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The Supreme Court could have gutted the Voting Rights Act by overturning a provision that is used for enforcement. However, the justices decided to preserve it. The act allows states to apply to a court for an end to Justice Department oversight of the state's voting rules. The justices said that bailout option must also be available to smaller jurisdictions.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett won the Democratic primary earlier this week, earning the chance to challenge Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at the polls. Barrett lost a race for the governor's seat to Walker in 2010. Host Michel Martin speaks with Barrett about whether the outrage over Walker's cuts to collective bargaining rights will be enough for him to win this rematch.

The White House says the NSA needs to collect citizens' phone records to protect the country from terrorist threats. But is it in our best interests or just another example of Big Brother? The Barbershop guys weigh in.

New York City police arrest nearly 1,000 protesters as they try to reach the site of the Republican convention. The marches began in various corners of the city, but police set up barricades to prevent protesters from reaching Madison Square Garden. Hear NPR's Margot Adler.

In his new album, The Hard Way, Hunter delves even deeper into soul, fusing his smoky voice with the sounds of surf music. With nods to American soul legends such as Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, Hunter maintains a sense of nostalgia, while infusing his sound with modern style and distinctive technique. Hear him when he stops by World Cafe with host David Dye.

It is not hard to find people in Britain whose spirits will indeed be lifted by the royal wedding, especially among the older generation. Yet eager loyalists are in a minority.

No party is expected to win a majority in the upcoming U.K. elections. That means the Scottish National Party, after losing a vote on independence last year, could determine the country's next leader.

Starting next week, Verizon customers can choose from a slimmed-down menu of options for a lower price. It's a big change for the industry, which has resisted flexible pricing models for years.

Crescent Leadership Academy has a checkered reputation, but a new principal is trying to do right by some of the toughest — and most troubled — kids in the city.

Senate negotiators move forward on legislation that would give President Obama the authority to negotiate a sweeping trade accord. That deal, however, will align Obama with Republicans and pit him against Democrats.

In 1975, Michael Abramson decided to photograph the blues clubs of Chicago. The pictures Abramson took in Pepper's Hideout, among other venues, have been released in a set called Light on the South Side. Jazz critic Ed Ward takes a listen to Pepper's Jukebox, the CD released along with the photographs.

The season of pleasure reading is upon us, and the publishing world has readied a handful of thrilling titles to be released just in time for the summer heat. After surveying the crop, here are our picks for fun reading in the sun.