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2012 FEBRUARY
Feb. 7, 2012
Analysis
Will Prop. 8 Ruling Lead Supreme Court to Consider Same-Sex Marriage?
A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 Tuesday against banning same-sex marriage in California, upholding a lower court's ruling. Spencer Michels reports and Gwen Ifill discusses the decision and the next steps with David Boies of the American Foundation for Equal Rights and John Eastman of the National Organization for Marriage.

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Feb. 7, 2012
Blog
Proposition 8 Ruling Expected in California
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco is expected to rule on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the 2008 ban on same-sex marriage in California, Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET.


Feb. 1, 2012
Forum
Join a Live Chat Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET on Dropouts and Delinquents
This week, the NewsHour's American Graduate team looks at juvenile justice and gang violence relating to the dropout crisis. Join a live chat Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET with Victor Rios, a former gang member turned sociology professor, and Richard Ross, a photographer who documents what life is like for young people in prison.

JANUARY
Jan. 23, 2012
Analysis
Want to Use a GPS-Tracking Device? Get a Warrant, Supreme Court Tells Police
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that police violated the Constitution by attaching a GPS-tracking device to a car owned by a Washington, D.C., club owner, eventually leading to a cocaine-trafficking conviction. Jeffrey Brown discusses their reasoning and the implications with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

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Jan. 23, 2012
Blog
Marcia Coyle: Court Moves 'Carefully' to Balance Rights in GPS Ruling
The Supreme Court's decision Monday -- saying police must have a warrant before attaching a GPS tracker to vehicles -- shows the court "wants to move carefully" in weighing the privacy rights of individuals against law enforcement's need for information in criminal investigations, according to legal analyst Marcia Coyle.


Jan. 20, 2012
Analysis
Supreme Court Ruling on Texas Electoral Maps 'Huge Setback' for Democrats
The Supreme Court rejected the new Texas redistricting map Friday, creating disarray for the upcoming primary election. Ray Suarez discusses the decision's political and legal implications with Richard Hasen of the University of California Irvine School of Law and Shira Toeplitz, a political reporter for Roll Call.

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Jan. 18, 2012
Blog
SOPA Blackouts Reaction and Resources
What pro- and anti-SOPA backers say about the SOPA/PIPA blackout day and five resources to learn more about it.


Jan. 12, 2012
Analysis
Barbour's Parting Pardons, Some for Convicted Killers, Stir Furor in Mississippi
After days of controversy, a Mississippi judge moved Wednesday to block some last-minute pardons made by outgoing Gov. Haley Barbour. Barbour had issued pardons to more than 200 felons, 14 of them convicted killers. Margaret Warner discusses the reaction to the pardons with Daniel Cherry of Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

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Jan. 11, 2012
Analysis
Supreme Court Upholds 'Ministerial Exception' From Anti-Bias Laws
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the Constitution provides ministers an exemption to anti-discrimination laws. Margaret Warner discusses the implications of the court's recognition of a "ministerial exception" with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

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Jan. 10, 2012
Analysis
North Carolina Moves to Compensate People Sterilized Against Their Will
Roughly 7,600 people were sterilized in North Carolina against their will between 1929 and 1974. A state panel voted Tuesday to pay the victims $50,000 each. Ray Suarez discusses the history of the program and the panel's decision with Charmaine Fuller-Cooper of the North Carolina Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation.

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Jan. 10, 2012
Analysis
What Role Should FCC Play in Policing Profanity on the Airwaves?
The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case involving freedom of speech on broadcast television and the constitutional debate over federal regulation of indecency. Jeffrey Brown discusses the arguments and the potential effects for the FCC with Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal.

