U.S.

U.S. forward Abby Wambach waves to fans at the end of a practice session Tuesday in New Orleans for Wednesday's final U.S. victory tour match, against China. Wambach will be playing in her final match with the team.

Soccer Star Abby Wambach Prepares For Her Final Game

1:27pm December 16, 2015

by Russell Lewis

Wambach leads the U.S. women's national team into a Victory Tour match against China in New Orleans tonight. Then, she'll retire after a career full of team championships and personal achievements.

Threat That Led To LA School Cancellations 'Wasn't Credible'

1:15pm December 16, 2015

by Kirk Siegler

Los Angeles public schools are reopening Wednesday morning, after a terrorist threat on Tuesday led to a controversial decision by administrators to close all of the district's roughly 1,000 schools.

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National

New York Announces 'Dramatic Reform' Of Solitary Confinement Rules

12:15pm December 16, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Leroy Peoples, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, served 780 consecutive days in isolation.

Obamacare Enrollment Extended To Accommodate Last-Minute Demand

12:12pm December 16, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

Faced with 1 million people who left voice mails saying they wanted to buy health insurance, the federal government is giving people two more days to sign up on the federal exchange.

Politics In The Classroom: How Much Is Too Much?

11:04am December 16, 2015

by Steve Drummond

Two authors argue that teachers should embrace controversial issues to help students learn the political process. But, they say, context is key.

Guitar, drums and piano instructor Loren Kranz (left) listens to Natalya Andrews, 8, play "Up on the Housetop" during Andrews' piano lesson. Kranz started teaching instrument lessons through Major Chords for Minors in September of 2014 and now gives lesso

National

Free Music Lessons Strike A Chord For At-Risk Kids

9:35am December 16, 2015

by Pam Fessler

John and Katrina Vowell used their small savings to start Major Chords for Minors in Saginaw, Mich., because they were worried about the city's youth. Now they have 130 students and a long wait list.

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GOP Debate Liveblog: National Security Takes Center Stage As Fireworks Fly

11:45pm December 15, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

Marco Rubio emerged as a target of both Ted Cruz and Rand Paul while Jeb Bush finally found his footing with landing attacking against Donald Trump.

NPR is keeping track of how long each candidate speaks during Tuesday's debate.

The Debate Clock: Cruz Talks The Most

11:15pm December 15, 2015

by Barbara Sprunt

Curious to see who spoke the most in Tuesday night's GOP debate? So were we. NPR kept track of how long every candidate spoke - interruptions and all - during the debate.

National

Los Angeles Schools Close After Receiving Terror Threat

10:30pm December 15, 2015

by Nathan Rott

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second largest, closed down Tuesday after receiving a "credible terrorist threat." A similar threat was received in New York City, but schools remained open.

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Martha Lucia (from left), Bienvendida Barreno and Jorge Baquero discuss health insurance options with agents from Sunshine Life and Health Advisors at a Miami mall last month.

Obamacare Sign-Ups Could Get A Bump As Higher Penalties Kick In

9:14pm December 15, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

The deadline for buying health insurance that starts Jan. 1 has arrived. Many people who lack coverage in 2016 will face fines that could reach thousands of dollars.

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