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As the president seeks re-election, he points to progress made in improving the economy. For voters, believing the message may require feeling a change — sooner rather than later.

The GOP front-runner started the week telling Iowa supporters, "I need every vote." He didn't know how right he was. After an eight-vote victory in Iowa, he left for the loving embraces of New Hampshire and John McCain. Then came South Carolina, and not quite so much love.

Why would a cat crave mushrooms? A scientist says it's the umami. Though cats can't taste sweetness like people can, they are aces at sniffing out the amino acids that signal protein-rich foods.

On Tuesday, voters in New Hampshire will decide the second phase of the Republican presidential nominating contest, picking from a smaller field of GOP candidates than competed in Iowa. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Don Gonyea about how the candidates are faring and the significance of the primary.

Sunday is the first anniversary of the shootings in Tucson, which killed six people and wounded 13, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Memorial events are taking place all weekend; NPR's Ted Robbins tells us how people are commemorating an event they can't forget.

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits has been dropping around the country as the New Year begins. Companies are laying off fewer workers; hiring may be picking up. The U.S. Labor Department reported Friday that the unemployment rate is now 8.5 percent, the lowest level in almost three years. But that's just an average, and prospects for losing or finding a job depend on where you live. We hear voices of the unemployed from around the country.

The small New England state, which holds its primary on Tuesday, may not be racially diverse. (In fact, it's 93.9 percent white.) But its residents defy stereotypes with their political independence. More voters in the state are registered "undeclared" than Republican or Democrat.

The custom Les Paul that Peter Frampton wielded in his heyday — the one on the cover of Frampton Comes Alive! -- was lost in 1980 when the plane carrying it went down in South America. But last month, the rocker was reunited with the instrument he thought he'd never see again.

Shakespeare's Iago is one of the great defining villains of literature. He masquerades as a friend, which disguises his schemes to manipulate, betray and destroy. Host Scott Simon talks with author David Snodin, whose new book, Iago, fills in what happened after Iago masterminded the murders of his wife, Othello and Desdemona.

Clarkson has come a long way since winning the first American Idol way back in 2002, but the road hasn't always been easy.