Biden had a productive year picking federal judges. The job could get tougher in 2022
President Biden has gotten a diverse group of 40 federal judges confirmed in 2021, the most for a new president since the Reagan era.
Politics
Colorado's first lawmaker to use a wheelchair will finally get to wield the gavel
State Rep. David Ortiz was paralyzed from the waist down while serving in Afghanistan. To give him access to the House podium, legislative staff say they have built the first lift of its kind.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on the state of the pandemic
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Gov. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., about Monday's call with the White House and governors about the pandemic.
States send kids to foster care and their parents the bill — often one too big to pay
In every state, governments charge parents for the cost of foster care when children are taken away. When that happens, NPR found, poor parents can't make ends meet, so families are kept apart longer.
Stacey Abrams discusses running again for Ga. governor and her new children's book
NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Stacey Abrams about her second bid to be Georgia's governor, and the lessons about drawing strength from failure in her new children's book: Stacey's Extraordinary Words.
Racial reckoning turns focus to roadside historical markers
Pennsylvania is reviewing its 2,500 roadside markers, scrutinizing factual errors, inadequate historical context, and racist or otherwise inappropriate references.
FEMA wants to give families up to $9,000 for COVID funerals, but many don't apply
A federal program reimburses families up to $9,000 for funeral costs for loved ones who died of COVID-19. But many eligible families have not applied for assistance.
Sudanese activists want the U.S. to support their push for democracy
NPR's Eyder Peralta speaks with Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, about the ongoing conflicts in that region.
NYC bans natural gas in new buildings in an effort to combat climate change
NPR's Eyder Peralta talks to David Iaconangelo of E&E News about New York City's recent ban on natural gas in new buildings and its national implications.
Biden struggles with his image as COVID-19 proves difficult to stay ahead of
The pandemic is the issue driving much of American politics these days and could either doom or boost the Biden presidency.