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Knocking Wood Could Help Avoid Trouble

Superstitious gestures like knocking on wood and throwing salt might actually help people avoid what they dread, according to researchers at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Host Scott Simon explains.

Spies And Novelists Both 'Accomplished Liars,' Says New Bond Author

Acclaimed British author William Boyd was tapped last year to write the latest James Bond novel. The new book, called Solo, takes 007 on his first trip to Africa. Boyd says the Bond of the novels is quite different from the Bond on the screen — and that he sees a definite overlap between spies and novelists.

Children's Author Takes On The Dreaded Itchy Head

A new book by award-winning illustrator and author David Shannon sheds light on an uncomfortable but universal problem — head lice. He talks to host Scott Simon about Bugs in My Hair.

Officers on Capitol Hill look at a car following Thursday's shooting, which left Miriam Carey, 34, dead. "We're still very confused as a family why she's not still alive," Carey's sister says.

Family Questions Shooting Death Of Woman At U.S. Capitol

The death of Miriam Carey, killed by police gunfire Thursday after leading a car chase from the White House to the Capitol, is prompting questions from her family about whether she deserved to die. The incident, which has not yet been explained, has also led experts to analyze the officers' actions.

As snow fell in Rapid City, S.D., Friday Brenda Nolting took groceries to her car. An early snow storm swept through Wyoming and western South Dakota, dropping more than two fee of snow in some areas.

Storm Brings Blizzard To Wyoming And South Dakota

Heavy snowfall and low visibility have combined to cause crashes and shut down roads. As of Saturday morning, blizzard conditions were still being reported near Badlands National Park.

Furloughed federal workers demonstrate in Washington earlier this week. Hundreds of thousands of government employees can't work as long as the House of Representatives and Senate remain gridlocked.

House Passes Bill Allowing Back Pay For Furloughed Workers

Federal workers who were furloughed by a government shutdown will receive back pay once they return to work, if a bill passed by the House of Representatives Saturday meets Senate approval. The White House has said it favors such a move.

"I bought the stuff at full retail. I own it," says Michael Hallatt, owner of the _irate Joe's grocery in Vancouver. Trader Joe's federal lawsuit against his business was dismissed this week.

Pirate Joe's Celebrates Dismissal Of Trader Joe's Lawsuit

Pirate Joe's, the Vancouver store that sells Trader Joe's products in Canada, has won a battle in its legal fight against the supermarket chain. A U.S. district court judge dismissed a trademark infringement lawsuit this week.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel issued a statement announcing the recall of "most DoD civilians" who were put on furlough by the government shutdown.

Pentagon Recalls 'Most' Furloughed Civilian Workers

The plan will bring hundreds of thousands of workers back to work next week. News of the recall comes hours after the House of Representatives passed a bill approving back pay for 800,000 federal workers idled by the government shutdown.

In Minneapolis, demonstrations in support of musicians have drawn regular support during the yearlong Minnesota Orchestra labor dispute.

It's Been A Really Bad Week For Classical Music

Labor disputes engulfed the Minnesota Orchestra. Bankruptcy shuttered the New York City Opera. Even Carnegie Hall had to cancel its opening-night gala. What gives?

A U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies over Somalia in September 1993, a month before the battle of Mogadishu.

What A Downed Black Hawk In Somalia Taught America

It's been 20 years since the Battle of Mogadishu, a mission gone wrong that cost 18 American lives. The operation and its aftermath left an opening for extremists, says journalist Mark Bowden, and made the U.S. more cautious about sending troops into foreign conflicts. Would the operation go differently today?

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