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Kristin Hersh's lyrics often read like stream-of-consciousness poetry, with the words painting the pictures in her head. "Under the Gun" uses the life of a sad character to illustrate the way everyone tries to get by. Hersh specializes in building to a crushing chorus, and the song delivers just that.

The US Department of Justice has accused Los Angeles County officials of harassing and intimidating black and Latino residents in subsidized housing. Guest host Celeste Headlee learns more about the Justice Department's two year-long investigation, and its demand that local authorities pay more than $12 million in damages to affected residents.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg doesn't enjoy everything about the English language. There are phrases that get on his nerves and words that he prefers not to use. And Nunberg says he's not the first person to have linguistic pet peeves — nor will he be the last.

On 1969's Kidney Stew Is Fine, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson crafts scooting, good-time shuffle-blues, spiced with the harmonic sophistication of bebop. Vinson was a master of the blend: His seamless mix of ingredients makes Kidney Stew a delicacy.

It's been a rough couple of weeks for John Boehner. He was all but shut out of the fiscal cliff deal, dissed by his own party, and suffered 12 GOP defections when re-elected as speaker. But did he emerge from all of this as a loser? It's not that simple.

With plenty of nods to The Great Gatsby Joseph O'Neill's Netherland explores dreams and ambition in post-Sept. 11 New York City. Maureen Corrigan calls the novel "marvelous."

Released in 1955, Calypso Quintet's "Night Song" was a huge hit in Jamaica, in no small part due to its sexually charged double entendres. Strangely, though, it took four years for the government to speak out about "Night Food" — on the floor of parliament, no less.

One of the most beautiful, disquieting hip-hop tracks in recent memory, J Dilla's "Stop" packs its 99 seconds with melancholy strings and electric guitars, rugged beats and turntable scratches. The track is built on samples of Dionne Warwick's "You're Gonna Need Me."

BuzzFeed's article on dangerous ingredients we eat in the U.S. has gotten millions of eyeballs. But don't panic: We take a closer look at the facts and the science behind the claims.

Heading back to school can be hard for parents and kids. But for parents of students with autism, Down syndrome, or ADHD, finding the right program can be especially challenging. Guest host Viviana Hurtado talks with three moms with special needs children. They discuss the challenges they've faced while helping their young students excel.

She's one of theater's Everest roles, exhausting, perilous — and irresistible to any actress with a sense of adventure. Even Marge Simpson couldn't resist her. NPR's Lynn Neary asks why Streetcar is such a wild ride.

South African Olympian and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail, but the hearing brought to light bizarre details about the murder charges against him. So will the case turn into another O.J. Simpson fiasco? Host Michel Martin asks the barbershop guys for their thoughts.