Mark Memmott

Credit Doby Photography / NPR

Mark Memmott is one of the hosts of NPR's "The Two-Way" news blog.

"The Two-Way," which Memmott helped to launched when he came to NPR in 2009, focuses on breaking news, analysis, and the most compelling stories being reported by NPR News and other news media.

Before joining NPR, Memmott worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor at USA Today. He focused on a range of coverage from politics, foreign affairs, economics, and the media. He's reported from places across the Unites States and the world, including half a dozen trips to Afghanistan in 2002-2003.

During his time at USA Today, Memmott, helped launch and lead three USAToday.com news blogs: "On Deadline;" "The Oval;" and "On Politics," the site's 2008 presidential campaign blog.

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The Two-Way
8:36 am
Wed July 11, 2012

JPMorgan Will Move To 'Clawback' Millions From Execs Who Bungled Billions

Credit John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images
Another kind of claws at work. Meanwhile, JPMorgan is going to see if legal steps will let it "clawback" some money paid to executives.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 9:20 am

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon predicted this would happen: The bank "plans to reclaim millions of dollars in stock from executives at the center of the trading blunder that shocked Wall Street," The Wall Street Journal reports

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The Two-Way
7:32 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Holy Cow! Family Finds Baseball Card Collection That May Fetch $3 Million

Credit Heritage Auctions
Two of the most valuable cards in the collection: Ty Cobb (left) and Honus "Hans" Wagner.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 4:33 pm

"My grandfather stuck it in the attic a hundred years ago and here it is now, a blessing to his grandchildren."

A blessing for sure.

As the Toledo Blade reports, when Karl Kissner and his cousins were clearing out his grandfather's home in Defiance, Ohio, on Feb. 29 they came across a box of very rare and very valuable baseball cards.

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The Two-Way
6:22 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Episcopal Church OKs Same-Sex Blessings; Largest U.S. Denomination To Do So

Credit Craig Ruttle / AFP/Getty Images
The rings of Michael Johnson and Michael Roberts of New York City stood ready before their marriage ceremony at the Manhattan City Clerk's Office in July 2011.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 10:54 am

With a vote Tuesday evening by its House of Deputies, the Episcopal Church became the largest U.S. denomination so far "to officially sanction same-sex relationships," as CNN's Belief blog writes.

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The Two-Way
12:39 pm
Tue July 10, 2012

Is Kim Jong Un's Mystery Woman The 'Excellent Horse-Like Lady?'

Credit / AP
In this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service on Monday, July 9, 2012, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and a woman clap with others on Friday as they watch a performance by North Korea's new Moranbong band in Pyongyang. Observers think she is Hyon Song-wol.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 10:31 am

It seems that North Korea's young leader may have reconnected with an old love.

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The Two-Way
10:09 am
Tue July 10, 2012

Even As Jobless Rate Stays High, Job Openings Continue To Grow

Credit John Moore / Getty Images
Applicants wait to enter a job fair in New York City last month.

Originally published on Tue July 10, 2012 10:59 am

There were 3.6 million jobs open and ready to be filled in May if the right candidates came along, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this morning.

That was up from 3.4 million in April, was the second-most for any month so far this year and was up 16 percent from the 3.1 million in May 2011.

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The Two-Way
9:07 am
Tue July 10, 2012

Listen: You Can Hear The Northern Lights, Researchers Say

Credit Rune Stoltz Bertinussen / AFP/Getty Images
The northern lights over Tromsoe, northern Norway, on Jan. 24, 2012.

Originally published on Tue July 10, 2012 10:21 am

The Two-Way
8:38 am
Tue July 10, 2012

'USA Today' Names New Editor

Originally published on Tue July 10, 2012 9:05 am

David Callaway, editor-in-chief at MarketWatch, was this morning named to be editor-in-chief at USA Today.

There, he will be teamed up again with Larry Kramer — the newspaper's new publisher. Kramer founded MarketWatch.

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The Two-Way
7:53 am
Tue July 10, 2012

With 15-Minute Session, Egypt's Parliament Defies High Court

Credit AFP/Getty Images
The scene inside the Egyptian parliament in Cairo earlier today during the lawmakers' short session.

The power struggle between the military leaders who have been running Egypt since the spring 2011 toppling of President Hosni Mubarak and newly elected lawmakers escalated further today.

Members of parliament's lower house met in defiance of an order from the nation's highest court to disband.

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The Two-Way
7:15 am
Tue July 10, 2012

As Annan Seeks Help From Iran, Activists Say Syrian Death Toll Exceeds 17,000

Credit Bulent Kilic / AFP/Getty Images
In February, these Syrians mourned over the fresh grave of a relative following a funeral for victims killed in violence in Idlib.

