Consider This from NPR - NPR

What happens if the Education Department is abolished? Feb 21, 2025

"The Department of Education is a big con job."
That's just one of the things President Trump has said about one of the most high profile departments in federal government — a department Trump says he wants to eliminate.
Trump says he wants to save money, and kill policies he doesn't like. Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE has already started cutting funding from the department.
The Trump administration wants the Department of Education gone. But can they get rid of it, and what could be lost in the process?
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The fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance as Trump sides with Russia Feb 20, 2025

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia.
Three years ago Russian troops poured over Ukraine's border, and Russian missiles and drones continue to bombard Ukrainian cities.
Besides being untrue, the comments echoed a popular Kremlin talking point. And Trump's comments signaled a seismic shift in decades of U.S. foreign policy. Supporters of Ukraine and its allies, both here and abroad, were left shaken.
NPR's Joanna Kakissis and Greg Myre discuss Ukraine's future as Russia-U.S. relations thaw.
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Is the U.S. headed for autocracy? Feb 19, 2025

Is the United States headed toward autocracy?
That's a question prompted by a steady stream of executive orders seeking to consolidate power in the White House and upend long held policies and norms.
New York Times Opinion writer M. Gessen lived through much of Russia's slide into autocracy, and wrote a book about it.
They argue that one of the ways Vladimir Putin consolidated power... was by making a series of arguments that seemed outrageous at the time — like the idea that the LGBT population was a threat to Russian sovereignty.
President Donald Trump's second term has been marked by a string of policy proposals that would have been unthinkable in any other administration.
Even if they don't go anywhere, they're reshaping the boundaries of our democracy.
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Will New York's mayor survive widening scandal? Feb 18, 2025

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, along withother top officials spent much of Tuesday weighing whether to use her power to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office.
It's a power that no New York Governor has ever used before.
Adams faces growing calls to step down over allegations of corruption - and criticism that Adams' deepening ties with the Trump administration have compromised his ability to govern independently.
The nation's biggest city has been all but paralyzed by the legal and political problems of its Mayor. What's next for Eric Adams, and what does the scandal tell us about the Trump Justice Department?
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Why are Israel's deals to exchange hostages so lopsided? Feb 17, 2025

An Israeli delegation is in Cairo to hash out details for the second phase of a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
Under the first phase of the deal, Hamas agreed to release a total of 33 Israeli hostages – and Israel said it would free around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
NPR's Jerome Socolovsky looks into why Israel has long accepted lopsided deals to bring back abducted citizens.
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After weeks of chaos, the future is uncertain for thousands of federal workers Feb 16, 2025

Across the country and around the world, tens of thousands of federal workers face uncertainty amid an unprecedented reduction and restructuring of the federal workforce.
President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders — freezing hiring, ordering teleworkers back to the office, reclassifying employees and dismantling wide-ranging DEI programs.
What will mass layoffs mean for federal workers and the government services they provide?
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Bonus Episode: The Aphasia Choir Feb 15, 2025

There are at least two million people in America who have thoughts and ideas they can't put into words.
People who have had strokes or traumatic brain injuries often live with aphasia: difficulty using language, both written and spoken.
But music mostly originates in the undamaged hemisphere of the brain, and people with aphasia can often sing. Today in our bonus episode, in partnership with the podcast Rumble Strip, we meet a member of The Aphasia Choir of Vermont.
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Ousted Kennedy Center president says artists must feel "welcome and safe" Feb 14, 2025

President Donald Trump is now chairman of The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Trump replaced 18 members of the board with allies who then elected him into the position.
There is no precedent for this move – most presidents have been hands-off with the cultural center since it opened in 1971 – including President Trump himself during his first term.
Already, artists affiliated with the center have departed and performers are canceling shows.
For a decade, Deborah Rutter served as President of the Kennedy Center. This week, she was ousted from that position. In her first interview since then, she speaks with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about the abrupt end to her tenure.
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In Panama economic needs threaten to erase a way of life Feb 13, 2025

Panama has been looking for solutions to a long-term problem. Every time a ship passes through the Panama Canal, more than 50 million gallons of fresh water from Lake Gatun pour out into the ocean.
Nobody ever thought Panama could run out of water. It is one of the rainiest countries in the world. But a couple years ago, a drought got so bad that the canal had to reduce traffic by more than a third - which had a huge impact on global shipping.
The Panama Canal needs more water. Authorities have decided to get it by building a dam in a spot that would displace more than 2,000 people along the Rio Indio.
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Trump says the U.S. will 'own' Gaza — what that could mean for the Middle East Feb 12, 2025

The Gaza Strip – ground zero of Israel's war with Hamas – is only about twice the size of Washington, DC. It has about 25 miles of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, with a population of about 2 million people.
Last week, President Trump proposed relocating those people to other countries in the region, like Egypt and Jordan.
Trump has said the Palestinians would not be allowed to return: UN officials and others say Trump's plan would amount to ethnic cleansing. Despite domestic and international concerns that the U.S. is empire building, Trump continues to double down on his plans for the U.S. to "own" Gaza.
Trump says the U.S. is going to take over Gaza, though he offers few specifics. What could the proposal mean for Palestinians and the broader Middle East?
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Are we in a constitutional crisis? Feb 11, 2025

