Monday, June 16, 2008

AMERICA'S HOST: Steve Inskeep; NEWSCASTS: Nora Raum, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

Every year, an estimated 12 billion dollars in drug money is smuggled from the United States into Mexico. When U-S law enforcement agencies find a stash, they often get to keep most of it, through a process called asset forfeiture. The money is supposed to supplement police and sheriff departments. But NPR has found a number of agencies that rely solely on the forfeited money. In the first of four reports, NPR's John Burnett tells the story of a prime smuggling route and the men who patrol it.  We'll hear that story at 6:10 and 8:10.

Host Steve Inskeep talks to N-P-R's Scott Horsley about the latest controversy involving John McCain's campaign, Barack Obama's Father's Day speech, and the death of Tim Russert, host of NBC's "Meet the Press."  More at 5:15 and 7:15.

This week same-sex couples will be free to marry in the state of California. That's likely to ignite legal clashes between gays and religious opponents of gay marriage. NPR's Barbara Bradley Hagerty reports on how gay couples have already sued and won in a raft of cases involving same-sex unions and domestic partnerships.  That's at 5:21 and 7:21.

Thanks for listening!