Politics & Government

Doug Hughes said he sees his future as working for "the cause of getting a Congress — not more liberal, not more conservative — but a Congress that is working for the people."

Gyrocopter Pilot On His 'Incredible' Flight Onto Capitol Lawn

8:39am May 22, 2015

by Peter Overby

Doug Hughes flew into Washington, D.C., on something resembling a hybrid bicycle and helicopter. He did it to protest money in politics, but he could face up to a decade in prison. He has no regrets.

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Congressional Stalemate Threatens To Kill Phone Data Program

7:32am May 22, 2015

by David Welna

Congress continues to debate the USA Patriot Act. A key provision allowing the bulk collection of Americans' phone records expires at the end of the month.

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Macedonians, Ethnic Albanians Unite Over Effort to Oust Prime Minister

3:49am May 22, 2015

by Joanna Kakissis

Macedonia escaped largely unscathed from the ethnic violence that defined the breakup of Yugoslavia. But the country's Slavs and Albanians live largely separate and unequal lives, until now.

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Politics & Government

Amtrak Train Derailment Highlights Delays Installing Safety Controls

1:25am May 22, 2015

by David Schaper

The delay in installing the automated control system that may have prevented last week's Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia is being blamed on not enough funding and complex design issues.

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States with implemented or planned online voter registration.

Cheap And Fast, Online Voter Registration Catches On

1:23am May 22, 2015

by Pam Fessler

Twenty states have implemented online voter registration and seven are expected to follow. It has Republican and Democratic support, but some still worry about cyberthreats.

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Irish Voters Prepare To Decide On Same-Sex Marriage

7:07pm May 21, 2015

by Ari Shapiro

Ireland could make history Friday when voters decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage. It would be a striking change for a country where abortion is still outlawed and divorce was only legalized in the mid-1990s.

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Bulk Collection Debate Highlights Need To Revise Patriot Act

7:07pm May 21, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish interviews Kim Zetter, a senior staff reporter at Wired magazine, who says the debate in Congress over the NSA's bulk collection program shows the Patriot Act needs to be revised.

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Senate Advances Bill To Give Obama 'Fast-Track' Trade Authority

7:07pm May 21, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

The Senate is trying to wrap up its business before leaving Washington, D.C., for a week-long recess. That includes considering a bill to give President Obama expanded authority on trade.

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Politics & Government

State Sen. Bingham To Retire At End Of Term

5:55pm May 21, 2015

Longtime state Senator Stan Bingham (R-33rd) of Davidson County has announced he will not seek re-election, and he already has a successor in mind.

Stephanie and Brian Packer make lunch with their children, Brian, 11, Savannah, 5, Scarlett, 10, and Jacob, 8.

Terminally Ill California Mom Speaks Out Against Assisted Suicide

5:32pm May 21, 2015

by Stephanie O'Neill

Stephanie Packer's debilitating illnesses leave her in a lot of pain. But she is opposed to a California bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide.

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