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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

Monday

One of the cells in the Transitional Care Unit at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Oak Park Heights.

One of the cells in the Transitional Care Unit at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Oak Park Heights. Caroline Yang for NPR hide caption

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Caroline Yang for NPR

National

The U.S. prison population is rapidly graying. Prisons aren't built for what's coming

By one measure, about a third of all prisoners will be considered geriatric by 2030. Prison systems are grappling with how to care for their elderly prisoners — and how to pay for it.

The U.S. prison population is rapidly graying. Prisons aren't built for what's coming

Listen · 7:00
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Sunday

When it comes to curbing auto thefts, the St. Paul, Minn., police department has focused on education and prevention. Sgt. Mike Ernster, the department's public information officer, says enforcement is important, but "we won't be able to arrest our way out of this."

When it comes to curbing auto thefts, the St. Paul, Minn., police department has focused on education and prevention. Sgt. Mike Ernster, the department's public information officer, says enforcement is important, but "we won't be able to arrest our way out of this." Stephen Maturen/Getty Images hide caption

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Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

National

How one city took on rising car thefts — and brought the numbers down

Vehicle thefts have risen across the U.S., largely due to an increase in Kia and Hyundai thefts. But that's not what's happening now in St. Paul, Minn., where car thefts have fallen dramatically.

How one city took on rising car thefts — and brought the numbers down

Listen · 4:41
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Wednesday

New York City Council votes to ban most instances of solitary confinement

People gather for a rally to protest conditions at New York City's Rikers Island jail in October of 2022. The New York City Council voted Wednesday to ban most uses of solitary confinement in the city's jails. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Law

New York City Council votes to ban most instances of solitary confinement

Mayor Eric Adams may yet veto it, but if the bill becomes law, it will ban most uses of solitary confinement beyond four hours in New York City jails.

Thursday

Prisoners are suing Alabama over forced labor, calling it a 'form of slavery'

Women at the Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka, Ala., walk through the halls. This week, current and former prisoners announced a lawsuit challenging Alabama's prison labor program as a type of modern slavery. Dave Martin/AP hide caption

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Dave Martin/AP

National

Prisoners are suing Alabama over forced labor, calling it a 'form of slavery'

In a lawsuit filed this week, a group of current and former Alabama prisoners say they have been coerced into providing cheap labor to the state and to private employers.

Prisoners are suing Alabama over forced labor, calling it a 'form of slavery'

Listen · 5:07
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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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