Kathy Lohr

Boy Scouts To Decide Whether To Admit Gay Youth

Kathy Lohr — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

And I'm Linda Wertheimer.

This week, Boy Scouts of America officials will meet in Texas to consider changing the group's longstanding ban on gay members. The first round of voting starts tomorrow.

Mark Sanford Wins House Race

Kathy Lohr — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:56:00 +0000

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

In South Carolina tonight, a political comeback. Republican Mark Sanford, who was once mired in scandal as the state's governor, has won a congressional seat in a special election. He has defeated Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch in a race that attracted national attention. Sanford just delivered his victory speech.

MARK SANFORD: I have a question for you all.

Democrats Have High Hopes Of Defeating Sanford In S.C.

Kathy Lohr — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:36:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERK_pExyer8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khs3U1y_XB0

50 Years Later, King's Birmingham 'Letter' Still Resonates

Kathy Lohr — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:46:00 +0000

It's been five decades since Martin Luther King Jr., began writing his famous "Letter From Birmingham Jail," a response to eight white Alabama clergymen who criticized King and worried the civil rights campaign would cause violence. They called King an "extremist" and told blacks they should be patient.

But the time for waiting was over. Birmingham was the perfect place to take a stand.

So King traveled to Alabama in 1963 to attack the culture of racism in the South and the Jim Crow laws that mandated separate facilities for blacks and whites. In January, Gov.

Sanford Tries For Comeback In S.C. Election

Kathy Lohr — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:27:00 +0000

Two Democrats and 16 Republicans are running for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District seat in a special election Tuesday. The seat is open because former Rep. Tim Scott was tapped to replace Sen. Jim DeMint, who retired midterm.

The biggest name in the race is former Gov. Mark Sanford, whose infamous affair led to his political downfall.

New Exhibit Highlights The History Of Early Civil Rights Group

Kathy Lohr — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:03:00 +0000

A new exhibit on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta is bringing civil rights leaders together.

Curators have worked for more than three years to catalog roughly 1,000 boxes of historic documents that tell the story of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an early civil rights group first presided over by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

One person who shows up in several of the photographs in the exhibit is Dorothy Cotton, who was head of the SCLC's Citizens Education Program beginning in the 1960s.

In Dallas, Boy Scouts Debate Opening Membership To Gays

Kathy Lohr — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:27:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Leadership of the Boy Scouts of America may take an important vote today. The organization's executive board is wrapping up a meeting in Dallas, and they're talking about whether to drop their policy banning gay leaders and gay scouts.

States Become Battlegrounds For Nation's Deep Abortion Divide

Kathy Lohr — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 22:52:00 +0000

Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Thousands of activists on both sides of the issue are holding rallies marking the day at state capitals across the country.

In the decades since the decision, abortion has been one of the most debated and legislated issues in the nation. And state legislatures, which are increasingly passing laws restricting abortion, have become the debate's key battlegrounds.

South Dakota is one such state.

New Regulations Could Treat Virginia Abortion Clinics Like Hospitals

Kathy Lohr — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:09:00 +0000

This month marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the famed and widely cited case that legalized abortion. Yet across the country, states are continuing to approve restrictions.

With little fanfare, Virginia and Michigan Republican governors recently signed new abortion bills into law. Virginia's Bob McDonnell, in particular, quietly approved clinic regulations adopted by the state's Board of Health three months ago that hold abortion clinics to the same building standards as hospitals.

"Obviously I'm a pro-life governor," McDonnell says.

From Shoes To M&M's, Custom-Made Products Take Off Online

Kathy Lohr — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:37:00 +0000

It wasn't long ago that all consumers went to retail stores to buy things. These days, of course, you can get just about anything online. Some companies are now taking that shopping experience to the next level, allowing customers to design almost anything individually — from a trench coat to a batch of M&M's.

Lindsay Stewart, a senior at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta, is a Converse fan — and an avid Converse custom designer.

Georgia Town Makes Claim For Fruitcake Capital Of The World

Kathy Lohr — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:51:00 +0000

In the small town of Claxton, Ga., two bakeries make more than 4 million pounds of fruitcake each year. Both bakeries say Claxton is the fruitcake capital of the world, despite a similar claim made by a company in Corsicana, Texas.

