Law

Bronx Zoo elephant Happy strolls inside the zoo's Asia habitat in New York in 2018.

National

Happy is an Asian elephant. But can she also be considered a person?

8:33pm May 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

Through an attorney, the Bronx Zoo argues Happy is neither illegally imprisoned nor a person, but a well-cared-for elephant "respected as the magnificent creature she is."

National

How old do you have to be to buy a gun? The answer varies in each state

5:17pm May 18, 2022

by Martin Kaste

The alleged Buffalo shooter, age 18, had no problems buying his semi-automatic rifle. Some states have tried to limit sales to those under 21. A new generation of conservative judges stand in the way.

President Biden signed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 on Monday, outlawing the manufacture and sale of crib bumpers and certain inclined infant sleepers.

National

A new federal law bans baby sleep products linked to nearly 200 infant deaths

5:13pm May 18, 2022

by Joe Hernandez

President Biden signed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 on Monday, outlawing the manufacture and sale of crib bumpers and certain inclined infant sleepers.

Much of the U.S. could criminalize abortion. But how will those laws be enforced?

5:09pm May 18, 2022

NPR's Emily Feng talks with reproductive rights lawyer Kim Mutcherson about how restrictive abortion laws would be enforced if Roe v. Wade is overturned or weakened.

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Investigators work the scene of a shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y. on Monday.

National

Parts of the Buffalo shooter's alleged screed were copied from other sources

3:23pm May 18, 2022

by Jonathan Franklin

The 180-page document allegedly crafted by the Buffalo gunman included parts lifted from other sources, which experts say is common amongst mass shooters.

Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane pleaded guilty Wednesday to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.

National

A former Minneapolis cop pleads guilty to manslaughter in George Floyd killing

2:24pm May 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

Thomas Lane pleaded guilty to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's killing. The state is recommending a sentence of three years in prison.

National

New York has tough gun laws, but that didn't prevent Buffalo's mass shooting

5:09am May 18, 2022

There have been two mass shootings in New York since April. NPR's Rachel Martin asks gun control advocate Nick Suplina, if tougher gun laws would have made a difference.

A man places flowers at a memorial honoring Dr. John Cheng outside his office building on Tuesday in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Cheng, 52, was killed in Sunday's shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church.

Suspect faces multiple charges in a deadly California church shooting

9:35pm May 17, 2022

by The Associated Press

A prosecutor said the man charged with opening fire on a Taiwanese church congregation in Southern California wanted to "execute in cold blood as many people in that room as possible."

Actors Amber Heard and Johnny Depp watch the jury arrive in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va. on Tuesday.

National

Amber Heard is cross-examined about fights with Johnny Depp

4:17pm May 17, 2022

by The Associated Press

Johnny Depp's lawyers question the truthfulness of Amber Heard's accusation that Depp sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle.

Pennsylvania Republican candidate for governor Doug Mastriano speaks during a rally at Archery Addictions on Friday in Lehighton, Pa.

Mastriano, a Trump-backed election denier, leads Pennsylvania GOP field for governor

2:13pm May 17, 2022

by Sam Dunklau

Far-right Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano is leading polls in the GOP primary for governor, panicking the state's Republican Party establishment. Former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta follows.