President Trump's blizzard of executive orders has run into a snowplow of legal challenges. There are dozens of cases challenging the White House's actions. Judges all over the country have found that the White House acted illegally.
The challenges, and the rulings, continue to pour in.
But Trump's team is punching back. After a judge blocked Elon Musk's DOGE team from accessing personal data and other Treasury department systems, Musk referred to him as "a corrupt judge protecting corruption" and called for his impeachment.
Vice President JD Vance made the controversial claim on Sunday that quote, "judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power."
Comments like these suggest Trump's circle may be willing to ignore court orders and defy judicial authority.
So what happens if the executive branch ignores the judicial branch? Is that a constitutional crisis? Is the United States already in one?
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What DOGE could mean for Medicare and Medicaid? Feb 10, 2025

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is quickly expanding its reach through the federal government.
It recently accessed systems at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Musk and his team now are looking at key payment and contracting systems for Medicare and Medicaid.
That was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
On X, Musk said he believes quote "big money fraud is happening."
Medicare insures older people. Medicaid offers insurance to low income people and those with disabilities.
These two health insurance programs serve tens of millions of people, and they consume a huge part of federal and state budgets. So how could DOGE impact these services?
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Trump 2.0 or Project 2025? Feb 09, 2025

Project 2025, is a 900-plus page blueprint for a conservative President. It was unveiled in the spring of 2023, well before Donald Trump had won the republican presidential nomination.
It outlined a suite of very conservative policies that would, for example, outlaw the mailing of abortion pills and abolish the department of education. It even suggests a return to the gold standard.
It became a democratic talking point, so much so that Trump repeatedly distanced himself from the plan and the authors.
But now that Trump is in office, releasing his own detailed plans. A lot of them are strikingly similar to the ones laid out in Project 2025. And one of its chief architects is now the head of the critical Office of Management and Budget.
Trump disavowed Project 2025 during the campaign. Now, as President, is he using it as a playbook?
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Bonus Episode: "Margery," the medieval memoirist Feb 09, 2025

For centuries, scholars only had one version of the life of Margery Kempe, an English mystic who lived in the 14th and 15th centuries — until a ping pong match revealed her story in her own words.
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Is there a Trump Doctrine for Foreign Policy? Feb 07, 2025

A lot of labels have been applied to Trump's foreign policy approach. America First, Isolationist, transactional, imperialist, protectionist. "I'm a nationalist and a globalist" he told the Wall Street Journal during his first term.
In his inaugural address last month, Trump made comments suggesting his foreign policy will be characterized by restraint, saying, in part, success should be defined by the "wars we never get into."
Yet in the same address, he also said, the United States will take back the Panama Canal.
In his first campaign, Trump ran on the idea that the cycle of the United States intervening in the Middle East should come to an end.
And on Tuesday of this week, he said that the U.S. will "take over" the Gaza Strip, after relocating the Palestinians, who live there.
Trump has promised a new approach to American foreign policy. Is there a Trump Doctrine? And what is it?
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The wider impact of DEI changes under the Trump administration Feb 06, 2025

As President Trump dismantles Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices at the federal level, organizations across the country are also shifting their approach to diversity. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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Trump's Plan for Gaza: American intervention and mass relocation Feb 05, 2025

President Trump floated two stunning ideas about Gaza on Tuesday. The first is he said the U.S. would take over the territory, which has been devastated by the recent war.
And, he said the entire population of Gaza would be relocated to other countries. Trump offered no specifics for his plans sending Palestinians and Israelis scrambling to understand what he means.
President Trump's vague plan to "Make Gaza Beautiful Again" could signal the largest shift in US-Middle East policy in decades and could upend widespread hope for a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
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What does Elon Musk get out of remaking the government? Feb 04, 2025

In Washington these days, Elon Musk seems to be everywhere.
In the 15 days Donald Trump has been back in the White House, Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have been moving to change every corner of the federal government.
The billionaire entrepreneur and his team have gained access to a sensitive government payment system in the Treasury Department.
They're pushing to drastically reduce the number of federal employees. How did the world's richest man come to have such a big role in the federal government?
And why does he want it?
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The people and the waterway at the center of the Panama Canal Feb 03, 2025

The Panama Canal has sat at the center of global trade for more than a century, connecting two oceans. The things Americans use every day pass through here, from gas to food. And now, this spot is also at the center of President Trump's global expansionist agenda.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has just wrapped up a trip to Panama where he told the President that if China's influence over the canal isn't curbed the United States will take measures to protect its rights.
Trump's threat to take back the Panama Canal has the potential to reshuffle global politics. We're meet the people and the 51-mile waterway in the middle of it all.
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Is Trump testing limits or trying to eliminate them? Feb 02, 2025

Most presidents want as much power as they can get. And it's not unusual to see them claim authority that they don't, in the end, actually have.
We saw it just last term, when former President Biden tried to unilaterally forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in federal student loans.
Or when he announced, days before leaving office that the 28th Amendment, on gender equality, was now the law of the land.
So are the opening moves of Trump's presidency just a spicier version of the standard playbook or an imminent threat to constitutional government as we know it?
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A pastor's sermons on social justice causes conflict among congregation Jan 31, 2025

Schools, corporations, even churches, are wrestling with how to approach issues of racial and social justice in a highly polarized U.S. But what happens when people with shared political views disagree on how much is too much? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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Investigators look for answers in worst U.S. airline crash in two decades Jan 30, 2025

What went wrong in the midair collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet over Reagan National Airport, outside of D.C.? As officials search for clues the country mourns those lost. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
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What would RFK Jr. mean to HHS? Jan 29, 2025

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced senators today in a contentious confirmation hearing to serve as Health and Human Services Secretary under President Trump. He's a former Democrat — turned independent presidential candidate — turned Trump loyalist.
He's also someone who has pushed vaccine misinformation, something he was repeatedly questioned about during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
HHS is a massive system that oversees everything from the Food and Drug Administration to vaccine funding to the Affordable Care Act. What do we know about how Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. would run it?
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Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett Jan 28, 2025

