Law

Ohio Rape Allegations Spread Through Social Media

2:52pm January 07, 2013

by M.L. Schultze

More than a thousand protesters turned up in the Ohio River town of Steubenville over the weekend, spurred by a blogging and Twitter campaign that's focused on rape allegations involving high-school football players. Social media has taken the case well beyond the small eastern Ohio town, sparking international tension.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny Breuer announces a nearly $2 billion money laundering settlement with British bank HSBC on Dec. 11 in New York City.

Justice Wants Banks To Be Quasi Cops

9:44am January 01, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

The Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions to be on the lookout for sketchy transactions. The law is 40 years old, but federal prosecutors just recently put more energy into enforcing it. They want banks to spot illegal transactions and blow the whistle before money changes hands.

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National

Years Delayed, Detroit Starts Testing Rape Kits For Evidence

7:00pm December 29, 2012

by NPR Staff

In 2009, thousands of boxes of potential evidence were discovered untested. Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy is leading the effort to handle the backlog. While the city still lacks sufficient funding to test all of the 11,000 kits, it has made two convictions and discovered a pattern of serial rapists.

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A hilltop view of the 18-foot fence along the U.S.-Mexico border west of Nogales, Ariz.

Is The Border Secure Enough To Tackle The Immigration System?

8:10pm December 26, 2012

by Ted Robbins

"Secure the borders first" has been the cry from Republicans in Congress before they'd agree to comprehensive immigration reform. That stance seems to be changing, as some experts say demanding border security first is backward.

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Toyota Reaches $1 Billion Deal On Accelerator Lawsuits

7:24pm December 26, 2012

A plaintiffs' attorney says Toyota Motor Corp. has reached a settlement exceeding $1 billion in a class-action lawsuit involving complaints of unintended acceleration in its vehicles. Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Sonari Glinton about the deal, which still needs a judge's approval.

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Patrick Carroll (left) and David Chaves head white collar crime and securities fraud units at the FBI's New York office. Their team pursued insider trading with some of the same tactics used on organized crime and drug cartels.

National

Wall Street Wiretaps: Investigators Use Insiders' Own Words To Convict Them

6:07am December 26, 2012

by Ailsa Chang

It was a busy year for federal authorities pursuing insider trading cases, such as the one against hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam. Investigators say that success comes largely from their decision to attack insider trading the way they take down the Mafia and drug cartels — with wiretaps, informants and cooperators.

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Sofia Campos, 23, is the head of the United We Dream campaign — a national network of youth-led immigrant organizations. Campos was born in Peru, but grew up in California, entirely unaware of her undocumented status until she tried applying for college

In Pursuit of Recognition: An Undocumented Immigrant's Resilient Fight

9:42am December 25, 2012

by Mandalit del Barco

Undocumented students have played a crucial role in calls for immigration reform. Now, as lawmakers from both parties resume talks of legislation, student leaders have expanded their fight. Sofia Campos, who's at the forefront of the movement, shares her story of unyielding activism.

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In this photo illustration, a Rock River Arms AR-15 rifle is seen with ammunition.

Financial Ties Bind NRA, Gun Industry

10:51am December 21, 2012

by Peter Overby

NRA leaders say that when they break their silence on the Sandy Hook shootings Friday, they will be speaking for the group's 4 million members. But they will also be speaking for the gun industry, which has close financial links to the association.

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National

Mich. Governor Vetoes Bill Allowing Concealed Weapons In Schools

3:16pm December 20, 2012

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a bill on Tuesday that would have allowed people with concealed pistol permits to carry guns in schools. He was under widespread pressure to veto it after the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., last week. Robert Siegel talks to Rick Pluta of Michigan Public Radio.

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A visitor handles a revolver at a Smith & Wesson display during the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits on April 14 at America's Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Single-Issue Solidarity Behind NRA's Clout

5:44am December 20, 2012

by Peter Overby

The National Rifle Association ranks among the most effective advocacy groups in America. It reaches its members almost every way imaginable — and it gets them to volunteer for campaigns and educates them on how to vote.

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