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2013 MAY
May 15, 2013
Blog
Headed to Law School? Lower Your Expectations
Recent law school grads face a tough job market, daunting student loans and -- if they land a job -- a demanding work environment. Steven Harper's "The Lawyer Bubble: A Profession in Crisis" serves as a wake up call and warning for students disillusioned by the prestigious lawyers they watch on T.V.


May 15, 2013
Blog
Trio of Scandals Puts Obama, Holder in Hot Seat
A trio of scandals has put President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on the hot seat.

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May 14, 2013
Analysis
Was Seizure of AP's Phone Records Justified or Harmful to Press Freedom?
Judy Woodruff talks with David Schultz, legal counsel for the Associated Press, about the procedures for accessing information from the news media about confidential sources, what constitutes "crossing the line" by the government and whether the current investigation was justified by the gravity of the situation.

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May 14, 2013
Report
Justice Department Seized AP Phone Records to Track Government Leaks
The Justice Department secretly subpoenaed phone records of Associated Press journalists during two months in 2012. The AP was notified that records had been secretly seized for more than 20 of its phone lines, possibly to track government leaks of classified information about a foiled terror plot. Judy Woodruff reports.

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May 13, 2013
Conversation
Inside the Landmark Genocide Conviction of Guatemala's Efraín Ríos Montt
What does the conviction of Efraín Ríos Montt mean for the former Guatemala dictator, that country's fragile judicial system and for the families of the victims? Hari Sreenivasan talks to producer Xeni Jardin of Boing Boing, who was in the courtroom at the time of the verdict.

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May 13, 2013
Update
Guatemala's Rios Montt Found Responsible in Massacre of Mayan Indians
Efrain Rios Montt , former dictator of Guatemala, was found guilty in the massacre of more than 1,700 Mayan Indians in the early 1980s. Rios Montt, 86, insists that he had no knowledge of the campaign of genocide, and his lawyers intend to appeal the verdict and his 80-year prison sentence. Hari Sreenivasan reports.

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May 13, 2013
Analysis
Supreme Court Unanimously Rules to Uphold Monsanto's Soybean Patent
In an unanimous decision, the Supreme Court found a soybean farmer had violated a patent held by agri-giant Monsanto. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal joins Jeffrey Brown to discuss the legal, agricultural and technological impact of this decision.

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May 13, 2013
Update
Philadelphia Abortion Dr. Kermit Gosnell Guilty of First-Degree Murder
Kermit Gosnell, a Philadelphia doctor who performed late-term abortions, has been found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and one for involuntary manslaughter. At his sentencing, Gosnell could receive the death penalty. Ray Suarez talks with Maryclaire Dale of the Associated Press.

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May 13, 2013
Blog
Jury Rules Abortion Doctor Gosnell Guilty on Three Counts of Murder
A jury has found Dr. Kermit Gosnell guilty of three counts of first-degree murder for performing late-term abortions on three babies by delivering them alive and then deliberately severing their spinal cords.

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May 9, 2013
Conversation
An Inside Look at Backstories of Big Decisions in Chief Justice Roberts' Court
In her new book, "The Roberts Court," Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal and regular NewsHour contributor takes a look at the landmark decisions that have reached the Supreme Court during the tenure of Chief Justice John Roberts. She talks to Jeffrey Brown about her observations and interviews with the justices.

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May 9, 2013
Blog
Read an Excerpt From 'The Roberts Court' by Marcia Coyle
Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal has published, "The Roberts Court," released on May 7. "The book presented another chance to dig into a subject and, of course, it was a subject that I love and an institution that I deeply respect," she said.

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May 8, 2013
Update
Guatemala: Why We Cannot Turn Away
Tonight, Miles O'Brien reports from Guatemala on forensic science used to document charges of a genocide against thousands of indigenous Mayans in the 80s. From Boing Boing's Xeni Jardin, who co-produced the piece, here's a look at their reporting.

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May 6, 2013
Analysis
New Printable Handgun Raises Concerns for Undetectability, Universal Access
Cody Wilson, a law student from Texas, has made the first fully functioning plastic pistol from a 3-D printer, sparking questions and concerns about legal and safety implications. Ray Suarez talks with with Forbes magazine's Andy Greenberg about how the homemade gun known as "the Liberator" figures in a broader national debate.

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May 6, 2013
Blog
How Did Watergate Affect You?
In the summer of 1973, Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer led PBS's gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Senate Watergate hearings -- co-anchoring all 250 hours of the proceedings, launching the beginnings of what the PBS NewsHour is today. On May 17, the NewsHour will look back at the scandal that transformed American politics.

