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Wednesday

Chicago Cubs Co-Owner Todd Ricketts Named New RNC Finance Chairman

Then-President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Todd Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, after they met in Bedminster, N.J., during the transition in November 2016. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Chicago Cubs Co-Owner Todd Ricketts Named New RNC Finance Chairman

Ricketts, whose family has frequently donated to conservative causes, succeeds real estate and casino magnate Steve Wynn, who stepped down last weekend amid allegations of sexual assault.

National Security

White House Drops Victor Cha As Candidate For Ambassador To South Korea

After he criticized the idea of a U.S. preemptive strike on North Korea, Victor Cha is no longer the White House's candidate for Ambassador to South Korea. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Frank Aum of the U.S. Institute of Peace about the Trump administration's "bloody nose" strategy.

White House Drops Victor Cha As Candidate For Ambassador To South Korea

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National

Science Teacher Shares His Journey After Winning The Green Card Lottery

In 2003, in Burkina Faso, Abdel Akim Adjibade found out he won the lottery — the green card lottery. He became one of approximately 50,000 people each year to win entry to the U.S. this way, and now he teaches physics in Illinois. He shares what this experience was like for him.

Science Teacher Shares His Journey After Winning The Green Card Lottery

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Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper Discusses State Of The Union Address

NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with Colorado's Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper as he offers his reaction to President Trump's first State of the Union address. Trump included a call for greater bipartisanship on the sharp policy differences that divide Republicans and Democrats.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper Discusses State Of The Union Address

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Trump's Immigration Proposal Would Eliminate Green Card Lottery

As part of his immigration proposal, President Trump has proposed eliminating the Green Card Lottery that allows around 55,000 people who have no family connection or employer sponsor to enter the U.S. each year. Muzaffar Chishti, a director of the Migration Policy Institute, explains the origin of the program and how it's changed.

Trump's Immigration Proposal Would Eliminate Green Card Lottery

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National

Infrastructure Experts Wondering Where Funding Would Come From For Trump's Plan

President Trump's plan to invest billions into fixing the nation's crumbling infrastructure may burden state and local governments and lead to a greater reliance on tolls.

Infrastructure Experts Wondering Where Funding Would Come From For Trump's Plan

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With Focus On Unemployment, Yellen Led Fed Through Tough Balancing Act

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen waits for a hearing of the Joint Economic Committee in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 29, 2017. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Business

With Focus On Unemployment, Yellen Led Fed Through Tough Balancing Act

As she leaves the Fed's top job, Janet Yellen gets high marks for the way she resisted calls to raise interest rates as the economy began recovering. Instead, she was determined to boost job growth.

With Focus On Unemployment, Yellen Led Fed Through Tough Balancing Act

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After SOTU, Lawmakers Waiting To See If Trump Will Release GOP Memo

Following President Trump's State of the Union address, one big question remains on whether the White House will allow the release of a controversial House GOP memo related to the Russia investigation.

After SOTU, Lawmakers Waiting To See If Trump Will Release GOP Memo

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Rep. Joe Kennedy Discusses The Democratic Agenda Going Forward

Follow President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., delivered the Democrats' response. NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with Kennedy about the speech and the Democratic agenda going forward.

Rep. Joe Kennedy Discusses The Democratic Agenda Going Forward

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Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson Reacts To State of the Union Address

To get a sense of how President Trump's first State of the Union address was received in different parts of the country, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Arkansas' Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson Reacts To State of the Union Address

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National

NY State Attorney General On Why He's Going After Fake Social Media Accounts

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Eric Schneiderman, New York State Attorney General, about his investigation of a company selling fake followers on social media. Some of the profiles being used have been stolen from real people.

NY State Attorney General On Why He's Going After Fake Social Media Accounts

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National

Critics Of President Trump Say He's Highlighting The MS13 Gang For Political Purposes

The parents of two teenage girls from Long Island, who were killed by alleged members of the MS-13 street gang, were in the audience for last night's State of the Union address. The White House says their stories show why the U.S. needs tougher immigration laws. But critics say the administration is deliberately demonizing immigrants, who are far more likely to the be the gang's victims than its members.

Critics Of President Trump Say He's Highlighting The MS13 Gang For Political Purposes

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Health Care

CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald Resigns After Reports Show Investment In Tobacco Stocks

Brenda Fitzgerald, director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, resigned on Wednesday because of financial conflicts of interest. The chief public health official bought stocks in tobacco and health care companies after she started working at the agency.

CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald Resigns After Reports Show Investment In Tobacco Stocks

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White House Scuttles Ambassador Pick Apparently Over View On North Korea Policy

President Trump's State of the Union address is broadcast at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. The White House is no longer considering Victor Cha for the South Korea ambassadorship. Lee Jin-man/AP hide caption

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Lee Jin-man/AP

The Two-Way

White House Scuttles Ambassador Pick Apparently Over View On North Korea Policy

Victor Cha, the top candidate for ambassador to South Korea, voiced his opinion that a pre-emptive strike against North Korea could be very dangerous. He is no longer being considered for the post.