Lawmakers are discussing several measures to solve the problem of unexpected medical bills, which can wreak havoc on patients’ lives. Here’s our guide to the current roster of proposed legislation.
Shinzo Abe Or Abe Shinzo? Japan’s Foreign Minister Tells Media To Change The Order
Taro Kono said he plans to ask overseas news outlets to write Japanese names with the family name first, as is the custom in Japan. But some wonder why the suggestion is coming now.
Binyavanga Wainaina, Kenyan Writer And LGBTQ Activist, Dies At 48
The author founded a platform for young Kenyan authors and came out as gay in a place where homosexuality has long been illegal. “Binyavanga was unbound in his imagining,” said a friend and colleague.
Mnuchin Says He Has ‘Not Yet’ Reviewed Memo Mandating IRS Turn Over Trump Tax Returns
The Treasury secretary has refused to comply with a House subpoena from a committee chairman requesting that the agency turn over Trump’s tax returns.
Trump Scorches Democrats As Pelosi Broaches Prospect Of ‘Impeachable Offense’
The only agreement that followed a White House meeting between the president and Democrats was that the other side was responsible for the breakdown in infrastructure negotiations.
What To Know About The Sudden Talk Of War With Iran
Lately, the White House has been talking as if conflict with Iran could soon erupt. Here’s a look at how the talk has turned so bellicose and what the risks are.
6 Die In Jakarta Riots After President Joko Widodo’s Election Win Is Confirmed
Saying he will not tolerate rioting, Widodo adds, “The military and the police will carry out stern actions in accordance with the law.”
‘Theodore Roosevelt For The Defense’ Makes A Libel Case Into Gripping Reading
Gifted writers Dan Abrams and David Fisher, who previously brought us Lincoln’s Last Trial, are clearly fascinated by how Teddy Roosevelt’s court case played out — bringing an enthusiasm to readers.
Anti-Abortion-Rights Groups Push GOP To Rethink Rape And Incest Exceptions
The letter, written after Alabama passed a restrictive abortion law, says, “The value of human life is not determined by the circumstances of one’s conception or birth.”
Anita Hill On 2020 Election: We Don’t Need ‘To Take The Lesser Of Two Evils’
Hill, who testified against Clarence Thomas during his 1991 Senate confirmation hearings, accepted a PEN America Courage Award on Tuesday. She spoke to NPR about Joe Biden and the #MeToo movement.
Jeremy Dutcher: Tiny Desk Concert
There is no one making music like this 27-year-old, classically trained opera tenor and pianist. Watch and see why.
Nevada Poised To Become 15th State To Ditch Electoral College
The state Senate voted along party lines to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would give the state’s six electoral votes to the winner of the presidential popular vote.
Trump’s Proposed Census Citizenship Question Bucks Centuries Of Precedent
Never before has the U.S. census directly asked for the citizenship status of every person living in every household. The question the Trump administration wants on the 2020 census could change that.
Nevada Law Removing Abortion Restrictions Passes State Assembly
Bucking a national trend toward more restrictions on abortion, the Nevada law relaxes certain abortion requirements. Every Republican voted against the measure.
Scientists Modify Viruses With CRISPR To Create New Weapon Against Superbugs
Superbugs are bacteria that can beat modern medicine’s most powerful drugs. So doctors are racing to find new ways to fight back, such as developing “living antibiotics.”
Collateral Damage Of The Trade War, Farmers Want Chinese Market Reopened
American farmers rely heavily on selling their goods overseas. As the trade war heats up again, many Midwest soybean farmers have huge surpluses and are receiving government aid.
Liz Cheney’s Choice: House Or Senate?
The Wyoming Republican is deciding between running for the Senate in 2020, or staying in the House where she has a chance to climb the leadership ladder.
Computerized Model Reveals Details Of How Human Cells Divide
The nonprofit Allen Institute in Seattle has produced a visualization of human cell division that promises to be useful for professional scientists and curious amateurs alike.
McDonald’s Facing New Charges Of Sexual Harassment
The incidents are alleged to have occurred at corporate and franchise stores in 20 cities. The company promises more training for employees and managers on its anti-harassment policy.
U.S. Postal Service Is Testing Self-Driving Trucks
The two-week pilot program will put five autonomous semi-trucks on the road, making the journey between Phoenix and Dallas.
Once A Homeless D.C. Teen, Now A Georgetown Graduate
In 2014, Rashema Melson was a homeless high school senior who was awarded a full scholarship to college. Now, she is a graduate of Georgetown University who hopes to return to help her community.
The Struggle To Hire And Keep Doctors In Rural Areas Means Patients Go Without Care
A new generation of family physicians wants a work-life balance. But practicing in a small town is a 24/7 job, which is worsening the ongoing doctor shortage in rural America.
With Workers Hard To Find, Immigration Crackdown Leaves Iowa Town In A Bind
Business leaders worry that tough laws against undocumented workers will discourage legal immigrants from coming to the state to work. Iowa’s low jobless rate has left businesses struggling to hire.
Belgian Monastery Will Brew Beer Again, After A 220-Year Pause
The last time Belgium’s Grimbergen Abbey brewed its own beer, the United States was only about 20 years old.
Across The Country, Protesters Rally To Stop States’ Abortion Bans
Protesters rallied outside statehouses and the Supreme Court, where some of the laws may eventually be considered. Hundreds of events were part of a national day of action called #StopTheBans.
Medical Investigation: How Did 494 Children In One Pakistani City Get HIV?
In late April, a tragedy began to unfold in Larkana. First one, then 15, now hundreds of youngsters have been found to be HIV positive. Who is responsible?
Dressbarn, Women’s Clothing Chain, To Close All Stores
The company’s CFO, Steven Taylor, called it a difficult decision but said the “chain has not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in today’s retail environment.”
Republican Tennessee House Speaker To Resign After Lewd And Sexist Texts
Glen Casada announced that he will resign his state House speakership after inappropriate and offensive texts leaked weeks ago. He has served in the Legislature for nearly 20 years.
Accused Shooter In New Zealand Mosque Attacks Charged With Terrorism
New Zealand police charged Brenton Tarrant, an Australian citizen, under the Terrorism Suppression Act. He also faces charges of 51 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder.
Democrats’ Impeachment Divide Tests Pelosi
President Trump’s efforts to block congressional oversight into his administration and special counsel Robert Mueller’s report is ratcheting up impeachment talk among House Democrats.
‘The Economy Is Slipping’: China’s Slowdown Hits Former Boomtown
Car production is shrinking in China’s Chongqing, and auto workers struggle to transition.
When LA’s Air Got Better, Kids’ Asthma Cases Dropped
New cases of asthma dropped dramatically in Los Angeles communities where air quality improved the most over 20 years. The results illustrate health benefits from pollution control.
Alabama Faces Deadline To Address Dangerous And Deadly Prison Conditions
Critics say a plan to build new prisons won’t solve the entrenched, underlying issues in the state prison system that have been found to be unconstitutional.
Teens Who Don’t Buckle Up: Chevy Has A Surprise For You
A new feature in some 2020 models will kick in if “Teen Driver” mode is on. If a driver turns on the car without wearing a seat belt, the car will temporarily refuse to shift out of park.
Muslim Lawmakers Host Ramadan Feast At Capitol
The nonprofit Muslim Advocates, along with the three Muslims in Congress, held an iftar, the breaking of the daily fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the U.S. Capitol on Monday night.
2-Tiered Wages Under Fire: Workers Challenge Unequal Pay For Equal Work
For years after the Great Recession, employers were reluctant to boost wages. Now a tight labor market is giving workers the leverage they need to demand a larger slice of the nation’s economic pie.