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May 2, 2013
Analysis
Justice Department Plans Fight Over Federal Ruling on Morning-After Pill
The battle continues over the emergency contraceptive known as the morning-after pill, as the Justice Department announced it would appeal a federal ruling. A judge had ordered the age restriction be lifted so females of all ages could get the pill without a prescription. Jeffrey Brown talks with NPR's Julie Rovner.

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May 1, 2013
Blog
Conflict of Lease and Legacy Provokes Controversy on the Half Shell
The oysters grown and harvested in Drake's Estero -- part of the Pt. Reyes National Seashore, just north of San Francisco -- are the subject of a national controversy that only seems to grow as a plea by an oyster farm to stay in operation gets closer to federal appeals court.

APRIL
April 26, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Boston Suspect Transferred From Hospital to Prison Medical Center
In other news Friday, surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was transferred to a federal prison medical center. Tsarnaev is facing federal terror charges for the April 15 attack. Also, police in New York think they found a part of one of the airliners destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.

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April 24, 2013
Update
Search for Sender of Ricin Letters Turns Up Odd Twists, Echoes of Anthrax Case
Federal investigators searched a home in Tupelo, Miss., in the hunt for who sent politicians letters tainted with ricin. Gwen Ifill talks to Kimberly Kindy of The Washington Post and Marilyn Thompson of Reuters about strange twists in the investigation, including conflict between a karate teacher and an Elvis impersonator

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April 23, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Charges Dropped Against Suspect in Case of Ricin-Tainted Letters
In other news Tuesday, charges were dropped against Paul Kevin Curtis, accused of sending ricin-tainted letters to President Barack Obama and a senator. An FBI agent testified Curtis' home didn't have any incriminating evidence. Also, suspects accused of plotting an attack on a train in Canada had their initial court appearance.

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April 23, 2013
Blog
Gitmo by the Numbers
The prison at Guantanamo Bay holds 166 detainees captured and transferred to Cuba in coordination with U.S. counterterrorism operations abroad. How big is the place and how long are inmates closed in their cells? We have more stats here.

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April 22, 2013
Report
Macabre Details Emerge in Murder Trial of Abortion Doctor Kermit Gosnell
The murder trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell has drawn national attention. Gosnell is being tried on eight counts of murder including allegedly killing babies after they were born alive and viable. Judy Woodruff talks with Maryclaire Dale of the Associated Press.

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April 22, 2013
Debate
Case Against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Raises Legal Quandaries
Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been formally charged with using weapons of mass destruction, and if found guilty, could face the death penalty. Gwen Ifill talks with former Justice Department official David Rivkin and Laura Murphy of the ACLU to explore legal questions raised by trying Tsarnaev in a federal court.

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April 22, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Terror Plot to Attack Canada-U.S. Rail Line Thwarted
In other news Monday, police in Canada say they broke up a plot to derail a passenger train. Two men have been arrested and charged with planning a terror attack. Also, the FBI testified no ricin has been found at the home of Paul Kevin Curtis. Curtis is accused of sending tainted letters to President Barack Obama and a senator.

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April 18, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Mississippi Man Charged for Sending Letters Laced With Ricin
In other news Thursday, Mississippi resident Paul Kevin Curtis has been charged with sending letters tainted with ricin to President Barack Obama and Sen. Roger Wicker. Curtis claims to be innocent. Also, upper Midwest states were hit with intense flooding following heavy rainfall. A sinkhole in Chicago swallowed three cars.

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April 18, 2013
Blog
Former Activist Says Pathway to Citizenship Is Possible in 2013
How has immigration activism changed since the last big push for comprehensive reform in 2007? Watch part 4 of Hari Sreenivasan's series on the evolving issue of immigration here.

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April 17, 2013
Analysis
Supreme Court Rules Foreign Human Rights Cases Can't Be Tried in U.S.
The Supreme Court ruled against trying foreign human rights cases in U.S. courts. The justices decided that a 1789 tort statute enacted by the first Congress didn't apply to conduct outside of the U.S. Gwen Ifill talks to National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle about why the court's ruling is a huge blow for human rights activists.

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April 17, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Wife of Ex-Justice Charged with Murder of Texas District Attorney
In other news Wednesday, Texas authorities arrested Kim Williams on charges of murder for the shootings of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife, Cynthia, and assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse. Williams is the ex-wife of a former justice of the peace in Texas, who is currently in jail for computer theft.

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April 17, 2013
Blog
The Evolving Immigration Debate: Religion
Hari Sreenivasan talks with Rev. Samuel Rodriguez about the changing debate over immigration.

