Around the Nation

Actor Garry Shandling arrives at the world premiere of Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment's Iron Man 2 in Hollywood in 2010.

Actor And Comedian Garry Shandling Dies At 66

8:34pm March 24, 2016

by Laura Wagner

Best known for his work on the pioneering cable television comedy series The Larry Sanders Show, Shandling died following a "medical emergency," the Los Angeles Police Department said.

National

North Carolina Overturns Law Banning Discrimination Against LGBT People

6:33pm March 24, 2016

North Carolina overturned a Charlotte ordinance banning discrimination against LGBT people. NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Kriston Capps of The Atlantic's CityLab about the move.

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In 2010, scientists plopped the genetic material of one Mycoplasma bacterium into another type to create the self-replicating cells shown above. Six years later, they've come out with an even simpler synthetic organism that has fewer genes.

Scientists Build A Live, No-Frills Cell That Could Have A Big Future

5:48pm March 24, 2016

by Rae Ellen Bichell

In engineering the cell, researchers paired away nearly all genes that weren't essential to life. It might eventually serve as a basic framework for different sorts of cellular factories, they say.

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On Wednesday, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law a bill blocking anti-discrimination rules that would protect gay and transgender people. Above, McCrory speaks during the Wake County Republican convention at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh o

National

North Carolina Passes Law Blocking Measures To Protect LGBT People

3:34pm March 24, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Charlotte recently passed an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance. The state is banning all such local measures, present and future. It's also barring cities and counties from raising the minimum wage.

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Time Warner, Others Join Disney In Opposing Georgia's 'Religious Liberty' Bill

3:25pm March 24, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Disney and its Marvel subsidiary have threatened to boycott the state if the governor signs the controversial measure. Other companies are now urging the governor to veto the bill.

Every parent's dream: a soundly sleeping child.

Parents Sleeping Badly? They May Think Their Children Are, Too

2:59pm March 24, 2016

by Katherine Hobson

Having a child who won't sleep can drive parents to distraction. But a study suggests that a parent's sleep issues play a role, too.

Atlantic City Faces Financial Collapse, Cringes At State Takeover

1:59pm March 24, 2016

by Joel Rose

The mayor says his town, known for its boardwalk casinos, will run out of money soon. State lawmakers have a plan to get the city's finances under control, but city leaders say it's a bad deal.

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A slurry of cleaned silica sand flows into the wash plant, where it is washed in preparation for storage at the Wisconsin Industrial Sand Co.'s Maiden Rock facility in Maiden Rock, Wis.

Tighter, Controversial Silica Rules Aimed At Saving Workers' Lungs

1:36pm March 24, 2016

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Long known as a workplace hazard, silica dust can cause irreversible lung scarring and cancer. The Department of Labor expects its new limit to save about 600 lives a year. But industry is balking.

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One of the last family photos of Bernard Simmons is shown by his sister, Debra Simmons, in her home in Chicago.

National

Doubling Up Prisoners In 'Solitary' Creates Deadly Consequences

11:36am March 24, 2016

Imagine living in a cell smaller than a parking space or a king-size mattress. Now add a roommate. The result for some inmates forced to live together in solitary can be murder.

Finding The Right Balance And Overcoming Fear

5:01am March 24, 2016

by David Greene

This week we're listening to voices from young journalists at Youth Radio. Today, a young man who switched roles with his father after his dad became ill. And, a young man who conquered stage fright.