Steve Proffitt is sure it's summer when he hears the sound of a Little League game. This was underlined not long ago when he took a ball to the chin when his son was playing.

Scientists say electroencephalography or EEG could help identify infants who are likely to develop autism. The technology detects unusual electrical patterns in the brain that are associated with autism.

Two economics professors who set out to measure the influence of early primaries and caucuses on the electoral process found that states like Iowa and New Hampshire may have a disproportionate influence on who gets elected. They write that the "overweighting of early voters ... represents a deviation from the democratic ideal of 'one person, one vote.'" Michele Norris talks with Brian Knight, associate professor of economics at Brown University, about his paper, co-written with Nathan Schiff. It's called "Momentum and Learning in Presidential Primaries."

Slowly, states and local governments are moving to treat the mental health needs of juvenile offenders. In Los Angeles County, new programs are helping treat the vast number of troubled youth who suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or other maladies.

Tuesday's show vote in the House against raising the debt ceiling may not have been what rattled Wall Street, and the financial markets are somewhat accustomed to partisan shenanigans on Capitol Hill. The question now is whether the infusion of GOP freshmen, who so strongly oppose spending, will take this year's showdown beyond the brink. Thursday, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner talks to the freshmen. NPR's Andrea Seabrook talks to Michele Norris.

The economic recovery is now two years old, but it is not impressing anyone. Growth has slowed and jobs are still scarce. Data released this week suggest the economy is losing momentum.

f a plan put forward by the mayor of Louisville and the governors of Kentucky and Indiana becomes reality, the Ohio River Bridges Project will cost $1.2 billion less than previously expected. And critics of the project are celebrating that news.

W.D. “Billy” Stokes, who served as Todd County’s sheriff through the end of 2010, owes the county $11,769 in penalties and interest he accrued by paying taxes late, the state auditor’s office determined. The county may have the option of suing Stokes to collect the debt. But Stokes believes the tax penalties resulted from a misunderstanding with the IRS.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health Obesity Prevention Program has awarded $54,000 in grants to several Kentucky counties. The awards were given as part of the Farm to School program, which connects schools and local farms with the goal of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias while also supporting local farmers.

FRANKFORT – The Kentucky Public Service Commission Thursday told state lawmakers how it reviews the coal-related environmental compliance costs that electric utilities in Kentucky are entitled to pass on to their customers.