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April 16, 2013
Analysis
Supreme Court Hears Custody Case for Child of Native American Descent
A child custody case -- normally the purview of lower courts -- reached the Supreme Court. At question was whether a law intended to protect Native American families can override other legal jurisdictions. Ray Suarez talks with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle about the adoption of a toddler known as "Baby Veronica."

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April 16, 2013
Blog
The Evolving Immigration Debate: Guest Workers
Hari Sreenivasan talks with South Carolina peach farmer Chalmers Carr about the changing debate over immigration.

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April 15, 2013
Blog
Explosions Rock Finish Line at Boston Marathon
Explosions rocked the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, turning the festive scene into one of carnage and chaos. The two blasts killed two people and injured more than 100 in a terrifying scene of shattered glass, bloodstained pavement and severed limbs, authorities said.

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April 15, 2013
Analysis
Supreme Court Tackles Case of Patent Law, Human Genetics
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case on whether a biotech company can patent a gene associated with cancer. Jeffrey Brown gets details from National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle, plus viewpoints from Ellen Matloff of Yale Cancer Center, a plaintiff in the case, and Kevin Noonan, an intellectual property attorney.

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April 15, 2013
Report
News Wrap: 55 Killed in Coordinated Attacks Across Iraq
In other news Monday, at least 55 people were killed in coordinated bombings and attacks in Baghdad, Fallujah, Kirkuk and Tikrit. Also, a federal judge ruled the court would not intervene in a detainee hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay, where detainees are refusing nourishment and claim mistreatment.

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April 15, 2013
Blog
This Week on the Hill: Immigration and Guns on Deck
After two weeks of recess, Congress hit the ground running last week, working on legislation related to guns, immigration and the budget. Here's a quick look back as members return for another busy week.


April 15, 2013
Blog
The Evolving Immigration Debate: Border Security
The last time the terms "amnesty" and "pathway to citizenship" were batted around with such frequency was seven years ago, in the year leading to the ultimately doomed Immigration Reform Act of 2007. Today, the debate is similar. Shawn Moran, vice president of the Border Patrol Council, discusses the evolving debate.

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April 9, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Male Student Stabs Victims at Texas College
In other news Tuesday, a student at Lone Star Community College allegedly stabbed at least 14 people, two critically wounded. Police say they have a male suspect in custody. Also, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmahinejad ordered the expansion and upgrade of two uranium sites related to its nuclear program.

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April 5, 2013
Analysis
Judge Orders FDA to Make Morning-After Pill Available to Females of All Ages
A federal judge in New York struck down age limits for the contraceptive Plan B. The new ruling allows women of all ages to purchase the "morning-after pill" without a prescription. For more on the age restriction, the court decision and the debate, Jeffrey Brown talks to The Washington Post's Sarah Kliff.

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April 4, 2013
Conversation
Sandra Day O'Connor Explores Supreme Court History, Inner Workings
Sandra Day O'Connor made Supreme Court history as the first female justice to serve on the bench. In her new book, "Out of Order," she explores other aspects of history at the high court, as well as her own approach to service. O'Connor talks with Judy Woodruff about making tough decisions and women in the legal profession.

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April 4, 2013
Analysis
Investigation of Texas Murders Considers White Supremacist Gang Involvement
Law enforcement officials in Kaufman County, Texas, are investigating whether a white supremacist prison gang can be linked to the recent murders of assistant district attorney Mark Hasse and district attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia. Judy Woodruff interviews Tanya Eiserer of The Dallas Morning News.

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April 4, 2013
Blog
Sandra Day O'Connor on the History of the Supreme Court in 'Out of Order'
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor sat down with Judy Woodruff to talk about her new book "Out of Order." A collection of historical anecdotes about the nation's highest court, O'Connor said she wrote the book because "people know really very little about the court" despite its great significance.

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April 3, 2013
Update
After 42 Years in Jail, Conviction Overturned in Case of Deadly Fire
Louis Taylor was a teenager when he was convicted of murder for supposedly starting a fire that killed 29 people. Now 58, Taylor has been released from an Arizona prison after new information cast doubt on the evidence he committed arson. Judy Woodruff talks to Richard Ruelas of the Arizona Republic, who was in the courtroom.

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April 2, 2013
Update
Atlanta Teachers Surrender for Crimes Related to Doctoring of Test Scores
It was deadline day in Atlanta for 35 former educators to voluntarily turn themselves in to face charges for crimes related to widespread, coordinated cheating by principals and teachers. Margaret Warner talks with Mike Winerip of The New York Times for more on the allegations, possible motives and how it has affected students.

