National

Secretary of State John Kerry attends a meeting of foreign ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Dec. 6. On Monday, Kerry issued an apology for the State Department's historical mistreatment of LGBT people.

National

State Department Apologizes For Decades Of Anti-LGBT Discrimination

2:38pm January 09, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

Around the time of the "Red Scare," the "Lavender Scare" pushed gay people out of government service. Secretary of State John Kerry has now apologized for "the practices of the past."

Kim Kardashian West attends the 20th Annual Webby Awards in New York last May.

17 Reportedly Arrested In Connection To Kim Kardashian West Robbery

1:10pm January 09, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The robbers escaped with more than $10 million in jewels. "They're going to shoot me in the back," the reality star recalled thinking. "There's no way out. ... It makes me so upset to think about it."

Scientists are trying to mine electronic health records.

Electronic Health Records May Help Customize Medical Treatments

12:48pm January 09, 2017

by Richard Harris

Most people's doctors put their health information in an electronic health record. Scientists are mining those records for clues to what treatments work best for individuals.

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An 1899 stereograph shows the Pioneer Cabin sequoia in Calaveras Grove, Calif.

Iconic Sequoia 'Tunnel Tree' Brought Down By California Storm

11:51am January 09, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The Pioneer Cabin Tree in Calaveras Big Trees State Park was one of California's few remaining tunneled-through sequoias. It was hollowed out more than a century ago.

Former Georgia Rep. Mike Dudgeon casts the ceremonial first vote of the new session of the Georgia House of Representatives on Jan. 10, 2011, in Atlanta. Dudgeon retired from the Legislature in 2016 because of work-life balance issues.

Low Pay In State Legislatures Means Some Can't Afford The Job

11:25am January 09, 2017

by Johhny Kauffman

State legislators in 30 states make $30,000 a year or less. New Mexico doesn't pay lawmakers at all, while those in New Hampshire make just $200 per two-year term.

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President-elect Donald Trump addresses a "Thank You Tour 2016" rally last month in Mobile, Ala.

This Could Be The Busiest And Most Consequential Week Before Trump Takes Office

10:16am January 09, 2017

by Jessica Taylor

This week sets the table for Donald Trump's entry into the White House, as Cabinet picks face scrutiny in the Senate, the president-elect faces reporters — and Barack Obama offers his farewell.

Education Secretary John B. King Jr. at NPR headquarters in Washington. King has worked to protect kids, especially those who have been traditionally marginalized — children of color, English language learners, students with disabilities and those livin

'Schools Can Save Lives': An Exit Interview With The U.S. Education Secretary

9:36am January 09, 2017

by Cory Turner

John B. King Jr. talks about equity, testing and vouchers as he prepares for a Trump administration handover.

Why Generals Need Congressional Waivers To Become Defense Secretary

8:31am January 09, 2017

by Tom Bowman

George Marshall was the last general nominated for defense secretary and he needed a waiver from Congress. We take a look at Marshall's Senate hearing in 1950. Donald Trump's pick also needs a waiver.

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In 2016, Chicago recorded one of its the most violent years in two decades.

National

Chicagoans, Ex-Gang Members, Officials: 'No Easy Way To Stop The Violence'

7:39pm January 08, 2017

The numbers in 2016 were grim when it came to gun violence in the nation's third largest city.

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Try To Keep Count Of How Many Times You Hear 'Confirmation' This Week

6:26pm January 08, 2017

This week will be packed with Senate confirmation hearings for some of President-elect Donald Trump's top officials, but some nominees still have incomplete ethic reviews.

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