Iran must be "part of the solution" to the crisis in Syria, former U.N. Secretary-General Koffi Annan said today in Tehran.

But as Annan spoke, there was new word about how horrible things have gotten in Syria since protests against the regime of President Bashar Assad began in March 2011 and forces loyal to Assad cracked down on his opponents.

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The Two-Way
6:30 am
Tue July 10, 2012

Wildfire In Southern Idaho Is Growing Quickly

Credit USDA Forest Service
The view from above: A satellite image of Idaho and western Montana, taken Monday and posted by the USDA Forest Services's Active Fire Mapping website, showing smoke and clouds.

Though firefighters have "gained ground on a number of wildfires across the West," they're having trouble in southern Idaho, The Associated Press reports.

There, winds have "fanned a fast-moving blaze across nearly 300 square miles of sagebrush and dry grass," the wire service says. The fire began Saturday. It was apparently sparked by a lightning strike.

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The Two-Way
12:57 pm
Mon July 9, 2012

2.97 Million And Counting; '66 Volvo Is Nearing Its 3 Millionth Mile

Originally published on Mon July 9, 2012 1:10 pm

"It's just a car I enjoy driving."

That's for sure.

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The Two-Way
10:33 am
Mon July 9, 2012

Romney Raised $106 Million In June; Obama Raised $71 Million

Credit Kayana Szymczak / Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on July 4 in Wolfeboro, N.H.

For the second month in a row, Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney and his party have raised more money than the Democratic incumbent, President Obama.

Romney and his fellow Republicans hauled in $106 million in June for his presidential campaign, well above the $71 million raised by the president's campaign and Democrats. Both campaigns released their fundraising figures for the month earlier today.

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The Two-Way
9:29 am
Mon July 9, 2012

'Mystery Woman' And Disney Ripoffs: Latest News About North Korea's Leader

Credit YouTube.com
An image from a video posted by StimmeKoreas, which in turn came from North Korea official media, showing some of the dancing (fake) Disney characters at Friday's performance.
The Two-Way
7:02 am
Mon July 9, 2012

In Afghanistan: Bomb Kills Six Americans; Shocking Video Of Woman's Execution

Credit Agence France Presse
A screen grab from the video of a public execution reportedly carried out last month in Afghanistan. The victim is sitting with her back to the executioner, who is at left.

Originally published on Mon July 9, 2012 10:16 am

"In what was an extraordinarily violent day even by Afghan standards, separate incidents on Sunday killed seven Western troops, including six Americans who died in a single blast, along with five Afghan police officers and at least 18 civilians," the Los Angeles Times writes.

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The Two-Way
6:09 am
Mon July 9, 2012

Ahhh! Some Relief From The Heat

Credit John Minchillo / AP
Dancing in the rain: New York City got some relief from the heat as early as Saturday, when this young woman danced in the rain in Times Square.

The oppressive heat wave that blanketed much of the nation for nearly two weeks, causing at least 46 deaths, has finally eased.

As The Associated Press writes:

"The cooler air began sweeping southward Sunday in the eastern half of the country, bringing down some temperatures by 15 or more degrees from Saturday's highs, which topped 100 in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Louisville, Ky."

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The Two-Way
2:11 pm
Fri July 6, 2012

Zimmerman Posts Bond, Is Released

Credit Joe Burbank / AP
George Zimmerman during a court hearing on June 29.

One day after a Florida judge set his new bail at $1 million, accused killer George Zimmerman is out of jail after posting a bond.

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The Two-Way
1:59 pm
Fri July 6, 2012

Syrian General Defects, Heads To France As Assad's Opponents Meet There

Credit Raed Qutena / AFP/Getty Images
Then-Col. Bashar Assad (left) and Manaf Tlass in 1999. Tlass, now a brigadier general, has reportedly defected and is headed to France.

Originally published on Tue July 10, 2012 3:46 pm

A commander in Syria's Republican Guard whose family has been close to the family of Syrian President Bashar Assad has reportedly defected and is headed to France. That's where diplomats from more than 100 countries are meeting to discuss ways to put more pressure on Assad to end a brutal crackdown on his opponents that has left more than 10,000 civilians dead.

As NPR's Peter Kenyon tells our Newscast Desk, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told those gathered for the so-called Friends of Syria conference in Paris that Brig. Gen. Manaf Tlass is on his way to France.

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The Two-Way
12:46 pm
Fri July 6, 2012

Hot Damn! It's National Fried Chicken Day

Credit Steve Parsons / PA Photos /Landov
Celebrating the day.