"We actually begin with a blend of golden and natural raisins," says Dale Parker, vice president of Claxton Bakery, the larger of the town's two fruitcake companies.

To Trim Down, Spelman Trades Sports For Fitness

Kathy Lohr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:02:00 +0000

For the past decade, Spelman College, a historically black women's school in Atlanta, has fielded NCAA teams in basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and other sports. But when its small Division III conference started dwindling, college President Beverly Tatum says the school decided it was time to change focus.

"We have to ask ourselves: What is the cost of the program and who is benefiting? How many people are benefiting?

Fingerprint Scans Create Unease For Poor Parents

Kathy Lohr — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:59:00 +0000

Some Mississippi parents are learning a new routine when they drop their kids off at day care centers that are taking part in a new pilot program aimed at combating fraud and saving the state money.

Under the program, the state scans parents' fingerprints to capture biometric information, and that information is turned into a number.

Crews Work To Restore Power, And Explain The Delay

Kathy Lohr — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 21:12:00 +0000

More than 8 million people lost power after Superstorm Sandy. Five days later, 2.5 million are still waiting as power companies across the region continue to say that restoring power is more complicated than it seems.

The storm packed a one-two punch.

Undocumented Students Take Education Underground

Kathy Lohr — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 20:59:00 +0000

About 35 students meet every Sunday at an undisclosed location in Georgia to study. They are undocumented and banned from attending some of the most prestigious colleges in the state.

Georgia is one of three states to bar undocumented students from attending schools. But a group of professors at the University of Georgia has created a fledgling school to provide a place for students to learn.

They call it Freedom University, named after the schools set up during the civil rights era to teach African-Americans in the Deep South.

Some Florida Seniors Divided On '47 Percent'

Kathy Lohr — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

The fundraiser where the Romney video was recorded was held in Florida. And today, in that politically important state, reaction was mixed about Romney's unscripted remarks. NPR's Kathy Lohr gathered some views from people at a retirement community.

KATHY LOHR, BYLINE: At Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee, seniors gathered for breakfast, worked out in exercise classes and listened to radio or watched TV where they first heard Romney's remarks. Many in this group are part of the 47 percent who Romney said pay no income taxes and rely on the government.

Atlanta Symphony Locked Out

Kathy Lohr — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:31:00 +0000

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its musicians are at an impasse. The players' contract expired at the end of last month. The symphony is facing a $20 million budget deficit, and it's seeking millions in concessions from the musicians. Both sides say they want to reach an agreement, but they've left the bargaining table, putting the orchestra's 68th season in jeopardy.

The musicians are locked out of their home at the Woodruff Arts Center.

In Akin's Wake, Ryan Defends Anti-Abortion Record

Kathy Lohr — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Since Republican Rep. Todd Akin first said the words "legitimate rape" Sunday, just about everyone in the Republican Party has condemned those comments.

The Missouri Senate candidate later apologized, but his remarks continue to drive the political debate. They've also raised questions about the anti-abortion record of the Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep.

A City Leveled By Hurricane Andrew Rebuilds — Again

Kathy Lohr — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Twenty years ago, Homestead, Fla., was in the eye of what was then the worst storm to hit the United States.

Fifteen people died directly from Hurricane Andrew and a few dozen more died from injuries later. Tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. Andrew's 165-mile-per-hour winds took out nearly every building in Homestead, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Families spent hours in lines to get water and ice.

National Guard troops handed out bags of ice but limited how much each family could get.

There was no electricity for weeks. No hot meals. No phones.

Rice, Moore Invited To Join Augusta National Gulf Club

Kathy Lohr — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 08:48:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Change comes slowly at Augusta National. Study the 80-year history of the golf course, and you'll find dramatic finishes at the Masters tournament, but not all that much else. Occasionally, the club adds a couple of sand traps, but they don't lightly change the azaleas, the sense of tradition or the exclusive private club membership: not until now has the club admitted women members. A South Carolina banker and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice become the first.

