Politics

The result of the race between Republican incumbent David Yancey and Democratic challenger Shelly Simonds is still in doubt. Here, election officials in Newport News, Va., examine ballots that a computer failed to scan during a Dec. 19 recount for their H

Virginia's Tiebreaker Draw Is Postponed; Pivotal Race Still In Doubt

1:35pm December 27, 2017

by Bill Chappell

"Drawing names is an action of last resort," elections board Chairman James Alcorn said, after a new legal challenge in the race that's expected to determine control of the state Legislature.

Anthony Scaramucci, whose tenure at the White House was short but attention-getting, made a splash in the first round of voting in the NPR Top Political Story of the Year Bracket.

NPR Bracket, Round 1 Results: Top Seeds Advance, 'The Mooch' With An Upset

10:46am December 27, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

Voting continues Wednesday for you to decide the top political story of the year. After the first round of voting, there are 32 stories left with some big match ups ahead.

Politics & Government

N.H. Training Program Teaches Female Candidates Campaign Basics

8:38am December 27, 2017

by Danielle Kurtzleben

Since Donald Trump was elected president, women have shown an unprecedented level of interest in running for office — sparking new candidate training sessions nationwide.

Queue Listen Now

Four-year-old Leo Griffin leaves a Chicago protest against the alt-right movement held to remember the victims of violence at a rally in Charlottesville, Va.

The Biggest Education Stories Of 2017 And 2018

8:38am December 27, 2017

by Anya Kamenetz

Betsy DeVos, school choice, civil rights, student loans and for-profit colleges: A look at the year in education and the big stories we're watching next year.

Queue Listen Now

Morning News Brief

6:23am December 27, 2017

President Trump has invited GOP congressional leaders to Camp David to discuss priorities for the new year. In Liberia, voters went to the polls to decide on their next president.

Queue Listen Now

From The Loyalty Pledge To Mueller As A 'Savior': 2017's Most Popular Russia Stories

5:00am December 27, 2017

by Miles Parks

The investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election began more than a year ago, and the story has only gotten more complicated. Here are the highlights from NPR.org.

Court Challenge Delays Drawing To Decide Virginia House Race

8:19pm December 26, 2017

A drawing scheduled for Wednesday that could have decided which Virginia candidate would become a state delegate, and potentially determine whether the Republican Party will stay in control, has been postponed. NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Rachel Bitecofer of Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., about the development.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Encore: How Trump Teases, Threatens And Dodges With 'We'll See What Happens'

5:31pm December 26, 2017

by Tamara Keith

President Trump frequently says "We will see what happens" about matters large and small, creating uncertainty for the media, members of his administration and even world leaders. But what do these constant teases mean for the presidency?

Control of Virginia's House Of Delegates Rests With Two Film Canisters

5:31pm December 26, 2017

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with James Alcorn, chairman of Virginia's board of elections about drawing a film canister from a crystal bowl tomorrow, which will have a slip of paper that will decide which candidate will become a state delegate. It will also determine whether the Republican Party will keep control of the State House, or if the delegates will be split with the Democrats.

Queue Listen Now

States Say They Need Federal Government's Help To Secure Midterm Elections

4:36pm December 26, 2017

by Pam Fessler

The 2018 midterm elections will be the first test of efforts to protect the U.S. voting process from outside interference since Russian hackers probed state voting systems in last year's presidential race. Some progress has been made, but state and local election officials say they need more money and information from the federal government to secure the elections.