Law

Supreme Court Rules For Muslim Inmate In Prison Beard Case

1:22pm January 21, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

The court said a ban on beards violated the prisoner's religious freedom. The state of Arkansas had argued that the beard presented security concerns and that it could be used to hide contraband.

To Drive Economy Toward Equality, Obama Requests More Spending

12:05pm January 21, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

His State of the Union address celebrated a year that brought the U.S. jobs and growth, and called on Congress to expand child care and free education. Critics say it's pure politics that won't pass.

National

New York Under Pressure For Locking Up Teens In Adult Prisons

11:25am January 21, 2015

by Brian Mann

A commission report this week found that incarcerated young people — most of them black and Hispanic — face a high risk of assault and victimization behind bars and an increased risk of suicide.

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Supreme Court Examines Gray Area In Judicial Campaigning

11:25am January 21, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

The court today heard arguments testing whether states may prohibit candidates for judgeships from soliciting campaign donations personally.

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BP Back In Court For Final Phase Of Gulf Oil Spill Trial

11:25am January 21, 2015

by Debbie Elliott

The third and final phase of the civil trial against BP opened on Tuesday. The last segment will determine the amount of fines BP will pay in the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

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After Congressional Green Light, Scientists Begin Hemp Studies

8:40am January 21, 2015

by Luke Runyon

Scientists are studying how hemp might be used in the electronic, medical and manufacturing industries. Because the plant's been illegal for decades, it's been difficult to do research on its uses.

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National

Regulators Take Action Against Delinquent Mines

2:28pm January 20, 2015

by Howard Berkes

In reaction to an NPR/MSHN investigation, federal regulators, a member of Congress and others are considering ways to crack down on mining companies that fail to pay delinquent mine safety penalties.

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Judge Adrian Adams is helped with his robe by his daughters during a robing ceremony Friday in Gretna, La. Adams won a race for 24th Judicial District Court in November behind a campaign that raised a modest $22,350, including several four-figure donation

Should Judicial Candidates Be Allowed To Solicit Campaign Money?

8:56am January 20, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

Once, judicial elections were a pretty tame affair, with relatively little money spent. Not anymore. The Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday on how candidates should be allowed to gather funding.

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Bernice King is in a protracted legal battle with her brothers over control of their father's bible and Nobel Peace Prize.

National

King's Family Builds Its Own Legacy Of Legal Battles

12:43pm January 18, 2015

by Gene Demby

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s children have feuded bitterly over his legacy for years. They're often criticized, but some believe their desire to tightly control their father's estate is fair.

Justice Department To Halt Seizure Of Assets

6:59pm January 17, 2015

On Friday, the Justice Department announced they were all but ending the practice of police seizing the assets of suspects. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with Robert O'Harrow of The Washington Post.

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