Washington's next drug law could let accused choose treatment, services over jail time The Washington State Senate has passed a bill that would boost criminal penalties for drug possession but allow people to avoid jail if they engage in treatment and services. Amy Radil Play AudioListen 5 mins
Justice Department task force takes aim at Russian oligarchs and their riches The Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture, set up in the days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has gone after Kremlin-aligned elites, including their luxury yachts and opulent homes. Ryan Lucas
A U.S. federal agency is suing Exxon after 5 nooses were found at a Louisiana complex The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil saying the company failed to take action to prevent a racially hostile work environment. Giulia Heyward
Why America is obsessed with the Alex Murdaugh murder trial The five-week trial of Alex Murdaugh has dominated headlines and cable news channels, and the murders have been the subject of podcasts and even two documentaries. Manuela López Restrepo
Native Hawaiians face sentencing in a crime that exposed the state's racial complexity A jury convicted two men in November, finding that they were motivated by race in the brutal 2014 beating of a white man who tried to move into their remote, traditional fishing village on Maui. The Associated Press
In WA, pay and child care present obstacles to jury diversity and participation Under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, defendants in criminal cases have the right to a jury of their peers at trial. But in Washington state, it might not always work out that way for people of color. Libby Denkmann Play AudioListen 21 mins
Here are 8 big revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial How the jury interprets details is crucial: Prosecutors want jurors to find the South Carolina man guilty beyond reasonable doubt of killing his wife and son, based on circumstantial evidence. Bill Chappell
DOJ mulls whether to sue to block Spirit Airlines from merging with JetBlue NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Diana Moss, president of American Antitrust Institute, about actions the Department of Justice may take to block the Spirit Airlines-JetBlue merger. Play AudioListen 5 mins
Kobe Bryant family settles the helicopter crash photos lawsuit for $28.5 million The figure includes a newly agreed upon payment from the county of $13.5 million along with the $15 million a federal jury awarded Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant, at a trial in August. The Associated Press
Conservative and liberals split at Supreme Court over Biden student loan plan A majority of the court's conservatives indicating great skepticism over the president's loan-forgiveness plan. Nina Totenberg Play AudioListen 5 mins
