National

Control of Virginia's House Of Delegates Rests With Two Film Canisters

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with James Alcorn, chairman of Virginia's board of elections about drawing a film canister from a crystal bowl tomorrow, which will have a slip of paper that will decide which candidate will become a state delegate. It will also determine whether the Republican Party will keep control of the State House, or if the delegates will be split with the Democrats.
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States Say They Need Federal Government's Help To Secure Midterm Elections

by Pam Fessler

The 2018 midterm elections will be the first test of efforts to protect the U.S. voting process from outside interference since Russian hackers probed state voting systems in last year's presidential race. Some progress has been made, but state and local election officials say they need more money and information from the federal government to secure the elections.

Measurement Tool Used In New Tax Bill Will Impact Deductions And Brackets

by Jim Zarroli

The government tracks prices on consumer goods — eggs, shoes, gasoline, etc. But when prices rise, people often make substitutions, like buying chicken if beef gets expensive. So economists have come up with the notion of "chained inflation" to take substitutions into account. That's the measurement the new tax bill uses, and it makes the consumer price index smaller, with an impact on deductions and brackets.

'Daily Beast' Editor-In-Chief Says Unusual Reporter Pairing Is Behind Latest Success

by David Folkenflik

The Daily Beast is enjoying some success with an unusual pairing of reporters at the White House. Asawin Suebsaeng came from Mother Jones and Lachlan Markay wrote for a series of conservative publications before joining the publication. Editor-in-chief John Avlon says he thinks the pairing is helping their coverage stand out.
Roy Miller fills cans with cooked collard greens.

In A New Deal-Era Cannery, Old Meets New

by Dan Charles

During the New Deal, the government set up hundreds of public canneries in small towns. Most have disappeared, but a surviving cannery in Farmville, Va., is getting a boost from local farmers.

Holiday Season Seems To Have Helped Struggling Retail Industry

by Uri Berliner

Americans spent freely over the holidays, making it the best Christmas shopping season in years. Sales picked up as the economy continues to recover, with unemployment down and consumer confidence up. Weather and a favorable shopping calendar also boosted the fortunes of retailers.