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MARCH
March 29, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Dozens of Atlanta Educators, Former Chief Indicted for Cheating
In other news Friday, a grand jury in Atlanta indicted former school superintendent Beverly Hall and 34 others in a cheating scandal. Also, Christians around the world observed Good Friday.

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March 28, 2013
Analysis
Faith and Morality Play Major Roles in Debate on Gay Marriage
Aspects of religion and morality have been used as the basis for arguments by both sides of the debate on same-sex marriage. Ray Suarez talks with Michael Schuenemeyer, minister for the United Church of Christ, and Richard Langer, a minister with the Evangelical Free Church of America, to learn how they've approached the topic.

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March 28, 2013
Update
Obama Calls for Stricter Gun Laws as New Details Emerge in Major Shooting Cases
Activists, families and politicians made appeals for new laws to curb gun violence on a National Day to Demand Action. Judy Woodruff talks to Sean Holstege of the Arizona Republic and Ray Rivera of the New York Times about developments in the high-profile mass shooting cases in Tucson, Ariz., Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn.

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March 28, 2013
Blog
Gay Marriage Cases Now in Justices' Hands
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court took up the issue of whether same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples. Consensus from court-watchers is that five justices are prepared to strike down the law.


March 27, 2013
Debate
Debating Discrimination, Extent of Federal Authority in Defense of Marriage Act
While the Supreme Court considers arguments for and against the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Judy Woodruff moderates a debate between Ken Klukowski, director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Center, and Mary Bonauto, special counsel for the group Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders.

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March 27, 2013
Analysis
Supreme Court Considers Legality of Denying Benefits to Married Same-Sex Couples
The Supreme Court took up whether same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples. Kwame Holman offers history on the Defense of Marriage Act and reactions from outside the court. Ray Suarez talks to National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle, who helps compare proceedings on both same-sex marriage cases.

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March 27, 2013
Blog
High Court Skeptical of Federal Defense of Marriage Act
Following the oral arguments at the Supreme Court challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, attorney Roberta Kaplan and plaintiff Edith Windsor, among others, spoke outside the court.

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March 27, 2013
Blog
In Second Day on Gay Marriage, Supreme Court Takes Up DOMA
For a second day, the topic's the same. The Supreme Court will again examine the constitutionality of a case related to same-sex marriage, this time on whether a federal law violates the Fifth Amendment's equal protection clause.


March 26, 2013
Debate
Attorneys Debate Constitutionality, Legal Standing on Prop 8 Case
As the Supreme Court considers arguments on the definition of marriage, and the legal and societal implications of same-sex marriage, Gwen Ifill moderates a debate between California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Austin Nimocks from the Alliance Defending Freedom, two attorneys who were present in the courtroom.

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March 26, 2013
Report
News Wrap: North Dakota Outlaws Most Abortions After Fetal Heartbeat Detected
In other news Tuesday, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed legislation banning most abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected -- as early as six weeks into pregnancy. Also, the Supreme Court decided that police must have a warrant before bringing drug-sniffing dogs on a suspect's property.

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March 26, 2013
Report
High Court Hears Challenge to Same-Sex Marriage Ban
The Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, a ballot measure that bans same-sex marriage. Kwame Holman reports on reactions from supporters on both sides of the debate. Judy Woodruff talks to Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal, who analyzes the arguments inside the courtroom.

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March 26, 2013
Blog
Supreme Court Could Avoid Ruling on Gay Marriage Ban
The Supreme Court suggested Tuesday it could find a way out of the case over California's ban on same-sex marriage without issuing a major national ruling on whether gays have a right to marry. Several justices raised doubts during a riveting 80-minute argument that the case was properly before them.

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March 26, 2013
Blog
Supreme Court Takes Up Gay Marriage for First Time
Tuesday's arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court involving California's ban on same-sex marriage, known as Proposition 8, boil down to this: Can a popular vote revoke a privilege already granted by a state government? Does the 14th Amendment prevent California from defining marriage as between a man and a woman?


March 25, 2013
Conversation
Tales of Murder, Murderers and the Death Penalty at the Supreme Court
A new book examines the murders, murderers and capital punishment overseen by the highest court in the U.S. Jeffrey Brown talks with veteran journalists Martin Clancy and Tim O'Brien about "Murder at the Supreme Court," which documents some of the most notorious crimes and subsequent penalties.

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March 22, 2013
Blog
This Week on the Hill: Gay Marriage Advocates Line Up for Court Hearings
The Supreme Court's hearings to review cases on California's Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act are next week -- but there's already a line of people hoping to get a seat to hear the oral arguments. Plus, impromptu concerts, Irish gatherings and debating whether the Capitol should continue tours during the sequester.


