All Things Considered

Monday through Friday on News and Talk and News and Classical 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

On May 3, 1971, at 5 p.m., All Things Considered debuted on 90 public radio stations.

In the 40 years since, almost everything about the program has changed, from the hosts, producers, editors and reporters to the length of the program, the equipment used and even the audience.

However there is one thing that remains the same: each show consists of the biggest stories of the day, thoughtful commentaries, insightful features on the quirky and the mainstream in arts and life, music and entertainment, all brought alive through sound.

All Things Considered is the most listened-to, afternoon drive-time, news radio program in the country. Every weekday the two-hour show is hosted by Robert Siegel, Michele Norris and Melissa Block. In 1977, ATC expanded to seven days a week with a one-hour show on Saturdays and Sundays, currently hosted by Guy Raz.

During each broadcast, stories and reports come to listeners from NPR reporters and correspondents based throughout the United States and the world. The hosts interview newsmakers and contribute their own reporting. Rounding out the mix are the disparate voices of a variety of commentators, including Sports Commentator Stefen Fastis, Poet Andrei Codrescu and Political Columnists David Brooks and E.J. Dionne,

All Things Considered has earned many of journalism's highest honors, including the George Foster Peabody Award, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the Overseas Press Club Award.

Genre:

News/Talk

Composer ID:

5182a053e1c801268257cd82|5182a050e1c801268257cd81

New York Officials: Breast Milk May Be Best 'Formula'

Credit Courtesy of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

City leaders want to encourage more new moms to breast-feed their babies. One of several "Latch on NYC" posters promoting the initiative.

By editor

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen

Starting next month, dozens of hospitals will participate in "Latch on NYC," an initiative aimed at encouraging new moms to breast-feed instead of using baby formula.

Health care professionals say breast-feeding is better for both mother and baby.

But critics — many of them mothers — say the city is inserting itself where it doesn't belong.

1:54 pm

Fri August 3, 2012

Franchises Age, But Their Stars Stay Forever Young

Next image Previous image

Credit Mary Cybulski / Universal Pictures

Jeremy Renner stars in The Bourne Legacy, the latest in a franchise previously fronted by Matt Damon. But when an actor departs a Hollywood cash cow, it can be less a death knell than a chance for rejuvenation.

Credit Mary Cybulski / Universal Pictures

Now Jeremy Renner takes over the franchise (though not as Jason Bourne) with The Bourne Legacy, which opens on Aug. 10.

Credit AFP / AFP/Getty Images

Richard Harris' tenure as Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series was cut short by his death in 2002.

Credit MGM/United Artists / The Kobal Collection

Daniel Craig has played Bond since 2006's Casino Royale. Six actors have played the licensed-to-kill agent on the big screen.

Credit Jasin Boland / AP

Matt Damon played Jason Bourne three times, starting in 2002 with The Bourne Identity and ending in 2007 with The Bourne Ultimatum.

Credit AP

Sean Connery, seen here in Tokyo filming 1966's You Only Live Twice, was the first actor to play James Bond in 1962's Dr. No.

By Bob Mondello

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen

The Bourne Legacy, which opens in theaters this week, is the fourth thriller in the series, and the first without either Jason Bourne or the star playing him, Matt Damon. They're suddenly not necessary, even though the series is named for Bourne? Why am I not surprised?

1:44 pm

Fri August 3, 2012

Monroe's Legacy Is Making Fortune, But For Whom?

Next image Previous image

Credit Evening Standard / Getty Images

Marilyn Monroe's will reveals a quieter, more complicated side to her legacy.

Credit Dan Callister / Getty Images

In 1999, Christie's auctioned the dress Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday" to John F. Kennedy for more than $1 million.

Credit Henny Ray Abrams / AFP/Getty Images

In 1999, singer Mariah Carey bought Monroe's baby grand piano at auction for more than $600,000.

By Elizabeth Blair

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen

Marilyn Monroe, a global symbol of beauty, glamour and sex, died on Aug. 5, 1962. Fifty years later, she's still in style — and making more money than ever. Monroe's come-hither expression is emblazoned on posters, T-shirts and refrigerator magnets. She's become a multimillion-dollar brand, but that may never have happened if not for the will she left behind, a document that reveals a much quieter — and more complicated — side to her legacy.

1:29 pm

Fri August 3, 2012

Reviews: 'The Fallen Angel' And 'A Foreign Country'

By editor

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

August is here and, for many, that means vacation and a last minute scramble for a good book to pass the quiet hours. Well, take heart. Our reviewer Alan Cheuse has reached deep into his pile of new books and found two spy thrillers, perfect, he says, for brisk summer reading.

1:29 pm

Fri August 3, 2012

With Annan Out, U.S. Pressured To Act In Syria

By editor

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen

International Envoy Kofi Annan is quitting and his peace plan for Syria in tatters. So, what will the U.S. and others do now? President Obama has quietly allowed a group to raise money to give to the Free Syrian Army and U.S. diplomats have been trying to get a better sense of the opposition on the ground, offering non-lethal support. Syrian opposition figures complain that these are only small adjustments that won't make a difference amid a rapidly changing situation on the ground.

