Law

National

Michigan Attorney General Launches Probe Into Flint Water Contamination

4:13pm January 25, 2016

by Steve Carmody

Michigan's attorney general appointed a special counsel to investigate why Flint's drinking water became contaminated with lead. But questions are being raised about the man picked to lead the probe.

National

Supreme Court Rejects North Dakota's Bid To Save Strict Abortion Law

1:14pm January 25, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The measure banned abortions as soon as a heartbeat is detected in the fetus — as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The law was enacted in 2013.

National

After 26 Years in Prison, Innocent Man Negotiates New Life

7:47am January 24, 2016

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Bruce Lisker, who was exonerated after spending 26 years in prison and who has just been awarded millions from the City of Los Angeles.

FBI Probe Uncovers Corruption In Allentown, Penn.

5:05pm January 22, 2016

by Andrea Seabrook

Covert recordings, political bribes, raided offices and now, federal indictments. An FBI probe is dismantling an entire political administration after uncovering deep corruption within. But these politicians aren't in Congress or even in a state governor's office. This scandal is ripping through the tiny city council of Allentown, Penn., and the FBI is throwing everything it's got into the investigation.

Evenly Divided Kansas Appeals Court Blocks 2015 Abortion Law

3:58pm January 22, 2016

by Bill Chappell

In a widely watched case, judges ruled 7-7 against a first-of-its-kind Kansas law that bans a common method of performing second-trimester abortions.

Officers Colin Lewis and Brad Smith (center) on patrol near a park in Huntington Beach, Calif. The area has seen a sharp increase in homelessness and petty thefts, which the officers blame on Proposition 47. But the law's supporters say other California c

National

California Cops Frustrated With 'Catch-And-Release' Crime-Fighting

10:48am January 22, 2016

by Martin Kaste

Prosecutors and some police departments in the state say reducing prison sentences is having an undesired outcome: more property crime. But reform advocates say police are jumping to conclusions.

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In Oklahoma, Ex-Police Officer To Spend Rest Of His Life In Prison

6:26am January 22, 2016

by Jacob McCleland

A judge in Oklahoma City has sentenced Daniel Holtzclaw to 263 years in prison. The former police officer was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting women when he was on the job.

After 21 years as a building engineer for Macy's department stores, Kevin Schiller was left unable to work as the result of a 2010 workplace accident.

Federal Workplace Law Fails To Protect Employees Left Out Of Workers' Comp

3:27pm January 21, 2016

by Howard Berkes

Companies that opt out of state workers' comp laws say the Employee Retirement Income Security Act will ensure that injured workers get justice. An NPR investigation found that may not be true.

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A guard stands watch in a tower at the Arkansas Department of Corrections Tucker Unit near Tucker, Ark.

National

The Delicate Politics Of Rising Crime

8:14pm January 20, 2016

by Martin Kaste

Violent crimes increased in the first six months of 2015, FBI data show. It's a relatively small increase, but one that might affect the current bipartisan push to shrink America's prison population.

Hillary Clinton stands for a portrait in San Antonio.

'Top Secret' Email Revelation Changes 'Nothing,' Clinton Says

7:56pm January 20, 2016

by Jessica Taylor

The former secretary of state says a new report that some emails on her private server exceeded the "Top Secret" classification is "an effort to inject" controversy into her campaign.

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