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David Schaper David Schaper is a NPR National Desk reporter based in Chicago.
David Schaper 2010
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David Schaper

Illinois Town Tries To Show It Is More Than Just Steel

In Granite City, Ill., 500 laid-off steelworkers are being called back to work, a result of President Trump's steep tariffs that go into effect Friday on imported steel. David Schaper/NPR hide caption

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David Schaper/NPR

National

Illinois Town Tries To Show It Is More Than Just Steel

Residents of Granite City, Ill., are celebrating the new tariffs on imported steel, which are jump-starting the local economy. But they also worry about being too dependent on that steel mill.

Illinois Town Tries To Show It Is More Than Just Steel

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Business

Illinois Steelworkers React To Tariffs

Some steelworkers are rejoicing over the new tariffs on imported steel. We go to Granite City, Ill., where 500 workers who have been laid off for more than two years are going back to work.

Illinois Steelworkers React To Tariffs

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Politics

The Winners And Losers Of Trump's $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

President Trump released his $1.5 trillion infrastructure financing plan at the White House Monday. The plan calls for spending $200 billion over 10 years to repair and rebuild highways, bridges, airports, seaports, and water systems. Half of that funding will be used as incentives to get cities, counties and states to finance at least 80 percent of the infrastructure costs themselves.

The Winners And Losers Of Trump's $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

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Investigators Blame Sleep Apnea For 2 Train Crashes, Push For Mandatory Screening

Damage done to the Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey after a commuter train crash in September 2016. Federal investigators attribute this accident and one in New York to engineers' untreated sleep apnea. Chris O'Neil/AP hide caption

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Chris O'Neil/AP

The Two-Way

Investigators Blame Sleep Apnea For 2 Train Crashes, Push For Mandatory Screening

The National Transportation Safety Board said two recent commuter rail accidents that killed one person and injured more than 200 others were caused by engineers falling asleep at the controls.

NTSB Looks At Disabled Signals, Locked Switch In Latest Deadly Amtrak Crash

An aerial view of the site in Cayce, S.C., where an Amtrak passenger train (bottom right) slammed into a CSX freight train early Sunday morning. At least two Amtrak crew members were killed and more than 100 people injured, authorities said. Jeff Blake/AP hide caption

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Jeff Blake/AP

National

NTSB Looks At Disabled Signals, Locked Switch In Latest Deadly Amtrak Crash

Safety advocates and federal investigators have railed against a "lax safety culture" within Amtrak in recent years, but investigators warn against attributing four recent crashes to a systemic issue.

New Barking Orders For Documenting Support Animals Before Boarding Planes

A service dog named Orlando rests on the foot of its trainer, John Reddan, while sitting inside a United Airlines plane at Newark Liberty International Airport during a training exercise last year. United Airlines wants to see more paperwork before passengers fly with an emotional support animal. Julio Cortez/AP hide caption

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Julio Cortez/AP

National

New Barking Orders For Documenting Support Animals Before Boarding Planes

Airlines are clarifying their policies on emotional support animals, requiring more documentation about the need for the animal. Recently, a woman tried to board a flight with a peacock.

National

Infrastructure Experts Wondering Where Funding Would Come From For Trump's Plan

President Trump's plan to invest billions into fixing the nation's crumbling infrastructure may burden state and local governments and lead to a greater reliance on tolls.

Infrastructure Experts Wondering Where Funding Would Come From For Trump's Plan

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National

Who Stops Working When The Government Shuts Down

What does the federal government shutdown mean for Americans? The mail will still be delivered but some national attractions could be impacted.

Who Stops Working When The Government Shuts Down

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More States Turning To Toll Roads To Raise Cash For Infrastructure

Vehicles are seen at the toll bridge of the Holland Tunnel as snow covers the road during a snowstorm on Feb. 9, 2017, in Jersey City, N.J. More states are turning to tolls as a way to fund long-standing transportation needs. Julio Cortez/AP hide caption

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Julio Cortez/AP

National

More States Turning To Toll Roads To Raise Cash For Infrastructure

Tight budgets and shrinking infrastructure money from Washington have more states hiking tolls and adding tollways to raise money to fix and repair roads and bridges.

More States Turning To Toll Roads To Raise Cash For Infrastructure

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Politics

White House Will Focus On Its Next Priority: Infrastructure

The White House is expected to introduce its proposal to improve the nation's infrastructure in January. But there are hints that there will be very little new federal funding in the package.

White House Will Focus On Its Next Priority: Infrastructure

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Derailment Probe Looks At Speed, As Critics Cite Amtrak's 'Lax Safety Culture'

A damaged Amtrak train car is lowered from an overpass Tuesday at the scene of a train crash onto Interstate 5 a day earlier in DuPont, Wash. Federal investigators say they don't yet know why the Amtrak train was traveling 50 mph over the speed limit when it derailed. The rail cars will be taken to a nearby military base for closer analysis. Elaine Thompson/AP hide caption

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Elaine Thompson/AP

National

Derailment Probe Looks At Speed, As Critics Cite Amtrak's 'Lax Safety Culture'

The National Transportation Safety Board is trying to figure out why the train was traveling 80 mph in a 30 mph zone when it careened off a highway overpass Monday, killing at least three people.

Derailment Probe Looks At Speed, As Critics Cite Amtrak's 'Lax Safety Culture'

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Are $40 Toll Roads The Future?

Signs warn drivers of icy road conditions on Interstate 66 in Fairfax County, Va., in March 2014. The state's Department of Transportation recently added rush hour tolls to the road, using dynamic pricing, which continuously adjusts the cost based on congestion. Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

National

Are $40 Toll Roads The Future?

In Virginia, officials hope a shift to toll pricing based on demand and traffic flow will change commuter behavior and reduce congestion on Interstate 66. Critics say the cost is too high.

Are $40 Toll Roads The Future?

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Dozens Of Mayors Sign Pact To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, (center) with other mayors from the U.S., Mexico and Canada at the summit, says, "There is an absence of leadership out of Washington" on climate change. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

National

Dozens Of Mayors Sign Pact To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mayors from across the country also agreed to meet goals similar to those in the Paris climate accord, which President Trump announced earlier this year the U.S. would withdraw from.