Law

National

Solitary Confinement Methods Often Lead To Violence At Lewisburg Prison

4:31pm October 27, 2016

by Joseph Shapiro

The United States Penitentiary at Lewisburg, Pa., is one of the toughest, most violent prisons in America, where inmate-on-inmate assaults are common — and sometimes deadly.

In Fight Over N.D. Pipeline, Tribe Leader Calls For Peace And Prayers

3:19pm October 27, 2016

by NPR Staff

Protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline have been raging. Tribe leader Dave Archambault II says he's telling supporters "not to react to any form of aggression that law enforcement brings."

Queue Listen Now

The Case For Republicans To Consider Merrick Garland's Nomination

2:44pm October 27, 2016

Senate GOP leadership has refused to hold hearings or a vote on the moderate judge's nomination. Yet, with the prospect of a Clinton presidency, might conservatives be having second thoughts?

National

Amtrak Reaches $265 Million Settlement Over Deadly Philadelphia Crash

1:51pm October 27, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The May 2015 derailment left eight people dead and more than 200 others injured. Attorneys say the agreement means their clients will receive money more quickly than if the case were to be litigated.

The U.S. government alleges that a fraud scheme used operators at Indian call centers, impersonating IRS or immigration officials, to scam at least 15,000 people out of more than $300 million.

Dozens Charged With Scamming 15,000 Victims Through Fake IRS Calls

12:45pm October 27, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The U.S. government alleges that a fraud scheme used operators at Indian call centers, impersonating IRS or immigration officials, to scam thousands of people out of more than $300 million.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio, seen here at a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump earlier this month, is now facing criminal charges from federal prosecutors over his immigration patrols.

National

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio Hit With Federal Contempt Charge

6:32pm October 26, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The misdemeanor charge against Arpaio, 84, was formally lodged Tuesday. The sheriff for much of the Phoenix metro area could face up to six months behind bars if convicted.

Shawna Cox, one of seven defendants and the only one not currently detained, rides Lady Liberty outside the federal courthouse in Portland on Tuesday.

Juror Being Replaced In Oregon Occupation Case; Trial Is Drawing Crowds

6:08pm October 26, 2016

A juror was found to be biased and dismissed on Wednesday. The judge ordered an alternate to take his place in the trial of seven people in the armed occupation of wildlife refuge in Oregon.

Freedom Industries, which owned storage tanks blamed in a January 2014 chemical spill, filed for bankruptcy later that month. The company's facility on Barlow Street is seen on the banks of the Elk River in Charleston, W.Va.

Settlement Deal Reached In 2014 West Virginia Chemical Spill

4:43pm October 26, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Residents affected by a leak of a coal-washing chemical into the Elk River reached a deal with a chemical company. A class-action suit against a water company was set to move forward in federal court.

The Special Management Unit at Lewisburg prison, which was created in 2009 for "dangerously violent, confrontational, defiant, antagonistic inmates," has received many complaints about its use of restraints on inmates.

National

Inside Lewisburg Prison: A Choice Between A Violent Cellmate Or Shackles

3:44pm October 26, 2016

At one of the toughest prisons in America, doubling up inmates in cells designed for solitary confinement can lead to violence, and for some who refuse a cellmate, handcuffs and chains.

World News

Gambia Says It Will Leave The 'International Caucasian Court'

11:31am October 26, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Gambia is the third nation this month to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, accusing the tribunal of being biased against Africans.