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Jan. 9, 2012
Analysis
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Texas Redistricting, Environmental Rules
The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday involving a redistricting dispute in Texas. Jeffrey Brown discusses the case's broad implications for the future political landscape of the state -- and potentially the entire nation -- with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

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Jan. 5, 2012
Analysis
Are Super PACs Living Up to Supreme Court's Intentions?
In Iowa, Super PACs pumped millions of dollars into last-minute negative television ads. What influence will they have in the rest of the GOP primary season and beyond? Judy Woodruff discusses the myriad of super PACs with the Sunlight Foundation's Bill Allison and CQ Roll Call's Eliza Newlin Carney.

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Jan. 3, 2012
Blog
Are Syrian Spies on U.S. Soil?
Syrian spies are operating in the United States, keeping tabs on Syrian-Americans who oppose President Bashar al-Assad, according to a federal indictment filed in October and PBS NewsHour interviews with Syrian-Americans.

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Jan. 2, 2012
Analysis
LAPD Urges Ongoing Vigilance After Arrest in String of Arson Fires
Another dozen fires erupted early Monday around Los Angeles, totaling more than 50 in at least four separate parts of the area over just four nights. Ray Suarez discusses the region's worst arson spree in two decades and the arrest of a suspect with Adam Nagourney, the Los Angeles bureau chief for The New York Times.

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2011 DECEMBER
Dec. 29, 2011
Analysis
Thousands of Iraqis Who Helped Americans in War Caught in Visa Holdup
In 2008, Congress passed a law allowing up to 5,000 Iraqis who had helped Americans during the war to come to the U.S. with their families as refugees each year, but the visa process has been slowed. Jeffrey Brown discusses the holdups with the University of Minnesota's Eric Schwartz and The Philadelphia Inquirer's Trudy Rubin.

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Dec. 29, 2011
Update
California to Stop Towing, Impounding Vehicles of Unlicensed Drivers
Starting Jan. 1, a new law will take effect in California, meaning that police officers can no longer impound a car at sobriety checkpoints if the driver's only offense is driving without a license.


Dec. 16, 2011
Analysis
In Manning Trial, Tracing WikiLeaks Files to Harm May Be 'Extremely Complicated'
Friday was the first court appearance for Army Pvt. Bradley Manning, accused as the prime source for the WikiLeaks document dumps. Ray Suarez discusses the day's proceedings with Arun Rath of PBS' "Frontline."

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Dec. 16, 2011
Report
Alleged WikiLeaks Source Manning Faces First Court Appearance
Army Pvt. Bradley Manning made his first court appearance Friday, accused as the prime source in the WikiLeaks document dumps. Ray Suarez reports on the investigation, stemming from the largest leak of classified information in U.S. history.

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Dec. 16, 2011
Report
News Wrap: Judge Orders Trial for 2 Penn State Officials
In other news Friday, a judge ordered trials for two Penn State University officials accused of lying to a grand jury. The decision stems from a probe of sexual-abuse charges against Jerry Sandusky. Also, a panel found that up to 20,000 children were sexually abused in Roman Catholic institutions in The Netherlands since 1945.

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Dec. 16, 2011
Analysis
Former Fannie, Freddie Officials Face 'Significant' Fraud, Lying Charges
The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged six former Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac officials with misleading investors about risky loans. Judy Woodruff discusses how the alleged wrongdoings may have contributed to the mortgage meltdown with Edward Pinto of the American Enterprise Institute and Lynn Turner of LitiNomics.

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Dec. 13, 2011
Analysis
Supreme Court Lines up Potentially 'Explosive' Election Year Docket
Supreme Court justices agreed Monday to take up a tough immigration law from Arizona that would, among other things, punish illegal immigrants who apply for work in the state. Gwen Ifill discuses this and other controversial cases with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and author Jeff Shesol.

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Dec. 13, 2011
Report
News Wrap: NTSB Urges Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving
In other news Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended a ban on using a cell phone while driving. It said the ban should apply to both hands-free and hand-held phones. Also, at least 28 people were killed in violence across Syria.

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Dec. 9, 2011
Report
At Va. Tech, a Sense of Bewilderment, Sadness as Shooting Motive Remains Unclear
The Virginia Tech community was terrorized by another deadly shooting attack Thursday that left a police officer dead, but the response this time by the university and police was much different than the 2007 massacre on campus. Hari Sreenivasan reports.

