National

Colin Powell, a former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs, has died at age 84. Above, Powell speaks at eBay headquarters in California in 2010.

Colin Powell, a former secretary of state, dies at 84

5:16pm October 18, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Powell's family said that he died of complications from COVID-19, although he was fully vaccinated. Powell was a former general turned statesman who served as secretary of state under George W. Bush.

Pressure from Trump loyalists is forcing this Texas election official to resign

5:07pm October 18, 2021

Michele Carew's 14-year career as an election administrator is soon ending. Carew resigned after supporters of former president Trump pressured her out of her position with unfounded claims of fraud.

An Unlikely WNBA Champ

5:07pm October 18, 2021

When you barely make the playoffs, nobody expects you to stay in the playoffs. The Chicago Sky defied expectations, becoming the WNBA champions Sunday night.

With many veterans waiting for care, the VA may change how it uses outside doctors

5:07pm October 18, 2021

by Quil Lawrence

Veterans, along with the rest of the country, see long waits for mental health and other specialty care. Veterans Affairs has announced it will redesign how it schedules and pays for private care.

Fewer cars on the road during lockdowns was good news for frogs and salamanders

5:07pm October 18, 2021

Fewer cars were on the road during pandemic lockdowns. And for Maine's frogs and salamanders, that translated to far fewer roadkill deaths.

Benton Harbor mayor talks about his city's lead water crisis

5:07pm October 18, 2021

Officials have known for years that Benton Harbor, Mich., has high levels of lead in the water. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has set an 18-month goal for replacing the lead pipes throughout the city.

With Biden's climate plan in jeopardy, can America lead on climate change?

5:07pm October 18, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with environmental policy expert Leah Stokes about what the Democrats' spending plan can achieve on climate, with President Biden's clean electricity performance plan in limbo.

A catamaran is a classroom at this high school for future engineers and captains

5:07pm October 18, 2021

by Noel Gasca

Maritime High School in Washington is preparing future marine scientists and ship captains. Most high schools take the occasional field trip. But few turn a catamaran into a floating classroom.

National

Trial over the killing of Ahmaud Arbery begins

4:28pm October 18, 2021

by Debbie Elliott

Jury selection got underway in the trial of the three white men who are charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old Black man who was killed as he jogged through a Georgia neighborhood.

Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff Bill Smullen on his friend's legacy

4:28pm October 18, 2021

NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks with Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff Col. Bill Smullen about his good friend's career and legacy.