March 19, 2013
Blog
Support for Gay Marriage Grows as Supreme Court Cases Near
A new national poll reflecting a major evolution on attitudes toward gay marriage highlights the continued cultural shifts on the issue one week before it faces a monumental test at the Supreme Court.


March 18, 2013
Analysis
High Court Hears Case on Conflict Between State, Federal Voter Registration Law
The Supreme Court heard arguments on a voter registration law in Arizona that requires voters to provide physical proof of citizenship in order to decrease voter fraud. The case pits the state law against federal law, and opponents say it unfairly targets minorities. Gwen Ifill talks to Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal.

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March 11, 2013
Conversation
Law Lags Behind in Defining Posthumous Protocol for Online Accounts
What happens to your email, Facebook page and other digital property when you die? Naomi Cahn of the George Washington University School of Law, and Evan Carroll, co-author of "Your Digital Afterlife," talk to Jeffrey Brown about the legal and ethical quandaries of dealing with a loved one's digital assets after they're gone.

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March 11, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Judge Strikes Down NYC Sugary Drink Ban
In other news Monday, a judge rejected New York City's recent ban on sugary drinks, saying loopholes defeat the purpose of the law. Also, Jonathan Rugman of Independent Television News reports on the preparations by the conclave of cardinals to begin the process of picking a new pope.

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March 11, 2013
Blog
What Happens to Our Digital Lives When We Die?
The era of keeping cherished letters, photos and diaries in a shoe box under the bed is rapidly coming to an end. So when so much of our information, memories and interactions are stored in online accounts, it's unclear who should get posthumous access to our electronic personal data.

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March 7, 2013
Report
News Wrap: U.S. Captures Bin Laden Spokesman to Face Terror Charges
In other news Thursday, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, spokesman and son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, has been taken into U.S. custody and flown to New York to appear in court. Also, a new bill aimed to curb gun violence moved forward in the Senate. Members of the Judiciary Committee voted to make illegal gun purchases a federal crime.

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March 6, 2013
Conversation
Acid Attack on Bolshoi Artistic Director Rocks Ballet World
A Russian dance star confessed to masterminding an attack on the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet. For more on different theories on the motivation for the attack, Gwen Ifill talks with The New York Times' Michael Schwirtz.

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March 1, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Obama Opposes Ban on Gay Marriage
In other news Friday, President Obama spoke out for same-sex marriage, a day after the administration asked the Supreme Court to strike down the California's ban on gay marriage. Also, a federal Judge in California reduced the amount Samsung must pay Apple in damages to $600 million.

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March 1, 2013
Blog
Lawmakers Head for Exits As Sequester Deadline Arrives
A day after competing proposals failed in the Senate, the focus of official Washington on Friday will turn to the White House, where President Obama and top congressional leaders are scheduled to sit down and discuss the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that are set to kick-in before day's end.

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FEBRUARY
Feb. 28, 2013
Analysis
Bradley Manning Leaked Classified Documents to Spark 'Debate' on Foreign Policy
Bradley Manning, the U.S. Army private charged with leaking documents to the website WikiLeaks, pleaded guilty to 10 of 22 charges, admitting he violated military regulations, but not federal espionage laws. Judy Woodruff interviews Charlie Savage of the New York Times and Arun Rath of FRONTLINE for impressions of Manning.

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Feb. 28, 2013
Interactive
Up in Arms at the Nation's Gun Show
At the largest gun show in the Washington, D.C., region, showgoers shared their opinions on the proposals to expand gun control and their own experiences with firearms.


Feb. 27, 2013
Debate
Is Discrimination History Provision of Voting Rights Act Still Relevant?
Does the U.S. still need the Voting Rights Act? Or have we made extraordinary progress fighting racial discrimination, making it obsolete? Judy Woodruff talks with representatives from both sides of the argument: Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation and Sherrilyn Ifill from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

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Feb. 27, 2013
Analysis
Supreme Court Hears Arguments Against Key Provision of Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court heard arguments over a provision in the landmark Voting Rights Act, which requires states with a history of racial discrimination to get approval by the Justice Department before making any changes to voting rules. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal was in court and talks to Jeffrey Brown.

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Feb. 26, 2013
Blog
Remembering the Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Supreme Court's attention on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 allows PBS NewsHour to look back in history, too. We asked viewers to share memories surrounding the passage of the law and the civil rights era. We received nearly 70 calls from 26 states.

