Politics & Government

a transgender teen testifies about gender-affirming care

Ban on gender-affirming care for minors in North Carolina clears another legislative chamber

8:38am June 28, 2023

by Gary D. Robertson, Associated Press

Restrictions on access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth have now passed both North Carolina legislative chambers, as the Senate on Tuesday approved a ban on hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries that is more stringent than what the House recently passed.

People walk into the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, the day that the court's majority rejected the once-fringe idea that state legislatures' power over congressional elections cannot be checked or balanced by state constitutions or state courts.

Politics & Government

What the Supreme Court's rejection of a controversial theory means for elections

7:25am June 28, 2023

by Hansi Lo Wang

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject the most extreme version of the "independent state legislature theory" is expected to bring some stability to the 2024 elections — and invite more lawsuits.

Politics & Government

Biden makes a case for his economic leadership: low unemployment, growing economy

7:22am June 28, 2023

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Jared Bernstein, recently confirmed chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, about President Biden's "Bidenomics" pitch for the economy.

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A woman walks past a personal finance loan office in October 2020 in Franklin, Tenn.

Over $200 billion in pandemic business loans appear to be fraudulent, a watchdog says

7:03pm June 27, 2023

by Martin Kaste

The Office of Inspector General of the Small Business Administration has released a "landscape of fraud" report highlighting why 17% of PPP and other loans appear bogus.

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on April 21.

Politics & Government

Supreme Court rejects Independent State Legislature theory, but leaves door ajar

6:42pm June 27, 2023

by Nina Totenberg

The court rules that state constitutions can protect voting rights in federal elections and state courts can enforce those provisions, a key opinion that should safeguard 2024 election integrity.

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Supreme Court rejects theory giving state legislatures unchecked power over elections

5:44pm June 27, 2023

by Nina Totenberg

The Supreme Court ruled that state constitutions can protect voting rights in federal elections and states can enforce those provisions. This opinion should safeguard the 2024 election's integrity.

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The FBI investigates threatening letters with white powder sent to GOP lawmakers

5:14pm June 27, 2023

by Shaylee Ragar

More than 120 Republican state lawmakers have been mailed envelopes containing white powder and threatening notes in Kansas, Tennessee and Montana. The FBI is investigating.

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Politics & Government

Local expert weighs in on Moore v. Harper Supreme Court ruling and what it means for North Carolina

4:41pm June 27, 2023

by David Ford

A theory that was advanced by North Carolina’s Republican legislative leaders has been rejected by the nation’s highest court.

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Supreme Court sets new standards for what constitutes 'true threats'

4:28pm June 27, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with University of Miami law professor Mary Anne Franks about the Supreme Court's decision in Counterman v. Colorado.

Rep. Jamie Raskin at his home in Takoma Park, Md. on June 12, 2023.

Politics & Government

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, free from cancer, weighs a Senate run

4:28pm June 27, 2023

by Claudia Grisales

Raskin has given himself until July 4th to announce his plans. He's weighing a run for the U.S. Senate after going into remission following intensive cancer treatment.