Country music singer Charley Crockett was born and raised in Texas, grew up in a single-wide trailer with his mom and says his family lineage traces all the way back to the frontiersman Davy Crockett.
This Sunday is the music industry's biggest night — the Grammy Awards. And Crockett is up for an award for the first time — Best Americana Album — for his record "$10 Cowboy."
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Can Susie Wiles keep Trump on track? Jan 27, 2025

Susie Wiles is doing something no woman has done before. She is the first in history to hold the position of White House Chief of Staff.
Now, we will find out if she can do something that no one — man or woman – has ever done before: Impose discipline and order on a Trump White House that was rife with leaks, drama, and by many accounts – chaos – during his first term.
A chief of staff can be the difference between a ground-breaking presidency and chaos. Is Susie Wiles up to the task?
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Trump's dismantling of DEI Jan 26, 2025

Former President Joe Biden championed DEI programs–initiatives aimed at diversity, equity inclusion and accessibility in recruiting, hiring and retention of federal government employees. In a matter of days – and a few pen strokes – President Donald Trump brought it all to an end this week.
NPR's Pien Huang speaks with Timothy Welbeck, the director of Temple University's Center for Anti-Racism, to understand more about the history of DEI and how it became targeted by President Trump,
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Their home survived the fires, but there's still danger everywhere Jan 24, 2025

As evacuation orders are lifted, people in Los Angeles are returning to their homes--if their homes survived. But the disaster doesn't end when the fire stops.
A single block and a half separates the Altadena home of Jennifer and Ed Barguiarena from complete destruction. Just down the street lies charred, flattened debris.
But for families like the Barguiarenas — the seemingly lucky ones, whose houses survived — an altogether different ordeal is just beginning.
The water still isn't safe to drink, cook or wash with. There are fine layers of ash and dust in people's homes and yards. And families like the Barguiarenas are also worried about what they can't see – the possibility that toxins like lead and asbestos might have drifted into their homes.
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When Oscar got it wrong Jan 23, 2025

What do Babygirl, Singing in the Rain and Apocalypse Now have in common? They've all been overlooked by Oscar voters.
Some Oscar blunders fall into the category of snubs - others show a failure to recognize films that will endure.
Now sometimes, these critiques are a matter of movie taste. Sometimes, they're a broader matter of representation – raising questions about who the movie industry chooses to celebrate or ignore.
The Academy Awards have made some truly epic misses over their long history.
Two of NPR's film regulars dig into those times when the Oscars got things very wrong, and what that tells us about the art, culture and business of the movies.
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Is there an American oligarchy? Jan 22, 2025

When Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday, he was flanked by billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
Also on the dais was Apple CEO Tim Cook, Open AI's CEO Sam Altman, and Bernard Arnault owner of L-V-M-H which owns luxury brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton.
An American government closely aligned with money and power is something outgoing President Joe Biden warned about in his farewell address.
Oligarchy – A word that once more commonly referred to the super wealthy of Eastern Europe has reached the shores of the U.S. What could an American oligarchy mean for the U.S. government and its citizens
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Breaking down the executive actions Trump is using to govern Jan 21, 2025

President Donald J. Trump began taking decisive steps to implement his agenda hours after being sworn in.
In the day since he's once again become President, Trump has signed more than 200 executive actions aimed at delivering on campaign promises such as lower energy prices, mass deportations and an end to birthright citizenship.
There's been a deluge of actions, orders and pronouncements during the President's first day. From tariffs to immigration to the January 6th pardons – we breakdown everything down.
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Trump is back and ready to change America Jan 21, 2025

Donald Trump returns to Washington newly empowered.
The Republican party has remade itself in his image. The Supreme Court has granted him sweeping immunity for his official actions. And, unlike last time, he narrowly won the popular vote.
And Trump is prepared to exercise his new power almost immediately. He's pledged to sign an unprecedented wave of executive actions – many of which will be challenged in court.
These actions include one making it U.S. policy to recognize only two biologically distinct sexes – male and female. And his administration would end birthright citizenship — a right explicitly protected by the Constitution.
President Donald Trump's executive actions could make fundamental changes to some of the foundations of American government.
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Joe Biden's complicated legacy Jan 19, 2025

When he ran for office in 2020, President Joe Biden vowed to turn the page on then president Donald Trump. But it's Trump who is returning to the White House for a second term in office.
We speak with NPR's Asma Khalid, who covered the Biden administration, on the legacy he leaves behind.
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'The birds are back.' Resilience in the ruins of the Palisades fire Jan 17, 2025

Will Rogers State Historic Park is a vast stretch of natural space in the Santa Monica Mountains. It's a treasure to Angelenos. People get married there, picnic there, and have kids' birthday parties on the great lawn.
The park's namesake, Will Rogers, was a vaudeville performer, radio and movie star, and was known as America's "cowboy philosopher."
His nearly century-old ranch house is the park's centerpiece. It's survived a near miss with wildfire before. Last week, as firestorm engulfed large parts of Los Angeles, this piece of American history was reduced to rubble.
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Will we finally see an end to the war in Gaza? Jan 16, 2025

At the time we publish this episode, Israel's government has yet to accept the terms of the long-negotiated and hard fought ceasefire deal announced yesterday.
The deal is still on, but the quarreling over the details demonstrates how difficult it is to keep the agreement on track.
On Thursday morning Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote on the deal, accusing Hamas of "reneging" on parts of the agreement.
A Hamas official said on social media that the group is committed to the agreement announced Wednesday.
After more than 15 long months, tens of thousands dead, and close to 2 million people displaced, will we finally see an end to the war in Gaza?
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America's place in the world during a second Trump term Jan 15, 2025

