U.S.

Coning left the Marines in 2013. His wife says she thinks it's likely he had post-traumatic stress disorder, but he was never tested for it by the VA.

National

After A Vet's Suicide, Getting VA Benefits Can Compound A Family's Grief

4:28pm August 31, 2016

by Quil Lawrence

A former Marine who served in Afghanistan took his own life recently. But there was no diagnosis linking his service to his suicide, making it hard for his family to receive full death benefits.

National

Chicago Experiences Most Violent Month In Nearly 20 Years

4:28pm August 31, 2016

More than 400 people were shot in Chicago in August, marking the city's most violent month in nearly 20 years. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Peter Nickeas, breaking news reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Donald Trump Visits Mexico To Meet With President Peña Nieto

4:28pm August 31, 2016

by Carrie Kahn

Donald Trump has mocked Mexico and Mexicans throughout his presidential campaign, and he's promised to build a wall on the southern border to keep them out. Mexico's president has compared Trump to Hitler. So the fact the two men are meeting Wednesday at the presidential palace in Mexico has come as a surprise.

Encore: Glen Campbell Documents Farewell Tour In 'I'll Be Me'

4:28pm August 31, 2016

Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me follows the country singer's goodbye tour and his decline from Alzheimer's disease. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to director James Keach and Campbell's wife, Kim Campbell.

Minnesota's governor has ordered new restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been blamed for killing bees. Many details of the plan, however, remain to be worked out.

Minnesota Cracks Down On Neonic Pesticides, Promising Aid To Bees

4:05pm August 31, 2016

by Dan Charles

Minnesota's governor has ordered new restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been blamed for killing bees. Many details of the plan, however, remain to be worked out.

National

Maine Governor Apologizes To Lawmaker, Vows Never To Speak To Press Again

3:58pm August 31, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Days after leaving an obscene voicemail for a lawmaker, Paul LePage waffled on whether he would consider resigning and stood by his statements blaming people of color for Maine's drug problems.

Marv Sepe is the chief operating officer of CTC Global in Irvine, Calif. The company manufactures high-capacity conductors for transmission lines.

In California, Curbing Trade Might Have Its Trade-Offs

1:56pm August 31, 2016

by Ben Bergman

What would happen to the U.S. economy if the next president sparked a trade war and the flow of goods was cut off? One place to look for an answer: California.

These Central Valley sheep are happily munching on sprouted barley grown indoors. Farmer Mario Daccarett says the barley, grown in shipping containers, is sweet and keeps his sheep full longer.

With Water In Short Supply, One California Farmer Grows Feed Indoors

1:22pm August 31, 2016

by Ezra David Romero

The extended drought in California has farmers looking for ways to use less water. Among them, growing feed indoors using hydroponics. The new diet is making some Central Valley sheep very happy.

Queue Listen Now

It took a team of delighted friends and family to help Florida engineer Matt Bellina (center) get back on his surfboard this summer after his severe spinal injury. The result? "I feel like I'm home," Bellina said.

A Paralyzed Florida Surfer Finds His Own 'Perfect Wave'

1:15pm August 31, 2016

by Abe Aboraya

It took a lot of careful planning and specialized equipment to get Matt Bellina on the water again. But doctors say activity after an injury, no matter how severe, can be important for mental health.

First U.S.-Cuba Commercial Flight In More Than 50 Years Has Landed

12:23pm August 31, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Santa Clara, Cuba, marks another milestone in the thawing relationship between the two countries. The jet is piloted by two sons of Cuban immigrants.