Todd Zwillich

As Stephen Colbert bids adieu to "The Colbert Report," On the Media's Brooke Gladstone weighs in the host's wide-ranging impact, from the network news to politics to satire.

To Cuban-American poet Richard Blanco, the restoration of U.S.-Cuba relations is like the reunion of two twins who've been separated. He reflects on what this moment means to him.

Today, "Serial" concludes its first season. While the story of Adnan Syed has captivated millions of listeners, it's also exposed flaws in the American criminal justice system. 

Many are hoping that Senator Elizabeth Warren will run for president in 2016—a role many believe Hillary Clinton is hoping to fill. And now Jeb Bush is considering a presidential run.

A conservative firebrand, Representative Michele Bachmann quickly became a force in Congress and around the nation in her eight years as representative for Minnesota's 6th District.

Lawmakers are hoping to pass a $1.1 trillion spending bill to avoid another government shutdown—and it could prove to be a big political moment for Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren.

While everyone was focused on the torture report, Sec. of State John Kerry testified before Congress and said that the president wants virtually no restrictions to fight against ISIS.

The report, which includes several disturbing findings, finds that "the interrogations of CIA detainees were brutal and far worse than the CIA represented to policymakers and others."

A Pentagon report released this week shows that 62 percent of people who reported sexual assault or rape in the military were retaliated against.

The federal government’s funding expires on December 11th. House Speaker John Boehner wants to avoid a shutdown, but some hardliners are eager for a budget fight.

A closer look at the White House's apparent reluctance to revise a policy that puts military weapons into the hands of community police departments.

The Takeaway's Todd Zwillich tells us how the corporations that bring you Thanksgiving dinner are going nuts with the political action committees again this year.

After less than two years on the job Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has stepped down amidst growing pressure from the Obama Administration.

Mayor Barry, who died Sunday at the age of 78, leaves behind a complicated legacy. He faced personal scandals, but he's also remembered as a trailblazing civil rights leader.

President Obama finally announced his long-expected executive action on immigration. The politicians have had their say—how do you feel about the plan? Join the discussion here.

In the aftermath of the execution of an American hostage by the Islamic State, President Obama will reportedly review the country's policy on negotiating with terrorists. 

Ambassador Paul Bremer is calling for boots on the ground in Iraq to combat ISIS. The former envoy to Iraq has called the withdrawal of troops a "serious mistake."

On Tuesday, Senate Republicans blocked a sweeping overhaul to the NSA's surveillance program—a program that first came to light largely because of revelations by Edward Snowden.

The Serial podcast combines the juicy details of crime reporting with This American Life-style narration, hooking scores of listeners who don't buy their crime stories at the drug store.

The FDA's been pushed to regulate food labels on all sorts of things. But they won't touch labels on "natural foods" or GMOs.