Latino Vote

By editor

More than 4.2 million Latinos live in the Sunshine State, and that population is in the spotlight as Republican presidential candidates battle to win Florida's upcoming primary. Host Michel Martin discusses this crucial voting bloc with Gary Segura of Latino Decisions, and the Associated Press's Hispanic Affairs reporter Laura Wides-Munoz.

Around the Nation

10:00 am

Thu January 26, 2012

American Parents, Chinese Kids Kick Off New Year

By editor

People around the world are celebrating Chinese New Year. But for American families with adopted Chinese children the holiday can be a chance to learn about Chinese culture. Host Michel Martin speaks with David Youtz, father of four adopted Chinese daughters, and his oldest daughter Sophie.

National Security

9:48 am

Thu January 26, 2012

In Somalia Rescue, Obama Again Turns To Elite Unit

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Credit John Scorza / U.S. Navy

President Obama has called on small, elite military units to carry out several risky operations in the past year, like the hostage rescue this week in Somalia. Here, Navy SEALs are shown during a training exercise at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

Credit Pete Souza / AP

With First Lady Michelle Obama looking on, President Obama speaks Tuesday with the father of Jessica Buchanan. She is the American aid worker who was rescued from Somali pirates after being held for three months.

By Corey Flintoff

President Obama sent a U.S. Navy SEAL team to rescue an American woman and a Danish man held hostage in Somalia, part of a pattern for a commander- in-chief who has shown a clear preference for limited, small-scale military operations.

Obama has authorized several risky missions in the past year and can point to major successes: the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, the air strike that killed terror suspect Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen and the ongoing drone strikes in Pakistan.

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10:36 am

Thu January 26, 2012