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
5:43 am
Wed June 6, 2012

Suicide Bombers Strike In Afghanistan; More Than 20 Civilians Killed

Credit AFP/Getty Images
An Afghan man inspects a motorcycle used in today's suicide attack near Kandahar.

Originally published on Wed June 6, 2012 5:48 am

At least 22 people were killed and another 50 wounded in southern Afghanistan today when three suicide bombers blew themselves up in a market near the Kandahar Air Field used by U.S. and coalition forces.

Most of the victims were Afghan civlians, officials tell the BBC.

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The Two-Way
5:14 am
Wed June 6, 2012

Win For Wisconsin's Walker Seen As Blow For Democrats, Boost For The GOP

Credit Scott Olson / Getty Images
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) after his victory Tuesday.

Originally published on Wed June 6, 2012 5:50 am

  • NPR's Don Gonyea, reporting on 'Morning Edition'

Now that it's over and Republican Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin has easily defeated a recall attempt, the morning-after analyses are in. There's a common theme:

-- Walker's win "is a stinging blow" to President Obama's re-election chances, says National Journal's 2012 Decoded blog.

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The Two-Way
1:27 pm
Tue June 5, 2012

Report Of First Doctor To Treat Lincoln Rediscovered

Credit Hulton Archive / Getty Images

"When I entered the box the ladies were very much excited. Mr. Lincoln was seated in a high backed arm-chair with his head leaning towards his right side supported by Mrs. Lincoln who was weeping bitterly. Miss Harris was near her left and behind the President.

"While approaching the President I sent a gentleman for brandy and another for water."

Those are the words of Dr. Charles A. Leale, 23, the first physician to reach Abraham Lincoln's side on April 14, 1865, after assassin John Wilkes Booth shot the president in the head.

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The Two-Way
11:18 am
Tue June 5, 2012

California's Prop 8 Same-Sex Marriage Ban Looks Headed To Supreme Court

A federal appeals court in San Francisco says it will not reconsider an earlier ruling that California's Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

That means, as our colleagues at KQED's News Fix blog report, that "Prop 8 supporters will almost certainly ask the United States Supreme Court to hear the case."

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The Two-Way
10:50 am
Tue June 5, 2012

Disney To Put Limits On Food Ads In Bid To Nudge Kids To Eat Healthier

Credit Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP/Getty Images
Mickey thinks kids should eat better.

Originally published on Tue June 5, 2012 5:53 pm

With an endorsement from first lady Michelle Obama for its effort, Walt Disney Co. confirmed this morning that it is going to apply new standards to food ads aimed at children and their families during programming for kids. The entertainment giant says it will try "to inspire kids to lead healthier lifestyles."

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The Two-Way
8:54 am
Tue June 5, 2012

This Video May Creep You Out: Artist Turns Dearly Departed Cat Into Helicopter

Credit Ade Johnson / AFP/Getty Images
Orville, the flying helicopter cat made by artist Bert Jansen. The cat is part of an art fair in Amsterdam.

Originally published on Wed June 6, 2012 12:20 pm

The Two-Way
8:30 am
Tue June 5, 2012

Fete Fit For A Queen: Diamond Jubilee Nears Finish

Credit Sean Gallup / Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II, as she rode toward Buckingham Palace earlier today. The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) rode beside her. Also in the carriage: the Prince of Wales (Charles).

Originally published on Tue June 5, 2012 12:51 pm

The Two-Way
7:34 am
Tue June 5, 2012

Syria Bars 17 Western Diplomats, Including U.S. Ambassador

Calling them "persona non grata," Syria today told 17 diplomats — including the U.S. ambassador — that they are no longer welcome in the country.

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The Two-Way
6:46 am
Tue June 5, 2012

As Sandusky Trial Begins, A 'Two-Minute Guide' To The Case

Credit Patrick Smith / Getty Images
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky as he arrived at a courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa., this morning.

Jury selection starts today in the trial of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who faces allegations that he sexually abused at least 10 boys over 15 years, sometimes on the school's campus. Sandusky has pleaded innocent.

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The Two-Way
6:17 am
Tue June 5, 2012

Connecticut Family Of Six, Houston Sisters Among Dead In Nigerian Crash

Credit Emmanuel Arewa / AFP/Getty Images
Monday, before a storm blew through, rescuers and firefighters searched through the crash site in Lagos.

"A torrential downpour and strong winds prevented emergency crews from returning Tuesday morning to a devastated neighborhood where a commercial airliner crashed, killing all 153 people aboard the plane and an undetermined number of people on the ground," The Associated Press reports from Lagos.

