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EPA Rules Change

Nine states file suit against the federal government after the Environmental Protection Agency eases parts of the Clean Air Act. The changes affect whether anti-pollution gear must be installed when industrial plants are modernized. Business groups are generally pleased, and environmentalists are livid. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

States Sue over New EPA Rules

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NYC Ready for New Year's Eve

Security in midtown Manhattan is tight, but New York City officials say they're ready for the thousands of people who will celebrate the new year at Times Square. Along with fireworks, confetti and balloons, partiers will find heightened security and officers ready to search their bags. NPR's Margot Adler reports.

New York Readies for New Year's Eve Revelers

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Illinois Death Penalty

As he prepares to leave office, Illinois Gov. George Ryan considers commuting the death sentences against death-row inmates in the state. Ryan declared a moratorium on the death penalty after courts found 13 inmates were wrongly convicted. NPR's Renee Montagne talks with lawyer and novelist Scott Turow, who served on a commission to study capital punishment in Illinois.

Illinois Governor Faces Death-Penalty Dilemma

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NY Police Seek Spying Powers

The New York City police department asks a federal judge for permission to spy on political groups, before having evidence of wrongdoing. The police department says the increased powers are necessary in order to fight terrorism. Critics say existing rules are flexible enough to give police the latitude they need. Marianne McCune reports.

NYC Police Seek Broader Surveillance Powers

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The Year in Review

From a sluggish economy to threats of terrorism and war with Iraq, 2002 may be remembered by Americans as a year of heightened fears and anxieties that stood in sharp contrast to the peaceful, economically flush era of the 1990s. NPR's Juan Williams reviews the year's issues and newsmakers.

The Year in Review

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FBI Asks for Help Finding Men

The FBI says five Middle Eastern men who may have information on terror activity are thought to have illegally entered the United States last week. The agency is asking the public's help locating the five, who are thought to have crossed the border from Canada on Christmas Eve. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.

FBI Asks Public for Help Finding Mideasterners

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U.S. Military Buildup in Gulf

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld orders American forces to prepare for possible deployment near Iraq, positioning the U.S. military in case of war. The move comes even as Bush administration officials say they will continue working through the United Nations to disarm the Iraqi regime. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports.

U.S. Military Building Underway in Persian Gulf

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Weekly Political Roundup

Democrats have begun hammering President Bush and the GOP for not doing enough to keep America safe from terrorists. NPR's Juan Williams talks with NPR's Renee Montagne about the flurry of off-season political activity in Washington, D.C.

Democrats See GOP Vulnerable on Security

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GOP Victory in Georgia Upsets Politics-As-Usual

Susanna Capelouto of Georgia Public Radio reports that the surprise victory of Republican Sonny Perdue over incumbent Democrat Roy Barnes has upset the state's political establishment. It's the first time a Republican has been governor of Georgia for 130 years, and there's a rush to fill positions.

GOP Victory in Georgia Upsets Politics-As-Usual

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Jobless Benefits Expire

Jobless benefits expire for about 800,000 Americans who have relied on state and federal help for 39 weeks. A lame-duck Congress failed to extend benefits; lawmakers are expected to make the issue a priority in the new year. NPR's Janet Babin reports.

Unemployment Benefits Run Out for Many

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Alabama Faces Deadline on Crowded Prison

The state of Alabama has until Monday to ease overcrowded conditions at the state's prison for women, after a federal judge ruled the prison unsafe. NPR’s Melanie Peeples reports.

Alabama Faces Deadline on Crowded Prison

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Georgia Criticized on Legal Defense for the Poor

A commission in Georgia says the state has failed to provide legal defense for the poor, violating both the U.S. and state constitution. The 26-member panel calls the system badly organized, with poor people sitting in jail for weeks without seeing a lawyer, even for minor offenses. Emily Kopp of Georgia Public Radio reports.

Georgia Criticized on Legal Defense for the Poor

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