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In Alaska's Iditarod Sled Race, Vets Are A Dog's Best Friend

Credit Russell Lewis / NPR

Mushers can bring up to 20 dogs to the Iditarod but can start the race with only 16. In the days before the competition, the animals are taken to the Iditarod headquarters in Wasilla, Alaska, for pre-race exams.

Credit Russell Lewis / NPR

Teams of veterinarians inspect the dogs before the race begins. Greg Reppas uses a stethoscope to listen to a dog's heart and lungs.

By Russell Lewis

Originally published on Sun March 3, 2013 12:15 am

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In Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, the "Last Great Race on Earth" begins.

Sixty-seven sled dog teams will start the 998-mile Iditarod race across the barren, frigid and unforgiving land. In this year's competition, there are a handful of first-time racers — but those aren't the only rookies.

One is veterinarian Greg Reppas, whose job is to ensure the dogs are healthy throughout the race.

6:26 pm

Fri March 1, 2013

Obama Pardons 17 People; His First Pardons In More Than A Year

By editor

Originally published on Fri March 1, 2013 6:50 pm

President Obama, who has issued few pardons during his time in office, announced on Friday that he had pardoned 17 people convicted of mostly minor offenses.

The AP reports:

"No one well-known was on the list released by the White House. Some of the crimes drew light penalties in the first place — such as a North Carolina woman sentenced to two years' probation and 100 hours of community service for distributing satellite cable decryption devices.

6:09 pm

Fri March 1, 2013

Documentary 'A Place At The Table' Is A Call To Action On Hunger

Credit Participant Media

The poster for the documentary A Place At The Table.

By Allison Aubrey

One nation underfed. Really?

Many of us don't think of the U.S. as the land of the underfed.

5:58 pm

Fri March 1, 2013

Judge Throws Out Half Of Jury Award In Apple, Samsung Patent Case

Credit Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

People walk past the Apple logo at the Apple Store at Grand Central Terminal in New York.

By Eyder Peralta

Originally published on Fri March 1, 2013 6:51 pm

The judge overseeing the Apple/Samsung patent case decided to throw out about half of the $1 billion in damages awarded by the jury in a trial last August.

All Things D explains:

"Judge Lucy Koh ordered a new trial to determine damages for certain of the products in the case, a move that affects $450 million of the jury's $1.05 billion award.

5:54 pm

Fri March 1, 2013

Michigan Officials Take Control Of Detroit's Empty Wallet

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Credit J.D. Pooley / Getty Images

With a declining population and dwindling tax base, Detroit has grappled with severe financial problems in the past decade.

Credit Rebecca Cook / Reuters /Landov

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder in February displays a chart to illustrate the troubled state of Detroit's finances.

By editor

Originally published on Fri March 1, 2013 8:01 pm

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In a small public-TV studio before an invitation-only audience of 30 people, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder made his case Friday for taking control of Detroit's finances away from the city's elected officials.

The state's signature city is grappling with a declining population, a dwindling tax base and decades of mismanagement — including corruption so pervasive at times that former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is currently on trial for federal racketeering charges.

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6:05 am

Sat March 2, 2013