function slideSwitch() {
  var $active = $( '#featured_stories a.active' );

  if ( $active.length == 0 ) $active = $( '#featured_stories a:first' );

  var $next = $active.next().length ? $active.next() : $( '#featured_stories a:first' );

  $active.removeClass('active').show().fadeOut(1000);
  $next.addClass('active').hide().fadeIn(1000);
}

$(document).ready( function() {
 if ( $( '#featured_stories a').length > 1 ) {
  setInterval( "slideSwitch()", 3800 );
 }
});