Confirmation hearings for Trump's cabinet picks are in full swing on Capitol Hill with a number of them appearing before the Senate this week.
Nominees including Pam Bondi, Trump's pick to run the Justice Department, John Ratcliffe, his pick to run the CIA, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio Trump's nominee for Secretary of State have all answered questions about what they'll do and what they won't do if confirmed.
Rubio and Ratcliffe will play key foreign policy roles under the 47th president.
Those are the people, but what do they tell us about the policy?
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Keeping America Safe: CIA Director Burns reflects Jan 14, 2025

On a shelf in his office at CIA headquarters, Director Bill Burns keeps a tiny scaled model of a house. It's the house in Kabul, Afghanistan, where Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2022.
When NPR went out to interview him last week, Burns pointed to the exact balcony on which Zawahiri was standing. There was pride in his voice. The CIA had never stopped looking for the guy even more than two decades after 9/11.
But it was also a reminder of challenges, of adversaries that will outlast any single CIA director.
Now, as Burns wraps up four years running the Central Intelligence Agency, the challenges have multiplied and intensified.
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What happens when wildland fire reaches the city? Jan 13, 2025

"Wildfire" is the word we tend to use when we talk about what Los Angeles has been dealing with the past week.
But Lori Moore-Merrell, the U.S. Fire Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency used a different word, when she spoke to NPR this morning.
She described a "conflagration." Saying they're not wildland fires with trees burning. They're structure to structure fire spread.
They may have started at the suburban fringe, but they didn't stay there. Which prompts a question: what happens when fire meets city?
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On the way out: Transportation Sec. Buttigieg looks back on achievements, challenges Jan 12, 2025

From handling crises in the rail and airline industries to overseeing the distribution of billions of dollars in infrastructure funding, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has taken on a lot over the last four years.
Now, his tenure is coming to an end.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with Buttigieg about what the Biden administration accomplished, what it didn't get done, and what he's taking away from an election where voters resoundingly called for something different.
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As longtime housing activist retires, the fight to end homelessness continues. Jan 10, 2025

While the debate over homeless policy plays out across the country, Project HOME has offered resources to homeless people in Philadelphia for decades. We talk with the co-founder, who just retired after 35 years. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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'He saved our lives.' A former US hostage reflects on Carter's legacy Jan 09, 2025

Jimmy Carter's four years in the White House were largely defined by an event that took place halfway through his term.
On November 4th, 1979 Iranian college students took over the US Embassy in Tehran, and took 52 Americans hostage.
For the next 444 days, the Carter administration tried to secure the hostages' release. In April, 1980 they even commissioned a rescue mission that ended in failure.
While Carter was trying to end the hostage crisis, he was also campaigning for a second term. A year to the day after the Americans were taken hostage, Ronald Reagan beat Carter in a landslide.
The hostage crisis played a key role in Carter's defeat.
The Iranian Hostage crisis helped doom Jimmy Carter's presidency, but for some of the people he helped free, he was a hero.
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Wildfires displace thousands and ravage greater Los Angeles Jan 08, 2025

Extremely dry conditions coupled with high winds have led to an explosive wildfire situation in southern California.
Multiple fires have erupted across the Los Angeles area since Tuesday. Tens of thousands of people have had to evacuate, and firefighters are struggling to contain the flames.
Adria Kloke is one of the people who has had to flee. She packed up her belongings, along with her cat, and left her home in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday. Kloke shares her story with NPR.
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Wild weather spreads across the U.S. Jan 07, 2025

In Washington, D.C., the federal government is closed – as are most of the schools in the area. That's because the first major snow storm in about three years barreled in Sunday night.
Meanwhile, the Southern U.S. is preparing for another storm that could paralyze parts of Texas, Arkansas and Northern Louisiana.
And Southern California is preparing for "life threatening, destructive gusts" driving wildfires.
That's a lot of wild weather...so what's going on?
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The battle over the truth of January 6 Jan 06, 2025

What happened on January 6, 2021? There have been news reports, documentaries and witness testimonies all trying to put that question to rest. But despite an impeachment trial and a House Select Committee investigation, the fight over how that day will be remembered isn't over.
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Elon Musk wades into European politics Jan 05, 2025

Billionaire Elon Musk begins 2025 as one of the most influential people in the United States.
He's developed a close relationship with President-elect Donald Trump, and has been advising the incoming administration on policy and staffing. And Musk is now increasingly weighing in on European politics as well.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with reporter Rebecca Collard about Musk wading into European politics.
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What Jimmy Carter's "malaise" speech tells us about his presidency. Jan 03, 2025

As president, Jimmy Carter promised always to tell the American people the truth about what was happening in the country. We'll look at how that affected his presidency as we remember Carter's life and legacy.
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Can we prevent deadly truck attacks like the one in New Orleans? Jan 02, 2025

New Orleans is still reeling from the New Year's Day attack that killed 14 people on Bourbon Street. We ask a counterterrorism expert how attacks like this can be prevented and hear the latest from New Orleans.
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The lessons author Kelly Corrigan took away from a challenging year. Jan 01, 2025

So much can happen in a year. While we all wish for a happy New Year, that's not always the case. We talk to author and podcaster Kelly Corrigan about the lessons she learned from a challenging year.
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What we learn when things fall apart Dec 31, 2024

