National

National

'Daily Beast' Editor-In-Chief Says Unusual Reporter Pairing Is Behind Latest Success

4:36pm December 26, 2017

by David Folkenflik

The Daily Beast is enjoying some success with an unusual pairing of reporters at the White House. Asawin Suebsaeng came from Mother Jones and Lachlan Markay wrote for a series of conservative publications before joining the publication. Editor-in-chief John Avlon says he thinks the pairing is helping their coverage stand out.

'Politico' Report Finds Lack Of Transparency Surrounding Work Of Trump's Cabinet Secretaries

4:36pm December 26, 2017

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Politico reporter Emily Holden about their investigation of President Trump's cabinet. They looked into 17 members of and found that many of them provide little or no information about what the they're working on, breaking from the policies of the Obama and George W. Bush administrations.

After Harvey, Texans Are Preparing For Future With Raised Homes, Private Flood Gates

4:36pm December 26, 2017

by Christopher Joyce

Houston, the nation's fourth largest city, is planning to remake itself into a more flood-proof metropolis after Hurricane Harvey hit the region hard. But Texas still doesn't have the money it wants to do that, let alone detailed plans on how to spend it. Some Texans simply aren't waiting; they're forging ahead on their own.

Pennsylvania City Gets Record-Breaking 56.5 Inches Of Snow

4:36pm December 26, 2017

In Pennsylvania, people in Erie received 56.5 inches of snow in the past two days. The National Weather Service says that's an all-time two-day record for Pennsylvania, breaking the previous record of 44 inches in 1958.

Roy Miller fills cans with cooked collard greens.

In A New Deal-Era Cannery, Old Meets New

4:36pm December 26, 2017

by Dan Charles

During the New Deal, the government set up hundreds of public canneries in small towns. Most have disappeared, but a surviving cannery in Farmville, Va., is getting a boost from local farmers.

Holiday Season Seems To Have Helped Struggling Retail Industry

4:36pm December 26, 2017

by Uri Berliner

Americans spent freely over the holidays, making it the best Christmas shopping season in years. Sales picked up as the economy continues to recover, with unemployment down and consumer confidence up. Weather and a favorable shopping calendar also boosted the fortunes of retailers.

More than 4 feet of snow fell on Erie, Pa., over a 30-hour period.

Many Parts Of The U.S. Got A White Christmas. Erie Got More

3:18pm December 26, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The northwest Pennsylvania storm started on Christmas Eve and has since shattered state and local records — more than 4 feet of snow in 30 hours, and it's still going.

Here's the NPR bracket for top political story of the year. Pick the winners by voting now.

Pick The Biggest Political Story Of 2017

2:39pm December 26, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

What's the biggest political story of the year? It's too hard to decide. You can vote in our March Madness-style contest of 64 eye-popping stories that made waves in 2017.

Heather Menzies-Urich, Actress In 'Sound Of Music,' Dies At 68

1:32pm December 26, 2017

by Doreen McCallister

Heather Menzies-Urich was 15 when she was cast to play Louisa von Trapp, one of the seven singing von Trapp children. She had been recently diagnosed with cancer, according to her son Ryan Urich.

Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) gestures before a committee meeting on Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C.

Salt Lake Tribune Calls For Sen. Orrin Hatch To Step Down In Blistering Editorial

1:21pm December 26, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The paper named Hatch "Utahn of the Year," a title based on impact either good or bad, while denouncing his "utter lack of integrity." Hatch said he was "grateful for this great Christmas honor."