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Tiny Montana Firm Gets $300 Million Contract To Help Restore Power In Puerto Rico

Whitefish Energy workers restore power lines damaged in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, on October 15. Gov. Ricardo Rosselló has ordered an audit of the $300 million deal the island's power authority made with Whitefish. Ramon Espinosa/AP hide caption

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Ramon Espinosa/AP

The Two-Way

Tiny Montana Firm Gets $300 Million Contract To Help Restore Power In Puerto Rico

The decision by Puerto Rico's electric authority to give such a big contract – and such an enormous challenge – to Whitefish Energy has been met with surprise. The governor has now ordered an audit.

Politics

Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake Says He Won't Seek Re-Election, Denounces Trump

Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake denounced President Trump today during his announcement that he won't seek re-election in 2018. He told the Arizona Republic "there may not be a place for a Republican like me in the current Republican climate or the current Republican Party."

Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake Says He Won't Seek Re-Election, Denounces Trump

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Report Calls California's Bail System 'Unsafe And Unfair' And Recommends It Be Reformed

An influential judicial panel recommends that California abolish commercial bail, declaring it "unsafe and unfair." The panel's report, released today, says bail should be replaced with a risk assessment system and expanded pre-trial services.

Report Calls California's Bail System 'Unsafe And Unfair' And Recommends It Be Reformed

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Race

92 Percent Of African Americans Say Black Americans Face Discrimination Today

A new survey looks at who feels discriminated against in America. The short answer: everyone, but for different reasons. And for some, it's nothing new. NPR's Code Switch team reports on how African Americans responded.

92 Percent Of African Americans Say Black Americans Face Discrimination Today

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Six Weeks After Hurricane Irma, Daily Life Remains A Struggle On U.S. Virgin Islands

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Gerry Yandel, the executive editor of The Virgin lslands Daily News, about what daily life is like for those living on the islands more than a month after they were hit by Hurricane Irma and Maria.

Six Weeks After Hurricane Irma, Daily Life Remains A Struggle On U.S. Virgin Islands

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For The First Time Since Hurricane Maria, Some Kids In Puerto Rico Went Back To School

In Puerto Rico, some students returned to class on Tuesday, more than a month after Hurricane Maria shut down the public school system island-wide. But many schools have not re-opened, fueling frustration among teachers, parents and students.

For The First Time Since Hurricane Maria, Some Kids In Puerto Rico Went Back To School

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Asia

How China Is Making Moves To Be The Dominant Player In The Asian Pacific Region

As President Trump prepares for his trip to the Asian Pacific region next week, Defense Secretary James Mattis is already in the Philippines. He's contending with a rising China that believes its time has come to be the region's dominant power.

How China Is Making Moves To Be The Dominant Player In The Asian Pacific Region

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Politics

Republican Lawmakers Raise Serious Concerns Over Trump During His First Visit To The Hill

In President Trump's first trip to Capitol Hill as president, he met with Senate Republicans to discuss their push to pass tax legislation. But Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker and Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake raised concerns over Trump's governing.

Republican Lawmakers Raise Serious Concerns Over Trump During His First Visit To The Hill

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Politics

GOP Senators Continue To Speak Out About Trump's Approach To Governing

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, a critic of President Trump, called out the president during his announcement that he won't see re-election in 2018. He's adding his voice to others in his party who are speaking out about Trump. But what is the impact?

GOP Senators Continue To Speak Out About Trump's Approach To Governing

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Politics

Trump Administration Expected To Announce Refugee Resettlement Program Can Resume

The Trump administration is expected to announce today that refugee admissions will resume after a 120-day pause, but with new security vetting procedures in place.

Trump Administration Expected To Announce Refugee Resettlement Program Can Resume

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Small Montana Company Awarded $300 Million To Help Restore Puerto Rico's Power Grid

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks to Nicky Ouellet of Montana Public Radio about the massive $300 million contract awarded to Whitefish Energy, a company based in the hometown of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, to help restore Puerto Rico's power.

Small Montana Company Awarded $300 Million To Help Restore Puerto Rico's Power Grid

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From Minneapolis To Mogadishu, Somali-Americans Try To Help Survivors of Bomb Attack

Workers in Somalia's capital Mogadishu are still searching through the wreckage created by large truck bomb set off in a busy commercial district that killed 358 people and injuring hundreds more. In the large Somali immigrant community in Minneapolis, everyone is connected to a victim in some way. As the grieving continues, Somali-Americans are trying to help the survivors in any way they can from 8,000 miles away.

From Minneapolis To Mogadishu, Somali-Americans Try To Help Survivors of Bomb Attack

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New York Bans Vaping Indoors In Public: State Law Classes E-Cigs With Cigarettes

The state of New York is putting e-cigarettes into the same category as regular tobacco cigarettes, under new restrictions signed into law this week. Here, a man uses a vape device in London last summer, next to a No Smoking sign. Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

New York Bans Vaping Indoors In Public: State Law Classes E-Cigs With Cigarettes

"These products are marketed as a healthier alternative to cigarettes but the reality is they also carry long-term risks," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

After Tragedy In Las Vegas, The Weddings Must Go On

Agnes Kolodziaj and Lucas Pawelek kiss in front of the Gazebo at A Little White Wedding Chapel. The Polish couple started planning their Las Vegas nuptials six months ago. Leila Fadel /NPR hide caption

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Leila Fadel /NPR

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After Tragedy In Las Vegas, The Weddings Must Go On

There were some cancellations after the massacre, but tourism officials are welcoming visitors while asking that they be respectful of the tragedy.

After Tragedy In Las Vegas, The Weddings Must Go On

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