Politics & Government

President Biden traveled to Pennsylvania to tout his domestic agenda

8:14am October 21, 2021

by Sam Dunklau

President Biden visited his hometown of Scranton, Pa., to promote the size and scope of his legislative agenda — saying his policies would create good paying jobs.

News brief: COVID boosters, voting rights failure, Russia hosts Afghan talks

5:51am October 21, 2021

The FDA authorizes Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Attempts by Democrats to shore up protections for voting rights have hit a wall. Russia hosts a delegation from Afghanistan.

A campaign sign for a slate of candidates challenging three incumbent board members in Centerville, Ohio. If they win, they would control the five member board. It is a non-partisan position, but national political hot buttons have infused the race.

School board elections will be an early test of what issues motivate voters

6:39pm October 20, 2021

by Tamara Keith

This year, typically sleepy school board elections have become fraught with fights over masks, vaccines and diversity curricula. Could this affect races higher up the ballot in 2022 and 2024?

Donald Trump addresses supporters and the media at the Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, N.Y., on June 7, 2016. The county's district attorney, Miriam E. "Mimi" Rocah, is investigating property valuations at the club, NPR has learned.

The Trump Organization faces a new criminal inquiry tied to a New York golf club

5:42pm October 20, 2021

by Ilya Marritz

An investigation by the district attorney for Westchester County is examining property valuations at Trump National Golf Club in Westchester. The probe adds to Trump's legal headaches in New York.

Rahm Emanuel addresses handling of Chicago police shooting during ambassador hearing

4:40pm October 20, 2021

by Michele Kelemen

Two key Biden administration ambassador nominees, Rahm Emanuel and Nicholas Burns, face the Senate to answer questions about U.S. policy in Asia.

The Freedom To Vote Act is the latest fight in a bitter battle over voting rights

4:40pm October 20, 2021

The Senate is acting Wednesday to advance Democrats' latest effort at legislation to protect voting rights. The bill is expected to be blocked by a Republican filibuster.

A pediatrician weighs in on the White House's vaccine plan for young kids

4:40pm October 20, 2021

NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with pediatrician Dr. Rhea Boyd about the White House's announced plans for rolling out a vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., led opposition among Republicans to a voting rights bill that centrist Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia hoped to corrall GOP votes for.

Politics & Government

Democrats' biggest push for voting rights fails with no Republicans on board

4:03pm October 20, 2021

The Freedom to Vote Act was a unified Democratic effort led in part by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who was trying to get Republican support. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell vocally opposed it.

Safeway pharmacist Ashley McGee fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccination at a vaccination booster shot clinic on Oct. 1, in San Rafael, Calif.

The U.S. is ready to roll out the COVID vaccine once it's approved for kids age 5-11

3:12pm October 20, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

The White House says the U.S. has enough doses for the country's 28 million kids age 5 to 11 and has laid out a plan to get them inoculated as soon as the vaccine is authorized for the age group.

New graduates line up before the start of a community college commencement in East Rutherford, N.J., on May 17, 2018.

White House drops free community college from its spending bill

1:37pm October 20, 2021

by Elissa Nadworny

The Biden administration's program to make community college tuition-free will not become a reality in this round of the president's spending priorities, leaving progressive groups disappointed.