Law

Economy

Do Felons Make Good Employees?

1:57pm April 22, 2016

by Keith Romer

Employers often rule out applicants with felony convictions. Data show when the military made an exception and allowed people with felony convictions to enlist, they performed better than their peers.

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Uber has settled lawsuits in California and Massachusetts with a deal that allows it to consider its drivers independent contractors, not employees.

National

Uber Settles 2 Lawsuits, Won't Have To Treat Drivers As Employees

8:20am April 22, 2016

by Barbara Campbell

The company has agreed to settle two class action suits for $84 million — and more if Uber goes public and its value increases by a certain amount. Uber won't have to pay drivers benefits.

Volkswagen Reaches Deal With U.S. On Cars With Emissions Software

6:48pm April 21, 2016

by John Ydstie

After months of negotiations, Volkswagen has reached a deal with U.S. authorities on most of the cars involved in its diesel emissions scandal. The agreement covers nearly 500,000 2-liter engine cars. Owners will get to choose between having VW buy back their vehicles or having their cars fixed. But owners still don't know how much VW will offer in the buyback, or what the terms of a fix will be.

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President Obama met with China's president, Xi Jinping, at an event linked to the international climate conference held late last year outside Paris.

Can The U.S. And China Keep Their Climate Pledges?

6:39pm April 21, 2016

by Christopher Joyce

The two nations topping the world in greenhouse gas emissions agreed at the Paris talks to cut way back. But critics have stalled a key part of the U.S. plan, and China's good start may be fragile.

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National

FBI Paid More Than $1 Million To Access San Bernardino Shooter's iPhone

6:10pm April 21, 2016

by Laura Wagner

FBI Director James Comey said Thursday the bureau spent "more than I will make in the remainder of this job," which comes out to be more than $1 million.

National

Transgender Student's Virginia Court Case Likely To Affect Other States

3:54pm April 21, 2016

A federal appeals court ruled a transgender boy may sue the school board for discrimination because it banned him from using the boy's bathroom. Attorney Joshua Block talks to Lourdes Garcia Navarro.

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Pablo Ramirez, left, with his family in Los Angeles. Since moving to San Francisco for college, Pablo has become less tolerant when he notices racial slights directed against his family.

Racial Awakening, Pride And Fear: One Latino Perspective On 'The Obama Effect'

12:00pm April 21, 2016

by Adrian Florido

Growing up as the son of Mexican immigrants, Pablo Ramirez never really thought about race. For him, the Obama years meant finding pride and a new awareness of his own racial identity in college.

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For Tennessee Governor Weighing Religious Objection Bill, It's All About Values

9:41am April 21, 2016

by Steve Inskeep

Bill Haslam is a moderate Republican in immoderate Republican times. He also just vetoed a bill that would have designated the Holy Bible the state book of Tennessee.

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Environment

More Charges Expected In Flint's Contaminated Drinking Water Case

4:59am April 21, 2016

by Rick Pluta

A day after the first criminal charges related to Flint's lead tainted water were filed, residents of the Michigan city and others wonder how high up the investigation into the crisis will go.

Justices Consider Whether Police May Force A Breath Test Without A Warrant

8:13pm April 20, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

Lawyers for defendants challenging their convictions argued to the Supreme Court that the Constitution demands a warrant. Lawyers representing states said getting a warrant is not always practical.