With much of the U.S. going through a heat wave and the report that the U.S. military spends $20 billion a year on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan, we wondered just what's being done to make air conditioning more energy- and cost-efficient. Michele Norris asks Lloyd Alter, a senior writer for architecture and design for the web site, Treehugger.

Deficit-cutting talks resume at the White House this afternoon, amid growing pressure from the financial markets not to jeopardize the government's credit rating. Republican lawmakers continue to resist any tax increase, but a poll suggests they're out of step with voters, even in their own party. Scott Horsley

The Pentagon unveiled its strategy Thursday for defending against cyberattack, officially classifying cyberspace as a war-fighting domain along with air, sea and space. Tom Gjelten

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., declared a mistrial Thursday in the case of Roger Clemens, the legendary pitcher accused of lying to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. The judge said the prosecution had exposed the jury to evidence that the judge had already ruled inadmissible. Michele Norris talks with NPR's Nina Totenberg about what happened in the courtroom.

Robert Siegel talks with Tea Party member Allen West, the freshman representative from Florida, about the debt ceiling, tax hikes and spending cuts.

It's hot across the Midwest, South and Southwest United States. Really hot. If temperatures aren't in the triple digits, the heat index is. From Florida to Arizona, people are sweating it out. Mose Buchele of member station KUT

Alicia Martinez's family illustrates some of the complexities of the debate over illegal immigration. Martinez's parents and her older sister came here illegally, while she was born in the U.S. and is a citizen. In a story for WNYC's Radio Rookies program, Martinez reflects on her struggles to meet her parents' high expectations and overcome guilt that her legal status gives her so many more opportunities than her sister.

We all know the rising cost of food is a real problem — but apparently, it hasn't had much of an affect on the meaty, salty snack staple known as the Slim Jim.

Known by some as "America's Nile," the Colorado River stretches about 1,450 miles across seven states and two countries — and photographer Peter McBride has traveled the entire thing, shooting photos for his new book, The Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict.

McBride explains the conflict in an interview with All Things Considered host Michele Norris. The delta, which was once a vast, lush ecosystem, has all but dried up. "It shows what happens when you ask too much of a limited resource: It disappears," he says.

Louisville is among five cities chosen to receive money and assistance from the philanthropic arm of the Bloomberg company.  Bloomberg Philanthropies is giving a total of $24 million to Louisville, Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans. The money will essentially pay for brain power, through what the charity is calling innovation teams. They’ll work with local governments to address pressing issues identified by city leaders.