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A 2009 White House memorandum protects federal scientists from political interference. But a watchdog group alleges that federal officials allowed politics to affect the design of a scientific study — exactly the sort of abuse the directive was designed to prevent.

In addition to coming up with a deficit reduction plan, the Congressional supercommittee was also charged with handling so many unrelated tasks that its failure last week has left Congress with a sizeable workload in its remaining weeks this year. NPR congressional correspondent David Welna joins host Audie Cornish to set the stage for December.

The Libyan capital Tripoli is rapidly rebounding from the fighting that ousted Moammar Gadhafi from power. Less than three weeks after the rebels launched their assault, shops are re-opening, water and electricity are back on, garbage is getting cleaned up and new city officials are working to re-establish security across the city.

Although goats have been cultivated around the world for centuries, the practice of raising them and using their milk for cheese is a fairly recent phenomenon in the U.S. The public has been slow to accept the goat's unique flavor.

The Federal Reserve has announced a plan to drive long-term interest rates even lower. But with borrowers still too cautious to take on additional debt, will the move have a positive effect? Some experts say they're not holding their breath. "The Fed can only do so much," one analyst says.

President Obama's call for $1.5 trillion in tax hikes to reduce the deficit puts him on a collision course with congressional Republicans. Some of Democratic supporters may welcome Obama's newly combative negotiating style, but deficit watchdogs warn his plan falls short in key areas.

European leaders insist they will take all necessary measures to ensure Greece does not default on its debt. A default would throw Greece's economy — and the European banking system — into deeper crisis. But many financial experts are advocating an orderly default. They argue it will be painful but preferable to round-after-round of painful austerity measures and more uncertainty.

What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas: PolitiFact offers a reality check on squads some of the candidates' statements from the GOP debate.

Though dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago, there are still thought to be a few species left over from those days. Plants called cycads, the so-called "living fossils," have remained mostly unchanged for 300 million years. But a new study suggests that glamorous title may not be deserved.

Economic disparities and race are closely aligned issues in America. Host Audie Cornish talks with Harvard economics professor Roland Fryer, who recently won a MacArthur genius grant for his research on the subject.