This segment was from the National portion of program 85.

National:   (Courtney Clarke) President Obama’s healthcare bill seems to be losing steam, with the recent departure of some supporters on the Democratic side of the aisle.   Does President Obama have what it takes to convince the House and Senate to pass some sort of healthcare reform, or has his window of opportunity passed?

This segment was from the National portion of program 84.

National:   (Courtney Clarke) Toyota Motor Corporation has been criticized for its initial response to the consumer complaints of unintended acceleration in some of its vehicles.   In a recent hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee California State Representative Henry A. Waxman, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said Toyota had three responses to the consumer complaints:   First, blame the driver.   Second, blame the floor mat.   Third, blame a sticky gas pedal.   Toyota has now recalled more than eight million vehicles world-wide for unintended acceleration, brake problems and other issues.   Is it too little too late, and have they damaged the brand loyalty?

This segment was from the National portion of program 83.

National:    (Courtney Clark)  Both the Senate and the House have put forth legislation to pass a behemoth healthcare bill.   Some argue the bill violates constitutional rights.   Others say it doesn’t go far enough.   Assuming the bill passes, what will be the most significant impacts on the average U.S. citizen?

This segment was from the National portion of program 82.

National:    (Courtney Clark)  On December 25th a suspected Al Qaeda member, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, got on Northwest Airlines flight 253 in Amsterdam and attempted to detonate a bomb during the flight's final descent into Detroit.   British intelligence had been tracking Abdulmutallab for more than a year, and Abdulmutallab’s father had warned U.S. intelligence of his son's radical behavior six weeks prior to the incident.   The U.S. has already announced it will require additional screening for air passengers bound for the U.S. from any of 14 countries, including Algeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.   But will this work?