Law

Jennifer Haselberger, former top canon lawyer for the archdiocese, found stored files detailing how some priests had histories of sexual abuse. She resigned in April.

Abuse Allegations Leave Twin Cities Archdiocese In Turmoil

6:25pm October 24, 2013

by Madeleine Baran

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis had claimed to be a national leader in handling clergy sex abuse cases. But after a whistle-blower revealed evidence of a cover-up, alleged victims are preparing lawsuits, and some parishioners are calling for the archbishop to resign.

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National

How A County Clerk Ignited The Gay Marriage Debate In N.M.

12:51pm October 23, 2013

by Richard Gonzales

In August, Lynn Ellins, the clerk of Dona Ana County and a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage, decided to "put the ball in play" by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. More than 900 marriage licenses have been issued to gay couples across the state.

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National

Gay Couples Tie Knot In New Jersey As Christie Backs Down

10:10am October 22, 2013

by Joel Rose

New Jersey became the 14th state to allow same-sex marriage Monday when gay couples began marrying just after midnight. A state judge forced the state to recognize same-sex marriages. Initially, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appealed that ruling. But he dropped that appeal Monday, saying the New Jersey Supreme Court had already made clear how it would rule.

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Daisy Coleman, now 16, looks at trophies and other awards she's won for beauty pageants, dancing and sports. She has attempted suicide at least twice since waking up in freezing temperatures on her doorstep.

National

Nearly Two Years Later, A Controversial Rape Case Is Reviewed

5:35pm October 18, 2013

by Peggy Lowe

In March 2012, two Missouri high school athletes were charged in a sexual assault case — and the charges were dropped three months later. Now, a county prosecutor will ask a judge to look at accusations. The firestorm surrounding the case was fueled in part by "hacktivist" crusaders Anonymous.

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National

Girls Charged For Cyber-Bullying Girl Who Committed Suicide

6:39pm October 16, 2013

by Nicole Creston

In Florida, authorities have arrested two girls — ages 12 and 14 — and charged them with felonies in the suicide death of a 12 year old. The sheriff says the accused cyber-bullied the girl for months before she took her own life.

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15 Years Later, Where Did All The Cigarette Money Go?

12:12pm October 15, 2013

by NPR Staff

So far, tobacco companies have paid more than $100 billion to state governments as part of a 25-year, $246 billion settlement. Though the money was meant to be spent on prevention and smoking-related programs, it didn't come with a mandate.

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Phase 2 Of BP Trial Focuses On Amount Of Spilled Oil

12:48pm October 08, 2013

by Jeff Brady

Both the U.S. government and BP have estimates on just how much oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010. The problem: They reached two different numbers. At stake is up to $18 billion in fines and penalties under federal environmental laws.

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National

Calif. Law Allows Undocumented Immigrants To Practice Law

11:32am October 08, 2013

by Emily Green

Sergio Garcia passed the California bar exam four years ago. The bar granted Garcia a law license but then rescinded it because he was undocumented. Gov. Jerry Brown has since signed a measure into law that permits undocumented immigrants to be a licenses attorneys.

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Jury Selection To Begin For Trial Of Madoff Employees

8:26am October 08, 2013

by Jim Zarroli

Almost five years after Bernie Madoff was arrested for fraud, some of his former employees are about to go on trial in New York. The case is expected to focus on how much the employees knew about Madoff's Ponzi scheme.

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The Supreme Court opens its new term this week.

Despite Shutdown, Supreme Court Opens Its Doors For New Term

11:09am October 07, 2013

by Nina Totenberg

The docket this year has nothing quite as riveting as last year's same-sex marriage cases, or the challenge to President Obama's health care overhaul from the term before. But once again, the court is facing hot-button social issues and questions of presidential and congressional power.

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