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Feb. 26, 2013
Analysis
Case on Police Collecting DNA From Criminals Reaches Supreme Court
A man was arrested in Maryland and police officers took a DNA sample that connected him to an unrelated crime. The Supreme Court is now weighing whether the Fourth Amendment should protect him from that kind of search. Ray Suarez gets analysis and context on the case from Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal.

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Feb. 26, 2013
Blog
Our Past Still Speaks: Re-examining the Voting Rights Act
Whether or not you support the continued renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, there are questions surrounding it worth pondering because the answers are not easy. This is a country where plenty has changed in race relations since 1965, but our past still speaks. Now it's up to the Supreme Court to decide how loudly.


Feb. 25, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Italian Political Instability Prompts Wall Street Tumble
In other news Monday, Wall Street saw a late afternoon sell-off caused by worries over instability in Europe and reports that Italy may not be able to form a new government. Also, a civil trial began in New Orleans over liability for the Gulf oil spill.

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Feb. 22, 2013
Report
Olympian Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail in Girlfriend's Murder Case
After being charged with his girlfriend's murder, Olympian sprinter Oscar Pistorius has been released on bail. Rohit Kachroo of Independant Televiison News reports from Pretoria, South Africa.

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Feb. 22, 2013
Blog
Live Chat: How Foreign Countries' Gun Control Laws Compare to U.S.
In the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. As gun control laws and policies continue to shift in America, so too are changes occurring abroad. To offer a better understanding of international gun law, a group of global gun policy experts joins NewsHour for a live chat today at 3 p.m. ET.


Feb. 21, 2013
Blog
Gwen's Take: Inside the Supreme Court with Sonia Sotomayor
It's easy to hear Justice Sonia Sotomayor coming. Her voice arrives before she does, as she greets the guards by name, calls every other person she passes "sweetie," and generally brings gusts of fresh air with her wherever she goes. It's as if the Bronx has come to Washington.


Feb. 20, 2013
Blog
Sotomayor: 'Every Day We Live Our Life, We Make a Choice'
On Wednesday's NewsHour, Sotomayor talks with Gwen Ifill more about her past and her experience as a Supreme Court justice. Watch a web-only excerpt for more of their conversation.

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Feb. 20, 2013
Conversation
Justice Sotomayor Talks Life Before and on the Bench in 'My Beloved World'
Justice Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic justice -- and one of the youngest ever -- to serve on the Supreme Court. Her new memoir, "My Beloved World," talks about her early life and difficult childhood. Justice Sotomayor talks with Gwen Ifill about her adjustment to "the bench" and the importance of an open mind.

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Feb. 20, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Jesse Jackson Jr. Pleads Guilty to Campaign Spending Fraud
In other news Wednesday, Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty to spending $750,000 of campaign funds on personal items. Also, the Obama administration launched a new strategy to fight cyber theft in light of a recent report showing a Chinese military unit hacked more that 140 U.S. computer systems.

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Feb. 19, 2013
Update
Conflicting Accounts of Reeva Steenkamp's Death Emerge in the Courtroom
For more on the murder charges against Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, Margaret Warner talks with Gary Alfonso of Feature Story News, who was in the courtroom during the bail hearing and offers reactions from fellow South Africans.

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Feb. 19, 2013
Report
Olympic Runner Oscar Pistorius Begins Bail Hearing for Girlfriend's Murder Trial
Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was in court Tuesday for a bail hearing ahead of the murder trial for his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who Pistorius admits to shooting in his home. Keme Nzerem of Independent Television News reports from South Africa on the case and the funeral held for Steenkamp.

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Feb. 19, 2013
Analysis
Supreme Court Case on Monsanto Seeds Tests Limitations of Patent Law
A suit between biotech giant Monsanto and an Indiana farmer has reached the high court. Gwen Ifill dissects the case with Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal. Ray Suarez discusses broader implications with Bert Foer of the American Antitrust Institute and Todd Dickinson of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

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Feb. 15, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Charged With Misusing Campaign Funds
In other news Friday, former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has been charged with misusing $750 thousand dollars in campaign funds for personal expenses. Also, beginning in March, people arrested in New York City for marijuana possession will not face arrest, but will get a ticket and a court appearance.

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Feb. 15, 2013
Blog
Coloradans Respond to Gun Violence
Coloradans have become all too familiar with gun tragedies.

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Feb. 14, 2013
Update
Olympic Sprinter Oscar Pistorius Charged with Murder in Girlfriend's Death
South Africans are in shock after their native son and historic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was charged with the murder of his girlfriend. Pistorius competed in the London 2012 Olympics as the first double-amputee track athlete. Ray Suarez talks with Michael Sokolove who profiled Pistorius in 2012 for the New York Times Magazine.

