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The 'Hard-To-Change' Legacy Of Medicare Payments

Credit J. Scott Applewhite / AP

President Obama's budget plan for fiscal year 2014 may include a proposal for Medicare patients to pay more of their own medical bills.

By Julie Rovner

Originally published on Tue April 9, 2013 9:14 am

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The budget President Obama will send to Congress Wednesday is expected to include some $400 billion in reductions to Medicare and other health programs.

And if the word around Washington is correct, it may also include a proposal aimed at winning some bipartisan backing — by changing the way Medicare patients pay for their care.

2:58 am

Tue April 9, 2013

Starving Baby Sea Lions Flood Southern California Shores

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Credit Gloria Hillard / NPR

More and more starving sea lions are being found stranded on California shores, and animal rehabilitation centers are at their maximum capacity. Experts say there are fewer fish for these mammals to feed on, but they don't know why.

Credit Gloria Hillard / NPR

Peter Wallerstein uses a large fishing net to grab a sea lion pup that was stranded on a nearby dock.

By editor

Originally published on Tue April 9, 2013 9:14 am

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In recent months, more than 1,000 starving baby sea lions have been found on Southern California beaches, from Santa Barbara to San Diego. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has just declared the crisis an "unusual mortality event."

On a recent early morning, Peter Wallerstein is on the job on a beach near Marina del Rey, Calif. His white truck is a familiar sight along this coastline. Next to him, a small blond dog named Pumpkin rides shotgun.

2:56 am

Tue April 9, 2013

To Find Insider Trading, Follow The Kids' Money

Credit iStockphoto.com

By Shankar Vedantam

Originally published on Tue April 9, 2013 4:46 am

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In New York and Washington, government regulators are cracking down on insider trading, the illegal practice in which people with internal information about important company events make stock market trades before ordinary investors find out what's happening.

7:14 pm

Mon April 8, 2013

Pastor Joel Osteen Is The Target Of A Complex Online Hoax

By Bill Chappell

Originally published on Tue April 9, 2013 12:22 pm

April Fool's Day was one week ago — but an elaborate hoax targeting Pastor Joel Osteen gained wide attention Monday, after those behind the hoax used Twitter, YouTube, and other social media to spread spurious claims that the pastor had renounced his faith and would close his huge Texas church.

Update at 12:15 p.m. ET, Tuesday: Man Behind Hoax Describes Motives, Public Response

6:15 pm

Mon April 8, 2013

Iowa Town Braces For New Reality In Factory Closure's Wake

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Credit Andrea Hsu / NPR

Main Street in Webster City, Iowa, has so far survived the 2011 closure of an Electrolux factory. But retraining funds and unemployment are running out for former workers, leaving businesses worried that a serious downturn is ahead.

Credit Andrea Hsu / NPR

Electrolux's former warehouse and distribution center in Webster City, Iowa, is up for sale. The plant itself, across the street, will soon be demolished.

By Andrea Hsu

What becomes of a city of 8,000 people when its main employer leaves town? What does it look like, and what does it feel like? I set out to answer those questions on a trip to Webster City, Iowa, last month, as part of my report on the Swedish appliance maker Electrolux.

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