Most years bring both good and bad experiences. But sometimes, it's the challenges of a bad year that show us our hidden strengths.
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How to put your drinking on ice this January Dec 31, 2024

Every year, more and more Americans embark on Dry January – a whole month of giving up alcohol.
It's easy to imagine the benefits: no hangovers, better sleep, happier wallet. But like with any resolution for the new year, staying committed can be hard.
Today, we're bringing you an episode from our friends at the "Life Kit" podcast that's all about how to get through Dry January – and reexamine your relationship with alcohol.
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Jimmy Carter's complex legacy Dec 30, 2024

Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100.
He was the nation's 39th president, in office from 1977 to 1981.
He will of course be remembered for his accomplishments in office. But also for all that he accomplished in the four decades after he left the White House.
Host Andrew Limbong speaks about Jimmy Carter's legacy with two NPR journalists who have covered the White House for years: national political correspondent Mara Liasson and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith.
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He left everything to flee war in Syria. What does the war's end mean for his future? Dec 29, 2024

When Syria's dictatorship fell in early December, celebrations broke out around the world - including nearly 6,000 miles away, in Toledo, Ohio.
That's where Mohammed al-Refai, a refugee from Syria, lives now. NPR has followed his story for nearly a decade.
In 2015, millions of Syrians fled the civil war in their country. al-Refai got a visa to come to the U.S. His parents and siblings, who fled to Jordan, did not. So, he moved on his own to Toledo, where built a new life for himself.
He long dreamed of visiting his family and maybe, one day, returning to Syria.
With the Syrian civil war now over, we talked to al-Refai about what comes next.
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Your guide to financial self-care in 2025 Dec 27, 2024

The holiday season is joyous – and also expensive.
From steep flight prices to a laundry list of presents to buy, when January 1st rolls around, you might feel like your bank account is hurting.
Luckily, our friends at the "Life Kit" podcast have an answer for everything – including what they call "financial self-care."
Today, we're bringing you one of their episodes that's all about creating routines for a healthy bank account in 2025 and beyond.
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For a happier new year, rethink your resolutions. Dec 26, 2024

It can be hard to resist jumping on the whole "New Year, New You" bandwagon. But if you've decided 2025 is your year to make some changes, we have tips to help you succeed.
"Life Kit" host Marielle Segarra joins us to share the best ways to approach New Year's resolutions.
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What makes a true Christmas movie? Dec 25, 2024

What makes a movie a Christmas movie?
When the movie Die Hard was released on Blu Ray a few years back, the studio called it "the greatest Christmas story ever told!"
It does take place at an office Christmas party, but is that fact enough to make it a Christmas movie?
What about "Elf," "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Eyes Wide Shut" are those Christmas movies? Yes, right? NPR producer Marc Rivers says, "not so fast."
Just what makes any Christmas movie a true Christmas movie?
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What makes a holiday song a lasting hit? Dec 24, 2024

Whether you play it on loop or whether it drives you crazy, there's no question Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You," song has become a permanent fixture of the Christmas song canon.
But the holiday song canon is big, and a number of other pop artists have made their own Yuletide jingles since 1994 including John Legend, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.
But not even the woman who shattered records with her Eras tour has given us a holiday song that has had staying power worthy of The Canon.
For 30 years Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" has dominated the holiday music charts. NPR's Stephen Thompson explains what makes it a lasting hit?
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The numbers were good, but feelings were bad: The US economy in 2024 Dec 23, 2024

By most objective measures, the US economy is in good shape. Employers added about 2 million jobs this year. Unemployment is low. In much of the country, gasoline is now selling for less than $3 a gallon.
The Economist has called the United States' performance "the envy of the world."
But even as the U.S. is outperforming most other countries, many Americans remain frustrated by the high cost of living. And that's fueled a lot of unhappiness, and a political comeback for President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump will soon take the reins of an economy that's bounced back strongly during the four years he was out of office. For many families, though, that rebound was overshadowed by soaring prices for food, housing, and other necessities.
Will his policies bring costs down? Or rekindle inflation?
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In a year of global elections, what did we learn about the state of democracy? Dec 22, 2024

It was a hectic election season in America, to put it lightly, and we're not alone. What do this year's elections across the world say about the state of democracy at large? Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR correspondents about some of the most consequential global elections of 2024.
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Is "The Godfather: Part II," the perfect sequel? Dec 20, 2024

Given the fact that it seems like Hollywood churns out nothing but sequels, you would think the industry would have perfected the genre by now.
Some sequels are pretty darn good, but many believe the perfect movie sequel came out 50 years ago this month.
Of course, we're talking about Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather: Part II. It's not only considered the greatest sequel of all time, it's also considered one of the greatest movies of all time.
So why does Godfather II work, and where so many other sequels fall short?
NPR producer Marc Rivers weighs in.
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How Netanyahu survived another tumultuous year Dec 19, 2024

At the start of this year Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was facing a crisis. Just a few months before, Hamas had breached Israel's border with Gaza, killing some 1200 people in Israel on October 7th.
As the year ends, Netanyahu is spending some of it in a courtroom to fight corruption charges that have dogged him since 2019. The Israeli Prime Minister has called the charges absurd.
You might think that would be detrimental to his political career, but instead Netanyahu looks stronger than he has since the war began.
This — despite that trial, an international arrest warrant and a grinding war.
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It's never too late to get fit Dec 18, 2024

How does fitness and movement change across the lifespan?
According to NPR's Allison Aubrey, who covers health and wellness, the official recommendation is to aim for more than 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity. That could be running, walking, biking, swimming, or weightlifting.
We meet a group of active older people, who show it's never too late to find movement and exercise that works for you.
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Holidays shopping brings out the scammers. Here's how to stay safe Dec 17, 2024

