National

Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Postponing Tough Legislation Decisions

7:38pm December 21, 2017

by Kelsey Snell

Congress has passed a spending bill to temporarily avert a government shutdown on Friday, pushing off hard decisions on immigration, defense spending and health care until next year.

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Boxes move along a conveyor belt at an Amazon fulfillment center in California. As more consumers shop online, law enforcement says they're receiving more reports of package theft, especially during the holidays.

'Porch Pirates' Steal Holiday Packages Off Doorsteps

7:22pm December 21, 2017

by Samantha Raphelson

As more people shop online, law enforcement say they're receiving more reports of package theft. A survey found nearly 20 percent of homeowners reported a package stolen in the past year.

Restaurant workers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport went on strike on Thursday. Employees of food service operator HMSHost have been working under an expired contact since August.

National

Restaurant Workers Strike At Chicago's O'Hare Airport

6:32pm December 21, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Employees whose contract expired in August picketed on a busy holiday travel day. They demanded better wages and health care from food service operator HMSHost, which reported no disruption.

DREAM Act Co-Sponsor Will Risk Government Shutdown For DACA Fix

6:22pm December 21, 2017

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to Democratic Congressman Pete Aguilar of California. He's the Whip for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Assistant Whip for the House Democratic Caucus. He's an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017. He talks about whether he is willing to risk a governmental shutdown if DACA is not extended by the end of the year.

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Tax Bill Could Be A Big Hit To Puerto Rico's Economy

6:22pm December 21, 2017

Host Michel Martin talks with Armando Valdes Prieto, former director of Puerto Rico's Office of Management and Budget, about how the new tax bill might negatively affect the island's economy.

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Britain's Brexit And Trump America: Allies' Influence Threatened On World Stage

6:22pm December 21, 2017

by Frank Langfitt

The U.S. government's foreign policy and the UK's decision to leave the EU have damaged the influence the two allies wield these days in NATO and in the European Union, according to observers, as Russia and China become more assertive on the global stage.

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Keeping Pace With The Threat Of Campaign Hacking

6:22pm December 21, 2017

by Charles Lane

Cybersecurity experts are worried that political campaigns are still vulnerable to hacking efforts that plagued the 2016 campaign season.

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A tour guide on a horse-drawn carriage points outside of Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 2007. One of the city's two horse-drawn carriage companies is closing down and transferring its animals to the city.

National

Philadelphia Horse-Drawn Carriage Company Shuts Down After Abuse Allegations

6:15pm December 21, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

City inspectors found violations of building codes and animal welfare laws. The horses will be sent to a sanctuary. A second company still offers carriage rides.

National

Service Industry Worker Speaks On Sexual Harassment

6:15pm December 21, 2017

The #MeToo movement has taken down titans of the film industry, politics and beyond. But a hotel housekeeper from Long Beach, Calif., hopes to see change in the sectors we interact with every day.

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Displaced By Katrina, Then Harvey. He Carries On With 'A Little Bit Of Introspection'

5:40pm December 21, 2017

Stephen Lipp has gone through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Hurricane Harvey in Texas. By now, he's learned a few things about dealing with disaster.

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