• Mayors from across the U.S. gather to discuss issues affecting their communities

    Mayors from across the U.S. gather to discuss issues affecting their communities

    Jan 18, 2023 11:35 PM EDT

    ... now we're dealing with the consequences and the after-effects. So our residents are dealing with the challenges of mental health, the challenges of fentanyl and opioids in our communities. And you know what? Mayors and localities can't do it by themselves. And so we're asking just ...

  • Drug trafficking trial begins for Mexico’s former top security official in charge of fighting cartels

    Drug trafficking trial begins for Mexico’s former top security official in charge of fighting cartels

    Jan 17, 2023 08:29 PM EDT

    The trial begins just days after U.S. President Joe Biden met with López Obrador in Mexico City. The two governments pledged continued cooperation against the drug cartels, especially against the scourge of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which contributed to more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths in the U ...

  • Ex-GOP candidate arrested in shootings at Democratic lawmakers' homes

    Ex-GOP candidate arrested in shootings at Democratic lawmakers' homes

    Jan 17, 2023 03:13 PM EDT

    ... lawmaker's neighborhood.The driver, identified Monday night as Jose Trujillo, was arrested on an outstanding warrant, leading to the discovery of more than 800 fentanyl pills and two firearms in the car, police said. A criminal complaint outlining the exact charges against the former political candidate was expected to ...

  • Biden meets with Mexican president as U.S. shifts southern border policy

    Biden meets with Mexican president as U.S. shifts southern border policy

    Jan 09, 2023 11:45 PM EDT

    ... meetings? Laura Barrón-López: So, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan today said that the three biggest issues are going to be about cracking down on fentanyl trafficking, trade, supply chains. And then that third one is migration and migration enforcement. And, recently, Mexico said that they would take some 30 ...

  • Hiring slows in December as worker shortage still presents challenges

    Hiring slows in December as worker shortage still presents challenges

    Jan 06, 2023 11:40 PM EDT

    ... explanation? Julia Pollak: The rates of crime, incarceration, which are barriers to employment. Another is the increase in the use of drugs like opioids and fentanyl, which are also keeping people out of work. Paul Solman: And the plateauing of women? Not happening in Europe or Canada. Julia Pollak: Mostly ...

  • Violence breaks out after 'El Chapo' son detained, Mexican authorities say

    Violence breaks out after 'El Chapo' son detained, Mexican authorities say

    Jan 06, 2023 09:46 PM EDT

    “Ovidio’s fate had been decided. Moreover, he was identified as the biggest trafficker of fentanyl and the most visible Chapos leader.” Ayala said the atmosphere was calmer Friday, “but there are still a lot of burned-out vehicles blocking the streets.” The scope of Thursday’s violence was ...

  • Biden announces plans to visit the U.S.-Mexico border

    Biden announces plans to visit the U.S.-Mexico border

    Jan 05, 2023 01:38 AM EDT

    And fentanyl and other lab-produced synthetic opioids now are driving an overdose crisis deadlier than any the U.S. has ever seen. But drug control advocates and experts say an anti-drug policy that relies on tighter border security is dangerous and likely futile. It's too easy to ...

  • Biden signs $1.7 trillion bill funding government operations

    Biden signs $1.7 trillion bill funding government operations

    Dec 30, 2022 07:27 PM EDT

    ... on Jan. 3, argued during floor debate that the bill spends too much and does too little to curb illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. from Mexico. “This is a monstrosity that is one of the most shameful acts I’ve ever seen in this ...

  • House passes $1.7 trillion government funding bill with Ukraine aid

    House passes $1.7 trillion government funding bill with Ukraine aid

    Dec 23, 2022 07:27 PM EDT

    ... raised voice for about 25 minutes, assailing the bill for spending too much and doing too little to curb illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border. “This is a monstrosity that is one of the most shameful acts I've ever seen in this ...

  • U.S. life expectancy falls to lowest level since mid-1990s due to COVID and drug overdoses

    U.S. life expectancy falls to lowest level since mid-1990s due to COVID and drug overdoses

    Dec 22, 2022 11:55 PM EDT

    ... s not something we had seen before. William Brangham: The CDC lays blame for this principally on COVID and on drug overdoses, principally linked to fentanyl. But there's other citations in there as well, including alcohol and alcoholism. Can you talk a little bit about that? That's not ...