Politics

Redistricting reform advocates in Virginia pitched the creation of a new commission as a remedy to unfair political maps, like the ones shown on this poster from 2019, but the new group has struggled to reach consensus.

So far, flushing the 'toilet bowl' district is the cleanest part of Va. redistricting

5:08am October 19, 2021

by Ben Paviour

Virginia is in the midst of legislative elections, a race for governor and the redistricting process. All of the political excitement is taking a toll on state redistricting, which is at an impasse.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on Oct. 9.

Politics & Government

Trump sues to try to stop the release of documents related to the Capitol riot

10:29pm October 18, 2021

by Caitlyn Kim

The former president is suing the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack, as well as the National Archives, to prevent the turnover of documents related to the event.

Sen. Joe McCarthy, R-Wis., testifies during hearings in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 1954. McCarthy stands before a map that charts alleged communist activity in the United States.

Politics & Government

Decades before Trump's election lies, McCarthy's anti-communist fever gripped the GOP

6:22pm October 18, 2021

by Ron Elving

The former president threatens that GOP leaders must match their priorities to his or face a mass defection by the party's most reliable voters. It's without precedent, but there is a parallel.

Gen. Colin Powell, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tours the bombed courtyard of the Panamanian Defense Force Comandancia in Panama City during the U.S. invasion of Panama on Jan. 5, 1990.

PHOTOS: Colin Powell's life in public service

5:17pm October 18, 2021

by Tien Le

Colin Powell died at age 84 on Monday. He spent much of his life in the military and served in the Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush administrations.

Colin Powell, a former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs, has died at age 84. Above, Powell speaks at eBay headquarters in California in 2010.

Colin Powell, a former secretary of state, dies at 84

5:16pm October 18, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Powell's family said that he died of complications from COVID-19, although he was fully vaccinated. Powell was a former general turned statesman who served as secretary of state under George W. Bush.

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen on Oct. 5, 2021 in Washington, D.C. The court is holding in-person arguments for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Politics & Government

The U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of officers accused of excessive force

5:12pm October 18, 2021

by Becky Sullivan

The controversial legal defense protects police from liability when accused of misconduct. Advocates have called for the court or Congress to reform the doctrine.

Pressure from Trump loyalists is forcing this Texas election official to resign

5:07pm October 18, 2021

Michele Carew's 14-year career as an election administrator is soon ending. Carew resigned after supporters of former president Trump pressured her out of her position with unfounded claims of fraud.

With many veterans waiting for care, the VA may change how it uses outside doctors

5:07pm October 18, 2021

by Quil Lawrence

Veterans, along with the rest of the country, see long waits for mental health and other specialty care. Veterans Affairs has announced it will redesign how it schedules and pays for private care.

Benton Harbor mayor talks about his city's lead water crisis

5:07pm October 18, 2021

Officials have known for years that Benton Harbor, Mich., has high levels of lead in the water. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has set an 18-month goal for replacing the lead pipes throughout the city.

With Biden's climate plan in jeopardy, can America lead on climate change?

5:07pm October 18, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with environmental policy expert Leah Stokes about what the Democrats' spending plan can achieve on climate, with President Biden's clean electricity performance plan in limbo.