National News From NPR

Backing Becks: Don't Knock The Soccer Star's Talents Tue, 21 May 2013 22:00:00 -0400: After the announcement that David Beckham is retiring, there's been much discussion about how good of an athlete he's really been. Sports commentator Frank Deford says Beckham's talents have been overlooked.

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify Tue, 21 May 2013 20:01:00 -0400: Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.

Why Oklahomans Don't Like Basements Tue, 21 May 2013 19:03:00 -0400: A high water table and red clay that soaks up the moisture make dry basements an expensive and iffy proposition right in the heart of Tornado Alley.

The Scramble At Moore Medical Center As The Tornado Hit Tue, 21 May 2013 17:14:00 -0400: Nick Stremble, a registered nurse and manager at the hospital, described what he saw Monday. As winds ripped through the facility, people started "to tumble and roll and be pushed down the hall," he said.

Former IRS Head To Senate: It Wasn't My Fault Tue, 21 May 2013 17:05:00 -0400: Douglas Shulman, who led the IRS during the years when agency workers targeted tax-exempt applications from conservative groups, did his best to deflect accusations from unhappy senators.

Tornado Leaves Moore, Okla., Neighborhoods Unrecognizable Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: Melissa Block and Robert Siegel have the latest on the tornado that caused major damage in Moore, Okla., on Monday.

Okla. Tornado Survivors Try To Collect Lives After Storm Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: For some neighbors in Moore, Okla., the decision of taking cover away from home or sheltering in place made the difference between life and death.

Apple CEO Defends Tax Practices At Senate Hearing Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: Apple CEO Tim Cook faced tough questions on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. He defended a tax strategy that allows Apple to avoid taxes on tens of billions of dollars of profits. Cook also called on the Congress to lower the U.S. corporate tax rate.

Loss Of Timber Payments Cuts Deep In Oregon Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: Today in Oregon, voters are deciding whether to raise their own taxes to make up for lost timber payments from the federal government. Hundreds of counties in Western states are facing a financial crisis due to the loss of timber payments. Property taxes usually pay for county services such as law enforcement. But counties in states from Colorado to California have vast national forests and can't collect taxes on that land. So Congress created timber payments to compensate them. Now the bill authorizing those payments has expired. Oregon received the largest payments, and more than half its counties face a budget and safety crisis now. Amelia Templeton of Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that in Josephine County, the sheriff has laid of 80 percent of his deputies and no longer arrests people.

Moore Residents Slowly Allowed Into Tornado-Damaged Areas Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: It's been a difficult day in Moore, Okla., as crews go house-to-house searching for survivors from Monday's tornado. Authorities have tightened access into areas with the worst damage.

Tech Companies Have A Lot At Stake With Immigration Bill Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: The tech industry is getting a lot in the Senate's immigration overhaul bill. It increases the number of temporary worker visas for skilled technical workers but the industry is pushing for more, including the end of provisions meant to protect American tech workers from unfair competition. The industry's goals and tactics are antagonizing other groups that want to see the bill pass.

Teacher Led Students Through Storm Despite Peril To Daughter Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: The high school in Moore, Okla., wasn't badly damaged by Monday's tornado. But a special ed teacher stayed with her own students there rather than hunting for her own daughter at a wrecked elementary school.

New Hospital In Joplin, Mo., Designed With Tornadoes In Mind Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: Robert Siegel speaks with John Farnen, executive director of strategic projects for Mercy Hospital Joplin, regarding lessons of the Joplin, Mo., tornado for rebuilding large structures like the Mercy Hospital Joplin.

Moore, Okla., Tornado Was 'Storm Of Storms' Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: Melissa Block and Robert Siegel give the latest in Oklahoma after a huge tornado tore through the state on Monday.

IRS Inspector General To Review Handling Of Conservative Groups Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400: One commissioner ran the IRS when it engaged in targeted scrutiny of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status. A second commissioner was in charge when the agency continued to withhold information from Congress. On Tuesday, they testified together for the first time, to the Senate Finance Committee.