Law

National

FBI Director Connects Heightened Police Scrutiny To Violent Crime Spike

4:27pm October 26, 2015

by Martin Kaste

FBI Director James Comey told a meeting of police chiefs Monday that increased scrutiny is having an impact on law enforcement. He said he believes police have become more reluctant to aggressively pursue crime since the uproar over the death of Michael Brown and other high-profile cases.

National

DOJ To Release Some 6,000 Nonviolent Inmates From Federal Prison

2:25pm October 26, 2015

Starting on Friday, the Justice Department will release about 6,000 nonviolent inmates from federal prison.

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Inmates Barry Snider and Jared Jack hold their GEDs at the Montgomery County jail in southwestern Virginia.

With Switch From Pencils To Computers, GED Gets Tougher For Inmates

6:22pm October 25, 2015

by Robbie Harris

Formerly, the test to get a GED diploma was multiple-choice, and taken with a pencil. Not anymore: Now, it requires computer skills some inmates simply don't have.

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National

A Glimpse Inside The Bid To Reduce The U.S. Incarceration Rate

5:13pm October 25, 2015

Miami prosecutor Melba Pearson — one of the 130 law enforcers who met with President Obama last week to talk about reducing incarceration rates — explains why she got involved in the movement.

Unless Congress raises the debt limit by Nov. 3, the U.S. Treasury may be left with only incoming taxes and fees to cover expenses, which would not be enough to pay all bills.

Why You Shouldn't Stare Up At The Debt Ceiling And Yawn

11:53am October 24, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

Congress always finds a way to swerve away from the brink just as the country nears default on its bonds. But this time, political turmoil may be increasing the danger that Congress won't act in time.

For Irish Illegally In U.S., A Life Locked In Place, Hoping For Change

11:04am October 24, 2015

by John Burnett

Over 11 million people now live in the U.S. illegally, about a quarter of whom come from places not in Latin America. That includes unauthorized Irish, and they're pushing for immigration reform, too.

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Justice Department Says No Criminal Charges In IRS-Tea Party Investigation

8:47pm October 23, 2015

by Laura Wagner

DOJ finds there is no evidence to support a criminal prosecution over the Internal Revenue Service's mishandling of conservative non-profit political groups.

New Orleans Urges Sales Tax Hike Support To Fund French Quarter Police

7:14pm October 23, 2015

by Jesse Hardman

New Orleans has had its fair share of high-profile crime problems. Now residents are set to vote on a sales tax hike to fund more state police officers in the French Quarter.

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As RushCard Problems Linger, Federal Consumer Protection Group Steps In

5:41pm October 23, 2015

by Laura Wagner

After hundreds of thousands of RushCard customers were unable to access their money, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Friday that it's taking "direct action" to "make consumers whole."

Hundreds Of Detained Immigrant Families Are Due For Release

1:36pm October 23, 2015

by Alexandra Starr

Advocates hope that a judge's deadline, and the possible revocation of one detention center's license, could lead to the end of family detention.