Law

Supreme Court Gets Involved In Redistricting

8:44am December 04, 2016

Gerrymandering is a venerable American tradition. NPR's Ailsa Chang gets the latest on court challenges to this practice from Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a lawyer for a plaintiff in one of the cases.

National

Mattis' Appointment Would Require Special Approval From Congress

5:05pm December 03, 2016

Trump's pick of retired Gen. James Mattis as defense secretary will require Congress to bypass a certain law. Professor Peter Feaver of Duke University discusses the law's origins.

A Year After San Bernardino And Apple-FBI, Where Are We On Encryption?

1:00pm December 03, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

The shooting a year ago started a heated debate about government access to secured devices. As such access keeps getting more restricted, calls for "back doors" continue and questions remain.

National

Trump's Defense Department Pick Threatens Civilian Control Of Military

9:14am December 03, 2016

Trump's included generals in his appointments for cabinet positions typically held by civilians. Tom Ricks of the New America Foundation tells Scott Simon about how that could affect policy decisions.

Andy Savage, defense attorney for former North Charleston, S.C., police Officer Michael Slager, awaits a verdict from the jury on Friday.

National

Jury In S.C. Police Shooting Trial Says It Is Struggling To Reach Verdict

6:38pm December 02, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Michael Slager is accused of murder for killing unarmed motorist Walter Scott in 2015. On Friday, jurors initially said they were hopelessly deadlocked, but then asked to keep deliberating.

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel sits while his defense attorneys confer with the prosecution during his initial hearing in May 2016 in Dallas.

Prosecutors Agree To Drop Assault Charges Against Former Cleveland QB Johnny Manziel

5:14pm December 02, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Dallas County prosecutor agreed to drop assault charges against the former Browns quarterback, as long as meets conditions such as attending an anger management course and a substance abuse program.

Fred Davie and Robert Sanchez, on a recent visit to StoryCorps in New York City.

National

In Prison And Outside, He Found His 'Iota Of Light': A Mentor Named Fred

10:22am December 02, 2016

by NPR Staff

"What is life without hope? Even an iota of light can go a long way," says Robert Sanchez, a social worker who served 15 years in prison. He found that guiding light when he met minister Fred Davie.

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President-elect Donald Trump speaks at Carrier Corp. on Thursday, in Indianapolis.

Is Trump's Deal With Carrier A Form Of Crony Capitalism?

10:01am December 02, 2016

by NPR Staff

Steve Inskeep talks with former Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and libertarian economist Tyler Cowen about the problems that arise when a president pressures individual companies to do his bidding.

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Legal Battles Over Abortion Continue In States Across U.S.

7:49pm December 01, 2016

by Jennifer Ludden

Whatever a Trump administration does when it comes to abortion, state by state legal battles over the procedure will continue to play out. More lawsuits and another restrictions were announced this week.

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Trump's Dispute With Las Vegas Hotel Employees Poses Potential Conflict

6:25pm December 01, 2016

One potential conflict of interest for President-elect Donald Trump could involve his dispute with employees attempting to unionize at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The National Labor Relations Board has ruled against Trump, whose company has opposed unionization, but as president, Trump will have the power to appoint new members of the NLRB. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Ruben Garcia, a law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

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