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National

It's New Year's Eve. Let's Drop Something From The Sky

Some countries have already rung in the new year, but across the U.S., cities are getting ready to say hello to 2020 in myriad strange ways. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

It's New Year's Eve. Let's Drop Something From The Sky

"The things we choose to drop are visual symbols about the importance of the event or the place," sociology professor Michelle Janning said. That may mean dropping a giant Moon Pie down a building.

An Attempt At Do-It-Yourself Car Repair Goes Awry, And Takes A Surprising Turn

On Dec. 31, 1979, NPR's Art Silverman told the story on this program of his attempt to repair his car himself. We update the story with surprising news about the car and its recipient.

An Attempt At Do-It-Yourself Car Repair Goes Awry, And Takes A Surprising Turn

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National Security

Former DOJ Official On Why She Thinks Domestic Terrorism Should Be A Federal Crime

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Mary McCord, former Justice Department official, about why McCord believes Congress should make domestic terrorism a federal crime.

Former DOJ Official On Why She Thinks Domestic Terrorism Should Be A Federal Crime

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Is The Decade Actually Ending?

A listener wrote us a letter arguing that the end of the decade is not imminent. There are some surprising ramifications of assuming a decade goes from a year ending in 1 through a year ending in 0.

Is The Decade Actually Ending?

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In California, Wildfire Survivors Face Deadline To File Claims Against PG&E

KQED

Tuesday is the deadline for wildfire victims in California to file settlement claims. A judge extended an earlier deadline over concerns that only a fraction of those eligible had come forward.

In California, Wildfire Survivors Face Deadline To File Claims Against PG&E

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New York Bail Reform Set To Take Effect Jan. 1

New York's criminal justice overhaul takes effect Wednesday, limiting cash bail and forcing district attorneys to share evidence earlier. Police and prosecutors worry the system will favor defendants.

New York Bail Reform Set To Take Effect Jan. 1

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DHS's Cuccinelli Faces Backlash Over Deleted Tweet About Suspect In Hanukkah Stabbing

Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, faced criticism after he sent a now-deleted tweet about the suspect in the stabbing attack in Monsey, N.Y. Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption

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Jose Luis Magana/AP

Politics

DHS's Cuccinelli Faces Backlash Over Deleted Tweet About Suspect In Hanukkah Stabbing

Critics questioned the relevance of impugning Grafton Thomas' entire family over his alleged crimes and wondered how the immigration status of his father was relevant to the suspect's alleged crimes.

Jailing And Fining Chelsea Manning Constitutes Torture, Top U.N. Official Says

Chelsea Manning leaves the Albert V. Bryan U.S. District Courthouse in northern Virginia in March. A top official with the United Nations says that her punishment for refusing to testify amounts to torture. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images hide caption

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Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

National Security

Jailing And Fining Chelsea Manning Constitutes Torture, Top U.N. Official Says

Nils Melzer, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, says detaining and fining Manning with the aim of coercing her to testify runs afoul of U.S. international human rights obligations.

Hanukkah Stabbing Suspect Faces Federal Hate Crime Charges

WNYC Radio

The man accused of attacking people in a rabbi's home in New York over the weekend is now facing federal hate crime charges. The FBI said Grafton Thomas seems to have been driven by anti-Semitism.

Hanukkah Stabbing Suspect Faces Federal Hate Crime Charges

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Texas Boy Uses His Christmas Present To Start A Fire

Nissa-Lynn Parson didn't think it was odd for her son Cayden to ask for a magnifying glass. Cayden and his brothers used it to burn holes in a newspaper and ended up setting the lawn on fire.

Texas Boy Uses His Christmas Present To Start A Fire

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In Los Angeles, Number Of Homeless Homicide Victims Rising

During a vigil this month for people who died while homeless in Los Angeles in 2019, organizers floated candlelit lanterns on Echo Park Lake. Anna Scott/KCRW hide caption

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Anna Scott/KCRW

In Los Angeles, Number Of Homeless Homicide Victims Rising

KCRW

Homelessness in Los Angeles is becoming more dangerous. One percent of LA's population lives on the streets or in shelters, but in 2019, homeless people made up about 17% of its homicide victims.

In Los Angeles, Number Of Homeless Homicide Victims Rising

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Efforts To Stop Suicide Will Get A Boost In 2020

The new federal budget has more money for a national suicide prevention hotline, and the Federal Communications Commission says it will designate a 3-digit dialing code to call it.

Efforts To Stop Suicide Will Get A Boost In 2020

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Montana Jewish Community Is A Model For Others Who Are Harassed

Montana Public Radio

Members of a synagogue added armed guards to services following harassment by a neo-Nazi website. They also coordinated harassment responses with police, and say more towns should do the same.

Montana Jewish Community Is A Model For Others Who Are Harassed

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Grandfather Buys School Bus To Transport His 10 Grandchildren

A man in Oregon gave his grandkids a bus for Christmas, so he can drive them all to school each morning at the same time. He named the bus "Grandfather Express."

Grandfather Buys School Bus To Transport His 10 Grandchildren

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