Around the Nation

One of several robots at the University of California, San Francisco's hospital pharmacy helps manage and track its drug inventory.

Economy

Is Silicon Valley Automating Our Obsolescence?

2:58pm December 17, 2013

by Steve Henn

Silicon Valley has created mind-boggling amounts of wealth. Entire industries have been invented here. Billionaires are minted annually, but inequality is rising rapidly and the middle class is thinning out. Could the same technology that's making so many so rich undermine the labor market?

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Co-workers at Denver's Galvanize, a tech hub in Colorado's capital.

How The Sharing Economy Is Changing The Places We Work

2:43pm December 17, 2013

by Elise Hu

The sharing economy is already changing several sectors: housing, transportation, retail. In some cities, it's changing the way we work. As more people start their own enterprises, they're shunning traditional offices and choosing to share space instead.

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Study: Commuting Adversely Affects Political Engagement

12:04pm December 17, 2013

Researchers think an increase in commuting may be partly to blame for widespread political disengagement among many Americans. As stressed-out commuters disengage, they leave the political arena to the most partisan voters.

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Original caption via Instagram: #pscommute 5:15 PM on the C Train. 34th Street, Penn Station back home to Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Giving the gift of reading. A magical moment between mother and son. It may seem like just another subway ride, but with a boo

Arts

With One Photo, The Average Commute Becomes Super Special

11:53am December 17, 2013

by Claire O'Neill

We asked you to photograph your commute. We had no idea you would make such connections!

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Dr. Tim Ihrig, a palliative care physician, treats Augie Avelleyra, 93, at his home in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Doctor Helps Iowa Couple Face Illness On Their Own Terms

10:49am December 17, 2013

by Jenny Gold

Dr. Tim Ihrig has almost become a member of the Avelleyra family. He's helping Augie and Phyllis, who've been married 60 years, lead the best lives they can under trying health circumstances. When Phyllis was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, Ihrig asked what she wanted from the rest of her life.

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A Panther Pride sign cheers Washington High School's undefeated football team amid debris from last week's tornado.

Rivals Help Level Playing Field For Tornado-Shattered Team

5:24pm December 16, 2013

by Amanda Vinicky

Competition and compassion meet on the field in Springfield, Ill., Saturday, when two central Illinois high school football teams face off for a spot in the state championship. One team is a perennial powerhouse, but the other is from a town that was all but destroyed by a tornado one week ago.

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Reed Holway spent 13 months in Iraq. He says PTSD brought on a drinking problem when he returned to the States — and that eventually led to a bad-conduct discharge. Vets with "bad paper" have trouble getting any VA health benefits — even for PTSD.

National

Other-Than-Honorable Discharge Burdens Like A Scarlet Letter

11:21am December 16, 2013

by Quil Lawrence

Since 2001, more than 100,000 troops have left the military with an other-than-honorable discharge. The "bad paper" puts benefits and medical care out of reach, even for those who served in combat. Which raises a simple question: What does America owe those who serve?

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National

For Veterans, 'Bad Paper' Is A Catch-22 For Treatment

11:20am December 16, 2013

by Quil Lawrence

Reed Holway served in Iraq, where he developed PTSD. His symptoms worsened back in the U.S. He got in trouble and ultimately received a bad-conduct discharge. Now Holway is stuck: He can't get medical care from the VA for the disorder that he says caused him to get kicked out of the Army in the first place.

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National

Filling The Gaps For Veterans With Bad Discharges

11:18am December 16, 2013

by Marisa Peñaloza

Community and charity groups are scrambling to provide care where the VA is failing veterans who left the military with less-than-honorable discharges. Many of these groups have extensive experience with the problem; they say tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans faced the same problem.

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Rheanna Kathleen Morris hugs her mom, Peggy Sinclair-Morris.

Promises To Fix Mental Health System Still Unfulfilled

10:23am December 16, 2013

by Jenny Gold

Even for those with the will and drive to pursue treatment, the process remains difficult, frightening and full of holes. Mental health advocates say little has come, on the federal level, from the task forces and promises that followed the Newtown shootings.

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