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For nearly a century, Daniel Woodrell's hometown of West Plains, Mo., has been haunted by a dance-hall explosion that killed dozens of the town's young people in 1928. Woodrell explores the disaster — and his Ozarks roots — in his new novel The Maid's Version.

On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution authorizing President Obama to take military action against the Syrian regime. It goes to the full Senate over the objections of New Mexico Democrat Tom Udall. Steve Inskeep talks with Sen. Udall about his concerns over intervention in Syria.

The Senate immigration bill calls for tripling a controversial federal court program called Operation Streamline. The program takes people caught crossing the border illegally, gives them prison sentences, then deports them. It's hugely expensive — but does it work?

The California legislature passed a bill that would allow lawful permanent residents to sit on juries. Governor Jerry Brown has until Oct. 13 to sign the bill into law. If he does, California will be the first state to allow non-citizens to perform jury duty.

A Swedish firm is selling coffins loaded with speakers and a Spotify music account to stream songs six feet under. The package costs $30,000.

The topic of military intervention is Syria is expected to over shadow the Group of 20 summit going on in St. Petersburg, Russia. President Vladimir Putin hosts but there are no plans for him and President Obama to meet one on one, given the controversy over Syria and Russia's grant of asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden.

In Maher's The Fields, a 14-year-old in 1980s Dublin confronts his father's illness, a girlfriend's mental breakdown and abuse by a priest. But the novel balances these catastrophes with jokes that are both funny and brave. Maher tells NPR about New Age "binjy-banjy," kissing and teenage love.

Lots of parents yell at their teenagers, but harsh verbal punishment is associated with more bad behavior on the part of the kid. Research shows that yelling is ineffective for changing behavior. A step back and a deep breath may be better options.

The bloody siege at an upscale mall in Nairobi, Kenya, has entered its fourth day. Authorities there are trying to wrap up their standoff with al-Shabab, a group allied with al-Qaida. At least 62 people have been killed. The death toll is expected to rise.

A couple of months ago the Dodgers were ranked last in their division — now they're Western Division champs on their way to the playoffs. A 22-year-old Cuban defector has been credited with sparking the team's come-back, No. 66, Yasiel Puig.

Also: Paul Ryan is writing a book; more Craigslist poetry; Alexander McCall Smith on W.H. Auden.

Also: The Senate wades into the complicated budget battle; Chrysler files for an initial public offering; and the man who won last week's $400 million Powerball wants to remain anonymous.

State officials have set up designated text stops along the New York State Thruway and other highways, where motorists can pull over to use their phones. Blue highway signs read: It can wait, text stop 5 miles.

Four Charlotte residents have been appointed by the city council to serve on a commission formed to govern Charlotte Douglas International Airport.…

The Charlotte City Council heard – but did not respond to – pointed accusations Monday night that they violated their own ethics policy in negotiating…

Online comments "can be bad for science," the venerable 141-year-old science and technology publication said Tuesday as it made the announcement.

Rapper Klay BBJ's mother says he was arrested and beaten over a song he performed that criticized police. Human Rights Watch says his case is one in a series of prosecutions targeting artists' freedom of speech.

Targeted fiscal policies lure high-profile Hollywood productions — and the jobs and cash that come with them — to certain states. But in many cases, film companies get far more money from the state's coffers than they actually pay in sales and payroll taxes.

Somehow, information about the Fed's bond buying decision got into computers in Chicago faster than the speed of light. Those milliseconds meant millions.

Gary May claims his attorney colluded with attorneys for the mining company to avoid testimony implicating Massey in his crimes.