NPR Story

1:29 pm

Fri August 3, 2012

Syrian Rebels Gain Traction With Heavy Weapons

By editor

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen

A new report in the New York Times suggests that the arms upper hand the Syrian regime has had over rebel fighters is deteriorating quickly. Audie Cornish talks with Joseph Holliday, a former American intelligence officer who is now with the Institute for the Study of War.

The Two-Way

11:31 am

Fri August 3, 2012

'Entire World' Has Responded To The $500 Tip 'Last Wish,' Brother Says

Credit Facebook.com/AaronsLastWish

Aaron Collins, who wanted to leave a big tip.

By Mark Memmott

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen
Listen

Seth Collins on the outpouring of support
Listen

Seth Collins on what Aaron would think

7:20 am

Fri August 3, 2012

A New Generation Of Vets Faces Challenges At Home

Next image Previous image

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Homeless veterans, their families and volunteers stand in line for food at "Stand Down," an annual event hosted by the Veterans Village of San Diego. The VA estimates that about 67,000 vets are homeless.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Stand Down, a three-day event supporting 1,000 veterans, is hosted in a tent city on the grounds of San Diego High School. It's a one-stop shop to help homeless vets get a fresh start. It offers health care, addiction therapy, showers, clothes and even an open-air court with pro bono lawyers to clear up fines and misdemeanors.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Dr. Jon Nachison speaks during the 25th opening ceremony of the Stand Down event. While the population is mostly from the Vietnam era, newer, younger faces have started to trickle in as vets return from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Nachison, a Vietnam veteran, is the founder and director of Stand Down.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Veterans stand in the center of the grounds, surrounded by American flags.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Bob Korchnak, a former Navy battleship sailor, gets a shave and a haircut after traveling from Ohio to take part in Stand Down. Korchnak was arrested numerous times in San Diego for panhandling and came back to take advantage of the court program to deal with outstanding legal issues.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Jill Millard volunteers in honor of her son Gregory, who was killed in action while deployed with the Army in Iraq.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Carlos Laguna did two tours with the Marines in Iraq. He says post-traumatic stress led to heavy drinking after he finished serving, and he credits Veterans Village of San Diego for helping him get clean.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Homeless vets wait for their legal packets and their court-appointed attorneys before going before Judge Roger Crauel. Crauel has been holding court at Stand Down for several years.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Steve Binder, the County of San Diego deputy public defender, has been helping veterans with their legal troubles for more than 15 years. He helps run the court, where veterans can free themselves from a cycle of legal troubles.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

A legal courtroom in session.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Nathaniel Roberti came to Stand Down to enroll in the Veterans Village San Diego residential program, which helps get homeless vets off the streets. A judge gave him that option instead of prison.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Chris Stavran lives in the Veterans Village of San Diego residential program instead of serving prison time for child abuse. He attributes his heavy drug use to post-traumatic stress.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Homeless veterans, their families and volunteers line up for food at Stand Down, an annual event hosted by the Veterans Village of San Diego. The Veterans Administration estimates that 67,000 vets are homeless nationwide.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Joshua, 28, had trouble adjusting to civilian life in a tough economy after eight years in the Navy. He asked to not share his last name because of the stigma tied with being homeless.

Credit David Gilkey / NPR

Paul, a former sniper with the Marines, did two tours in Iraq and says it was hard to reconnect with the civilian world. He declined to give his full name.

By Quil Lawrence

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 3:06 pm

Listen

Homeless veterans of the Vietnam War have been a face of American poverty for decades, and now some veterans of a younger generation are dealing with the same difficult issues.

"I had my apartment up until 2011," says Joshua, a 28-year-old Navy vet, who asked not to give his last name because of the stigma of being homeless. "[I] couldn't keep up with the rent; I did a little couch surfing and then ended up on the street for a while."

3:39 pm

Thu August 2, 2012

If Gabby's Got The Gold, Why Flip Over Her Hair?

Credit Thomas Coex / AFP/Getty Images

Gabrielle Douglas performs Thursday on the beam during the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final. Some people are focusing on her hair rather than her skill.

By editor

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 6:37 am

Listen

Gabby Douglas, the 16-year-old gymnast from Virginia Beach, Va., won another gold medal Thursday. The first was won with her team earlier this week. She was the only member of the team to perform in all four rotations. So, why are some black women obsessed with her hair? Writer Monique Fields has this perspective.

Never mind how she flies like a raven on the balance beam. Or flutters across the floor. Or soars on vault. Or swings on the uneven bars.

3:39 pm

Thu August 2, 2012

West Nile Virus Makes A Comeback This Summer

Credit Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Christopher Doll releases fish into the water of a neglected pool to kill mosquitoes that might carry West Nile Virus in Concord, Calif., in 2009.

By editor

Listen

The West Nile virus is back, and it's looking like it could be particularly bad this year. As as result, federal health officials are warning people to protect themselves against the mosquito-borne infection.

The West Nile virus first showed up in the U.S. in 1999 and quickly spread from coast to coast, raising widespread alarm. Some have argued that red-breasted robins play a key role in the spread of the virus.

Now Playing

All Things Considered

Pages

Health

2:00 pm

Fri August 3, 2012