National: Breaking US Stories from National Public Radio

Here is the latest US News from National Public Radio.

To Survive The Bust Cycle, Farmers Go Back To Business-School Basics
Farming is entering its third year on the bust side of the cycle. Major crop prices are low while expenses like seed, fertilizer and land remain high. That means getting creative to succeed.

It’s Still Hard To Get Birth Control Pills In California Without A Prescription
California law now permits pharmacists to sell many types of hormonal birth control methods without a doctor’s OK. But good luck finding a drug store that will dispense the contraceptives that way.

Clinton Violated Policies By Using Private Email, State Department Report Says
The report doesn’t materially change the controversy or reveal new facts. It is a reminder of a bad decision that has been a weight on Clinton’s campaign since before she announced she was running.

Why Elizabeth Warren Is An Effective Messenger For Progressive Democrats
Sen. Warren is increasingly taking on Donald Trump. She’s also a prolific fundraiser and promoter of Senate Democrats who are running for election intent on regaining a majority.

Hunting And National Parks Don’t Mix Except When It Comes To Feral Hogs
There’s an aggressive hunting program going on in the back country of Great Smoky Mountains National Park targeting wild hogs. Hogs are invasive and hugely destructive to the natural environment.

11 States Sue U.S. Government Over Transgender Policies
Social conservatives in Texas say they support a lawsuit filed by their state and 10 others challenging federal rules on transgender students’ use of school bathrooms that match their gender identity.

Obama To Become First Sitting President To Visit Hiroshima
The city is now synonymous with the deadly nuclear age that began there more than seven decades ago. White House officials stress that Obama will not apologize for the bombing.

When Maddy Became Jake: A Father And Son’s Enduring Love
Jake, born female, was 5 when he says he first told his dad he was a boy. Jon thought it was a phase, but came to accept it, and 15 years later Jake made his new name and gender official.

O’Keeffe Museum Acquires Rarely-Seen Work By The Famed Artist
An atmospheric image of barns in Lake George, N.Y., is joining the collection at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, N.M. The painting reveals a lesser-known genre of the artist’s work.

6-Year-Old May Be Out Of Spelling Bee, But This Kid Is A Winner
Akash Vukoti was the youngest contestant in this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee. He didn’t go all the way this time, but we’ve got our eye on him.

11 States Sue Obama Administration Over Transgender Student Guidance
Texas and 10 other states are suing the Obama administration over its guidelines governing transgender students in schools.

GOP Congressman Suggests Private Approach To Airline Security
NPR’s Audie Cornish talks with Rep. Darrell Issa of California about why he believes privatizing airport screening would be better for safety and speeding up security lines.

Donald Trump Holds Rally In California Ahead Of Final Primaries
With the Republican nomination virtually in hand, Donald Trump is on a campaign swing through states voting on June 7 — the final day of GOP primaries. He’s also holding his first fundraisers.

Inspector General Report Criticizes Hillary Clinton’s Use Of Private Server
The State Department’s independent watchdog criticizes Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email account and server for official business.

30 Years Ago, 6 Million People Held Hands Across America
Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of Hands Across America. In 1986, six and a half million people held hands across the nation to fight homelessness and hunger.

When Maddy Became Jake: A Father On Parenting A Transgender Child
NPR’s Kelly McEvers talks to political reporter Jon Ralston and his son, Jake Ralston, about Jake’s transition from female to male.

Louisiana Moves To Extend Hate Crime Protection For Police Officers
The state of Louisiana is close to extending hate crime protection to police officers and other emergency responders. The so-called “Blue Lives Matter” bill is a response to a growing sentiment among many in law enforcement that they are under attack.

Even With Bundy Behind Bars, ‘Range War’ Lives On For Some Ranchers
Cliven Bundy and many of his militia followers are now in jail, but some Western ranchers vow to continue defying the federal government when it comes to cattle grazing on public lands.

We Don’t Know How Many Workers Are Injured At Slaughterhouses. Here’s Why
Injuries in the meat industry are likely to be under-reported, a new GAO report finds. Workers may be sent back to the line without seeing a doctor, or may not report out of fear of losing their jobs.

Business Of Disaster: Local Recovery Programs Struggle To Help Homeowners
State and local disaster relief programs are leaving communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy confused by the dizzying array of directives on how to rebuild.

Watchdog: Hillary Clinton Violated State Dept. Policies By Using Private Email
A report issued by the department’s inspector general found that previous secretaries of state also failed to comply with record-keeping and security policies.

John Kerry’s Awkward Push For Investment In Iran
The secretary of state negotiated the nuclear deal and wants it to work. He recently went to Europe to encourage banks there to invest in Iran.

11 States Sue U.S. Government Over Transgender Policies
The Obama administration has argued that gender identity is protected under federal law. The states say the government is overreaching.

TSA Hopes To Speed Up Screening Lines This Summer, Administrator Tells Congress
But the TSA projects that its checkpoints will screen 100 million more people in 2016 than it did in 2013, while the agency’s workforce has been reduced by 12 percent over that same time period.

Asking Mom: ‘Did You Know I Was Depressed In High School?’
Telling your parents you have mental health issues can be tough, even if you are a trained psychotherapist. Add in another culture and there’s even more room for apprehension and misunderstanding.

What Is The Meaning Behind The Moo?
Researchers are trying to figure out what cows are saying to each other — and us. Often, it seems that cows moo to communicate that something is wrong, or different.

Ryan Shoots Down Trump Endorsement, As He Readies House GOP Campaign Agenda
House Republicans will begin rolling out their policy agenda in June. It will, in theory, allow lawmakers to run with Donald Trump on ideas they agree on, and be able to demonstrate where they differ.

Native Americans Protest Planned Auction Of Sacred Objects In France
It’s illegal to sell ceremonial such items in the U.S., but they’re popular (and profitable) in France. The art and artifacts are due to hit the auction block Monday.

Online Eye Exam Site Makes Waves In Eye Care Industry
Need a vision test? Now you can do it online with a computer and a smartphone. The site has attracted a lot of attention in the tech world, but eye care professionals have concerns.

Rising Seas Push Too Much Salt Into The Florida Everglades
Rising sea levels put extra pressure on coastal bedrock in South Florida. Eventually, as seawater moves in, it could contaminate plants on the surface and the region’s stores of fresh water beneath.

In A Lawsuit, New York Accuses Domino’s Pizza Of Wage Theft
It’s the latest chapter in a long campaign against wage theft by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. His office has already recovered millions of dollars in wages for low-income workers.

The Pitfalls Of Creating A Disaster Recovery Program From Scratch
We have the second report in a probe into who profits when disaster strikes. NPR and the PBS show Frontline examine the millions wasted when state disaster recovery programs aren’t up to the job.