With just a handful of shopping days until Christmas, millions are making last minute online purchases. Unfortunately 'tis also the season for financial and identity theft. We ask an expert how you can avoid the scams.
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Can Trump turn promises into policy? Dec 16, 2024

Donald Trump becomes the 47th President of the United States in just over a month.
Throughout his campaign, Trump laid out a list. Things he plans to accomplish in a second term — some on day one. They include: closing the border...imposing tariffs... and ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump also campaigned on bringing down food prices...in fact, he told NBC's Kristen Welker, it's the reason he won.
President-elect Trump has a long to-do list for his first days in office. How much of it can he actually get done? A lot says senior Trump advisor Jason Miller.
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A legend weighs in on a Christmas classic Dec 15, 2024

For many of us, Christmas songs are dominating our playlists this week. There's the one you start hearing in October, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby," and the Christmas banger that went to number one last year, Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."
Lee, now 80, recorded the song when she was 13. The living legend talked to NPR last year when her song — finally — hit number one. We revisit that conversation.
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Can Syria avoid another slide into autocracy? Dec 13, 2024

The brutal regime of Bashar al Assad fell over the weekend with dizzying speed. Syrians within the country and around the world burst into celebration.
Now, the rebel group Hay'at Tahrir al Sham, or HTS has to govern. They are designated a terrorist organization by the US.
And some worry that HTS could slide into its own kind of autocratic regime.
That fear is not unfounded. Across the Middle East and North Africa, many revolutions have overthrown autocrats, only for those countries to descend back into chaos or a more oppressive rule.
The Syrian revolution began amid a wave of uprisings in the region that led to new, undemocratic regimes. Can Syria avoid a similar fate today?
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Wray is out. Patel may be in. What's it mean for the FBI? Dec 12, 2024

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced yesterday that he will resign before President-elect Trump takes office. This comes after Trump announced he would appoint loyalist Kash Patel to lead the Bureau.
President-elect Trump's pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, held several national security positions in the first Trump administration. Since then, he's found money and attention as a pro-Trump influencer promoting conspiracy theories.
What can that tell us about his plans for the FBI?
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The unique needs of young cancer survivors are often overlooked Dec 11, 2024

One of the triumphs of modern medicine is that children diagnosed with cancer today have an 85 percent chance of surviving at least five years.
That is up from a rate of about 50 percent a generation ago.
But survival brings new challenges.
NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports on the unique needs of young people as part of the series, Life After Diagnosis.
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A suspect is in custody. Some Americans are celebrating his alleged actions Dec 10, 2024

Five days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in Manhattan, police arrested 26 year old Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania. He's facing charges including murder, the illegal possession of a firearm, and lying about his identity.
Authorities believe they have arrested the person responsible for gunning down the CEO of a health insurance company. What have we learned about Luigi Mangione, and his possible motivations?
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What Assad's Fall Means For The World Dec 09, 2024

For half a century, one family has brutally ruled Syria. Nearly overnight, that reign ended. Syria is not only a home to millions of people. It's also a crucial piece in a geopolitical chess game.
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The enormous consequences Trump's tariffs could have Dec 08, 2024

You never know if president-elect Donald Trump is bluffing, but when you have billions of dollars on the line, you have to take him seriously. So car companies took notice, when Trump announced a plan for huge new tariffs in a social media post before Thanksgiving.
A 25 percent tax on imports from Canada and Mexico would have a major impact on the car industry, which depends heavily on cross border trade.
Trump's tariffs could have huge consequences for the people who make cars, and the people who buy them.
Even if he's bluffing, he has other big plans to shake up the auto industry.
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"The Return" tells an ancient story that still resonates today. Dec 06, 2024

An epic poem and an epic reunion come to the big screen.
The Return looks for new meaning in Homer's ancient story of Odysseus' return to Ithaca — and to his wife Penelope.
We talk to co-stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche.
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Insurgents gain ground in Syria. What happens now? Dec 05, 2024

Syrian anti-government insurgents claim they have entered the city of Hama — a major Syrian government stronghold.
This continues their momentum over the last week, when they also seized Syria's second largest city, Aleppo. Since the war started in 2011, half a million people have been killed and many millions of others displaced.
The Syrian Civil War has been locked in a stalemate for years. Now, rebel forces are gaining ground against the oppressive regime of Bashar al-Assad. Will the group ultimately end his control over the country?
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Can Pete Hegseth's nomination survive? Dec 04, 2024

At the time we publish this episode, Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick to run the Pentagon, is struggling to hold onto his nomination.
There's an ever growing list of accusations of sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and financial misconduct.
The former Fox and Friends weekend host has spent Wednesday meeting with Senators and doing interviews trying to control the damage.
Pete Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense hangs in the balance...will he survive?
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Will Trump's next term make him richer? Dec 03, 2024

Just before Donald Trump took office the first time, he held a press conference, announcing that he would turn over control of his business empire to his sons.
He said he wanted to address concerns about conflicts of interest even though he maintained he didn't really have to. Saying, "I could actually run my business. I could actually run my business and run government at the same time. I don't like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to."
Trump's second term may put that theory to the test. The former and future president hasn't yet announced any plan to wall himself off from his businesses while in office, and Trump's businesses like his many hotels and resorts could benefit substantially from his actions as President.
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Joe Biden pardons his son. Is that justice? Dec 02, 2024