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Feb. 14, 2013
Report
Double Amputee Olympic Athlete in Police Custody on Murder Charge
At the London 2012 Olympics, sprinter Oscar Pistorius made history as the first double-amputee to compete in the games. Pistorius was taken into police custody after his girlfriend was shot dead in his home. Rohit Kachroo of Independent Television News reports from Pretoria, South Africa with the latest on this shocking case.

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Feb. 13, 2013
Update
After Dorner Police Standoff, Big Bear Community Feels Bittersweet Relief
The manhunt for ex-LA cop Christopher Dorner has allegedly ended in Big Bear Lake, Calif., where police suspect Dorner was killed in a fire. Jeffrey Brown gets an update from Kate Mather who's been covering the story for the Los Angeles Times.

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Feb. 13, 2013
Report
Investigation Continues on Former L.A. Policeman on Deadly Shooting Spree
The week-long manhunt for ex-Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner seems to be at an end. A police standoff in southern California ended in the burning down of a cabin where Dorner was allegedly hiding.

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Feb. 12, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Shootout Between Ex-Cop, LAPD Kills Officer
In other news Tuesday, the manhunt for former Los Angeles cop Christopher Dorner hit a climax when a firefight broke out between authorities and the fugitive. Frank Stoltze of Southern California Public Radio reports from the scene. Also, the government of Iran said it was ready make an agreement on U.N. nuclear inspections.

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Feb. 11, 2013
Report
Manhunt Continues for Fugitive Cop Wanted for Murder in California
Former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner began a deadly shooting spree on Feb. 7, killing three people. Since then, authorities in California, Nevada, and Arizona have initiated a massive manhunt for Dorner. Ray Suarez gets an update on the search from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

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Feb. 11, 2013
Blog
As Manhunt Continues, LAPD Revisits Disgruntled Former Cop's Firing
Law enforcement agencies across California and neighboring states continue their search for Christopher Dorner, a former police officer thought to be targeting Los Angeles cops. Online Dorner attributed his 2009 dismissal from the police department to racism by the LAPD. An investigation has been reopened into his firing.

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Feb. 7, 2013
Conversation
California Shooter May Have Named Victims in Online List
Ray Suarez talks with Frank Stoltze of Southern California Public Radio about the manhunt for Christopher Dorner, a former police officer believed to be on a deadly shooting spree. Dorner is thought to have killed the daughter of a police officer and her boyfriend and may be stalking people he named in an online manifesto.

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Feb. 7, 2013
Analysis
Former Police Officer on Deadly Shooting Rampage Prompts Multistate Manhunt
Police are conducting statewide manhunts in California, Arizona and Nevada in search of former police officer Christopher Dorner. Dorner, who has been on a deadly shooting rampage targeting cops, was fired from the Los Angeles Police Department in 2009. Ray Suarez reports.

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Feb. 7, 2013
Blog
Tale of Abuse in Los Angeles Archdiocese All Too Familiar for Catholic Church
Documents exposing priestly abuse in the Los Angeles Archdiocese show a story not all that different from the scandals that rocked other Catholic institutions in recent years: transferring troubled priests, failing to notify law enforcement authorities, and placing a very high value on protecting the church from scandal.


Feb. 5, 2013
Report
Justice Department Charges Standard & Poor's Defrauded Investors
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Standard & Poor's, claiming it committed fraud by inflating mortgage ratings between 2004 and 2007, helping fuel the financial crisis. Jeffrey Brown examines both sides of the case with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Floyd Abrams of Cahill, Gordon & Reindel.

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Feb. 5, 2013
Analysis
Justice Department Justifies Killing Americans Abroad With Links to al-Qaida
A previously secret Justice Department memo justifies killing American citizens abroad who have high level links to al-Qaida. Gwen Ifill discusses the legal implications of the memo with Matthew Waxman of Columbia Law School and the Council on Foreign Relations, and Hina Shamsi from the ACLU's National Security Project.

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Feb. 4, 2013
Report
News Wrap: FBI Rescues Boy After Week-Long Hostage Standoff in Alabama
In other news Monday, the FBI stormed a bunker in Alabama in order to rescue a 5-year-old boy from a week-long hostage standoff. Also, a suicide bomber in Iraq struck an anti al-Qaeda milita, killing at least 22 and wounding 44.

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JANUARY
Jan. 31, 2013
Blog
Process and Prospects for Same-Sex Marriage in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island State Senate is scheduled to vote on a same-sex marriage bill that was passed by the state's House on Jan. 24. Rhode Island is the only New England state that has not yet legalized gay marriage and even with a strong Democrat majority, there has been resistance and the bill's passage is far from secured.


