News

Reed Holway spent 13 months in Iraq. He says PTSD brought on a drinking problem when he returned to the States — and that eventually led to a bad-conduct discharge. Vets with "bad paper" have trouble getting any VA health benefits — even for PTSD.

National

Other-Than-Honorable Discharge Burdens Like A Scarlet Letter

11:21am December 16, 2013

by Quil Lawrence

Since 2001, more than 100,000 troops have left the military with an other-than-honorable discharge. The "bad paper" puts benefits and medical care out of reach, even for those who served in combat. Which raises a simple question: What does America owe those who serve?

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National

For Veterans, 'Bad Paper' Is A Catch-22 For Treatment

11:20am December 16, 2013

by Quil Lawrence

Reed Holway served in Iraq, where he developed PTSD. His symptoms worsened back in the U.S. He got in trouble and ultimately received a bad-conduct discharge. Now Holway is stuck: He can't get medical care from the VA for the disorder that he says caused him to get kicked out of the Army in the first place.

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National

Filling The Gaps For Veterans With Bad Discharges

11:18am December 16, 2013

by Marisa Peñaloza

Community and charity groups are scrambling to provide care where the VA is failing veterans who left the military with less-than-honorable discharges. Many of these groups have extensive experience with the problem; they say tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans faced the same problem.

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Actor Peter O'Toole performed on stage and on film in many leading roles, and began his acting career in the 1950s when he was serving in the navy. He died on Dec. 14 at the age of 81.

Arts

Peter O'Toole, Exuberant From 'Lawrence' To His Last Role

10:35am December 16, 2013

by Bob Mondello

Actor Peter O'Toole had a larger-than-life movie career. The Hollywood legend was made famous in his title role in Lawrence of Arabia. He died Saturday at age 81.

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Rheanna Kathleen Morris hugs her mom, Peggy Sinclair-Morris.

Promises To Fix Mental Health System Still Unfulfilled

10:23am December 16, 2013

by Jenny Gold

Even for those with the will and drive to pursue treatment, the process remains difficult, frightening and full of holes. Mental health advocates say little has come, on the federal level, from the task forces and promises that followed the Newtown shootings.

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Blasting through powder on wooden, horsehide-bottomed skis, with a single pole for balance, an Altai skier shows off the skills and equipment his distant ancestors perfected.

Deep In China, 'Cowboys' Have Skied For Thousands Of Years

10:21am December 16, 2013

by NPR Staff

On wooden skis, the Tuvan people of Central Asia have been traversing the snow for at least 4,000 years. Travel writer Mark Jenkins went to the region for National Geographic, where he joined a group of lasso-wielding men on skis tracking elk.

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A jet comes in for landing at Los Angeles International Airport

Going The Distance: Mileage Running On Marathon Flights

8:58am December 16, 2013

by Daniel Hajek

Imagine flying around the world in a span of days for the sole purpose of earning frequent flyer miles. That's the idea behind mileage runs. By spending hours in an airplane, travelers gain status on an airline.

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On Sunday, Ireland became the first country to formally exit the bailout program funded by the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

Ireland Exits Bailout Program, But Economy Still On The Mend

8:24am December 16, 2013

by Jim Zarroli

Ireland has big budget deficits, low growth rates and high unemployment. But the country is ready to take a big step toward getting back to normal. On Sunday, it became the first country to exit the bailout program put in place by the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

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Boulevard Brewing's lineup includes seven year-round beers, five seasonal beers and 13 beers in its Smokestack series.

When Craft Beer Goes Global: A Kansas City Brewery's Tale

8:07am December 16, 2013

by Frank Morris

Boulevard Brewing has become a Kansas City staple since its founding in the 1980s. It has many loyal local fans — and soon, a new international owner, Duvel. The deal says a lot about how the world now values a product made with a firm sense of place.

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National

In Press-Rights Battle, Reporter Says Accountability's At Risk

6:03pm December 15, 2013

by NPR Staff

The Justice Department is trying to compel New York Times journalist James Risen to testify in the case of a former CIA official who may or may not have leaked classified information to him. The case calls into question the limits of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press.

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