Hunter Biden no longer has to worry about going to prison.
That's because his father President Joe Biden pardoned him with just weeks left in his presidency. The President's son was convicted in June on federal gun charges. Hunter Biden lied about his addiction to crack cocaine when he purchased a gun. And he pleaded guilty in September for failing to pay more than a million dollars in federal taxes.
The younger Biden was due to be sentenced in both cases later this month.
President Biden has granted his son a sweeping pardon. What will that mean for his legacy... and for the future of presidential pardons?
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The 'Chinese Exclusion Era' shows how Trump's mass deportation plan could unfold Dec 01, 2024

Donald Trump promises to deport millions of unauthorized immigrants once he returns to the White House. If he follows through, the scale of it would be unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes.
Many supporters of Trump's mass deportation agenda say expelling unauthorized immigrants will help the US economy. But a look back at America's first major immigration crackdown suggests otherwise.
On this episode, host Adrian Ma and his colleagues from NPR's The Indicator podcast look at that immigration crackdown during the 'Chinese Exclusion Era,' and the economic impact it had on the West.
For a deeper dive into the economic history of the Chinese Exclusion Era, check out the latest installments of Planet Money's newsletter. In Part One, NPR's Greg Rosalsky covers the economic circumstances that led to a populist anti-Chinese movement. In Part Two, he explains the ways (both legal and extralegal) that movement succeeded in driving Chinese immigrants away from the U.S. and the economic fallout that ensued.
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Comedian Stephen Colbert is serious about food Nov 29, 2024

If you've followed Stephen Colbert's career closely, you might have picked up on something. It's there back in his days on The Colbert Report, when he issued a throw-down about the proper way to make barbecue sauce and that time on The Late Show, when he took calls on the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Colbert has opinions about food. Like, strong opinions.
And it turns out that's true off-camera, too. Stephen and his wife, Evie McGee Colbert say they basically live in the kitchen.
Now they've written a cookbook: Does This Taste Funny? Recipes Our Family Loves. It's a delightful window into their marriage and the food of the South Carolina Low Country where they both grew up.
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Ina Garten was ready for the luck Nov 28, 2024

Thirteen bestselling cookbooks, a thriving food business in the Hamptons that she sold decades ago, and now her memoir "Be Ready When the Luck Happens" has hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list.
None of that was in Ina Garten's plan.
Her legendary career began when she was working in Washington DC as a somewhat discontented government employee, and saw an ad for a food store in the Hamptons.
For this Thanksgiving, a holiday celebrating gratitude and food, we take a look at how Ina Garten built a successful business, powerful brand and happy life.
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Is 'Do Unto Others' the way to bridge the political divide? Nov 27, 2024

On a Sunday in mid-July, Pastor Chris Morgan welcomed worshipers to Christ United Methodist Church in suburban Pittsburgh with a simple message.
That Sunday was particularly difficult.
A day earlier, a man had nearly assassinated then-candidate Donald Trump forty miles north in Butler. Morgan asked people to pray for Trump and those killed and injured in the shooting, and asked the congregation to pray for the family of the shooter.
Morgan had already planned a sermon series, called Do Unto Others, to deal with the nation's — and his congregation's — political divisions ahead of Election Day.
NPR's Frank Langfitt went to Christ Church the weekend before Election Day – and the weekend after – to see if the efforts there made a difference.
As Americans prepare to come together at Thanksgiving, how do we bridge this country's political divide? And can we?
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Angela Merkel recounts being the first and only in new memoir Nov 26, 2024

In her new memoir, Angela Merkel writes about the many dilemmas she had to navigate as Chancellor of Germany. Dilemmas her male colleagues never had to sweat. Like, can you wear a pantsuit instead of a skirt in the Bundestag, Germany's parliament? She decided the answer was, yes.
Merkel is the only woman ever to rise to the most powerful political post in Germany. She served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021.
Angela Merkel has gone toe-to-toe with world leaders like Vladimir Putin, led Germany through times of turmoil and become a role model for other women aspiring to positions of leadership. But her legacy is complex.
She gets into all of this in her new memoir, "Freedom."
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Undocumented workers brace for ICE raids, mass deportation under Trump Nov 25, 2024

President-elect Trump's promises more ICE workplace raids like the ones in 2019. This time, advocates and undocumented people want to be prepared.
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"Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo, can relate to being viewed as different. Nov 25, 2024

The movie version of the Broadway smash Wicked hits screens Friday, just in time for the holidays. Stage and screen star Cynthia Erivo plays the Wicked Witch of the West. She speaks to NPR about the role.
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The "Bad Sisters" are back, and they're better than ever. Nov 22, 2024

The Apple TV series "Bad Sisters" debuted two years ago. There were laughs. There was murder. And that could've been it for the Garvey sisters, because the show wasn't originally intended to have a second season.
But, as creator and star Sharon Horgan puts it — "You don't just kill a man and move on."
The Garvey sisters are back for Season 2 – with more banter... wickedness... and secrets. We catch up with creator and star Sharon Horgan to find out what's in store.
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Some Trump cabinet picks are accused of sexual misconduct. What's it mean for #MeToo? Nov 21, 2024

If you're tracking Donald Trump's cabinet picks, you may have noticed common threads among them: top jobs are going to people fiercely loyal to Trump, people with experience appearing on TV, but no experience directly relevant to the jobs they would be doing.
There's another thing several share: being accused of sexual misconduct. Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, Elon Musk, who Trump has picked to co-run the Department of Government Efficiency — all these men have faced some variation of accusations of sexual misconduct. All have denied it, or claimed no memory.
Donald Trump's first presidential win helped lay the groundwork for the #MeToo movement. What do his cabinet picks say about the movement today?
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Witnesses say Israel is using sniper drones in Gaza and they're shooting civilians Nov 20, 2024