Jan. 29, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Judge Approves BP Oil Spill Settlement Worth $4 Billion
British Petroleum agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter and other charges. The company will also pay four billion dollars in criminal penalties in connection to the 2010 Deep Water Discovery oil spill in the Gulf Coast. Senator John Kerry, D-Mass. is confirmed as secretary of state, replacing Hillary Clinton.

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Jan. 29, 2013
Blog
Obama Says 'Now Is the Time' for Comprensive Immigration Reform
At a high school in Las Vegas, President Obama outlined his vision for comprehensive immigration reform, insisting that "now is the time" for action while embracing a bipartisan plan detailed by the so-called "Gang of Eight" senators.

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Jan. 25, 2013
Blog
Background Checks Don't Threaten Second Amendment, Biden Says
Vice President Biden said that a proposal to require background checks on all gun sales won't endanger second amendment rights.


Jan. 22, 2013
Debate
The Debate on Abortion, Four Decades After Roe v. Wade
Forty years ago, in the landmark case Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decided that abortion should be legal in the United States. Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life and Nancy Keenan of NARAL Pro-Choice America join Gwen Ifill to debate the state of abortion rights and activism today.

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Jan. 22, 2013
Blog
Roe v. Wade's Influence Felt on 1992 Abortion Case
On June 29 1992, the Supreme Court released their decision upholding Roe v. Wade and adopting a rule of "undue burden" to regulate the constitutionality of abortion regulations. That day, the PBS NewsHour, then The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, dedicated the entire show to the court's decision. Here is an excerpt from that show.


Jan. 16, 2013
Blog
President Obama's Gun Violence Executive Actions
On Wednesday, President Obama signed a series of 23 executive actions aimed at stopping what he called, "the epidemic of gun violence in this country." Find that a list of those executive actions here.


Jan. 16, 2013
Blog
President Outlines Executive Actions for Gun Control
President Obama announced today his intention to use executive action to promote the most stringent regulation of guns since the Federal Assault Weapons Ban was signed into law in 1994. Standing on stage with Vice President Biden, the president sounded resolute as he ticked off the recommendations of the gun violence task force.

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Jan. 16, 2013
Blog
What Do You Think of Obama's Gun Control Agenda?
President Barack Obama outlined on Wednesday his intention to use executive action toward gun control legislation. We want to hear from you. Do you think gun control and restriction is a necessity to the country's safety, or is it an attack on your Constitutional rights?


Jan. 15, 2013
Blog
Metal Detectors to Bear Spray, Students Search For Gun Violence Solutions
Universal background checks, armed officers and changes to the country's mental health system are ideas being floated as the nation searches for solutions to gun-related violence. In the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., the NewsHour asked students from its Student Reporting Labs to imagine solutions to gun violence.

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Jan. 15, 2013
Blog
Former Incarcerated Staff Serves Up Lunch, With a Story on the Side
Haley House is full of staff members who have been incarcerated. Their offenses include weapons violations, drug trafficking, even murder. Nearly two-thirds dropped out of school. But all are now working diligently to trying to re-define their lives not on what they did, but rather, about what they're doing.


Jan. 9, 2013
Analysis
High Court Examines Whether the Police Need a Warrant to Test Blood Alcohol
Supreme Court justices heard arguments on whether police officers could force a drunk driving suspect to take a blood alcohol test without a warrant. Jeffrey Brown talks to National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle for more on the arguments, which centered on interpretation of warrant requirements.

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Jan. 8, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Judge Says WikiLeaks Soldier Received Harsh Treatment After Arrest
In other news Tuesday, a U.S. Army judge ruled that Pfc. Bradley Manning, convicted of leaking classified documents to Wikileaks, was treated too roughly after his arrest, but she wouldn't dismiss the charges against him. Also, the U.S. military may not leave any troops in Afghanistan after 2014, according to an advisor.

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Jan. 7, 2013
Analysis
Major Banks to Pay $8.5 Billion in Settlement Over Housing Foreclosure Abuses
Ten major banks in the U.S. have agreed to $8.5 billion for wrongful foreclosures on homeowners during 2009 and 2010 at the height of the housing crisis. Margaret Warner talks to Guy Cecala of Inside Mortgage Finance and Diane Thomson of the National Consumer Law Center about the improper foreclosures and who will get the money.

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Jan. 1, 2013
Blog
Health Reform May Be Headed Back to Supreme Court in 2013
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Maybe not for the Affordable Care Act. Looks like 2013 will include many of the characters who made 2012 such a nerve-racking year for the health care reform law -- everyone from state-level Republican leaders to Supreme Court justices.

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