NORTHERN PUBLIC - Site Search | Northern Public Radio: WNIJ and WNIU

A container ship prepares to leave the Port of Miami in 2010. Plans are under way to deepen the port to 50 feet to attract bigger ships coming from the Panama Canal, but they've recently been put on hold after environmental groups filed a petition.

The Race To Dig Deeper Ports For Bigger Cargo Ships

Many environmental concerns are starting to surface as East Coast cities plan to dredge their ports — like in Miami, where engineers would drill for two years to deepen Biscayne Bay's limestone bottom. But like many cities, Miami wants business from new cargo ships from the Panama Canal.

GM announced a customer service campaign Thursday to make the electric car's battery safer after three Volts caught fire at a crash test facility. Here, GM executives stand in front of the first lithium-ion battery off the assembly line at Brownstown Battery Pack Assembly in Brownstown Township, Mich.

GM Looks To Protect Green Image With Volt Fixes

The voluntary move allows GM to avoid the bad publicity and federal monitoring that come with a formal recall, after the vehicles' batteries have caught fire following crash tests. GM has a huge incentive to protect the image of the Volt, which burnishes its image as a more innovative brand.

<strong></strong><strong>Not Dead Yet:</strong> On July 3, 1935, the Kalakala started daily ferry service between Seattle and Bremerton, Wash. Today, it sits unused in a nearby Tacoma dock.

Sinking Ship? Saving The Historic Kalakala Ferry

When it debuted in 1935, the Kalakala was a Seattle icon. These days, the art deco ferryboat is better known for its fight to survive both on water and in local memory.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) has been enthusiastically received by Arab Spring countries that look to Turkey as a potential model. Here, Erdogan hosts Mustafa Abdul Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council of Libya, in Istanbul, last month.

The Turkish Model: Can It Be Replicated?

As a number of Arab states go through dramatic transitions, many are looking to Turkey as an example of a modern, moderate Islamic country that has a working democracy. But it's not clear whether Turkey's successes can be duplicated elsewhere.

N.H. Primary Is GOP's Next Nominating Contest

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been a favorite in New Hampshire, but Rick Santorum is getting a second look by conservative voters. Steve Inskeep and Linda Wertheimer talk to NPR's Mara Liasson and Ken Rudin about the latest in the GOP presidential race.

Retiring Detective To Help Mentor Kids

In Pennsylvania, Oscar Vance has been chief detective in the Montgomery County District Attorney's office for 48 years. He will be retiring at the end of the month. But he says he will work as a private investigator, and start mentoring programs to help kids stay away from crime.

Ceremonies To Commemorate Tuscon Shooting

In Tucson, Ariz., this weekend, ceremonies will mark the shooting incident one year ago that killed six people and wounded 13 others. Among the wounded was Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who will be in town for the events.

Sweden Recognizes File-Sharing Group As Religion

The Church of Kopimisms received approval last month form the Swedish government. The church opposes copyrights in all forms and encourages piracy of all types.

Coming Up: December Jobs And Unemployment Report

The most-anticipated story of the morning seems to be the December jobs and unemployment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is due for release at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Also: One Iowa Republican thinks Santorum might have won the caucuses; Iran plans more war games; gasoline prices start year at a high.

Search results for