From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

Ferguson, Missouri tries to get back on its feet.

Hello again, I'm Armin Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

After five days of escalating confrontations between protesters and local police, the Missouri Highway

Patrol took charge in Ferguson last night. In a welcome change since Saturday's police shooting

of a young black man, there were no roadblocks, no tear gas, and no arrests. But the shooting

itself has not been explained,

and long-term issues have yet to be resolved.

They include the use of military-style tactics by local law enforcement

and a black community's lack of trust in a white police force.

Today's talking point, elephants may be extinct in Africa in the next six years. First, here's the news.

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Hello again. I'm Armin Alney, back with To the Point. Ferguson, Missouri was quiet last night

for the first time since a young black man was shot and killed by local police on Saturday.

But protesters are still in the streets and deep-seated anger about race and police tactics

is still unresolved. We'll hear more about that today.

Today's talking point, blood ivory, refers to the illegal trade of elephant tusks and it's big

in China. Can that country's biggest athletic superstar do something to stop the extinction

...