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New Staging Of 'Yentl' Tells A Transgender Girl's Story

Credit Daniel Perales Studio

Actress Hillary Clemens portrays Yentl/Anshel in the new staging of Isaac Bashevis Singer's play at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Fla.

By NPR Staff

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Tomorrow Is Breaking

Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule is probably best known for her 1995 hit single, "I Kissed a Girl." These days, she's taking on a new musical project: the gender-bending play by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Yentl.

Barbra Streisand turned Singer's play into her 1984 hit movie musical of the same name. Although Sobule's version features music, it's a little more Singer and a little less Streisand.

"She changed the ending and made it kind of Funny Girl coming to America. ... We keep to the word," Sobule tells weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz.

12:56 pm

Sun February 5, 2012

Fewer Autopsies Mean Crucial Info Goes To The Grave

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Credit Jenna Isaacson Pfueller / ProPublica

Colleagues of Renee Royak-Schaler at the University of Maryland School of Medicine paid for and conducted an autopsy that revealed that cancer had ravaged her body. Today, autopsies are conducted on just 5 percent of patients.

Credit Jenna Isaacson Pfueller / ProPublica

Jeffrey Schaler addresses family and friends gathered to remember his late wife, Renee Royak-Schaler. "There's a sense of peace" in knowing why she died, he says.

By editor

Originally published on Tue May 8, 2012 12:52 pm

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A half-century ago, autopsies — sometimes called the ultimate medical audit — were an integral part of American health care, performed on roughly half of all patients who died in hospitals. But today, autopsies are conducted on roughly 5 percent of such patients, and experts say that is a troubling trend.

12:10 pm

Sun February 5, 2012

How Whitey Bulger Corrupted The Justice System

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Credit Federal Bureau of Investigation, File / AP

These 1984 file photos originally released by the FBI show New England organized crime figure James "Whitey" Bulger.

Credit Courtesy of the Boston Globe/George Rizer/Landov

The body of informant John McIntyre being recovered in 2000. Whitey Bulger is alleged to have killed McIntyre in 1984 after being tipped off that McIntyre was informing on him.

Credit Forge Books

Robert Fitzpatrick, pictured at the McIntyre crime scene, spent more than 20 years as an FBI agent.

By editor

Originally published on Mon February 6, 2012 10:32 am

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When Whitey Bulger was captured last year, he'd spent close to 20 years on the run — and on the FBI's Most Wanted list.

Bulger was the head of an Irish gang terrorizing the streets of South Boston. The Massachusetts State Police wanted him gone, but curiously couldn't touch him.

Why? Bulger was a confidential FBI informant, and the bureau shielded him for years.

Robert Fitzpatrick, the author of Betrayal: Whitey Bulger and the FBI Agent Who Fought to Bring Him Down, says Bulger was widely known to be an unsavory character.

9:09 am

Sun February 5, 2012

Russia's Hottest Protest Song, Courtesy Of The Military Elite

Credit YouTube

A screen grab from the YouTube video, "Putin and the Paratroopers."

By Melisa Goh

An Internet hit is becoming the anthem for Russian protesters as they march against Vladimir Putin's rule.

7:21 am

Sun February 5, 2012

Egypt To Try 19 Americans Over NGO Funding

By NPR Staff and Wires

Egyptian official media reported Sunday that 40 people, including at least 19 Americans, have been referred to trial on charges they illegally provided foreign funding to non-governmental organizations in the country.

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2:00 pm

Sun February 5, 2012