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Muslim world asks: Were Chapel Hill shootings an act of terrorism?As US authorities investigate the cause of the murder of three young Muslims in North Carolina this week, Muslims around the world push for the tragedy to be treated as a hate crime聽鈥� perhaps even an act of terrorism.
Concealed carry without a permit: Will crime go up or down?New Hampshire, Kansas, Mississippi, and Montana are considering legislation that would no longer require special permits to carry concealed weapons in public. Five states already have such laws.
Chelsea Manning decision points to shift in views on transgender health careChelsea Manning, the transgender soldier connected with WikiLeaks, has been approved for hormonal and psychological treatments while in Army prison. It points to a shift toward some states and the federal government considering transition therapy medically necessary.
How shock over murder of Muslim-Americans could counter creeping IslamophobiaSigns of anti-Muslim fears have been percolating in American society recently, but the murder of three Muslim-Americans in North Carolina could play at least a small part in challenging those views.- Alecia Pennington can't prove she's an American 鈥� or even exists. What would you do?To the government, Alecia Pennington聽doesn't exist. She has been聽unable to get a driver鈥檚 license, get a job, go to college, get on a plane, get a bank account, or vote. What can she do?
Beyond Jon Stewart: Can 'Daily Show' survive host's departure?Comedy Central may not have to look very far in the search to replace Jon Stewart. 'The Daily Show' host has spent years 'championing and nurturing the best talent in the industry.'
Grammys' nod to domestic violence: Helpful or hypocritical?The Grammys, punctuated by a video statement from President Obama and a powerful spoken-word performance by Brooke Axtell, signals how dramatically perceptions around domestic and sexual abuse have shifted in the past year.
A police chief who does it by a different bookIn an era of social unrest about police practices, Salt Lake City Chief Chris Burbank tries to engage with the community to minimize conflicts.聽
Cover StoryHow police can get it rightAtlanta Police Chief George Turner is building a diversified department that's less reactive and more humane that could offer lessons after Ferguson.聽
Brian Williams off the air. Will he ever be back?NBC News anchor Brian Williams is under fire for embellishing his reporting. He's off the air 'for the next several days,' but speculation has begun about who might permanently replace the major voice and face of network news broadcasting.
NBC probes Brian Williams' dubious anecdotes: Will the 'gist' save him?Credibility and trustworthiness are the cornerstones of the anchor business. NBC News has launched an investigation into TV anchorman Brian Williams' questionable assertions about his reporting from Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.聽
Vaccination expert: Culture of fear in American parenting 'oppressive'Eula Biss's new book, 'On Immunity,' addresses both sides of the vaccination debate, which has reached new heights during the latest measles outbreak, compassionately. There's room for more understanding and less fear, she says.
California foie gras battle taps into larger food ethics debateThe attorney general in California announced Wednesday plans to appeal a federal court decision overturning a two-year-old ban on the sale of foie gras. The debate comes amid a broader movement around the ethics of food production.
Can Twitter curb #incivility? CEO vows to kick trolls off 'right and left.'Twitter CEO Dick Costolo wrote in an internal e-mail that the company is losing users by not addressing harassment by trolls. But civil libertarians and free speech advocates argue Twitter鈥檚 vitality could be imperiled by such a move to censor its users.
More states consider assisted-suicide laws since Brittany Maynard's deathA lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks to legalize doctor-assisted suicide in New York. Since Maynard's death in November, at least four states and the District of Columbia have introduced bills that would legalize the practice.
Briefing: What you need to know about measles outbreak and vaccinationThe actual number of measles cases is still tiny, but is greater than in the recent past. Vaccine compliance is currently at an all-time high, as are the numbers of vaccine waivers on file.
Affordable housing for artists? New York mayor plans homes for creative class.With sky-high rents crowding out struggling artists, writers, and performers, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would invest $30 million over the next decade to build about 150 new live/work artist spaces every year through 2024.
Wyoming sheriff bans cowboy hats and boots: Insensitive or good policing?The new sheriff of Sublette County aims to professionalize a rural police team with a more uniform look. Cowboy hats are out, baseball caps are in. One deputy retires on the spot.
Measles outbreak: Why do some parents choose not to vaccinate?It's a question that's being asked with increased intensity and often hostility in the wake of a measles outbreak at Disneyland. Parents who decide not to vaccinate their children are often well educated and cite complex reasons.
On Chris Kyle Day, Texas celebrates 'American Sniper' amid simmering tensionsTexas' governor named Monday Chris Kyle Day in honor of the veteran who inspired the film 'American Sniper.' But the celebration comes at a raw moment for the state.
