Law

Demonstrators block Public Square in Cleveland during a protest over the police shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in November 2014.

No Charges For Police Officer Who Killed Tamir Rice: Some Must-Read Reactions

6:24pm December 28, 2015

by Leah Donnella

A grand jury declined to indict Timothy Loehmann, who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in November 2014. Tamir had been in a park in Cleveland, playing with a borrowed air gun.

National

As Justice Department Opens Investigation, New Police Shootings In Chicago

5:18pm December 27, 2015

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with WBEZ reporter Linda Lutton to give us the latest on the Chicago police shootings.

Some unaccompanied minors who don't qualify for asylum can apply instead for a visa called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or SIJS.

National

With Asylum Out Of Reach, Some Minors Seek Out Special Visas

11:02am December 27, 2015

by Alexandra Starr

Undocumented minors who don't qualify as refugees have other chances to legalize their status — including a visa just for them. Henry Gomez, who fled danger in El Salvador, is applying for one now.

Queue Listen Now

National

Chicago Police Respond To Domestic Disturbance, Shoot And Kill Teen, Neighbor

5:31pm December 26, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

Details are slim on a deadly incident in Chicago Saturday morning, which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old college student and his 55-year-old neighbor.

A Closer Look At Obama Administration's Controversial Deportation Plans

5:16pm December 26, 2015

The Obama administration is facing criticism for its deportation policy in the new year.

Sergio Cervetti (left) and Ken Rinker have been together for 50 years. They were legally father and son for 15 years before annulling the adoption to get married in July.

National

On Paper As Parent And Child, Gay Couples Annul Adoptions To Marry

3:23pm December 25, 2015

by Laura Benshoff

Before same-sex marriage became legal across the U.S., some couples would become father and son to get rights they were otherwise denied. Adoptions were the best option at the time.

National

Despite Grim Media Reports, Crime Rates Are Actually Down In The U.S.

5:05pm December 23, 2015

Media reports this past year have gestured toward an incoming crime wave. But according to a study from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, crime rates are actually down from last year and half what they were in 1990. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Matthew Friedman, an economist at the Brennan Center and co-author of this report, about why crime is down and why murder rates are slightly up.

Queue Listen Now

Inmates walk past correctional officers at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, Wash., in 2011. Gov. Jay Inslee said on Tuesday that more than 3,000 prisoners in Washington have been mistakenly released early since 2002 because of an error by the

National

Computer Glitch Allows 3,000 Inmates Early Release In Washington State

1:13pm December 23, 2015

by Doreen McCallister

Since 2002, a computer error by the state's Department of Corrections permitted as many as 3,200 prisoners to be freed early. The department knew about the problem but a coding fix was never made.

National

Va. Will No Longer Recognize Concealed Carry Handgun Permits From 25 States

12:57pm December 23, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

Starting in February, visitors from states with less stringent gun-safety laws will need to get a nonresident permit to carry a concealed weapon in Virginia.

Sandra Bland's Family Reacts To Grand Jury's Decision

7:14am December 23, 2015

David Greene talks to Sharon Cooper, sister of Sandra Bland, about the Texas Grand Jury's decision not to seek indictments against anyone in the death of her sister.