NPR 2011-05-31

The National Mall is hosting dozens of rememberences and veterans' reunions this Memorial Day as the nation hornors its fallen. NPR's Sonari Glinton reports.

Joseph Scholle was a marine 1 helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He comes twice a year to Washington DC to remember all who've died, but especially his friends.

"It doesn't get any easier from year to year. I still tear up when I touch mindful one friend's name. In fact, I'm tearing up now. You know, it doesn't get easier. It's just, it's just another year."

Scholle says he often wonders about what life his friend Robert Terry would be living now. He says it’s important for Americans to remember the individual lives that have been lost. Sonari Glinton, NPR News, Washington.

The mayor of South Dakota's capital city says residents should keep preparing for devastating 2 flooding. South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Gary Ellenbolt reports officials are getting set to increase releases from a nearby dam.

Residents of Pierre, South Dakota and nearby Fort Pierre have been sandbagging their properties as water from the Missouri River continues to rise. By next week, the Army Corps 3 of Engineers expects releases from Oahe Dam to be twice the previous record amount. Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill says the news continues to get worse for her city.

"I've seen that we're now affecting a possible 800 homes. That's equating 4 to approximately more than 2,000 people in the Pierre area that could possibly be affected 5."

South Dakota's governor has recommended those in the flood plain should protect their properties and get ready to evacuate 6. For NPR News, I'm Gary Ellenbolt in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Two workers at Japan's crippled nuclear plant may have become the first cases of excess radiation exposure among emergency workers. As NPR's Louisa Lim reports from Tokyo, this comes as the government is being criticized for its handling of the disaster.

Two workers at Fukushima nuclear plant have surpassed the maximum radiation exposure permissible 7, 250mSv, the equivalent to about 400 stomach X-rays. This will add to public concerns about the health implications of the nuclear disaster, both for emergency workers and for the general public. Meanwhile, a news survey shows about 70% of voters would like to replace Prime Minister Naoto Kan. But at the same time, many respondents say it would be better to wait until the nuclear crisis is contained. The prime minister is facing a no-confidence motion from opposition 8 parties over his indecisive handling of the crisis, but analysts 9 say they are unlikely to get enough support. Louisa Lim, NPR News, Tokyo.

Germany says it will abandon nuclear energy and shut down all of its nuclear power plants by the year 2022.

This is NPR News.

Drug shortages are increasing. In fact, the number of medicines listed in short supply has trippled over the past five years to a record 211. One emergency room physician tells the Associated Press it is just a matter of time now before doctors call for a drug they need to save a patient's life and find it isn't there. Lawmakers are urging federal officials to look closely at drug mergers 10 that might exacerbate 11 shortages, and legislation is pending 12 that would require manufacturers to give notice of problems like manufacturing delays that might trigger a shortage.

Details are being revealed of the first official overseas trip for the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge. As Larry Miller 13 reports from London, after a week in Canada, they'll be off to California, a bit of motion picture history for Prince William and Catherine.

The newlywed royal couple are reportedly planning to stay at the hotel in Yosemite in California. That was the inspiration for Jack 14 Nicholson film "The Shining."

"Here's Johnny."

During the official trip, William and Catherine will also stay in the presidential bungalow 15 at the Beverley Hills Hotel. The California three-day sight trip starts July 8th and comes after a week in Canada, where they'll take in cities including Ottawa, Quebec and Calgary. For NPR News, I'm Larry Miller in London.

Jim Tressel is leaving the Ohio State football program. The coach handed in his resignation today, saying it was in the best interest of the school. He led the Buckeyes to their first national football title in 34 years, but could not escape the scandal that some of his players allegedly sold their championship rings and other memorabilia to the owner of a tattoo 16 parlor 17.