Plans are underway for covering the second-term inauguration of President Barack Obama on Monday, Jan. 21. NPR will provide special coverage beginning at 9 a.m. hosted by Steve Inskeep and Audie Cornish from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, where the swearing-in ceremony will take place. They'll be joined by White House Correspondents Ari Shapiro and Scott Horsley. All news programs will cover events and related topics, and Jennifer Ludden will host a one-hour wrap-up of the day's events at 6 p.m.

 

We are preparing to send KGOU members' giving statements for the 2012 calendar year. These statements are useful for itemizing deductions on donors' tax returns, and KGOU goes above and beyond what is required by sending them to every donor regardless of the amount contributed. They will go in the mail the last week of January. If you've moved recently and have not yet notified KGOU of your new address, fill out our Change of Address page to ensure your statement finds you.

 

What will 2013 hold for the economy in Oklahoma and its largest city? Economists and business experts were talking about their analysis and predictions in the waning days of 2012. Oklahoma Voices has devoted several programs to economic forecasts in recent weeks. The final set of fiscal forecasts -- for the Oklahoma City metro -- airs Monday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. If you missed the two previous programs, you can listen from the KGOU archives.

 

NPR has announced that Michele Norris will return to the airwaves in a new role in February, after a leave of absence from hosting duties on All Things Considered. She stepped away from ATC in October 2011 when her husband took a senior role in President Obama's re-election campaign.

Norris will return to the network as a host and special correspondent, but not on the ATC anchor desk. She will focus in part on fostering conversations about race with The Race Card Project, which she has developed while off-air.

Hosts who assumed long-term assignments in the interim have now been granted permanence. Audie Cornish will remain as co-host of All Things Considered, officially replacing Norris. And Rachel Martin will be the permanent host of Weekend Edition Sunday, replacing Cornish. Read more about the changes on NPR's blog The Two-Way.

 

The number of people who check "none" when asked about their religious affiliation is on the rise. According to the Pew Research Center, one in five Americans say they have no religion, and a third of them are under age 30. Morning Edition examines some of the factors behind this demographic shift in a five-part series, set to begin Monday, Jan. 14.

 

Who says you need a smoothie to feel great? Food writer Eve Turow says she'd rather gnaw than swish her way back to health after the indulgent holidays. Ingredients like ginger, tamarind and coconut are good for much more than "detox" drinks. NPR's Kitchen Window has recipes that rejuvenate basic meat and potatoes.