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There's disagreement in Washington, D.C., this week on whether the USPS has the freedom to end Saturday mail delivery in August, as planned. The passage of a bill funding the federal government through September re-ignited the debate.

Maggie Gallagher is one of the nation's most public opponents of gay marriage. These days, she's thinking more about how to continue advocating for marriage between one man and one woman, even as society's views — and laws — are shifting rapidly.

The pianist and composer/arranger was a prime mover in the international musical exchange that was Havana in the middle of the 20th Century. Late in his career, he enjoyed a new wave of fame as his accomplishments came to light anew. The father of Chucho Valdés, he was 94.

Political divisiveness over the health care law is as strong as ever, and the American public has never been more confused. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says that may not be such a terrible thing.

Often acclaimed as America's greatest living novelist, the Portnoy's Complaint author says he's officially retired from writing. Now, he says, when someone tells him a story, he no longer mines it for possible material. "I just listen, and it's quite nice."

Both newly 30, Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan reflect on the past and relish the present on their upcoming release, The Ash & Clay.

When the Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996, it had strong bipartisan support. All of the 15 sitting Democrats who voted for it are now against it. But so far, Sen. Rob Portman is the only current Republican Senator to change his mind.

President Obama heads home from the Middle East Saturday, after a mixed reception to his four-day visit. Obama spent much of that time in Israel, trying to lay the groundwork to revive the long-stalled peace process with the Palestinians. He also traveled to the West Bank and met with Jordan's King Abdullah. NPR's Scott Horsley has a recap from Amman, Jordan.

Host Scott Simon talks with Gary Segura, co-founder of the polling firm Latino Decisions, about whether Latino voters are more likely to vote Republican if the party backs comprehensive immigration reform. Segura is also a professor of American Politics and chairman of Chicano/a Studies at Stanford University.

This week scientists announced they have reproduced the genome of an extinct amphibian, the gastric brooding frog. But animals are more than just their genomes, so NPR's Scott Simon wonders if it's necessary — or kind — to bring them back.