National

Kelly Olsen at the kit for the Philadelphia-based rock trio Cayetana, performing at NPR Music's CMJ music festival show.

Drum Fill Friday, With Cayetana's Kelly Olsen

2:30pm April 24, 2015

Our recurring puzzler for careful listeners, this week featuring a selection of fills handpicked by Kelly Olsen, drummer for the band Cayetana. Hear the fill (or intro) and match it to the song.

Diann Rust-Tierney, executive director of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, with teammate Barry Scheck, co-director of the Innocence Project.

National

Debate: Is It Time To Abolish The Death Penalty?

2:10pm April 24, 2015

by NPR Staff

The practice is under renewed scrutiny after a series of botched executions in several states last year. The emotionally charged issue is at the center of the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate.

Queue Listen Now

A handout booking photo issued by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office shows North Charleston police Officer Michael Thomas Slager, 33, who faces a murder charge in the death of Walter Scott.

National

'My Heart Was Broken,' Says Father Of S.C. Man Slain By Police

1:01pm April 24, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Police Officer Michael Slager now faces a murder charge in the death of Walter Scott, who was unarmed and running away from Slager when he was shot multiple times.

National

Officer In S.C. Shooting Previously Accused Of Using Excessive Force

1:00pm April 24, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

An inquiry exonerated Michael Slager of claims he used excessive force against an unarmed man he thought was a suspect. Slager was charged with murder this week for killing an unarmed man.

An artist's rendering of DNA double helix molecules and chromosomes.

Critics Lash Out At Chinese Scientists Who Edited DNA In Human Embryos

12:34pm April 24, 2015

by Rob Stein

By editing the genes in embryos in the lab, Chinese scientists showed that it's possible to change hereditary traits that cause a blood disorder. But the work also created unintended mutations.

Queue Listen Now

More Whistleblowers Say Health Plans Are Gouging Medicare

12:29pm April 24, 2015

by Fred Schulte

Federal authorities are investigating claims that some Medicare Advantage health plans have overcharged the government for years by claiming that patients are sicker than they are.

After 5-Month Delay, Senate Confirms Loretta Lynch For Attorney General

12:27pm April 24, 2015

by Juana Summers

After a long delay and a lot of partisan rancor, much of which had nothing to do with her, the Senate confirmed Loretta Lynch to be the next attorney general. She could be sworn in as early as Monday.

Queue Listen Now

National

Comcast Calls Off Merger With Time Warner

12:27pm April 24, 2015

Comcast is abandoning its $45 billion takeover of Time Warner Cable. For more details, Steve Inskeep speaks with NPR's Yuki Noguchi.

Queue Listen Now

Uncomfortable Conversations: Talking About Race In The Classroom

12:21pm April 24, 2015

by Elissa Nadworny

H. Richard Milner's new book helps educators understand how to incorporate talk of race, class and inequality into their lessons.

National

Native American Actors Walk Off The Set Of Adam Sandler Comedy

12:11pm April 24, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The movie is the The Ridiculous Six, an apparent spoof of the classic Western The Magnificent Seven. The Native American actors say the movie's script insults native women, elders and Apaches.