Brian Naylor

As FEMA Heads To Oklahoma, Agency Worries About Finances

Brian Naylor — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:22:00 +0000

President Obama has promised the people of Moore, Okla., that the U.S. is "there for them, behind them, as long as it takes." That means, at least in part, sending in FEMA to provide disaster relief: temporary housing, loans, equipment and repairs. And while there appears to be enough money for now, there is some concern that between sequestration and political gridlock, money could become an issue.

One Reason To Apply For Tax-Exempt Status: Anonymity

Brian Naylor — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:32:00 +0000

Revelations that the Internal Revenue Service targeted some conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status for extra scrutiny have put a spotlight on a part of the tax code increasingly popular with political groups: section 501(c)(4).

But what's the benefit for organizations to get approved for 501(c)(4) status?

The Mississippi Tea Party, a volunteer organization, first applied for tax-exempt status in 2010.

IRS Controversy Revives Questions About Tax-Exempt Issues

Brian Naylor — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:49:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning, I'm David Greene.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

We're going to spend some time this morning, examining tax examiners at the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service is under fire for paying extra attention to conservative groups that were seeking tax exempt status.

Lawmakers Want Answers About Flaws In Terrorism Task Force

Brian Naylor — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:39:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

On a Friday it's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And I'm David Greene. Good morning.

Congress has held its first hearing on last month's Boston Marathon bombing. Boston's police commissioner testified yesterday that he did not know about an FBI probe into one of the suspects.

Push To End Teens' Distracted Driving Targets Parents, Peers

Brian Naylor — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:28:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JVspjqaFro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MJN7ncuIQo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI6MKwCADb8

Some Democrats Back Same-Sex Amendment To Immigration Bill

Brian Naylor — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:29:00 +0000

The immigration overhaul bill before the Senate would provide, among other things, more visas for migrant farm workers and high-tech workers, and a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

One thing it would not provide is help for same-sex couples in which one partner is an American and one foreign-born. For heterosexual couples, a foreign-born spouse automatically qualifies for a green card and many of the benefits of citizenship.

Transportation Advocates Enthusiastic About LaHood's Successor

Brian Naylor — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:06:00 +0000

As outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood prepares to hand off the baton to President Obama's nominee, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, Morning Edition reflects on Lahood's legacy. What have he and the president accomplished? What's still to be done?

Boston Response Praised, But Intelligence-Sharing Questioned

Brian Naylor — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:26:00 +0000

In the days since the Boston Marathon bombings, local law enforcement officials have been given high marks for their response to the attack and the coordination among numerous federal, state and local agencies involved.

But at the same time, questions are being raised about the coordination among federal agencies handling intelligence they had about the suspects in the months before the attack.

At a Senate hearing Tuesday, there was nothing but praise for the actions of the responders.

Boston Lockdown 'Extraordinary' But Prudent, Experts Say

Brian Naylor — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:20:00 +0000

Local officials have defended the decision to essentially lock down the city of Boston on Friday while law enforcement searched for a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing.

Residents were told to remain indoors during the hunt for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who survived an early morning shootout with police in the suburb of Watertown during which his brother, Tamerlan, was killed.

Massachusetts Gov.

Some States Hike Gas Tax; Va. Tries New Route To Fund Roads

Brian Naylor — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:34:00 +0000

It's no secret that many of the nation's roads are in pretty bad shape. In the latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the condition of America's highways rated a grade of D.

Congestion is a big problem, and so is upkeep. Most states rely on gas taxes to raise the money for repairs and new construction, but that funding source is not the stream it used to be, says James Corless of Transportation for America.

"Cars are getting more efficient, and people are actually driving less," Corless says.

FBI Building May Soon Be 'Put Out Of Its Misery'

Brian Naylor — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:29:00 +0000

The nation's capital has been undergoing something of a building boom. Dozens of construction cranes dot the Washington, D.C., skyline.

So it comes as no surprise that the federal government is hoping to take advantage of the real estate values and unload what's seen by many as an eyesore on Pennsylvania Avenue: the J.

Sequester Cuts Affect National Parks

Brian Naylor — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:39:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The American landscape is now dotted with five new national monuments. Among them, named yesterday by President Obama, is a commemoration of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad in Maryland, and in Washington State, the San Juan Islands Monument. That makes more than 400 sites under the care of the National Park Service, which is also now absorbing a 5 percent budget cut mandated by the sequester. And that's leading to cutbacks at national parks.

TSA Under Fire For Allowing Pocket Knives Onboard

Brian Naylor — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:12:00 +0000

The Transportation Security Administration says starting next month, it's OK to bring small knives aboard passenger jets. The new policy is a result of the agency's shift from focusing on objects that might pose a threat to focusing on people. But many flight attendants, a few airlines and some lawmakers are pushing back against the new policy.

'Unprecedented': Budget Cuts Could Hit Some Airport Towers

Brian Naylor — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:15:00 +0000

Control towers at many small and medium-sized airports around the country are set to shut down next month because of the across-the-board federal budget cuts. The towers have been operated under contract to the Federal Aviation Administration.

One of the airports affected is in Latrobe, Pa., southeast of Pittsburgh — the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, named after the golf great who grew up a well-placed drive from the runway.

Senate Mostly Blamed For Agency And Court Vacancies, But Obama Isn't Helping

Brian Naylor — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 08:34:00 +0000

Hear Brian Nayor, Julie Rovner, Yuki Noguchi and Carrie Johnson talk with Morning Edition's Steve Inskeep about the many federal entities operating without permanent leadership by clicking the audio link.

Some workers may dream about how productive they'd be without a boss. But for thousands of federal employees, being without a boss is a reality.