Politics

News brief: Capitol Hill agenda, Florida school shooting, school board elections

5:59am October 20, 2021

Democrats aim to wrap up their to-do list. A Florida school district will pay $25 million to the families of Parkland shooting victims. School board elections are the new political battlefields.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is seen on Aug. 20, 2020.

Politics & Government

House panel on Jan. 6 votes to hold Steve Bannon in contempt for defying subpoena

9:12pm October 19, 2021

by Claudia Grisales

The unanimous vote sends the measure to the full House. If the chamber approves it, the referral would be sent on to federal law enforcement for potential charges.

Dr. Rachel Levine testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee on Capitol Hill in Washington in February. Levine was appointed to lead the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, becoming the nation's first openly tr

Dr. Rachel Levine is sworn in as the nation's first transgender four-star officer

8:53pm October 19, 2021

by Jonathan Franklin

Levine leads the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., is seen on July 26.

Politics & Government

Nebraska Rep. Fortenberry is charged with lying to authorities over illegal donations

6:42pm October 19, 2021

by Alana Wise

The Republican is accused of lying to the FBI about illegal campaign contributions made to his 2016 reelection bid.

VA Secretary visited LA to talk about housing plans to combat veteran homelessness

6:31pm October 19, 2021

by Anna Scott

The U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs visited a Los Angeles encampment to discuss veteran homelessness and plans for new affordable housing.

The Food and Drug Administration is moving to approve over-the-counter hearing aids in a change that lawmakers and advocates have long called for. Here, a man displays his hearing aid before taking part in a meeting.

The FDA wants you to be able to buy a hearing aid without a prescription

5:51pm October 19, 2021

by Bill Chappell

For decades, the FDA has regulated hearing aids as prescription medical devices — an arrangement that adds to the cost and effort people must invest to get them.

Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, is a city with 2 identities — that often clash

5:36pm October 19, 2021

by Stephen Bisaha

Jackson, Miss., is a city with two identities. There's the part which is more than 80% Black, led by a mayor who wants to make it "the most radical city on the planet." Then there's the state capital.

Former President Trump shapes North Carolina's Senate election with early endorsement

5:36pm October 19, 2021

by Don Gonyea

North Carolina is a swing state with a Senate seat coming open. On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump made an early endorsement, seeming to set the positioning for the GOP hopefuls.

Expert helps untangle vaccine misinformation that has followed Colin Powell's death

5:36pm October 19, 2021

NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with Dr. Hyung Chun, professor of cardiology at Yale and senior author of a study in COVID breakthrough cases, on vaccine misinformation following the death of Colin Powell.

Rep. Jayapal on negotiations between Biden and House Democrats over Build Back Better

5:36pm October 19, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Washington State Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal about negotiations with President Biden over the infrastructure bill and reconciliation package.