Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'federal'

Federal Bureaucrats Begin 'Burrowing'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST

With a change in administrations, many political appointees at government agencies will take career jobs, becoming part of the permanent civil service. It's a phenomenon known as "burrowing."

Paulson Sticks To Bailout Strategy

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson once again defends his management of the federal government's $700 billion rescue program for the financial industry. Democrats want some of the money used to help other ailing industries, as well as struggling homeowners.

Should GM Be Left To Go Bankrupt...

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Former airline executive Michael E. Levine wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece arguing that a federal bailout would be bad for General Motors. Reorganization in federal bankruptcy court is a better solution, Levine says.

Big Three Automakers Take Their Case To Capitol Hill

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

The Big Three U.S. automakers — General Motors, Ford and Chrysler — will appear today before lawmakers on Capitol Hill to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the auto industry. Warren Brown, of the Washington Post; John Schmitt, of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington and Mary Chapman, of African Americans on Wheels magazine discuss the automotive crisis and how consumers should be prepared to respond.

SEC Charges NBA's Mark Cuban With Insider Trading

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Federal regulators charged Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with insider trading Monday for allegedly using confidential information on a stock sale. The Securities and Exchange Commission says by selling when he did, Cuban avoided losses of more than $750,000. Cuban says he'll fight the charges.

UAW's Gettelfinger: Auto Industry Needs Aid

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger has said federal aid for the auto industry is vital. But including automakers in the $700 billion bailout may have to wait until President-elect Barack Obama takes office. Gettelfinger talks with Steve Inskeep about whether the automakers can wait that long.

Bankruptcy Could Help Fix Carmakers Problems

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama wants to give U.S. automakers federal funds. Critics say funding without conditions would be pouring gas into broken down clunker. Paul Ingrassia, a former Detroit bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, says bankrupty might be a better option. He tells Ari Shapiro that bankruptcy could open the door to badly needed changes.

Plant Closures Create Kosher Meat Shortage

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

In some areas of the country, there's a shortage of kosher meat. One of the largest kosher meat companies has shut down its beef slaughtering facility. A plant owned by Agriprocessors Inc. in Iowa was raided earlier this year by federal immigration authorities. Adriene Hill reports for Chicago Public Radio.

High Court Hears Case On Religious Monument

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:58:00 EST

The Supreme Court has heard a case testing whether any religious group has the right to erect a monument in a public space if there is already another one. Federal appeals courts around the country have ruled in different ways in a variety of cases.

Supreme Court Hears Religious Display Case

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The Supreme Court hears a case Wednesday testing whether any religious group has the right to erect a monument in a public space — if there is already another one there, such as a Ten Commandments monument. Federal appeals courts across the country have ruled in different ways in a variety of cases.

Last Word In Business

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:05:00 EST

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D-CA) says she's disturbed by reports that some inauguration tickets are being sold online for as much as $40,000. She says she's writing to eBay and other sites to make sure they're not involved in ticket scalping. The 240,000 available tickets are supposed to be free to the public, and given out through congressional offices. Feinstein is also working on a bill that would make it a federal crime to sell tickets to the inauguration.

GM, Ford, Chrysler Want Emergency Aid

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Detroit's Big Three automakers are asking the government for a bigger bailout. They already have received $25 billion in federal loans, and now want an additional $25 billion. Congressional Democrats have urged the Bush Administration to use some of the $700 billion bailout for banks to help the car companies. Joe White, of The Wall Street Journal, talks with Renee Montagne about what a bailout would mean.

Bird Forces Hawaii To Transfer To Digital TV in Jan.

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:55:00 EST

The nation is scheduled to convert to digital TV on Feb. 17. But most of Hawaii will make the switch a month early because of a volcano-dwelling bird. Federal wildlife officials recommended hastening the transition in Hawaii. That's so the Hawaiian petrel's nesting season on the slopes of Maui's Haleakala volcano won't be disrupted by the destruction of the old analog transmission towers nearby.

Schwarzenegger Risks Contempt On Prison Reform

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:59:00 EST

A federal judge in California is threatening to start contempt of court hearings against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state controller on Friday for not turning over millions of dollars to improve prison health care in the cash-strapped state.

High Court Grapples With Vulgar TV Language

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:56:00 EST

The Supreme Court has heard a case testing whether the federal government may punish the fleeting use of a dirty word in a broadcast.

Free Food Encourages Voting, Or Not

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's are among the companies that originally planned to offer free food or drinks to voters Tuesday. But federal law says you can't give people free stuff to encourage them — or dissuade them — from voting.

Banks Vow To Step Up Lending After Bailout

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:45:00 EDT

Rep. Barney Frank is warning banks not to use federal bailout money to do anything other than make loans. A spokesman for the banking industry said banks are just starting to receive the money and plan to step up lending.

Government Plan Would Guarantee Some Mortgages

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The federal government appears to be on the verge of announcing a massive plan to help home owners struggling to avoid foreclosure. The plan could involve hundreds of billions of dollars in government loan guarantees.

Fed Cuts Key Interest Rate By Half Point

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:18:00 EDT

The U.S. Federal Reserve has cut a key interest rate by a half-percentage point. After a unanimous vote, the federal funds rate now stands at 1 percent. Fed policymakers noted the pace of economic activity nationwide had markedly slowed.

Georgia Inmate's Execution Postponed For Third Time

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:08:00 EDT

Troy Davis, a Georgia death row inmate, was scheduled to be put to death yesterday, but received a stay of execution issued by a federal appeals court. It is the third time Davis' execution has been postponed. Virginia Sloan is head of the The Constitution Project. Sloan discusses the high profile case and how it's stirring scrutiny of the judicial system in the U.S.

McCain Calls On Sen. Stevens To Resign

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:31:00 EDT

Even as Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens vowed to appeal his conviction on federal corruption charges, there were new signs that support for him was cracking. Presidential candidate John McCain called Tuesday for his fellow Republican to step down.

Obama Assassination Plot Thwarted

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Federal authorities announced Monday that they had broken up a neo-Nazi plot to assassinate presidential candidate Barak Obama. The plan involved two white supremacists and authorities say Obama was never in any danger.

Skinhead Plot To Kill Obama Thwarted, Officials Say

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:29:00 EDT

Federal authorities say they broke up a plot by two neo-Nazis to assassinate presidential nominee Barack Obama. Authorities say the plan was fantastic in its scope and that Obama was never in any danger.

Boeing's Earnings A Tool In Machinists Strike

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Talks aimed at settling the Machinist union strike at Boeing resume Thursday at the request of a federal mediator. Both the union and management have strong incentives to settle. Boeing reported a big earnings decline Wednesday.

Despite Spill, Some Californians Support Drilling

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:20:00 EDT

Since 1969, when Santa Barbara's coast was the site of a devastating oil spill, the county has been staunchly opposed to more offshore drilling. But with the recent removal of a federal ban, some in the area seem to be having a change of heart.