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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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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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National

Post-Michael: Hard-Hit Florida Residents Consider Whether To Rebuild

It's been a week since one of the strongest hurricanes on record devastated parts of the Florida Panhandle, as well as parts of Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. How are things going?

Post-Michael: Hard-Hit Florida Residents Consider Whether To Rebuild

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National

Rescue Workers Still Trying To Find Hurricane Survivors In Mexico Beach, Fla.

Nearly a week after Hurricane Michael devastated parts of the Florida panhandle, residents are still trying to patch together their lives, without electricity or potable water. With cell phone service down it's even hard for people to let their loved-ones know they're safe.

Rescue Workers Still Trying To Find Hurricane Survivors In Mexico Beach, Fla.

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Kansas City, Mo., Mayoral Hopeful Withdraws From Race Citing PTSD

Jason Kander addresses a rally last year. He withdrew from the race for mayor of Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, saying he suffered from PTSD related to his military service in Afghanistan. Holly Ramer/AP hide caption

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Holly Ramer/AP

The Impact of War

Kansas City, Mo., Mayoral Hopeful Withdraws From Race Citing PTSD

Democrat Jason Kander said the abrupt decision to leave the field of candidates was related to post-traumatic stress disorder linked to his time in Afghanistan as an Army intelligence officer.

National

Kansas City Mayoral Candidate Jason Kander Drops Out, Citing PTSD

Jason Kander, an Army veteran and former Missouri secretary of state, dropped out of the race for Kansas City mayor on Tuesday, citing his struggles with PTSD.

Kansas City Mayoral Candidate Jason Kander Drops Out, Citing PTSD

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Army Maj. D.J. Skelton Wants You To Look Him In The Eye

Army Maj. D.J. Skelton in his garage at home in Monterey, Calif. In November 2004, insurgents ambushed Skelton's platoon during the second battle of Fallujah in Iraq. Two rocket propelled grenades hit the concrete next to him. What really should have killed him was a fragment that entered his right cheek, destroyed the roof of his mouth and exited his left eye. Jason LeCras for NPR hide caption

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Jason LeCras for NPR

National Security

Army Maj. D.J. Skelton Wants You To Look Him In The Eye

Army Maj. D.J. Skelton was grievously wounded in Iraq, yet managed to return to active duty and command a platoon in Afghanistan. He taught the Pentagon the continuing worth of wounded troops.

Army Maj. D.J. Skelton Wants You To Look Him In The Eye

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Health Care

VA Will Try Again To Make Its Health Records Compatible With Pentagon's

The VA is now set to spend $10 billion over the next 10 years adopting the Pentagon's system for electronic health records, but it's not clear who is in charge of the effort.

VA Will Try Again To Make Its Health Records Compatible With Pentagon's

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National

Murder Trial Of Blackwater Guard Ends In Mistrial

Eleven years after Blackwater security guards killed more than a dozen civilians in Iraq, the retrial of one of the defendants ended in a mistrial. A court decides Friday whether he will be retried.

Murder Trial Of Blackwater Guard Ends In Mistrial

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