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Meg Anderson Meg Anderson is a reporter on NPR's National Desk.
Meg Anderson - 2019
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Meg Anderson

Thursday

Detainees do a virtual visit with their attorneys or asylum officers during a media tour at the Port Isabel Detention Center hosted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Harlingen Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) on June 10, 2024 in Los Fresnos, Texas.

Detainees do a virtual visit with their attorneys or asylum officers during a media tour at the Port Isabel Detention Center hosted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Harlingen Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) on June 10, 2024 in Los Fresnos, Texas. Veronica Gabriela Cardenas/Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Veronica Gabriela Cardenas/Pool/Getty Images

National

Trump's challenge: where to house millions of immigrant detainees

One of the biggest hurdles to carrying out Trump's mass deportation plans is where to house the millions of people who are in the country without legal status. As many prisons and detention centers are already overcrowded, what options are there?

Trump's challenge: where to house millions of immigrant detainees

Listen · 4:25
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Friday

National

The prison population is going up as prisons struggle with staffing and overpopulation

The prison population has been creeping back upward. New laws in some states instituting harsher punishments threaten to further fill prisons, many of which are already understaffed and overcrowded.

PRISON POPULATION RISING

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Thursday

People attend a vigil on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol building to mourn the victims of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis.

People attend a vigil on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol building to mourn the victims of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

National

California man allegedly messaged Madison school shooter about plans ahead of attack

New information has emerged in the investigation into a school shooting at a small Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, though authorities are still searching for a motive.

Tuesday

National

Killer is identified in Wisconsin school shooting

Authorities in Madison, Wisc., don't yet know what led a student to open fire at Abundant Life Christian School killing a teacher, a fellow student and injuring six others.

Killer is identified in Wisconsin school shooting

Listen · 3:52
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Wednesday

National

The uncertain fate of federal investigations into police misconduct

Federal consent decrees can be a powerful legal tool to reform local police departments. They've stalled under Biden. What does Trump's second term mean for these court agreements?

The uncertain fate of federal investigations into police misconduct

Listen · 4:04
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Friday

Ten states have recently passed laws effectively banning police from lying to juveniles during interrogations. But some advocates are pushing for a deception ban that would apply to everyone, not just kids.

Ten states have recently passed laws effectively banning police from lying to juveniles during interrogations. But some advocates are pushing for a deception ban that would apply to everyone, not just kids. Denis Novikov/Getty Images hide caption

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Denis Novikov/Getty Images

National

It's legal for police to use deception in interrogations. Advocates want that to end

Ten states have passed laws to ban the practice of lying to juveniles in custody during police interrogations. Now, one state wants to extend the ban to adults too.

It's legal for police to use deception in interrogations. Advocates want that to end

Listen · 3:54
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Thursday

A person wears a shirt in support of Amendment 3, a ballot initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Florida. North and South Dakota are also voting on whether to legalize the drug.

A person wears a shirt in support of Amendment 3, a ballot initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Florida. North and South Dakota are also voting on whether to legalize the drug. Rebecca Blackwell/AP hide caption

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Rebecca Blackwell/AP

National

Three takeaways from crime ballot measures around the country

Voters will decide on a slew of criminal justice ballot measures this election. Legalizing some drugs, increasing penalties for others and boosting police pay are among the proposed changes.

What’s on the ballot? Drugs, police funding and getting tough on crime

Listen · 3:46
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Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

Lillian Risser, left, and Sophia Loveland, right, approach an encampment in Humboldt Park on Sept. 23 in Chicago. Risser and Loveland are outreach workers for Thresholds, a mental health care provider in Illinois that works to move people out of encampments into more permanent housing.

Lillian Risser, left, and Sophia Loveland, right, approach an encampment in Humboldt Park on Sept. 23 in Chicago. Risser and Loveland are outreach workers for Thresholds, a mental health care provider in Illinois that works to move people out of encampments into more permanent housing. Jamie Kelter Davis for NPR hide caption

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Jamie Kelter Davis for NPR

National

Politicians often link crime and homelessness. The reality is more complex

As the homelessness crisis grows, it’s common for the public and politicians to conflate homeless encampments and criminal activity. But how much do these camps really affect crime in cities?

The reality of the link between crime and homelessness is complex

Listen · 4:43
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Wednesday

Kamala Harris speaks at a watch party after the presidential debate on Tuesday night.

Kamala Harris speaks at a watch party after the presidential debate on Tuesday night. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Elections

Kamala Harris is a gun owner — but she's still a proponent of stricter gun laws

Vice President Harris cited the fact she was a gun owner in Tuesday night's presidential debate, in a move designed to shut down suggestions from former President Donald Trump that she wants to “confiscate your guns.”

Saturday

Law

Georgia officials charge 14-year-old alleged school shooter as an adult

The school shooting this week in Georgia raises many questions about how the criminal justice system handles cases where minors commit capital crimes.

Georgia officials charge 14-year-old alleged school shooter as an adult

Listen · 4:06
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Thursday

The Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis.

The Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis holds trainings to teach young people how to assert their rights in police custody. Jaida Grey Eagle for NPR hide caption

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Jaida Grey Eagle for NPR

Law

Should police be able to interrogate kids alone? A growing number of states say no

In most states, children and teenagers can waive their right to a lawyer during police questioning. Some states are now requiring that they speak to an attorney first.

Should police be able to interrogate kids alone? A growing number of states say no

Listen · 4:13
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Saturday

A makeshift memorial for Michael Brown stands in the street on Sept. 11, 2015, in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's death prompted nationwide protests and a White House report on American policing.

A makeshift memorial for Michael Brown stands in the street on Sept. 11, 2015, in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's death prompted nationwide protests and a White House report on American policing. Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

National

10 years after Michael Brown's death, police killings are not going down

Ten years ago, a white police officer killed Michael Brown, a Black teen in Ferguson, Mo. His death prompted nationwide protests and a White House report on American policing. How much has changed since his death?

Ten years after Michael Brown's death, police killings are not going down

Listen · 4:52
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Friday

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara speaks to the press after a multi-person shooting in the city on Feb. 27. O'Hara says the police department is staffed 40% below what it was in 2020.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara speaks to the press after a multi-person shooting in the city on Feb. 27. O'Hara says the police department is staffed 40% below what it was in 2020. Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via Getty Images

National

Police departments are offering big raises. Does it work?

Police officers in many U.S. cities have recently gotten large pay boosts. Departments are offering these raises to combat understaffing, but some say the money won't help.

Police departments are offering big raises. Does it work?

Listen · 6:00
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