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In Fla., Cautious Hope For Everglades Protection

Gov. Rick Scott has a new focus on the "River of Grass." His promise to work on restoration is welcome news to environmentalists and other concerned with the Everglades' future. Still, many are skeptical, given the big cuts to Everglades programs during the Republican's first year in office.

Cutting Retiree Benefits A Sore Subject For Military

At the Pentagon, bean counters are working long hours trying to figure out how to cut close to a trillion dollars from the department of defense budget over the next ten years. Part of the defense budget usually protected from budget cuts is health care and retirement benefits, but some argue those benefits are depleting the Department of Defense of funds it needs to function as a top military force.

Why Buy Toys When You Can Rent?

If you've shopped at a toy store recently, you know that you can easily spend hundreds of dollars on just a few items. So why not just rent the toys instead? Weekends on All Things Considered guest host Rachel Martin tells us how toy rental websites work.

Milwaukee's 'Misery Index': Infant Mortality

As the city lost industrial jobs, its infant mortality rate skyrocketed. In one particular ZIP code, one baby dies for every 59 that make it. That's a rate that's worse than in parts of rural China.

Historic Drug Bust Highlights Underground Network

More than 32 tons of marijuana were found last week in an underground tunnel along the U.S.-Mexico border. It was one of the largest pot busts in U.S. history. Host Audie Cornish talks with Derek Benner, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent, about the tunnel they found and the seasonal aspects of the drug trade.

How Europe's Troubles Could Become Ours, Too

If Greece, Spain, Italy or other European governments were to suddenly default on their debts, European banks could find themselves holding worthless assets and becoming insolvent. That could lead to a global financial meltdown worse than the one in 2008.

Cain Out; Political Favor Shifts Toward Gingrich

Insurgent candidate Herman Cain suspended his campaign on Saturday. As Cain has fallen back, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has emerged as the leading alternative to one-time presumptive front-runner Mitt Romney. NPR's Mara Liasson talks with host Audie Cornish about the changing political climate.

Wash. Mine Cleanup Puts Retreat Center At Risk

Holden Village, Wash., is a tiny town that faces big pollution problems from its long history with copper mining. The only way to clean up the mess is to almost shut it down completely for several years. As Northwest News Network's Anna King reports, the project is costly in more ways than one.