National

Pentagon Officials Say Transgender People Can Enlist In Military Next Year

6:29pm December 11, 2017

by Greg Myre

Pentagon officials say starting on Jan. 1, 2018, transgender people can enlist in the U.S. military. President Trump has opposed allowing transgender people to serve, but the Pentagon decision comes as courts are ruling against efforts to bar transgender enlistment.

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Christopher Plummer Nominated For Golden Globe After Replacing Kevin Spacey

6:29pm December 11, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The 75th Golden Globe nominations were announced on Monday. Among the nominees is actor Christopher Plummer, for his role replacing Kevin Spacey in All the Money in the World, after Spacey faced allegations of sexual misconduct.

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Personal possessions are organized at Liberata Iraldo.

If A School Becomes A Shelter In Puerto Rico, Where Do Students Learn?

5:33pm December 11, 2017

Some middle-schoolers are returning to class for the first time since Hurricane Maria hit the island in September. The students are sharing a school with high-schoolers, and that worries some parents.

The Dollar General in Moville, Iowa, is a stone's throw from the only grocery store in town. Though the grocery has produce and fresh meats, it can't compete with Dollar General on other items.

National

How Dollar General Is Transforming Rural America

5:06pm December 11, 2017

by Frank Morris

Dollar General stores thrive in low-income rural towns, and the deep-discount chain has opened hundreds of new shops in the past year.

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National

The Challenges Of Regulating Autonomous Weapons

5:02pm December 11, 2017

Autonomous weapons, capable of operating independent of human control, are being developed by several countries around the world. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Paul Scharre of the Center for a New American Security about this new military technology and the challenges of regulating it.

California Officials Say Thomas Fire Is The Fifth Largest In State History

5:02pm December 11, 2017

by Stephanie O'Neill

California officials say the Thomas Fire advancing on Santa Barbara is now the fifth worst in state history. This announcement comes after firefighters lost ground in containing it over the weekend.

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Paul Manafort, Rick Gates Back In Court For Bail Negotiations

4:38pm December 11, 2017

by Ryan Lucas

Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a former top aide Rick Gates were in court again on Monday to negotiate a bail agreement. The two have been confined to their homes since pleading not guilty to charges stemming from the Russia investigation.

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DOJ Stepping Up Prosecutions Of Medical Providers Who Abuse Prescribing Authority

4:38pm December 11, 2017

It's believed that 80 percent of people addicted to heroin today started with prescription painkillers. The over-prescription of opioids in the U.S. has been well documented. NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein about how the Department of Justice is ramping up prosecutions of medical providers who abuse their prescribing authority when it comes to opioids.

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Middle School Student Keaton Jones Exposes Bullies, And Wins Fans For His Courage

4:27pm December 11, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Keaton Jones' story spread online and across the nation, with his sister, Lakyn Jones, acting as his representative and fielding thousands of offers of support.

President Trump Is Sending NASA Back To The Moon

4:23pm December 11, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

"Space Policy Directive 1," which Trump signed Monday, sees Mars as the ultimate destination. But analysts wonder whether money will follow to support the plan.