National

National

Chicago Police Officer Charged With First Degree Murder In Death Of Black Teen

6:56pm November 24, 2015

by David Schaper

A white Chicago police officer was charged in the shooting death of 17-year old Laquan McDonald. A judge ordered that dash-cam video of the shooting be released by Wednesday.

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Former Rep. Lee Hamilton Urges Importance Of Engagement In ISIS Fight

6:56pm November 24, 2015

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Lee Hamilton, the former congressman from Indiana, who has won the Presidential Medal Of Freedom. He says diplomacy should come before force in the fight against ISIS.

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Blue Origin Announces Successful Launch, Landing Of Rocket

6:56pm November 24, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

Commercial space startup Blue Origin announced Tuesday the successful launch and landing of one of its rockets. NPR explores what the success means for space travel.

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Local Charities Capitalize On Holiday Rush With Day Of Giving

6:56pm November 24, 2015

by Ben Allen

There's Black Friday and Cyber Monday and, in some places, a single day dedicated to getting people to give to local nonprofits. In Lancaster County, Penn., they call it the Extraordinary Give — 24 hours of events designed to entice donations to arts groups, charities and other nonprofits.

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Downed Russian Military Jet Heightens Debate Over Syria No-Fly Zone

6:42pm November 24, 2015

by Tom Bowman

Hillary Clinton, Marco Rubio and others are supporting the idea of a no-fly zone over Syria to try to help civilians there. But skeptics say it no longer has any relevance to today's Syrian crisis.

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In 2008, President George W. Bush addressed his No Child Left Behind act. Congress now appears ready to overhaul the law, which is the nation's most important federal education act.

Goodbye, No Child Left Behind

6:22pm November 24, 2015

by Claudio Sanchez

Congress appears ready to overhaul the nation's most important federal education law, No Child Left Behind. Civil rights groups, though, worry that some changes will hurt poor and minority children.

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Peponapis pruinosa is a species of bee in the tribe Eucerini, the long-horned bees. This bee relies on wild and cultivated squashes, pumpkins, gourds and related plants.

As Beekeepers Lose More Hives, Time For New Rules On Pesticides?

6:08pm November 24, 2015

by Allison Aubrey

Beekeepers lost 42 percent of their hives last year. NPR and PBS NewsHour investigate what's behind the plight of the pollinators. Some scientists say pesticides called neonics are being overused.

Volunteers learn how to handle balloons for the upcoming Thanksgiving Day parade in Detroit.

National

Up, Up And Away: Balloon School For Parade Newbies

5:04pm November 24, 2015

by Quinn Klinefelter

Balloons are a mainstay of Thanksgiving Day parades across the nation. It takes skill, strength and teamwork to control those helium-filled bags of fun — that's exactly what balloon school is for.

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It's Not Hosting SNL, But NBC Will Give 'Equal Time' To 4 GOP Candidates

4:50pm November 24, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The candidates made requests for equal time after Donald Trump guest hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this month. NBC will let them broadcast campaign messages on affiliate stations this weekend.

Mormon Woman Grapples With New Church Guidelines On Same-Sex Relationships

4:24pm November 24, 2015

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently issued a handbook that outlines a strict policy toward Mormons in same-sex relationships. Children of parents in same-sex relationships can no longer be baptized at age 8, and Mormons in same-sex relationships face discipline from the church. NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with Berta Marquez, an LGBT activist and active Mormon, about the new guidelines.