World

In the State of the Union, the president called for expanding access to preschool. So it's a subject we're likely to hear more about in the next few days.

Since what's said and written about a State of the Union address on the morning after can determine what's most remembered about such speeches, let's look at Wednesday's headlines:

-- NPR's It's All Politics: "Obama To Congress: With Or Without You."

This fall, to mark the 15th anniversary of Harry Potter's arrival in the U.S., trade paperback versions of the Harry Potter series are getting new covers.

The art comes from Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the Amulet graphic novels and the comics anthology Flight. Scholastic rolled out the first cover today, for the first book, Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone.

But don't fret — the original art from Mary GrandPre will still be on the hardcovers.

Good morning, here are our top stories:

Single Gunshot Reportedly Ends Dramatic California Manhunt.

Rubio's Big Drink Gets Big Buzz.

And here are more early headlines:

Obama Travels To N.C. To Promote State Of The Union Themes. (CNN)

Ashley Fetters at The Atlantic has rounded up early reviews of Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique; it's a great read. [The Atlantic]

I'm not sure what to make of the fact that Sigur Ros is now selling a signature candle, but I feel like a #bandcandles hashtag can't be far behind. [Vulture]

The daily lowdown on books, publishing, and the occasional author behaving badly.

For the first time, the Syrian government has agreed to allow some humanitarian aid to be delivered by the United Nations. That is aid that goes to rebel-held areas. The process is cumbersome.

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

NPR's business news starts with an unlikely call for assistance.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News with Linda Wertheimer. I'm Renee Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

Throughout today's program, we're hearing parts of President Obama's State of the Union Address and many reactions to it. This is the part of the program where we take a close read of the speech. We've done this nine years running. In some cases we're checking facts. And in other cases we're asking what some parts of the speech really mean.

The Department of Energy will soon decide whether to allow more liquefied natural gas exports. The gas industry argues more exports are good for the U.S. economy. But manufacturers want cheap gas to stay at home and power factories. Environmentalists worry exports will increase drilling across the country even more.

The political crisis in Tunisia is deepening after last week's murder of a prominent secular politician. Tunisians are increasingly divided over their country's government and future, just two years after collectively overthrowing the dictator in a popular revolution.

British police raided a slaughterhouse and meat firm in two different corners of Britain on Tuesday in connection with the growing horse meat scandal.

Comcast Corp. said Tuesday it will complete its buyout of NBCUniversal from GE for about $16.7 billion, ahead of schedule. Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, has owned 51 percent of NBCUniversal since their $28 billion merger in 2011.

NBCUniversal owns several familiar news and entertainment brands, including NBC, CNBC, Universal Pictures, Telemundo, USA Network and Universal Parks and Resorts.

President Obama is expected to put specifics behind the vision he outlined in his inaugural address a few weeks ago. Get live updates from the speech and join NPR journalists in analyzing what it could mean for the future.

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Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.