Biden had a productive year picking federal judges. The job could get tougher in 2022
President Biden has gotten a diverse group of 40 federal judges confirmed in 2021, the most for a new president since the Reagan era.
Law
A judge will reconsider a trucker's 110-year sentence following a public outcry
Around 5 million people have signed a petition seeking clemency for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, who was sentenced for a crash that killed four. A judge set a Jan. 13 hearing to reconsider the sentence.
People from states with less access to abortion are flocking to Kansas' clinics
The staff at Trust Women, a Kansas clinic, is seeing an influx of people from other states with limited or no access to abortion services. That could get worse if the state outlaws abortion.
States send kids to foster care and their parents the bill — often one too big to pay
In every state, governments charge parents for the cost of foster care when children are taken away. When that happens, NPR found, poor parents can't make ends meet, so families are kept apart longer.
Lawsuits could expose Trump business practices as voters consider 2022 midterms
The upcoming year could bring court demands and revelations for former President Donald Trump. There are cases against Trump the businessman and Trump the ex-president.
NYC bans natural gas in new buildings in an effort to combat climate change
NPR's Eyder Peralta talks to David Iaconangelo of E&E News about New York City's recent ban on natural gas in new buildings and its national implications.
Verdict in ex-officer Potter's trial is bittersweet, says Daunte Wright's aunt
Former police officer Kim Potter was found guilty of manslaughter in the killing of Daunte Wright. NPR's Sarah McCammon talks to Wright's aunt Naisha Wright and attorney Benjamin Crump.
Ex-officer Kim Potter is found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright
The former Minnesota police officer, who fatally shot Wright after mistakenly drawing her handgun instead of a Taser during a traffic stop, was found guilty of first- and second-degree manslaughter.
News brief: U.K. COVID surge, Potter guilty verdict, holiday shopping
Omicron is spreading rapidly across the U.K. Ex-police officer who drew her gun instead of a taser found guilty of manslaughter. Shoppers are spending more despite COVID-19 and supply chain issues.
LA police kill teenage girl while firing on male suspect in clothing store shooting
Los Angeles police fatally shot a 14-year-old girl in a clothing store dressing room Thursday as officers fired on an assault suspect and a bullet pierced a wall and struck the girl, authorities say.