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Dec. 8, 2011
Report
Deadly Virginia Tech Shootings Bring Back Fears, Memories
Shootings Thursday on the campus of Virginia Tech left two people dead, and roused fears and memories of the tragedy that occurred there four years ago. Jeffrey Brown reports.

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Dec. 7, 2011
Analysis
Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana's Rivers
Montana's rivers are pristine and iconic, but they are also at the center of a property rights dispute that wound up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Gwen Ifill discusses the details of the dispute with Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal.

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NOVEMBER
Nov. 29, 2011
Analysis
How Effective Is Justice Department Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods Dealers?
The Justice Department used Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year, to shut down 150 websites that were allegedly peddling fake shoes, sporting goods and handbags. Gwen Ifill discusses the crackdown on counterfeit goods with author Larry Downes and Steve Tepp of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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Nov. 28, 2011
Analysis
N.Y. Judge Rejects SEC's $285M Deal With Citigroup as 'Unfair, Unreasonable'
A federal judge on Monday rejected a settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Citigroup over mortgage deals dating back to the housing bust and the financial crisis. Ray Suarez discusses the latest developments with Edward Wyatt of The New York Times and Jacob Frenkel of Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker.

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Nov. 25, 2011
Blog
Cambodians Confront the Past in Second Major Khmer Rouge Trial
In recent years, more Cambodians have been confronting the mass killings of the 1970s committed by the Khmer Rouge regime. Another phase of this effort to inform and educate the Cambodian public has been taking place in a crowded courtroom, where the second of two United Nations-administered trials is underway.

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Nov. 16, 2011
Blog
Supercommittee Edging Toward Failure
After another day of private meetings and negotiations on Capitol Hill, the 12-member Congressional supercommittee was apparently no closer Tuesday to its mandated $1.2 trillion deficit reduction deal, and all signs point to a process that will remain gridlocked until the Nov. 23 deadline.


Nov. 15, 2011
Analysis
Editor: Sandusky 'Probably Did Himself More Harm Than Good' in Costas Interview
In a startling move Monday, Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State defensive coordinator accused of sexually abusing children, defended himself in a telephone interview with Bob Costas on NBC. Margret Warner discusses the scandal's continuing fallout with David Newhouse, editor of The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa.

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Nov. 15, 2011
Blog
New York Police Clear Occupy Protesters in Zuccotti Park
New York City police have cleared out Zuccotti Park, where the first Occupy Wall Street protests began in mid-September, arresting dozens of demonstrators who refused to heed an order to leave the park.


Nov. 14, 2011
Analysis
Health Reform Law to Face Constitutional Test in Supreme Court
On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments next spring on the constitutionality of the health care reform law. Jeffrey Brown discusses the political and legal implications with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and NPR's Julie Rovner.

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Nov. 14, 2011
Update
Rio Security Forces Storm Major Slum
Police invaded Rio de Janeiro's largest slum Sunday, part of a larger effort aimed at cleaning up favelas before the 2014 World Cup.


Nov. 14, 2011
Blog
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Health Reform Challenge
The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will review the constitutionality of the health reform law.


Nov. 14, 2011
Blog
Police, Occupy Protesters Clash in Portland, Order Oakland Cleared
Police arrested more than 50 Occupy protesters in Portland while clearing out an encampment in two of the city's parks Sunday afternoon. In Oakland, Calif. police have warned protesters that they must leave a plaza where they have camped out, the fourth such order in that city.


Nov. 10, 2011
Analysis
'Shock' Continues Over Penn State Scandal, Paterno's Scarred Legacy
Thursday was the first day of the post-Joe Paterno era at Penn State, after a whirlwind of events that stemmed from sexual abuse charges against a former football coach. Jeffrey Brown discusses the continuing fallout.

