Jennifer Ludden
Jennifer Ludden helps edit energy and environment stories for NPR's National Desk, working with NPR staffers and a team of public radio reporters across the country. They track the shift to clean energy, state and federal policy moves, and how people and communities are coping with the mounting impacts of climate change.
Previously, Ludden was an NPR correspondent covering family life and social issues, including the changing economics of marriage, the changing role of dads, and the ethical challenges of reproductive technology. She's also covered immigration and national security.
Ludden started reporting with NPR while based overseas in West Africa, Europe and the Middle East. She shared in two awards (Overseas Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists) for NPR's coverage of the Kosovo war in 1999, and won the Robert F. Kennedy Award for her coverage of the overthrow of Mobutu Sese Seko in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When not navigating war zones, Ludden reported on cultural trends, including the dying tradition of storytellers in Syria, the emergence of Persian pop music in Iran, and the rise of a new form of urban polygamy in Africa.
Ludden has also reported from Canada and at public radio stations in Boston and Maine. She's a graduate of Syracuse University with degrees in television, radio, and film production and in English.
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Pre-teen sisters Asya and Chloe make up Smoosh, the latest band to rock Seattle. They've been touring this year with Pearl Jam and Sleater-Kinney and have a debut CD, She Like Electric. NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks with the band.
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U.S. and Iraqi forces report more progress on the sixth day of their joint offensive in Fallujah. But insurgents have occupied large areas of Iraq's third-largest city, Mosul, the scene of more violence. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Philip Reeves.
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Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died Thursday in a French hospital at age 75. Arafat helped found the Palestine Liberation Organization and dedicated much of his life to fighting for an independent Palestinian homeland. Arafat's funeral will be held Friday in Egypt. He'll be buried Saturday in Ramallah. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden.
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Famed photographer Walker Evans shot dozens of Depression-era images of New York subway passengers. They're collected in a newly reissued book, Many Are Called. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and book contributor Jeff Rosenheim.
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Ken Smith is the author of Junk English 2, a book about the often meaningless words and phrases Americans love to use. He sees the language "spiraling downward." Hear Smith and NPR's Jennifer Ludden.
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British author Timothy Garton Ash writes about the future of America's relationship with Europe in his new book Free World: America, Europe, and the Surprising Future of the West. Ash speaks with NPR's Jennifer Ludden.
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Can women's professional soccer be revived in the United States? The WUSA is losing major stars to retirement, but players are touring to boost support for a revived 2005 season. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and Tandaleya Wilder, host of the online sports show "She Got Game."
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Car bombs kill more than 30 Iraqis in Samarra, and more attacks wound more tha 20 American Marines in Ramadi. U.S. and Iraqi forces stepped up attacks on Fallujah, preparing for a major offensive against insurgents there. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Philip Reeves.
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NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks to James Howe, the author of Bunnicula. The book follows the Monroe family and their pets, Chester the cat, Harold the dog, and a brand-new bunny rabbit, Bunnicula — who may just be a vampire. -
The Pew Research Center releases the results of its final pre-election poll before Tuesday's national election. The survey has President Bush with a three-point edge among likely voters, 48 percent to 45 percent for Sen. John Kerry. The study has a 2.5-percent margin of error. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and Pew Research Center director Andrew Kohut.
