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Several of the nation's largest cities, including New York, Boston and Detroit, elected new mayors on Tuesday. The new leaders will spend much of their time dealing with pension and health care costs.

Valproic acid has been a mainstay of epilepsy treatment for decades. But how the drug works has been a mystery. Researchers have now figured out the drug boosts a particular chemical in the brain. The finding may help scientists develop better treatments someday.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's use of crack has embarrassed the city he serves and made his name into a punch line. In her "Can I Just Tell You" essay, host Michel Martin looks beyond the jokes, to what Ford's situation says about addiction.

For women, hair care can be a sensitive issue. But now one woman is picking a fight over hair care with the state of Texas. Host Michel Martin speaks with Isis Brantley who is suing the state for the right to teach hair braiding.

Hazing and bullying are commonly found in schoolyards and fraternities. But pro sports? The NFL is investigating possible harassment within the Miami Dolphins between veteran guard Richie Incognito and offensive tackle Jonathan Martin. Host Michel Martin speaks with sportswriter Kevin Blackistone about the culture of bullying and hazing within the NFL.

A national project found that hundreds of former Michigan students had enough credits for an associate degree — but they'd never claimed them. Thousands more were close. Those credentials could make ex-students more employable or eligible for better-paying jobs.

Politicians often call members of their own party to congratulate them on a successful campaign. But Biden seems to relish the opportunity, personally reaching out to 10 winning candidates in state and local races around the country Tuesday night.

In 2001, Portland, Ore., was the first to develop a new kind of streetcar system. Success there led to a resurgence, with at least two dozen cities planning, building or expanding trolley lines — places like Atlanta; St. Louis, Mo.; and Tucson, Ariz. But some wonder whether it's the best way to spend limited transit dollars.

Shonda Rhimes, the creator of the ABC political drama, spoke with NPR's Renee Montagne about the series — and whether it might survive another administration.

Kanniks Kannikeswaran writes groundbreaking Hindu sacred music and forms community choirs to perform it. "When a group of about 20 strangers get together and sing raga-based music with choral harmony for the first time," he says, "something magical begins to happen."