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

Monday

The U.S. Constitution and 16 state constitutions ban slavery except as punishment for a crime. Prisoner advocates say this allows forced prison labor, but systemic change has been met with resistance.

The U.S. Constitution and 16 state constitutions ban slavery except as punishment for a crime. Prisoner advocates say this allows forced prison labor, but systemic change has been met with resistance. Charlotte Gomez for NPR hide caption

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Charlotte Gomez for NPR

National

Colorado banned forced prison labor 5 years ago. Prisoners say it's still happening

The U.S. Constitution bans slavery except as punishment for a crime. A growing number of states have tried to address this in their own constitutions, but prisoners say the only change is on paper.

Colorado banned forced prison labor 5 years ago. Prisoners say it's still happening

Listen · 7:09
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Friday

Police tape is pictured at a crime scene in Monterey Park, Calif., in January 2023.

Police tape is pictured at a crime scene in Monterey Park, Calif., in January 2023. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

National

4 key takeaways from the FBI's annual crime report

There was less reported violent crime across the U.S. last year after a dramatic spike in 2020. But there were more car thefts and hate crimes reported.

4 key takeaways from the FBI's annual crime report

Listen · 3:54
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Saturday

Today's lesson in AP U.S. Government: What just happened with Kevin McCarthy

Students at Minneapolis' Hiawatha Collegiate High School discuss polarization within the federal government. Meg Anderson/NPR hide caption

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Meg Anderson/NPR

National

Today's lesson in AP U.S. Government: What just happened with Kevin McCarthy

The week's turmoil on Capitol Hill was one for the history books — and that has made for some very timely discussions in high school civics classes.

Today's lesson in AP U.S. Government: What just happened with Kevin McCarthy

Listen · 3:57
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Friday

Education

Turmoil on Capitol Hill makes for timely discussions in high school civics classes

This week's ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the resulting turmoil on Capitol Hill has made for some very timely discussions in high school civics classes.

Turmoil on Capitol Hill makes for timely discussions in high school civics classes

Listen · 3:57
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Monday

National

Why 1 in 4 inmate deaths happens in the same federal prison in North Carolina

A quarter of federal inmate deaths occur at North Carolina's Butner prison complex. Some federal inmates only arrived at its medical facility after waiting months or even years for care elsewhere.

Why 1 in 4 inmate deaths happens in the same federal prison in North Carolina

Listen · 3:54
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Saturday

1 in 4 inmate deaths happens in the same federal prison. Why?

A photo of Jeffrey Ramirez is seen at his parents' home in Vista, California. He was diagnosed with cancer while in prison and died at age 41. Ariana Drehsler for NPR hide caption

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Ariana Drehsler for NPR

Investigations

1 in 4 inmate deaths happens in the same federal prison. Why?

The Butner federal prison complex in North Carolina is where a quarter of federal inmate deaths occur. It includes a medical facility but inmates aren't getting needed care, there or at other prisons.

1 in 4 inmate deaths happens in the same federal prison. Why?

Listen · 14:03
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Saturday

1,000 people have been charged for the Capitol riot. Here's where their cases stand

A selection of the 1000 people who have been charged for the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in 2021. Getty Images and Department of Justice hide caption

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Getty Images and Department of Justice

Investigations

1,000 people have been charged for the Capitol riot. Here's where their cases stand

More than 1,000 people have now been charged for the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. NPR has tracked every case from arrest to sentencing. Here's what is happening to those charged.

1,000 people have been charged for the Capitol riot. Here's where their cases stand

Listen · 7:05
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Thursday

National

Where the cases stand for the 1,000 people charged for the Capitol riot

More than 1,000 people have now been charged for the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. NPR has tracked every case from arrest to sentencing. Here's what is happening to those charged.

Where the cases stand for the 1,000 people charged for the Capitol riot

Listen · 4:12
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Thursday

COVID took over their high school experience. They want senior year to be different

High school seniors Iksha Subba of Dallas; Nathan Ferguson of Nashville, Tenn.; Twyla Colburn of Portland, Ore.; Omar Abdellall of East Stroudsburg, Pa.; and Julia Perez of Omaha, Neb. Photo compilation by NPR hide caption

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Photo compilation by NPR

Education

COVID took over their high school experience. They want senior year to be different

For the class of 2023, every year of high school was disrupted by the pandemic. NPR talked to five seniors about what that's been like.

COVID took over their high school experience. They want senior year to be different

Listen · 4:36
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Thursday

Education

The Biden administration increases efforts to fight student loan forgiveness scams

The Biden administration is increasing its efforts to fight scams that take advantage of borrowers applying for its expansive student loan forgiveness plan.

The Biden administration increases efforts to fight student loan forgiveness scams

Listen · 2:25
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Wednesday

Biden administration steps up protection against student loan forgiveness scams
Chelsea Beck/NPR

Education

Biden administration steps up protection against student loan forgiveness scams

The Biden administration is increasing efforts to protect borrowers from student loan forgiveness scams, while still not offering further details about the application itself.

Biden administration steps up protection against student loan forgiveness scams

Listen · 3:26
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Thursday

Monday

How social-emotional learning became a front line in the battle against CRT

Lucy Engleman for NPR hide caption

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Lucy Engleman for NPR

Education

How social-emotional learning became a front line in the battle against CRT

Nationwide, community members are protesting the teaching of social-emotional learning – largely because conservatives have linked it with another flashpoint in public education: critical race theory.

How social-emotional learning became a front line in the battle against CRT

Listen · 7:15
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Monday

As COVID spread in federal prisons, many at-risk inmates tried and failed to get out

Ron Shehee had been at the federal prison complex in Lompoc, Calif., only a few months when the pandemic struck. Meron Menghistab for NPR hide caption

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Meron Menghistab for NPR

Investigations

As COVID spread in federal prisons, many at-risk inmates tried and failed to get out

Federal prisons saw a significant rise in deaths during the pandemic years, NPR found. Of those who died from COVID-19, nearly all were elderly or had health conditions, and many had tried to get out.

As COVID spread in federal prisons, many at-risk inmates tried and failed to get out

Listen · 12:01
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Wednesday

In the year since the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors have charged more than 700 people related to the attack.

In the year since the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors have charged more than 700 people related to the attack. Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

Investigations

5 takeaways from the Capitol riot criminal cases, one year later

NPR has been tracking every criminal case related to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. One year after the riot, here are some of the key patterns that have emerged from the cases.

5 takeaways from the Capitol riot criminal cases, one year later

Listen · 4:18
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