National

The Federal Aviation Administration announced new rules Monday that would ease restrictions on the use of drones and will likely expand commercial uses of the technology down the road.

National

U.S. Announces New Rules For Drones And Their Operators

3:54am December 29, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

Drones represent the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector. Companies such as Amazon, Walmart, and UPS have started testing drones to deliver goods to customers.

Advocates against police brutality organized a caravan protest after the killing of Andre Hill in Columbus, Ohio. Officer Adam Coy was fired from the Columbus Police Department on Monday for his role in fatally shooting the 47-year-old on Dec. 22.

National

Columbus, Ohio, Officer Who Shot And Killed Andre Hill Is Fired

9:11pm December 28, 2020

by Vanessa Romo

"This is what accountability looks like," Police Chief Tom Quinlan said Monday. "Mr. [Adam] Coy will now have to answer to the state investigators for the death of Andre Hill."

Political divisions over the pandemic are creating a wedge and splitting off health care workers from small communities that desperately need them.

'Toxic Individualism': Pandemic Politics Driving Health Care Workers From Small Towns

8:04pm December 28, 2020

by Frank Morris

A wave of departing medical professionals in rural areas threatens to leave gaping holes in these health care systems and local economies, triggering a death spiral that may be hard to stop.

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National

Minneapolis Volunteers Collect Remembrances For George Floyd Permanent Memorial

3:45pm December 28, 2020

by Megan Burks

Thousands have left remembrances at the Minneapolis street where George Floyd was killed. Now residents and volunteer art conservators are working to preserve them for a potential permanent memorial.

National

2 Judges On How Better Sentencing Data Could Make Meaningful Criminal Justice Reform

3:45pm December 28, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Judge Pierre Bergeron and Justice Michael Donnelly on the lack of sentencing data available to judges, leaving them with power to make often inequitable decisions.

National

What We've Lost: Intangibles

3:45pm December 28, 2020

by Lauren Hodges

NPR looks at various little things people have lost in the pandemic, which has led to an overwhelming sense of mental and emotional instability.

Trump Signs Pandemic Relief Bill. How Will The Package Help Americans?

3:45pm December 28, 2020

by Scott Horsley

President Trump signed a pandemic relief bill that provides hundreds of billions of dollars in aid for struggling families and businesses. But his delay in signing may cost jobless workers some help.

How Pandemic Has Affected Tampa Bay's Sports Resurgence

3:45pm December 28, 2020

by Steve Newborn

Florida's Tampa Bay has long been known for its delightful weather and beaches but not for sports. And now that's changing — thanks to some high-profile championships and temporary team relocations.

Pandemic Advances Scientific Understanding Of Viruses' Air Transmission

3:45pm December 28, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, scientists this year made significant progress in understanding how respiratory viruses can be transmitted from one person to another through the air.

California Surpasses 2 Million Coronavirus Cases, With Los Angeles Being Hit Hard

3:45pm December 28, 2020

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Christina Ghaly, director for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, about surging coronavirus cases in her county.