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Nov. 10, 2011
Blog
5 Big Questions Before Supreme Court on Health Reform Law
The Supreme Court now has six petitions asking the justices to review and answer important constitutional questions about the Obama administration's signature social policy success -- the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.


Nov. 10, 2011
Blog
Penn State Ousts Paterno, Spanier
The Penn State board of trustees announced Wednesday night that they have fired legendary football coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier, both of whom have been heavily criticized for not taking adequate measures to halt alleged child sexual abuse by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.


Nov. 9, 2011
Blog
Paterno Says He Will Retire as Penn State Head Coach at End of Season
Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno announced Wednesday that he will retire in light of a firestorm over allegations of sexual abuse by former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who was arrested Saturday on 40 counts of child sexual abuse after a three-year grand jury investigation.

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Nov. 8, 2011
Report
California Raids Threaten Medical Marijuana Regulation
In 16 states, marijuana use is legal for medical purposes, but authorities say state laws do not protect growers from federal prosecution. Special correspondent Michael Montgomery of KQED San Francisco looks at how that conflict is playing out in one California community.

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Nov. 8, 2011
Analysis
Supreme Court Hears Landmark GPS Tracking Case
Can the government track a suspect using a GPS device without a warrant? That question was at the center of a high-profile case before the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Judy Woodruff discusses the oral arguments in the case with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

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Nov. 8, 2011
Report
News Wrap: Penn State's Paterno Comes Under Fire, May Be Forced Out
In other news Tuesday, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno faced growing pressure after charges that a former top assistant sexually abused boys for years. Reports suggested he might be forced out after 46 seasons. Also, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lost his majority in parliament and has said he plans to resign.

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Nov. 8, 2011
Blog
Medical Marijuana Growers Face Federal Raids
The industry of growing and distributing marijuana is explored in "The Republic of Cannabis" -- a special series produced in collaboration by KQED, The Center for Investigative Reporting and Frontline.


Nov. 7, 2011
Analysis
Penn State's Storied Football Program Rocked by Sexual Abuse Scandal
A sexual abuse scandal involving a former football coach has emerged at Penn State University. Margret Warner discusses the investigation into former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky with Patriot-News' Sara Ganim.

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Nov. 3, 2011
Report
'Crime After Crime' Examines Battered Woman's Struggle to Leave Prison
"Crime After Crime" traces efforts to free Deborah Peagler from prison 20 years after she was connected to the murder of the man who abused her and forced her into prostitution. This excerpt is part of The Economist Film Project series of independently produced films aired in partnership between The Economist and the NewsHour.

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Nov. 3, 2011
Blog
'Crime After Crime' Follows Complex Story of Imprisoned Battered Woman
On Thursday's NewsHour, we will feature an excerpt of the film "Crime After Crime", which traces the legal battle to free Deborah Peagler from a California prison 20 years after she was connected to the murder of the man who had abused her and forced her into prostitution.

OCTOBER
Oct. 28, 2011
Video
'The Informant' Tracks Latest on Calif. Prison Overcrowding, Occupy Oakland
The Informant blog by KALW Radio in San Francisco tracks the latest news and developments in cops, courts and communities in the Bay Area. We checked in with lead reporter Rina Palta on Friday afternoon to hear more about the top stories she has been covering recently: "realignment" of California prisons and Occupy Oakland.

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Oct. 27, 2011
Blog
Gibson Guitars Under Investigation
An unlikely culprit has stirred up controversy in the music community: The Lacey Act, legislation aimed to curb illegal logging. Based on suspicions that the Gibson Guitar Corporation violated the act by importing illegal wood, federal agents raided the company's facilities in Tennessee in August.

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Oct. 26, 2011
Report
News Wrap: Rajat Gupta Pleads Not Guilty to Insider Trading Charges
In other news Wednesday, former Goldman Sachs board member Rajat Gupta pleaded not guilty to federal charges of insiders trading. Gupta is accused in the largest insider trading case in history. Also, the death toll from Sunday's earthquake in Turkey rose to at least 461.

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