Talk of the Nation

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will face Elizabeth Colbert Busch in a special election for South Carolina's first district congressional seat May 7. NPR's Ken Rudin, NPR's Kathy Lohr and Robert Oldendick, University of South Carolina, discuss the candidates, the debate and the district.

The last couple of years have seen a proliferation of politically-themed television, including Scandal, Veep and House of Cards. Reporter, columnist and TV analyst Jonathan Alter talks about his new political satire Alpha House, and what's changed in how entertainment television does politics.

Rural brain drain is not a new phenomenon, but some rural communities are trying to attract doctors and lawyers in new ways. In March, South Dakota became the first state to pass a law that offers annual subsidies to lawyers who agree to live and work in rural areas.

Stereotyping in films and TV is as old as Hollywood itself. For some, portraying a stereotypical character — the ditzy blonde or angry black man — is a foot in the door to the acting world. For others, it is a path that can be limiting and repetitive.

Before the age of computers and vinyl printers, sign painters worked by hand to illustrate storefronts, billboards and banners. Sign Painters, a new book and documentary by Faythe Levine and Sam Macon, captures the work of artists around the country who are keeping the art alive.

NBA center Jason Collins announced that he is gay in Sports Illustrated and made history as the first active male pro athlete to come out. Kobe Bryant and even the president chimed in with support. NPR's Neal Conan reads from a variety of opinions on the significance of this moment.

As the investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings continues, countless questions remain about the suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Washington Post senior editor Marc Fisher, discusses his in-depth profile of the Tsarnaevs and their journey to the U.S.

NPR's Neal Conan reads from listener comments on previous segments including the aftermath of sudden, tragic events, the decision to sign up for food stamps and the pros and cons of massive open online courses.

The country is about to undergo the largest transition of national health policy ever. In the first in a series of look-ahead conversations, NPR's health policy correspondent Julie Rovner discusses the changes already in effect and the complications and controversy to come.

The Boston Police Department and cooperating law enforcement entities were praised for working together to track down suspects in the marathon bombings. Boston Globe columnist Joan Vennochi asks whether police could have done more in the months, weeks, and even hours before the explosions.

Sanctions have hurt the Iranian economy, but have so far failed to convince Tehran to abandon nuclear ambitions. A report from the Iran Project argues that it's time to re-examine the balance of sanctions and diplomacy. Others argue it's time to consider military options.

Since 1973, the legendary female a capella group Sweet Honey in the Rock has created music deep in the tradition of the African-American community. After almost 35 years with the group, Ysaye Barnwell, whose voice occupied the bottom register of the group's harmony, plans to retire.

Parts of Utah's Great Salt Lake are 10 times saltier than the ocean. But the lake is host to plenty of life, including salt-loving microbes that can turn the lake's water bubblegum pink. Bonnie Baxter, director of the Great Salt Lake, discusses how the bugs might hold the secrets to better sunscreen, hydrogen fuel cells--even life on Mars.

Southern Utah's landscape looks a lot like images from the Mars rovers. Marjorie Chan explains how Utah geology might help explain data sent back from Mars missions. Charles Killian describes how people are simulating what it might be like to one day live and work on Mars.

The Greater sage-grouse is a large bird that makes its living in sagebrush habitats across the western U.S. and Canada. Every year at this time, male sage-grouse perform a striking dance routine each morning at dawn. Jason Robinson, upland game coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, breaks down the dance and describes challenges the birds face in Utah.