Politics

President Biden, right, reacts after speaking at a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Tuesday in Arlington, Va. McAuliffe will face Republican Glenn Youngkin in the election on Nov. 2.

Virginia's race for governor is a test for Democrats' — and Trump's — staying power

11:26pm October 28, 2021

by Ben Paviour

Voters in Virginia will choose a new governor Tuesday. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, is running for his seat again, while Republican businessman Glenn Youngkin is a first-time candidate.

Texas state Rep. Matt Krause looks over the calendar as lawmakers rush to finish business in Austin, Texas, in May 2017.

A Texas lawmaker is targeting 850 books that he says could make students feel uneasy

7:35pm October 28, 2021

by Bill Chappell

Republican Matt Krause is asking schools for an accounting of any book that "might make students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress."

Richard Cordray is the chief operating officer of Federal Student Aid.

4 things to know about possible changes to your student loan debt

6:26pm October 28, 2021

by Cory Turner

The head of the office of Federal Student Aid, Richard Cordray, spoke with lawmakers about loan forgiveness and a resumption of student loan repayments after the pandemic pause.

President Biden seeks to reaffirm his leadership at G20 summit

4:45pm October 28, 2021

NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with White House economic and national security advisor Daleep Singh about President Biden's goals for the G20 Rome summit as he faces economic and political challenges.

House climate crisis chair says spending plan is 'transformative,' despite cuts

4:45pm October 28, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., who chairs the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26.

What is and isn't in Biden's infrastructure framework — and where it goes from here

4:36pm October 28, 2021

President Biden outlined a framework that he said would win support from all 50 Senate Democrats and pass the House. But it's unclear whether that is true.

10 embassies call for Turkey to release imprisoned civil society leader Osman Kavala

4:36pm October 28, 2021

by Durrie Bouscaren

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to expel 10 Western ambassadors, including the U.S., because they have criticized the detention of civil society advocate Osman Kavala.

All public employees in the city are required to have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 5 p.m. on Friday.

NYC firefighters protest at the mayor's home over vaccine mandate as deadline looms

3:34pm October 28, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

Firefighters and other municipal workers are protesting New York City's vaccine mandate, which takes effect Monday. If they don't have at least one dose by Friday, they will be put on unpaid leave.

Facing a union effort, Starbucks, which is also making changes to training and scheduling, says that it supports the workers' right to organize but that a union was unnecessary.

Starbucks and Costco raise wages in the nationwide competition for workers

3:23pm October 28, 2021

by Alina Selyukh

Costco pays $17 an hour after a second raise this year. Starbucks is raising hourly pay to $15 amid a union effort. Major chains are pushing to draw workers, who have shunned a million retail jobs.

President Joe Biden promotes his "Build Back Better" agenda, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, in Kearny, N.J.

Politics & Government

Biden unveils a smaller spending framework. But all Democrats are not onboard

2:26pm October 28, 2021

by Kelsey Snell

The Biden administration believes the resulting legislation will still be transformative, but it is far less than what he originally proposed.