Around the Nation

Apple did a way with the headphone jack when it introduced the iPhone 7. Wireless earbuds or an adapter must be used.

National

Even Without A Headphone Jack, iPhone 7 Boosts Apple's Sales

6:59am February 01, 2017

by Laura Sydell

The iPhone is coming through for Apple following a year of slow sales. It looks like the iPhone 7 is a hit — despite some initial anger over its lack of a headphone jack.

It's Time For A New Flag, Nebraska State Senator Says

6:00am February 01, 2017

State Sen. Burke Harr says Nebraska's flag flew upside down at the state capitol for 10 days and nobody noticed. Whoever raised it didn't realize the blacksmith hammering an anvil was on his head.

Politics & Government

Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson: Refugee Ban Wasn't Sufficiently Vetted

5:13am February 01, 2017

Steve Inskeep speaks with the Republican governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, about President Trump's recent executive order concerning refugees.

Protesters gather in December 2016 at a camp near the Dakota Access Pipeline construction site.

Administration Orders Easement For Construction Of Dakota Access Pipeline

11:02pm January 31, 2017

by Barbara Campbell

Members of the North Dakota congressional delegation say the acting secretary of the army has ordered the Corps of Engineers to proceed with an easement needed to complete the pipeline.

Health & Safety

VA: Competition With Private Sector Is An Obstacle To Hiring More Medical Staff

10:45pm January 31, 2017

An NPR investigation examines reasons why it's hard to bring new medical personnel into the VA, including a cumbersome hiring process.

Queue Listen Now

As Republicans look for ways to loosen the Affordable Care Act's coverage requirements, sales of short-term health insurance policies could take off.

Sales Of Short-Term Insurance Plans Could Surge If Health Law Is Relaxed

8:53pm January 31, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

Consumer advocates say that these short-term policies, often in force for six months or less, don't have important safeguards that customers need. But the coverage can be cheaper.

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly answers questions during a news conference on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Trump's Immigration Order Is 'Not A Ban On Muslims,' Homeland Security Chief Says

5:58pm January 31, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly characterized the order as a "temporary pause" as officials "assess the strengths and the weaknesses of our current system."

HealthCare.gov's open enrollment for 2017 started Nov. 1 and ends on Tuesday.

Last Chance To Sign Up For Obamacare, For 2017 And Maybe Forever

4:49pm January 31, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

People continue to enroll in Affordable Care Act coverage, even as huge questions loom about where millions of people will find health care in a year.

Queue Listen Now

For Rhode Island, Interstate Health Insurance Sales Didn't Pan Out

4:48pm January 31, 2017

by NPR Staff

President Trump and Republican lawmakers say that letting insurers sell health plans across state lines would save money. But when Rhode Island tried it, the results weren't encouraging.

National

Happy 70th Birthday, Kitty Litter

4:40pm January 31, 2017

Seventy years ago this month, Edward Lowe created Kitty Litter. He fought hard to market his product and it took him years to convince skeptical cat owners that his product was better than sand.