U.S.

Lawfare Editor Outlines FBI Director's Testimony On Russia, Wiretapping

4:39pm March 20, 2017

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to Benjamin Wittes, who runs the blog Lawfare, about Monday's congressional testimony regarding Russia's involvement in the U.S. presidential election.

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Former U.S. Ambassador Criticizes Trump's Framing Of How NATO Works

4:39pm March 20, 2017

On the campaign trail and since taking office, President Trump has been critical of United States' allies in NATO — calling them out for failing to pay their fair share on defense and for relying on the U.S. to carry the burden. NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Ivo Daalder, former U.S. representative to NATO, about the current reality of the NATO alliance and what he makes of Trump's messaging.

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More doctors are using ketamine to treat severe depression in patients who haven't responded to other treatments.

Ketamine For Severe Depression: 'How Do You Not Offer This Drug to People?'

4:39pm March 20, 2017

by Jon Hamilton

More and more doctors are offering ketamine, an anesthetic and club drug, to severely depressed patients who haven't responded to other treatments.

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The American Iron and Steel Institute is one of the trade groups that wants Congress to undo the stronger safety regulation enacted in 2016 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Congress May Undo Rule That Pushes Firms To Keep Good Safety Records

4:39pm March 20, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Labor statistics specialists under George W. Bush and Barack Obama warn that if the safety regulation is repealed, record keeping on worker injuries will become less accurate and less reliable.

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For three years recreational pot has been legal in Colorado, but using it in public is still against the law. That will change this summer when pot cafes are slated to open.

National

As Colorado Gets Ready To Allow Pot Clubs, Indoor Smoking Still An Issue

4:06pm March 20, 2017

by Ben Markus

Recreational pot is legal in Colorado, but using it in public is against the law. Pot clubs are slated to open this summer, but the governor says he'll veto the bill if it allows indoor smoking.

Gov. Sam Brownback delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Kansas Legislature in Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 10. Lawmakers are considering whether to expand Medicaid, which Brownback opposes.

As ACA Repeal Vote Nears, Kansas Debates Expanding Medicaid

3:49pm March 20, 2017

by Jim McLean

An estimated 300,000 Kansans could qualify for health care coverage, which comes as Congress debates replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chair of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference on Affordable Care Act replacement legislation in February.

Leading The Charge Against The GOP Health Plan, Rep. Mark Meadows Is Right At Home

3:37pm March 20, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

Republican Rep. Mark Meadows enjoys strong support in his western North Carolina district as he leads conservative opposition to the GOP's health overhaul plan.

Neil Gorsuch takes part in a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing as US President Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Republicans Praise Gorsuch, Democrats Decry Garland Treatment On Day 1 Of Hearings

3:19pm March 20, 2017

by Jessica Taylor

The federal appeals court judge will give his opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, starting off what is expected to be three days of hearings.

President Trump attends a meeting on health care at the White House last week. The bill is facing opposition from all sides. Without its passage, everything else on Trump's agenda could be slowed.

Trump Faces Critical Phase, As He Tries To Make His Rhetoric Reality

2:49pm March 20, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

The GOP deadline to pass health care is the first week of April. If it doesn't happen, everything else gets pushed back. Trump's agenda faces two big tests this week, from the Supreme Court to Russia.

A pair of studies show declines in opioid use by young people, including prescription use, intentional misuse and accidental poisonings.

Studies Suggest Cautious Optimism About Declines In Teen Opioid Use

1:49pm March 20, 2017

by Tara Haelle

A pair of long-term studies found fewer children and teenagers are coming in contact with opioids, and that hospitalizations from the drugs are down. The same is not true for adults.