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In his State of the Union address, President Obama unveiled a new plan for the struggling U.S. housing market. As described, the program would let responsible homeowners take advantage of record-low borrowing costs through refinancing. Host Scott Simon talks with New York Times columnist Joe Nocera about the president's plans.

In his book Glock: The Rise of America's Gun, Paul Barrett traces how the sleek, high-capacity Austrian weapon found its way across the U.S. Also, TV writer David Milch talks about his new HBO series Luck. And rock historian Ed Ward looks back at The Smiths.

President Obama is back in Washington Saturday after visiting five different states, all of which are likely to be hotly contested in November. He expanded on some of the ideas he outlined in Tuesday's State of the Union address and offered a preview of the argument he'll be making in the general election. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Last week we spoke with Christian Bale who stars in the new film, The Flowers of War. Also, Gwen Thompkin's personal appreciation of Etta James moved many listeners to tears, laughter and reflection. Host Scott Simon reads listener reaction to last week's program.

A niche industry of tour companies is taking people into wolves' habitat at Yellowstone National Park. Montana Public Radio's Dan Boyce went on an expedition with a man who recognizes the problems wolves bring to the landscape even as he makes his living off of them.

The classic children's book by Ezra Jack Keats turns 50 this year. When it came out in 1962, it was one of the first major kids' books to feature a non-caricatured black protagonist. It became a huge hit, and was embraced by parents, teachers and children of all colors.

What do you do when the conversation lags? Australian broadcaster Richard Glover knows. In December 2011, he and sports author Peter FitzSimons set a new Guinness world record for longest radio or TV interview. Host Scott Simon speaks with Glover about his 24-hour conversation.

The Italian dessert wine has gone from relative obscurity to the toast of the town. Moscato is the fastest growing varietal wine in the country. Hip-hop artists sing about it. Jugs of Barefoot moscato are sold at BJ's Wholesale Club. It's on the menu at Olive Garden. What's up with that?

A 71-year-old man is fighting to make a formal break with the Catholic Church. He's taken the church to court over its refusal to let him nullify his baptism, and the case could have far-reaching effects.

This summer in London, female boxers will compete in the Olympics for the first time. The women competing for a spot on the U.S. team will make history, but few know who they are — and why they box.