Law

Supreme Court Hears Arguments Testing Texas Abortion Restrictions

7:04pm March 02, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

The shorthanded Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in what may be the most significant abortion case it has heard in two decades. The case tests whether a Texas law setting certain requirements for clinics that provide abortion places an undue burden on women seeking an abortion.

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Protestors Gather Outside Supreme Court As Justices Consider Abortion

4:27pm March 02, 2016

by Jennifer Ludden

The Supreme Court Wednesday heard what could be its most consequential abortion case in a generation. Hundreds of protestors crowded the steps of the building while arguments took place inside.

Dr. Bhavik Kumar has been performing abortions at the Fort Worth, Texas, clinic for about a year. He says abortion is a simple procedure, and in the cases he's had, there have been no complications requiring a woman to be hospitalized.

Supreme Court Tests Texas' New Restrictions On Abortion

2:46pm March 02, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

At issue is whether a Texas law requiring clinics to meet surgical-center standards is aimed at safeguarding women's health, or unconstitutionally limiting a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy.

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Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck speaks as his department releases a broad use-of-force report Tuesday. The report says that when LAPD officers fire at suspects, their targets are disproportionately black or mentally ill.

National

LAPD Reports Shooting 38 People In 2015; A Third Of Cases Involved Mental Illness

9:51am March 02, 2016

by Bill Chappell

In a city where blacks make up 9 percent of the population, nearly a third of those shot by police over a five-year period were black suspects.

Aubrey McClendon, former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., has been indicted on charges of fixing bids for oil and gas leases in Oklahoma.

National

Former CEO Charged With Rigging Bids For Oil And Gas Leases

9:18pm March 01, 2016

by Laura Wagner

Aubrey McClendon, former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp, was charged with orchestrating a conspiracy not to compete with another company for oil and gas leases, the Justice Department said.

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed a bill that would have required transgender students in public schools to use bathrooms based on their gender at birth.

National

South Dakota Governor Vetoes Bill Stipulating Transgender Students' Bathroom Use

6:28pm March 01, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The bill would have required transgender students to use the bathroom of their birth sex. Had Gov. Dennis Daugaard not vetoed it, the bill would have become law, even without his signature.

National

FBI, Apple Testify Before House Judiciary Committee In Encryption Hearing

6:13pm March 01, 2016

by Aarti Shahani

Apple and the FBI faced off Tuesday before members of the House Judiciary Committee as part of the showdown over whether Apple must develop a way to unlock the iPhone owned by of one of the San Bernardino shooters. Apple's general counsel, the FBI director and Manhattan's district attorney were among the powerful lineup giving testimony.

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White House Meeting Fails To Bridge Divide Over Obama Supreme Court Nominee

5:24pm March 01, 2016

by Carrie Johnson

President Obama plans to nominate someone to replace Supreme Court Justice Scalia. But Republican leaders say the Senate won't consider his pick. A White House meeting between the two sides failed to bridge the divide.

National

What Do Self-Driving Cars Mean For Auto Liability Insurance?

4:39pm March 01, 2016

Google is acknowledging fault in an accident that involved one of its prototype self-driving cars last month. The self-driving car struck a bus. NPR explores what it would mean for auto liability insurance if the streets of the future are full of self-driving cars.

Women Hope To Sway Justices By Speaking Out About Abortion Experience

4:26pm March 01, 2016

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear what is being called the most significant abortion case in decades. In an effort to sway the justices, namely Justice Anthony Kennedy, women are sharing their personal experiences with abortion in briefs to the court. Among them is Ohio State legislator Teresa Fedor. She speaks with NPR's Audie Cornish about why she's telling her story now.