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Medicare compiles ratings of agencies' quality and of patients' perceptions. But the stars assigned by the government often don't align.

California condor conservationists are among those pushing for a statewide ban on lead ammunition in California. Some of the critically endangered birds are dying of lead poisoning. The Los Angeles Zoo has been breeding condors in captivity for decades to restore the species' population. Now a major part of their job is treating birds who've dined on lead-tainted animal remains in the wild. They — along with a bill making its way through the Legislature — identify lead bullets as the top condor threat. But hunters and shooters question lead's environmental impact. And they say a ban would leave them with few affordable, convenient options.

John Lewis is a congressman from Georgia, a pillar of the civil rights movement and an author. Lewis is getting ready to release March, the new graphic novel of his life.

Lawmakers and President Obama are expected to return to Washington Thursday to resume efforts at averting the fiscal cliff. Lawmakers failed to reach a deal late last week and went home for the holiday break. Guest host Celeste Headlee talks with Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Roben Farzad for a look at the last-minute options.

The doors were closed so the nation wasn't be able to watch. One week after his scandal-tinged resignation, former CIA Director David Petraeus fielded questions from members of both the House and Senate intelligence committees.

In 1979, Gary Shteyngart's family moved from Leningrad to Queens. Three decades later, he wrote a memoir about growing up in a Russian immigrant family in New York. Reviewer Meg Wolitzer says the book is full of rich, gratifying writing as well as pride, exuberance and sophisticated humor.

Even if you hate the holiday, any day is a good day for chocolate and a swoony romantic read. But NPR's romance guru Bobbi Dumas is an unabashed lover of Valentine's Day, and she celebrating by asking five of her favorite authors to recommend their favorite romances — and describe their own Valentine traditions.

Former Sen. Bob Dole has returned home to Kansas for a "thank you" tour. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with the 90-year-old senator about his career.

PBS looks at the origins of the agency's surveillance program and the extraordinary steps top government officials took to give it legal cover and keep it hidden.

An exciting women's NCAA basketball tournament ended with a dominant win by UConn in Tuesday's final game. ESPN's Pablo Torre talks with host Michel Martin about the game and other sports news.