Around the Nation

Threat That Led To LA School Cancellations 'Wasn't Credible'

1:15pm December 16, 2015

by Kirk Siegler

Los Angeles public schools are reopening Wednesday morning, after a terrorist threat on Tuesday led to a controversial decision by administrators to close all of the district's roughly 1,000 schools.

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Economy

Fed Expected To Raise Interest Rates For The First Time Since 2008

1:15pm December 16, 2015

For seven years, the Federal Reserve has been keeping short-term interest rates at zero. David Greene talks to David Wessel of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution.

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Obamacare Enrollment Extended To Accommodate Last-Minute Demand

12:12pm December 16, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

Faced with 1 million people who left voice mails saying they wanted to buy health insurance, the federal government is giving people two more days to sign up on the federal exchange.

Guitar, drums and piano instructor Loren Kranz (left) listens to Natalya Andrews, 8, play "Up on the Housetop" during Andrews' piano lesson. Kranz started teaching instrument lessons through Major Chords for Minors in September of 2014 and now gives lesso

National

Free Music Lessons Strike A Chord For At-Risk Kids

9:35am December 16, 2015

by Pam Fessler

John and Katrina Vowell used their small savings to start Major Chords for Minors in Saginaw, Mich., because they were worried about the city's youth. Now they have 130 students and a long wait list.

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Houston Man's Wedding Proposal Stops Traffic

7:11am December 16, 2015

Vidal Valladares owes a $2,000 fine after stopping traffic on Houston's Interstate 45 to propose. Honking drivers did not find it romantic. Lucky for him — his girlfriend did.

National

Los Angeles Schools Close After Receiving Terror Threat

10:30pm December 15, 2015

by Nathan Rott

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second largest, closed down Tuesday after receiving a "credible terrorist threat." A similar threat was received in New York City, but schools remained open.

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Martha Lucia (from left), Bienvendida Barreno and Jorge Baquero discuss health insurance options with agents from Sunshine Life and Health Advisors at a Miami mall last month.

Obamacare Sign-Ups Could Get A Bump As Higher Penalties Kick In

9:14pm December 15, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

The deadline for buying health insurance that starts Jan. 1 has arrived. Many people who lack coverage in 2016 will face fines that could reach thousands of dollars.

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Ambulances lined up following two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.

Looking At Violence In America With A Financial Lens

8:52pm December 15, 2015

by NPR Staff

Health economist Ted Miller analyzes the financial toll of violence like mass shootings. He says the total cost of firearm injury in America is $235 billion a year.

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Republican Presidential candidate Lindsey Graham gestures as he thanks American Muslims for their military service during Tuesday's debate.

In First Debate, Lindsey Graham Holds His Ground On Terrorism

8:36pm December 15, 2015

by Amita Kelly

Graham repeatedly rolled his eyes and shook his head as the other candidates discussed their plans to fight ISIS.

After recent terrorist attacks, social media companies are under pressure to do more to stop messaging from terrorist groups.

National

What Can — Or Should — Internet Companies Do To Fight Terrorism?

7:32pm December 15, 2015

Politicians are pressing social media and tech firms to do more to rein in the online presence of terrorist groups. But there are challenges, including defining what constitutes terrorist content.

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