The wire service adds that:

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The Two-Way
5:43 am
Tue June 5, 2012

Decision Day Arrives In Wisconsin

Credit Scott Olson / Getty Images
Getting out the vote: In Janesville, Wis., on Monday, Democrat Wanda Sonnentag was calling voters.
  • Don Gonyea, reporting on 'Morning Edition'

Polls open at 7 a.m. local time (8 a.m. ET) in Wisconsin, where the bitter battle over whether to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker is finally coming to a conclusion.

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The Two-Way
5:08 am
Tue June 5, 2012

Reports: Drone Strike Targeted Al-Qaida's 'Leading Propagandist'

Credit AFP/Getty Images
Abu Yahya al-Libi in an October 2011 video obtained by the watchdog group IntelCenter.

Originally published on Tue June 5, 2012 11:59 am

The man described as al-Qaida's "leading propagandist" and the No. 2 leader in that terrorist organization was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan on Monday, NPR, CNN and The Associated Press say they've been told by "a U.S. official."

That word came around 1:40 p.m. ET.

Our original post. Reports: Drone Strike Targeted Al-Qaida's 'Leading Propagandist'

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The Two-Way
11:58 am
Mon June 4, 2012

'Cricket Comes First,' India's Tendulkar Says After Joining Parliament

Originally published on Mon June 4, 2012 12:19 pm

Since we've followed cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar's heroics on the pitch, we should note that he's now a member of India's upper house of parliament.

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The Two-Way
10:39 am
Mon June 4, 2012

Prince Philip Hospitalized As Precaution, Diamond Jubilee Festivities Continue

Credit Adrian Dennis / AFP/Getty Images
On Saturday, Prince Philip was at the second day of the Epsom Derby horse racing festival.

Queen Elizabeth II's husband, Prince Philip, has been taken to a London hospital to be treated for a bladder infection, the BBC and other news outlets are reporting.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 90, has been admitted as a "precautionary measure" and will likely be in the hospital for a few days, a "palace spokesman" tells the BBC.

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The Two-Way
9:54 am
Mon June 4, 2012

Latest Sign Of Slowing: Factory Orders Fell In April

The word from the Census Bureau that orders for manufactured goods fell 0.6 percent in April from March — the second straight monthly decline — is in line with other reports that signal the economy "may suffer a swoon yet not slip into a recession," Bloomberg News writes.

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The Two-Way
9:14 am
Mon June 4, 2012

Reports: Suspect Arrested In Canadian Body Parts Case

"Canadian murder suspect Luka Rocco Magnotta has been arrested in Berlin, German police tell CBC News."

The Associated Press says it's been told the same thing by a Canadian official.

As we've previously reported, Montreal Police had issued a warrant for the gay porn star.

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The Two-Way
9:00 am
Mon June 4, 2012

As Venus Transits The Face Of The Sun, Here's How To Safely Watch

Credit Saif Dahlah / AFP/Getty Images
Safety over style: In 2006, a Palestinian man and boy were careful to protect their eyes while watching a partial eclipse of the sun. The same cautions are in order for Venus' transit of the sun on Tuesday.

Originally published on Mon June 4, 2012 12:53 pm

DO NOT STARE AT THE SUN.

Is that clear enough?

As we looked this morning for good guides about how to safely watch on Tuesday as Venus passes across the face of the sun, there was no escaping the stern warnings about what NOT to do.

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The Two-Way
6:24 am
Mon June 4, 2012

Tiger Woods' Incredible Chip: You Can Do It Too (Yeah, Right)

Credit Andy Lyons / Getty Images
And then he roared: Tiger Woods celebrating after his chip-in at the 16th hole Sunday in the Memorial Tournament.

Originally published on Mon June 4, 2012 6:32 am

If you haven't seen it by now, check out the chip shot that Tiger Woods rolled into the cup Sunday on the 16th hole at the Memorial Tournament. It put him on the way to winning the tournament.

According to golf legend Jack Nicklaus, it was "the gutsiest and best shot I've ever seen in my life."

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The Two-Way
5:51 am
Mon June 4, 2012

George Zimmerman Back In Jail; Attorney Preparing New Bond Motion

Credit Seminole County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office / Getty Images
A handout composite provided by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, showing George Zimmerman in new mugshot photos.

As ordered by a judge on Friday, neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has turned himself into authorities and is back in a Sanford, Fla., jail.

Now, as the Orlando Sentinel reports, Zimmerman's attorney is preparing a request that he again be released on bond.

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The Two-Way
5:20 am
Mon June 4, 2012

Nigeria Mourns 'National Disaster;' Plane Crash Killed Scores

Credit AFP/Getty Images
A picture taken with a photo camera shows residents of the Iju district of Lagos, Nigeria, gathering at the site where a Dana Air jet crashed into a neighborhood on Sunday.

