Politics

Lessons To Learn From Washington's Decades-Long Experience Of Mail-In Voting

5:26pm May 28, 2020

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who oversees voting in her state. Mail-in voting has been used there for decades — and Wyman says there's been little fraud.

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Republicans Are Worried They May Lose A Senate Seat In Kansas

5:10pm May 28, 2020

by Jim McLean

Republicans have had both of Kansas' Senate seats since the Great Depression. But this year they are worried they could lose them — some state's suburbs have started trending towards Democrats.

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Protesters demonstrate during a rally against Pennsylvania's stay-at-home order at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, May 15. While the public is temporarily banned from the capitol due to the coronavirus outbreak, lawmakers, including one who recently test

Pennsylvania Democrats Say They Weren't Told When GOP Member Tested Positive

4:33pm May 28, 2020

by Ed Mahon

Democrats in Pennsylvania's House say they were kept in the dark for a week when a Republican colleague, who had been working in the State Capitol, tested positive for the coronavirus.

Democratic Economist Predicts A Rosy Economy That May Work In Trump's Favor

4:25pm May 28, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Jason Furman, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, about why he is predicting a rosy economy that may benefit President Trump's reelection campaign.

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In this photo illustration, a person looks at an abortion pill (RU-486) for unintended pregnancy from Mifepristone displayed on a smartphone on May 8, 2020, in Arlington, Va. Under federal law, even in states where telemedicine abortion is legal, there ar

More Patients Seek Abortion Pills Online During Pandemic, But Face Restrictions

3:18pm May 28, 2020

by Sarah McCammon

As more healthcare moves to online and telemedicine, some patients seeking abortions using pills are running into obstacles.

Barber Karl Manke, of Owosso, Mich., gives a free haircut to Parker Shonts on May 20 on the steps of the State Capitol. On Thursday, the Michigan Court of Appeals says Manke must close his barbershop.

Michigan Appeals Court Says Barbershop Must Close Despite Its Protests

2:16pm May 28, 2020

by Rick Pluta

In a reverse decision, the judges say that barber Karl Manke, who refused to close his shop in defiance of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's shutdown order, must shutter.

A 2019 naturalization ceremony in Lowell, Mass. The pandemic has put such ceremonies on hold in an election year when many new citizens vote for the first time.

With Naturalizations On Hold, Potential New Voters Sit On Sidelines

1:55pm May 28, 2020

by Ashley Lopez

An estimated 860,000 people were set to become citizens this year — with many also expected to become first-time voters. But the pandemic has put a temporary halt to naturalization ceremonies.

Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Pence, listens during a coronavirus briefing with health insurers at the White House on March 10.

Pence Chief Of Staff Owns Stocks That Could Conflict With Coronavirus Response

12:55pm May 28, 2020

by Tim Mak

Marc Short has between $506,043 and $1.64 million in stocks that could present conflicts of interest. Watchdogs say he needs to divest or recuse himself from issues that may impact his holdings.

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U.S. Is Still Without Regulations For Personal Protective Equipment

11:03am May 28, 2020

by Brian Mann

Nearly 300 American health care workers have died during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, lawmakers will question Trump officials about how and why that happened.

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Trump Administration Signals Policy Changes Over Hong Kong Autonomy

9:47am May 28, 2020

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that Hong Kong no longer maintains a high degree of autonomy from China. This comes as China's legislature approved a resolution to suppress unrest in Hong Kong.

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