Civil Rights Group Struggles To Rebrand Itself

Kathy Lohr — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:45:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

The civil rights organization co-founded by Martin Luther King Junior meets in Sanford, Florida today for its annual convention. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference has struggled in recent years with leadership battles and declining membership. Now members want to rebrand the SCLC.

Some Immigrant Students Still Dreaming Of Clarity

Kathy Lohr — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:03:00 +0000

One question left unanswered by President Obama's announcement last week that he would stop deportations of some young illegal immigrants was what the policy change will mean for students.

Professors and students are wondering whether the changes Obama announced will really help them.

Immigration Law Slows A Family's March Forward

Kathy Lohr — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Immigrant success stories are closely woven into the concept of the American dream. In South Carolina, two generations of an immigrant family have worked hard to live out their dreams, but anti-illegal immigration laws have put even legal immigrants like them on edge.

Working Upon Arrival

Angel Cruz became a field worker in the Dominican Republic when he was just 8 years old. He came to New York in 1964 when he was 25 and went on to do a variety of jobs — from making coat hangers to sanding cabinets in a factory. He worked in landscaping and as a carpenter.

Farm Bill More Than Just Peanuts For Some Farmers

Kathy Lohr — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Southeast of Macon, Ga., near Oglethorpe, rows of peanuts planted six weeks ago have sprouted. Tiny yellow flowers dot the rich-green plants. Donald Chase, his father and grandfather have owned this farm since the 1950s.

Like many southern farmers, Chase objects to the version of the farm bill kicking around in the Senate this week.

International Travelers Welcome Atlanta's New Air Terminal

Kathy Lohr — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:52:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

A new international terminal opens today at the Atlanta Airport. Hartsfield-Jackson International is already the busiest airport in the world. And the new terminal reflects a big by the business capital of the South to become a bigger global player. Georgia wants to attract more international business. NPR's Kathy Lohr has the story.

KATHY LOHR, BYLINE: The new terminal doesn't look like any you've probably seen. Huge windows provide a spectacular view of airplanes taking off and taxiing.

Should Parents Be Able To Sue For 'Wrongful Birth'?

Kathy Lohr — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:02:00 +0000

Several states, including Kansas and New Jersey, are debating so-called "wrongful birth" laws that would prevent parents from suing a doctor who fails to warn them about fetal problems.

Abortion rights activists say the laws give doctors the right to withhold information so women don't have abortions.

In Suffern, N.Y., Sharon and Steven Hoffman's son, Jake, was born with Tay-Sachs, a genetic disease that mainly affects Jewish families and is usually fatal by age 4 or 5.

"There's no treatment. There's no cure.

Gingrich's Unconventional White House Bid: A Retrospective

Kathy Lohr — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:39:00 +0000

Newt Gingrich has experienced a long slide since March 6, when he won Georgia's Republican primary.

The Story Goes On For Trayvon Martin's Hometown

Kathy Lohr — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

From Tulsa, we move our focus back to the city of Sanford, Florida, where Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African-American teen, was shot and killed six weeks ago by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. The constant spotlight has brought the issue of race to the forefront, and with it some tense moments in that Florida community.

How Lawyer Got Nation Talking About Trayvon Martin

Kathy Lohr — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:46:00 +0000

The prosecutor investigating the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., has not yet decided if she will bring charges against the shooter, George Zimmerman.

It took several weeks for the Feb. 26 shooting to draw the nation's attention — after Benjamin Crump, the attorney for Trayvon Martin's family, launched a campaign to get the case before media and civil rights activists nationwide.

Two days after the shooting, the high-profile civil rights attorney started getting calls about the case.

In Southern States, Immigration Law Battle Rages On

Kathy Lohr — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Last year, several states passed strict laws aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration. Those laws are now being challenged in federal court, and next month the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Arizona's immigration law — but that hasn't stopped some Southern states from moving forward with more restrictions.

In 2011, Georgia passed a sweeping anti-immigration measure that requires law enforcement officers to check the status of people they suspect are in the country illegally and forces employers to verify the immigration status of workers.