Originally published on Tue June 5, 2012 6:19 am

There's some new reporting to pass along about Sunday's crash of an airliner in Lagos, Nigeria, which killed more than 150 people on board and a still unknown number of people on the ground:

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The Two-Way
1:14 pm
Fri June 1, 2012

George Zimmerman's Bond Revoked, Must Surrender Within 48 Hours

Credit Gary Green / Orlando Sentinel-Pool/Getty Images
George Zimmerman during his bond hearing in a Seminole County, Fla., courtroom on April 20.

A Florida judge this afternoon revoked George Zimmernan's bond and ordered that the man who killed teenager Trayvon Martin surrender himself to authorities within 48 hours, the Orlando Sentinel writes.

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The Two-Way
12:34 pm
Fri June 1, 2012

'Help' Hizzoner: Tell Bloomberg What To Ban Next

Credit Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
What's he got his eye on now? New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Originally published on Fri June 1, 2012 3:59 pm

So, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) wants to ban nearly all sales of big, sugary drinks.

Goodbye Big Gulp.

This comes after his earlier campaigns to stamp out smoking and trans fats.

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The Two-Way
11:41 am
Fri June 1, 2012

Nation's Worst Dressers Are In Anchorage, Survey Says

Credit Michael Dinneen / AP
High fashion in Anchorage. (Just kidding! It's a photo from the 2011 Iditarod.)

Which U.S. city has the worst-dressed citizens?

According to readers of Travel and Leisure magazine, it's Anchorage.

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The Two-Way
11:28 am
Fri June 1, 2012

Obama, Romney Have Sharply Different Takes On Weak Jobs News

Earlier, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney blamed what he said have been President Obama's "failed" economic policies for the nation's stubbornly high unemployment rate and weak job growth.

In Minnesota this hour, President Obama conceded "we've got a lot of work to do before we get to where we need to be," but also claimed credit for policies that he said prevented another Great Depression after the financial crisis of 2008.

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The Two-Way
8:57 am
Fri June 1, 2012

Crazy For The Queen's Diamond Jubilee? Here's A Guide To The Guides

Credit Lewis Whyld / AFP/Getty Images
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London on Wednesday.

If royal watching's your kind of thing, the next four days are going to be a treat.

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebration — marking 60 years on the throne — looks like it will be quite a show. Sunday's huge flotilla alone is predicted to be "the most spectacular nautical event seen in London for 350 years."

Want to know when to tune in?

The official website of the British Monarchy, of course, has a ton of information.

For broadcast schedules, though, you need to look elsewhere.

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The Two-Way
7:33 am
Fri June 1, 2012

Stocks Drop On Weak Jobs News

Originally published on Fri June 1, 2012 2:57 pm

Stock prices fell on Wall Street today as investors digested the much-weaker-than-expected report on job growth in May.

The damage? The Dow plunged 274 points or 2.2 percent. The Nasdaq fell 80 points or 2.82 percent.

CNN Money reports the Dow had the worst day of 2012, erasing "all its gains for the year."

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The Two-Way
6:44 am
Fri June 1, 2012

Unemployment Rate Rises To 8.2 Percent In May; Just 69,000 Jobs Added

Originally published on Fri June 1, 2012 11:31 am

Horrid. Lousy. Awful.

Those are just three of the words economists are using to describe the news that just 69,000 net jobs were added to public and private payrolls last month — and that the nation's jobless rate edged up to 8.2 percent from April's 8.1 percent.

The news has raised fears that the hoped-for strengthening of the economy may not materialize.

We posted on the news and followed with details from the report and reaction to it. It's now 11:22 am. ET, here's our original post and earlier updates:

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The Two-Way
6:17 am
Fri June 1, 2012

Obama 'Sped Up Wave Of Cyberattacks Against Iran,' Says 'NYT'

This morning's talker:

"From his first months in office, President Obama secretly ordered increasingly sophisticated attacks on the computer systems that run Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities, significantly expanding America's first sustained use of cyberweapons, according to participants in the program," The New York Times reports.

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The Two-Way
5:57 am
Fri June 1, 2012

'Hero' Of Seattle Shootings: 'I Just Threw The Frigging Stool' At Gunman

Credit Stephen Brashear / Getty Images
Left to right: Karen Eides, Tim Torres and David Gordon embrace as they kneel in front of a makeshift memorial outside the cafe in Seattle where a gunman killed four people.

Lawrence Adams doesn't want to be called a hero, but many in Seattle are saying that's just what he is.

As The Seattle Times reports this morning, police believe Adams saved the lives of at least three people on Wednesday when he picked up a stool at a cafe and threw it at a gunman who killed four people there. Adams' action distracted the gunman, identified as Ian Stawicki, and allowed Adams and some others to escape.

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