Petra Mayer, books editor for National Public Radio, died suddenly at the age of 46. Her death, at Holy Cross Hospital, was confirmed on Sunday by her mother, Elke Mayer. Petra Mayer joined NPR’s books team in 2012 and worked on the culture desk, according to the public radio network. Mayer is remembered for her reporting at Comic-Con and helping put together NPR’s Book Concierge, an annual interactive... 

When liberal investor George Soros gave $1.8 million to National Public Radio , it became part of the firestorm of controversy that jeopardized NPR’s federal funding. But that gift only hints at the widespread influence the controversial billionaire has on the mainstream media. Soros, who spent $27 million trying to defeat President Bush in 2004, has ties to more than 30 mainstream news outlets...