Kelly Cohen

Read the latest stories and analysis from Kelly Cohen.

The Justice Department believes two state statutes used to arrest Niya Kenny should be struck down. The federal lawsuit alleges that the statute unfairly targets minorities. (AP Photo)

Justice Dept. files statement in South Carolina student tossing case

Kelly Cohen · November 30, 2016 9:23 pm

Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates announced in a memo that the federal Bureau of Prisons will be overhauling the halfway houses market in an effort to reduce recidivism and help prisoners safely return to society. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)

Justice Department seeks uniform standards for halfway houses

Kelly Cohen · November 30, 2016 9:16 pm

The newly added companies include Ben & Jerry's, Clif Bar, CVS Health, Gap, Intel, Kroger, LinkedIn, Monsanto, Perdue Farms, Shinola, Target, Tyson Foods, Union Square Hospitality Group and WeWork. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

White House expands push to boost job applicants with criminal records

Kelly Cohen · November 30, 2016 8:38 pm

This image made from video provided by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Sept. 24 shows Keith Scott on the ground as police approach him in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 20, 2016. Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney Andrew Murray announced Wednesday that the shooting by officer Brentley Vinson was justified. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via AP)

Charlotte: No charges against cop who shot armed black man

Kelly Cohen · November 30, 2016 4:39 pm

Democrat urges Obama to expedite commutations for federal prisoners

Kelly Cohen · November 29, 2016 11:50 pm

"I am pleased the House has reauthorized and improved the Justice for All Act to further this good work," Bob Goodlatte said in a statement. (AP Photo)

House votes to reauthorize federal grants for criminal investigations

Kelly Cohen · November 29, 2016 10:32 pm

"While your administration continues to review individual petitions, we urge you to also determine that nonviolent offenders in certain extremely low-risk categories either deserve expedited review or should be granted clemency absent an individualized review," the coalition said in a public letter. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

Coalition pushes for more Obama commutations

Kelly Cohen · November 29, 2016 5:02 pm

"Although no leader is without their flaws, we must push back against the rhetoric of the right and come to the defense of El Comandante," Black Lives Matter wrote. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)

Black Lives Matter mourns, defends Castro

Kelly Cohen · November 29, 2016 2:35 pm

According to a Monday press release from Dictionary.com, searches for the word "xenophobia" spiked on June 24, the day after the U.K. voted to leave the European Union, known as Brexit. (AP Photo)

‘Xenophobia’ named 2016’s word of the year

Kelly Cohen · November 28, 2016 4:26 pm

Dylann Roof accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners at a South Carolina church will act as his own attorney in his federal death penalty trial. (Charleston County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

National Security

Dylann Roof to represent himself in Charleston shooting case

Kelly Cohen · November 28, 2016 2:56 pm

A Charlotte, N.C., elementary school teacher is under investigation after a civil rights group charged that the teacher harassed and assaulted a Muslim kindergarten student. (screenshot)

NC teacher accused of assaulting Muslim kindergartener

Kelly Cohen · November 24, 2016 12:04 am

The kneeling Santa is an ode to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling to protest racial inequality and police brutality against minorities. (Screenshot via Instagram)

Christmas sweaters just got political

Kelly Cohen · November 23, 2016 9:00 pm