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Quil Lawrence Quil Lawrence is a New York-based correspondent for NPR News, covering veterans' issues nationwide.
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National

Closing Arguments Heard In Trial Of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzmán

Closing arguments were heard Thursday in the trial of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, accused of being one of the world's premier drug traffickers. The case now goes to the jury.

Closing Arguments Heard In Trial Of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzmán

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Benefits For Navy Victims Of Agent Orange – Just 50 Years Later

U.S. Navy armorers wheel out 500-pound bombs for the wing racks of jets aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in March 1971 off the coast of Vietnam. Rick Merron/AP hide caption

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Rick Merron/AP

National Security

Benefits For Navy Victims Of Agent Orange – Just 50 Years Later

Navy veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam were long denied benefits for exposure to Agent Orange. A federal appeals court now has ruled that service at sea was the same as service on land.

Veterans Claiming Illness From Burn Pits Lose Court Fight

U.S. soldiers traverse fields on the way to conducting house-to- house searches in 2007 in Mukhisa, Iraq. Chris Hondros/Getty Images hide caption

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Chris Hondros/Getty Images

National Security

Veterans Claiming Illness From Burn Pits Lose Court Fight

Hundreds of veterans sued military contractor KBR Inc., alleging toxic smoke from burn pits at military bases made them ill. A federal appellate court said compensation must come from Congress.

Veterans Claiming Illness From Burn Pits Lose Court Fight

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National Security

Militant Suspected Of USS Cole Bombing Is Killed In U.S. Airstrike

The military strike killed Jamal al-Badawi, one of the alleged al-Qaida planners of the USS Cole bombing, more than 17 years ago. He was on the FBI's most wanted list.

Militant Suspected Of USS Cole Bombing Is Killed In U.S. Airstrike

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VA Says It Will Stop Arbitrarily Dropping Caregivers From Program

Retired Sgt. Chris Kurtz wheels himself up to his front door as his wife and caretaker, Heather Kurtz, follows behind. The Department of Veterans Affairs told him last summer that he no longer needs a caregiver. Erica Brechtelsbauer for NPR hide caption

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Erica Brechtelsbauer for NPR

National

VA Says It Will Stop Arbitrarily Dropping Caregivers From Program

The temporary suspension comes three days after a report from NPR exposed concern from veterans that their caregivers were arbitrarily cut, despite no change in their status.

VA Says It Will Stop Arbitrarily Dropping Caregivers From Program

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VA Still Arbitrarily Cutting Caregivers From Program, Even As It Aims To Expand

Ret. Sgt. Chris Kurtz and his wife Heather Kurtz pose for a portrait on the couch in their living room. Erica Brechtelsbauer for NPR hide caption

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Erica Brechtelsbauer for NPR

National

VA Still Arbitrarily Cutting Caregivers From Program, Even As It Aims To Expand

Congress told the VA to expand its caregiver program to include pre-Sept. 11 vets, but the VA has failed to meet a deadline in the law.

VA Still Arbitrarily Cutting Caregivers From Program, Even As It Aims To Expand

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'To Care For Him': Female Veterans Ask VA To Include Them In Its Motto

Veterans gather at the site of the 1776 Battle of Fort Washington in Manhattan. They are calling on the VA to rename the Manhattan VA Medical Center in honor of Margaret Corbin, who took her husband's place during the battle after he was killed. Quil Lawrence/NPR hide caption

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National Security

'To Care For Him': Female Veterans Ask VA To Include Them In Its Motto

The VA motto, which is taken from Lincoln's second inaugural speech, addresses veterans with the male pronoun. Some veterans want to change the wording to include women.

'To Care For Him': Female Veterans Ask VA To Include Them In Its Motto

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Connecticut VA Opens Its Doors To 'Bad Paper' Veterans

Burke deployed to southern Afghanistan in 2009. Based in a remote village, he was friendly with the local children and then scarred when several died when they found a piece of unexploded ordnance. Courtesy of Thomas Burke hide caption

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Courtesy of Thomas Burke

National

Connecticut VA Opens Its Doors To 'Bad Paper' Veterans

Veterans who were kicked out of the military often get no VA health care or benefits — even if combat trauma caused their misbehavior. Connecticut has passed a law to change that.

Connecticut VA Opens Its Doors To 'Bad Paper' Veterans

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Politics

Why It's Notable That A Slew Of New Members Elected To Congress Are Military Veterans

For the midterm elections, many candidates in both parties were military veterans, and they relied heavily on their biographies in seeking votes. The results were mixed.

Why It's Notable That A Slew Of New Members Elected To Congress Are Military Veterans

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After A Year Of Turmoil, New VA Secretary Says 'Waters Are Calmer'

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie said his department is on the mend after a tumultuous 2018. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

National Security

After A Year Of Turmoil, New VA Secretary Says 'Waters Are Calmer'

Robert Wilkie is President Trump's second VA secretary; his first was fired after clashing with political appointees. Wilkie insists he's put an end to infighting at the department.

After A Year Of Turmoil, New VA Secretary Says 'Waters Are Calmer'

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National

Pittsburgh Community Reels Following Mass Shooting At Synagogue

At a synagogue on Saturday, 11 congregants were shot to death. Six more were injured in the attack. The suspected gunman, 46-year-old Robert Bowers, is to expected to appear in court Monday.

Pittsburgh Community Reels Following Mass Shooting At Synagogue

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National

Pittsburgh Holds Vigil To Honor Victims In Synagogue Shooting

Victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue are honored at a community gathering in Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

Pittsburgh Holds Vigil To Honor Victims In Synagogue Shooting

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National Security

Major Investigation Underway After Suspicious Packages Mailed To Government Officials

Law enforcement is investigating a series of suspicious packages delivered to the Obamas, the Clintons, and other leading democrats. No one has been injured by the what appear to be pipe bombs.

Major Investigation Underway After Suspicious Packages Mailed To Government Officials

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