National

National

Rising Incarceration Rate Isn't Reducing Crime, Says Report

7:58am April 30, 2016

A report from the Council of Economic Advisors suggests longer sentences increases rates of recidivism, resulting in little impact on crime rate. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with CEA chief Jason Furman.

American Stars Jam With Cuba's Best Musicians In Havana

7:58am April 30, 2016

by Mandalit del Barco

American and Cuban musicians played together in Havana in the first official cultural exchange in half a century. Among them: Usher, Dave Matthews, X Alfonso, and Smokey Robinson.

Harassment Woman Faced Before Her Death Underscores Rampant Sexism In Firefighter Culture

7:58am April 30, 2016

NPR's Scott Simon asks veteran firefighter Mary Beth Michos about how sexism in the firehouse has escalated with the rise of cyberbullying.

Puerto Rico Headed For Default As Congress Tackles Relief Plan

7:58am April 30, 2016

The U.S. territory is expected to default May 1 on a debt payment of nearly half a billion dollars. Scott Simon examines the impact of a default with Wall Street Journal correspondent Nick Timiraos.

Tighter Alcohol Curbs For All Help Reduce Teen Motor Vehicle Deaths

5:00am April 30, 2016

by Katherine Du

Raising the cost of alcohol with taxes makes it less likely that teenagers will die in a drunk-driving accident, a study finds. Some teen-specific policies like graduated drivers licenses help, too.

Army trainers conduct drills at a military base in Taji, Iraq last year.

Fact Check: Has President Obama 'Depleted' The Military?

11:16pm April 29, 2016

by Philip Ewing

Republican presidential candidates, led by Donald Trump, claim President Obama has slashed defense spending and will leave his successor with a weaker force. We break it down.

After sweeping five states Tuesday, Donald Trump suggested Hillary Clinton is ahead because she's playing the "woman's card."

#MemeOfTheWeek: The Woman('s) Card

11:00pm April 29, 2016

by Sam Sanders

Donald Trump said Hillary Clinton was playing it this week. And then it seemed the entire Internet joined in the game.

A North American bison in Glacier National Park, Montana.

National

The Bison Is Poised To Become The U.S. National Mammal

7:03pm April 29, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Legislation adopting the bison as the U.S. national mammal passed the House and Senate this week. Now it's waiting for President Obama's signature.

You're going to have to work a little harder to get your Cracker Jack prize.

National

Cracker Jack's Prize In The Box Will Now Be Digitized

6:45pm April 29, 2016

by Dana Farrington

Frito-Lay is upending its tradition of including a physical prize with the peanut-and-popcorn treat. Now you'll get a QR code to scan for "mobile digital experiences." Cracker Jack fans aren't amused.

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Senate Critics Question Legality Of Military Operation In Syria

6:39pm April 29, 2016

by David Welna

Critics in the Senate charge that, of all the foreign forces operating in Syria today, the Russians are on the most solid legal ground. Damascus has invited Russia to make its deployment, whereas neither Congress nor Syria has ever explicitly authorized any American military involvement there.

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