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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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Politics

Veterans Affairs Secretary Responds To Criticism For Travel Expenses

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is being criticized for charging his wife's travel to the government when she accompanied him to Europe. Shulkin says he complied with all ethics guidelines, but his chief of staff, also criticized for her role in arranging the trip, has announced her retirement.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Responds To Criticism For Travel Expenses

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Politics

Military Vets Are Among Factors Changing The Politics Of Pot

The politics of medical marijuana are changing as veterans turn to the drug to treat service-related conditions. Trump administration efforts to enforce anti-pot laws have faced bipartisan pushback.

Military Vets Are Among Factors Changing The Politics Of Pot

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National

Veterans Group Says 'Please Stand'

After President Trump said Americans should stand for the national anthem, the organization AMVETS issued a TV spot called "Please Stand." It says it's been misunderstood and politicized.

Veterans Group Says 'Please Stand'

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The Impact of War

Trump Executive Order Aims To Expand Veteran Mental Health Care

The Trump administration is moving to enroll all new veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs mental health services. This greatly expands the numbers of veterans enrolled with the VA.

Trump Executive Order Aims To Expand Veteran Mental Health Care

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The Impact of War

The Number Of Homeless Veterans Rises

HUD has released its latest homeless count and the number of homeless veterans is slightly up from last year. This is despite a years-long effort to bring that number to zero.

The Number Of Homeless Veterans Rises

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National

In Puerto Rico, The Crisis After Hurricane Maria Is Taxing Residents' Mental Health

Most of the island of Puerto Rico is still in the dark since hurricane Maria struck the island in September. Beyond the physical damage and the slow recovery, Puerto Ricans are accessing the psychological toll from a devastating storm.

In Puerto Rico, The Crisis After Hurricane Maria Is Taxing Residents' Mental Health

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Politics

'Cross-Partisan' Group, With Honor, Aims To Support Veteran Candidates For Congress

A "cross-partisan" group called With Honor has formed to support military veterans running for Congress. The group hopes to assist 25 to 35 candidates from both parties in 2018 elections.

'Cross-Partisan' Group, With Honor, Aims To Support Veteran Candidates For Congress

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In Puerto Rico, A Couple Of Hours Of 'Normal' During The World Series

Puerto Ricans who could find a TV screen connected to a generator and a satellite link took advantage of the final game of the World Series to get a much needed diversion. Six weeks after Hurricane Maria, only about a third of the territory has power. Quil Lawrence/NPR hide caption

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Sports

In Puerto Rico, A Couple Of Hours Of 'Normal' During The World Series

Dozens of Puerto Ricans from all walks of life pulled up lawn chairs and stools in the middle of the street in San Juan to watch the final game between the Houston Astros and the L.A. Dodgers.

National

FEMA Coordinator Says He's Not Sure When More Of Puerto Rico Will Have Power

The oversight board that supervises Puerto Rico's indebted government met publicly today for the first-time in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The board heard sobering statistics about the extent of the damage and discussed austerity measures to fix the island's broken economy.

FEMA Coordinator Says He's Not Sure When More Of Puerto Rico Will Have Power

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Research News

VA Examines Link Between Blast Exposure And Lung Injuries

A new study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that even mild exposure to blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan may cause long term breathing problems.

VA Examines Link Between Blast Exposure And Lung Injuries

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National

A Look At The Confederate Monuments Debate From Gettysburg Memorial

Gettysburg, Pa., where Union forces turned the tide of the Civil War in a horrific battle, has the largest number of Confederate monuments in the country. The national park there has been the scene of reconciliation between north and south, but current events suggest that reconciliation is still an ongoing process.

A Look At The Confederate Monuments Debate From Gettysburg Memorial

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The Impact of War

VA Studying Suicide Prevention In Veterans

Suicide among veterans is 22 percent higher than for civilians of the same age. The VA and the Pentagon have been studying how to prevent suicides.

VA Studying Suicide Prevention In Veterans

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National

Paralyzed Veterans Vs. Airlines

A rule to track and report how airlines take care of wheelchairs has been delayed for a year by the government. The group Paralyzed Veterans of America is suing to stop that delay.

Paralyzed Veterans Vs. Airlines

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The Impact of War

VA Re-Evaluates Family Caregiver Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs is re-evaluating some of the people it dropped from its caregiver program following an NPR report. We have an update on what's changed and what's next.

VA Re-Evaluates Family Caregiver Program

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