Law

Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged with murder last month in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald, arrives at the Cook County Criminal Court for a status hearing on Dec. 18.

National

Chicago Officer Who Shot Teen 16 Times Pleads Not Guilty To Murder

4:50pm December 29, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The city's police force has come under new scrutiny in recent days, after two more people — a 19-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman — were shot and killed by police.

National

Cleveland Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Tamir Rice Probe

1:07pm December 29, 2015

by Nick Castele

A grand jury won't bring charges against two Cleveland police officers in the 2014 killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was shot by officers while playing with an air gun in a park.

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National

Calif. Authorities To Utilize New Law Aimed At Preventing Mass Shootings

1:04pm December 29, 2015

by Ben Adler

Advocates hope gun violence restraining orders will keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. Critics say the new law, that takes effect in January, is ripe for abuse.

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This photo released by Mexico's Jalisco state prosecutor's office shows the person authorities identify as Ethan Couch, after he was taken into custody in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

National

Captured 'Affluenza' Teen, Mother Had 'Going-Away Party,' Sheriff Says

12:16pm December 29, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

Ethan Couch, who killed four people when driving drunk, and his mother were apprehended in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Texas authorities say they are working with Mexico to send the pair back to the U.S.

Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, seen here leaving the Cook County Jail after posting bond last month, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the shooting death of a black teenager.

National

Chicago Officer Who Shot Teen 16 Times Pleads Not Guilty To Murder

11:42am December 29, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The city's police force has come under new scrutiny in recent days, after two more people — a 19-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman — were shot and killed by police.

National

'Affluenza' Teen And His Mother Detained In Mexico

11:06am December 29, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

Mexican officials say they will hand over Ethan Couch for deportation to the U.S. The teen killed four people when driving drunk, and his lawyer blamed his client's wealthy upbringing.

Protesters and members of the group Puncture The Silence rally against the shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice at Public Square on Nov. 24, 2014

National

Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Tamir Rice Investigation

7:19pm December 28, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

"The evidence did not indicate criminal conduct by police," Cuyahoga County prosecutor Timothy McGinty told reporters, calling it a "perfect storm of human error."

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.

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