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Smoke rises from the stacks of the La Cygne Generating Station coal-fired power plant in La Cygne, Kan. President Obama's regulation of the coal industry has come under fire from his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney.

On The Campaign Trail, Regulations Dominate The Environmental Debate

In this presidential election, neither candidate is talking much about cleaning up the air or protecting scenic lands. Instead, the debate is about whether and how much environmental regulations hurt businesses.

Jayme Dyer is a member of a women's arm wrestling league based in Durham, N.C.. In June, she participated in a national armwrestling event in Charlottesville, Va., to raise money for charity. Her alter-ego is named "Ze Dirty Butcher."

For Lady Arm Wrestlers, It's Brawn Or Bust

Jayme Dyer didn't know what to expect when she first tried out the growing theatrical sport of women's arm wrestling. Then she started winning. This summer, Dyer donned her alter-ego, Ze Dirty Butcher, to compete with seven other women in the first national ladies arm wrestling championships.

Urushiol, the chemical in poison ivy, is also harvested from the Japanese lacquer tree to coat lacquerware. Here, a rash caused by lacquerware that likely was not properly cured.

Spray Lights Up The Chemical That Causes Poison Ivy Rash

Researchers have developed a clever new method to detect the chemical that causes the annoying itch. But urushiol isn't all bad. It's also behind the shine of beautiful Japanese lacquerware.

Michael Feinstein (right) worked for six years as Ira Gershwin's cataloger and archivist.

'Gershwins And Me' Tells The Stories Behind 12 Songs

Musician Michael Feinstein chronicles his experience working as an archivist and cataloger for legendary songwriter Ira Gershwin. The book is presented through the stories of 12 of the Gershwin brothers' songs, including "Fascinating Rhythm," "The Man I Love" and "I Got Rhythm."

Orchards like this one in Adams County, PA, and other U.S. farms face worldwide competition for their apples and apple products due to imports.

Test Your Food IQ: Do We Need More Farms To Grow Fruits And Veggies For All?

We may be able to grow enough fruits and vegetables on land we already have if we're smart about how we do it, says World Wildlife Foundation expert Jason Clay. Take the James Beard Foundation's food quiz to see just how literate you are on this and other agriculture matters.

Rebels of the Free Syrian Army sit on top of a military truck captured from the Syrian army in the village of Khirbet al-Joz along the Turkish border in northern Syria on Oct. 7, in this photo provided by the Edlib News Network, ENN. The rebels hope to put a civilian council in charge and believe such moves could help pave the way for a secular, democratic Syria.

In A Ravaged Syrian Village, Planning For The Future

Activists hope a border village recently retaken by rebels can become an example of a secular and democratic local government that will spread to other areas.

A child is inoculated with the polio vaccine at a traffic checkpoint just outside Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. Last year, Pakistan had the highest number of polio cases — 198.

How The Taliban Is Thwarting The War On Polio

Polio is deadly, but so is what's required to stamp it out once and for all in Pakistan: facing down Islamist extremists. The virus thrives in Pakistan's lawless — and largely inaccessible — tribal regions. To stop polio's spread, health workers must be courageous, clever and relentless.

Chelsea Clinton in September at her father's Clinton Global Initiative in New York City.

Politics Might Be In Her Future, Chelsea Clinton Hints

"I certainly feel a strong call of public service," she tells the BBC, after not ruling out a run for office someday. Now 32, she adds that her mother's run for the White House in 2008 got her thinking about a possible future in politics for herself.

Former Maine Gov. Angus King, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, greets potential voters Oct. 1 in Bath, Maine.

Negative Ads Reign In Maine Senate Race

The race for the state's open U.S. Senate seat has been dominated by three things: an independent former governor, third-party spending and a barrage of negative television ads. Among the casualties of the campaign have been the candidates' positions on the issues.

Shanghai Residents Discuss U.S. Presidential Debate

NPR invited eight Chinese people to watch Tuesday's U.S. presidential debate at our bureau in Shanghai and then discuss it. Sections of the debate that focused on China generated some of the most interesting comments.

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