National

National

After Acquiring A Satellite, 'Planet Money' Had To Find The Fuel To Get It In Space

4:27pm January 31, 2018

by Robert Smith

Once you get a satellite, you need to find a large tube filled with explosive fuel to take your satellite to space. Luckily, there is fierce competition among rocket makers to give you a lift. In the second of three-part series, Planet Money travels from California to New Zealand to see which rocket with blast their satellite to the stars.

Critics Of President Trump Say He's Highlighting The MS13 Gang For Political Purposes

4:27pm January 31, 2018

by Joel Rose

The parents of two teenage girls from Long Island, who were killed by alleged members of the MS-13 street gang, were in the audience for last night's State of the Union address. The White House says their stories show why the U.S. needs tougher immigration laws. But critics say the administration is deliberately demonizing immigrants, who are far more likely to the be the gang's victims than its members.

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CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald Resigns After Reports Show Investment In Tobacco Stocks

4:27pm January 31, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

Brenda Fitzgerald, director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, resigned on Wednesday because of financial conflicts of interest. The chief public health official bought stocks in tobacco and health care companies after she started working at the agency.

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Larry Nassar is in court again for a third and final sentencing hearing in Michigan. So far, more than 250 women and girls have accused him of sexual abuse.

National

Nassar Returns To Court For 3rd Sentencing; USA Gymnastics Board Resigns

3:56pm January 31, 2018

The former team doctor has already been sentenced in child porn and sexual assault cases. This week's hearing, in another Michigan county, focuses on different assault charges.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks during a news conference following last month's Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

As Yellen Exits Fed, Policymakers Hold Interest Rates Steady

2:19pm January 31, 2018

by Doreen McCallister

Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen presided over her last policy meeting this week. After a two-day meeting, the Fed kept its target for a key interest rate unchanged, as analysts had expected.

President Trump claps at his first State of the Union address, to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol.

8 Key Moments And Themes From Trump's 1st State Of The Union Address

2:18pm January 31, 2018

by Domenico Montanaro

In case you missed the State of the Union address, here's what you need to know.

Smoking is the No. 1 cause of death among people with severe mental illness.

Science

How To Drive Down Smoking In Groups That Still Light Up

2:01pm January 31, 2018

by Menaka Wilhelm

Only around 15 percent of adults in America smoke — but that still leaves 40 million people who smoke cigarettes, and many of them belong to the most vulnerable population groups.

Chickens are carried through a poultry slaughterhouse on mechanical arms.

National

USDA Denies Poultry Industry's Request To Speed Up The Slaughter Line

1:53pm January 31, 2018

by Nicole Erwin

The National Chicken Council says a faster line speed would increase efficiency and modernize systems. Food safety advocates are calling the move a victory for both workers and consumers.

National

Lawmakers Respond To FEMA Puerto Rico Cutoff

10:04am January 31, 2018

by Adrian Florido

Lawmakers have called on FEMA to continue supplying food and water to Puerto Rico. The calls follow an NPR report on the agency's plan to transfer responsibility to the Puerto Rican government.

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Virginia Voters And The State Of The Union

10:04am January 31, 2018

by Don Gonyea

We hear from voters in northern Virginia about what they thought of President Trump's first State of the Union address.

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