Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.
The charges in Combs' federal criminal trial include sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted of all charges, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison.
After a brief delay, the jurors and alternates for the mogul's trial for racketeering conspiracy and prostitution have been set. The trial is expected to last eight weeks.
In a time of aggressive immigration enforcement, some international musicians are deciding that going through the complicated process of getting a U.S. artist visa may not be worth the financial and safety risks.