NPR News

In just over a month, President Obama will be sworn in for his second term. Audie Cornish takes a moment to look back at what his presidency has meant for African-Americans. We hear from a comedian, David Alan Grier; from a lawmaker, Emanuel Cleaver, who is outgoing chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; and from three seniors at Howard University, a historically black college in Washington, D.C.

Transcript

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

Hurricane Sandy focused most of its devastation on New Jersey and New York. But in Maryland, the town of Crisfield was also badly hit. The community is one of the poorest in Maryland.

And as we hear from reporter Brian Russo, residents say they are being forgotten.

(SOUNDBITE OF FOOTSTEPS)

It's red alert time for aerospace industry executives, workers and contractors.

As they mingled today at the Aerospace Industries Association's annual Year-End Outlook luncheon at a Washington Grand Hyatt, the bright red electronic digits kept counting down for them.

Cargo started moving again on Wednesday at the nation's largest ports. An eight-day strike by clerical workers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is over. Melissa Block talks with Kirk Siegler from the port, where clerks, longshoremen and truckers are all glad to be back on the job.