Search results for

NPR's Steve Krueger reports that aerospace conglomerate Boeing has seen a huge number of its engineers leave in the past few months. Many say the cause of this Brain Drain is the company's move to use private contractors in much of its research and development projects. Officials at Boeing are considering a number of programs they hope will help them recruit and retain the engineers it needs to stay competitive.

Commentator John Ridley explores the sinister repercussions behind a recent government proposal to buy and dispose of millions of gallons of cranberries.

Reina Gonzales of Youth Public Radio in Oakland, California, reports on two contrasting summer school experiences: enrichment courses; and remedial classes for students who failed during the regular year.

David D'Arcy reports on Other Pictures, a new exhibition of amateur black and white pictures on exhibit at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The "at" (@) sign -- the letter "A" encircled by a loop -- is everywhere these days -- thanks to the internet and E-mail addresses. But where did the sign originate and what is it actually called? According to Giorgio Stabile, a professor of history in Rome, the "at" symbol or "amphora symbol" is not a new sign at all -- and it predates the 18th century as historians previously believed. Professor Stabile has been hard at work for the past three months studying this ubiquitous symbol -- and has now traced it back to May 4, 1536 in a Roman mercantile document signed by Francesco Lapi. No doubt the race is on to find earlier recordings but for now -- the "at" symbol, drawn as we know it, dates back at least as far as the Italian Renaissance. We also went out to ask folks on the streets of Washington about @.

At the University of Dayton today, George Bush addressed one of the biggest crowds of his campaign, more than 3,000 people. He talked about education, social security, strengthening the military, and promoted his wife Laura's speech tonight to the Republican National Convention. After the rally, Bush rode with Mrs. Bush to the airport to see her off to Philadelphia. NPR's Don Gonyea is traveling with the campaign, Linda talked with him this afternoon.

The Republican convention that began today, and its Democratic counterpart that begins in two weeks are underwritten by taxpayer financing. Each major party gets $13.5 million for its four-day nominating extravaganza. The public funding was supposed to fee the parties from their dependence on private sponsors for these events. But the parties have found ways to accept private donations as well. NPR's Peter Overby reports the conventions are now more elaborate and expensive than ever.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand takes a tour of Philadelphia with 16-year-old Elise Beattie, who's lived in the city her whole life. They start out downtown, which, Elise points out, has been cleaned up and dressed up for the Republican Convention.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand talks to NPR's Cokie Roberts about the political events this week as the Republican National Convention gets underway in Philadelphia.

Host Alex Chadwick talks to Captain Chuck Dickson of the Kern County Fire Department about the wildfire that's burning thousands of acres of pine forest in the mountains of California. The area in and around the Sequoia National Forest is sparsely populated. The small towns of Pine Creek and Kennedy Meadows have been evacuated.