Originally published on Fri July 6, 2012 1:23 pm

Someone please tell us, because we've searched and can't find the answer: Who decided this is National Fried Chicken Day?

It apparently is, judging from all the stories, Web posts and tweets we're seeing.

It's why the Los Angeles Times is offering up "Fried Chicken Five Ways" — five recipes, from classic buttermilk-battered to Korean.

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The Two-Way
10:33 am
Fri July 6, 2012

How Hot Is It? All You Need To See Are These Two Maps

Originally published on Fri July 6, 2012 1:11 pm

The heat wave across much of the nation continues.

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The Two-Way
7:17 am
Fri July 6, 2012

Justice For Argentina's 'Stolen Children;' 2 Dictators Convicted

Credit Juan Mabromata / AFP/Getty Images
Former dictator and Gen. Jorge Rafael Videla (left), and former general and member of the military junta Reynaldo Bignone in a Buenos Aires court on Thursday.

Nearly four decades later, there's some solace for the families of young women in Argentina who were killed after giving birth under orders from the country's then-dictators. The women's babies — Argentina's "stolen children" — were then handed over to loyal members of the military.

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The Two-Way
6:09 am
Fri July 6, 2012

After May's 'Lousy' News, Will June's Jobs Report Be Much Better?

Credit John Moore / Getty Images
The line at a job fair in New York City last month.

Originally published on Fri July 6, 2012 10:43 am

Job growth was even weaker than economists feared in June as public and private employers added just 80,000 jobs to their payrolls, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this morning. They had been expecting BLS would say there were closer to 100,000 more jobs in June than in May.

A separate BLS survey showed the nation's jobless rate remained stuck at 8.2 percent. It's been above 8 percent since February 2009.

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The Two-Way
12:53 pm
Thu July 5, 2012

The 'Arafat Killed By Poison?' Story: Here's What We Don't Get

Credit Muhammed Muheisen / AP
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in October 2004, a month before he died.

Originally published on Sun July 8, 2012 7:34 am

Al-Jazeera is getting attention for its reports that traces of polonium-210 have been found on items, including clothing, belonging to the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

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The Two-Way
11:23 am
Thu July 5, 2012

Heat Waves, Power Outages, Wildfires: The Misery Continues

Credit Jose M. Osorio / MCT /Landov
Trying to keep cool in Chicago: On Wednesday, 7-year-old Keshyra Pitts played in the spray from a fire hydrant.

Originally published on Thu July 5, 2012 5:23 pm

First, some good news:

-- The Waldo Canyon fire in and around Colorado Springs is "90 percent contained" and officials expect it will be "fully contained by Friday," The Denver Post reports. That blaze, which began June 23, has destroyed about 350 homes and caused at least two fatalities.

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The Two-Way
10:47 am
Thu July 5, 2012

Zimmerman's Bail Set At $1 Million

Credit Joe Burbank / AP
George Zimmerman during a court hearing on June 29.

Originally published on Thu July 5, 2012 2:04 pm

A judge in Florida this morning set bail at $1 million for George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

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The Two-Way
8:35 am
Thu July 5, 2012

WikiLeaks Begins Release Of 2.4 Million Emails Linked To Syrian Officials

Credit WikiLeaks.org
WikiLeaks' webpage for its "Syria Files."

Saying that "the material is embarrassing to Syria, but it is also embarrassing to Syria's opponents," WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his aides today said they have more than 2.4 million emails "from Syrian political figures, ministries and associated companies."

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The Two-Way
8:00 am
Thu July 5, 2012

Countrywide Gave Lawmakers, Officials Hundreds Of Discount Loans

Originally published on Thu July 5, 2012 9:40 am

Countrywide Financial Corp., the one-time mortgage giant, may have "skirted the federal bribery statute," but nonetheless used a VIP discount program to gain influence in Washington, a report from the Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee concludes.

We first posted on this news, broken earlier by The Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal, at 9 a.m. ET. Since then, the committee's report has been released. Read through to see our original post and the update with links and excerpts from the committee's work:

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The Two-Way
7:40 am
Thu July 5, 2012

Employers Added 176,000 Jobs In June, Survey Says

There were 176,000 jobs added to private employers' payrolls in June, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report. The gain was larger than May's 136,000, ADP says.

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The Two-Way
7:14 am
Thu July 5, 2012

KABOOM! San Diego's Entire Fireworks Show Ignites At Once

Credit YouTube.com
Oops. A "premature ignition" in San Diego sent an entire fireworks show off at once.

Originally published on Thu July 5, 2012 10:10 pm

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