Last week British surgeon Nizam Mamode testified in front of a committee in the U.K. Parliament. Dr. Mamode had recently returned from working at a hospital in Central Gaza.
He told parliamentary members what he witnessed, including drones that would come down and "pick off civilians, children. And we had description after description. This is not, you know, an occasional thing. This was day after day after day."
For months, NPR has been collecting eyewitness accounts from Gaza that corroborate Dr. Mamode's testimony, saying the Israeli military has been using sniper drone technology and that they're not just shooting enemies, but also civilians.|
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Is Trump's defense secretary nominee qualified? Nov 19, 2024

What does it take to run the Department of Defense? That's a question that will be at the heart of Pete Hegseth's confirmation process early next year.
Hegseth, a longtime Fox News host, is President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. The department he's nominated to run is one of the biggest, most complex entities in the US government. It's an institution that former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel notes – has its "own judicial code, legal system and health care system."
Pete Hegseth is about to oversee a Defense Department with an 800 billion dollar budget, and millions of service members. Is he qualified for the job?
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If Trump gets rid of Department of Education, what would it mean for schools? Nov 18, 2024

President-elect Trump has vowed to elimanate the Department of Education. The DOE oversees everything from college student loans to aid for public school special education. What would shutting it down mean for America's schools?
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From Trump opponent to Trump loyalist: The evolution of Marco Rubio Nov 17, 2024

When compared to some of president-elect Trump's other cabinet picks, Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State is a pretty conventional choice.
He's a veteran politician who served on the foreign relations and intelligence committees for over a decade, and he's been a loyal Trump backer throughout this year's campaign.
But when you look back at Marco Rubio during his 2016 presidential campaign, there's a striking contrast.
When he ran against Trump in 2016, Rubio called him a con artist, and described his style of leadership as dangerous. Now, he's going to work for him.
Marco Rubio's political evolution is indicative of how the Republican Party has remade itself around Donald Trump, and it gives some clues about how he may operate as the nation's top diplomat.
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Trump nominates RFK Jr. to remake healthcare. Nov 15, 2024

This week President-elect Donald Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services.
The nomination comes after Trump promised to let Kennedy "go wild on health" during the campaign.
Kennedy holds a number of controversial opinions on health, and promotes a number of scientifically debunked claims like vaccines cause autism, fluoride is poisoning the public water system and AIDS isn't caused by the HIV virus.
Kennedy has long wanted to remake health and healthcare policy in the United States. Soon, he may get his chance.
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Kamala Harris ran a historic campaign. What will her legacy be? Nov 14, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris made history as the first woman of color to lead the ticket of a major party. But despite her historic run, she ultimately lost. What will her legacy be?
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How will Democrats move forward? Three strategists weigh in Nov 13, 2024

Since Donald Trump won the presidency last week, Democrats have been pointing fingers, laying blame and second-guessing themselves.
All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro talked with three democratic strategists who are looking ahead and asking: Where does the party go from here?
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With "Wicked," director Jon M. Chu writes his own story Nov 12, 2024

Wicked – the 20-year-old – smash hit on Broadway turns the story of the "Wizard of Oz" on its head.
Now, the story of Elfaba the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch, and the Wizard himself is making the shift from stage to screen.
The director bringing the Broadway hit to screens across the country is Jon M. Chu, the director of the blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians.
The movie version of Wicked is in many ways the culmination of Chu's own story as a person of color. Chu always wanted to be a filmmaker. Chu says his life experience and career lead him to tell the story of a person of color in a new way.
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In second term, will Trump punish news outlets that anger him? Nov 11, 2024

During the campaign, President-elect Trump called for reporters to be imprisoned and for media outlets to lose their licenses over unfavorable coverage, Will he make good on the threats?
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What happens to Trump's criminal cases now that he's won re-election? Nov 10, 2024

Today, we're sharing an episode of Trump's Trials for listeners.
Now that Donald Trump is headed back to the White House the three remaining criminal cases against him will most likely go away.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.
Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.
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The Morgan Library's quest to honor a matriarch in archiving Nov 08, 2024

Referred to as one of the most fascinating librarians in American history, Belle da Costa Greene is the figure who is responsible for the depth and legacy of the Morgan Library's collection, to this day.
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Exploring what the early days of a second Trump administration could look like. Nov 07, 2024

In just over 70 days, Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States will become the 47th, and he'll begin implementing his vision of an all powerful chief executive.
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Who's sending Trump back to the White House and why? Nov 07, 2024

In the days leading up to election night, news outlets across the country were predicting a historically close race, one that could take days to call.
But as election night progressed, it became clear former President Donald Trump was on a path to victory. So much so, that before anything was official, he thanked his supporters from his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach.
And then, Wednesday morning at about 5:30, it became official when the Associated Press called Wisconsin for Trump. We're still awaiting final tallies, but it appears Trump is on track to win the popular vote for the first time.
Trump's agenda for a second term will be dissected over and over in the days ahead. Today, we break down how America sent him back to office --- how Trump won in 2024.
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Who's paying to elect the president? Nov 05, 2024

The homestretch of the presidential campaign means huge rallies, a final barrage of campaign ads, and massive multi-state get out the vote efforts.
All of that costs money.
And it seems like every successive presidential election ends up being the most expensive election in history.
Open Secrets, a group that tracks election spending, estimates the 2024 federal election cycle will cost nearly $16 billion. It was around $15 billion in 2020.
Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign raised a record billion dollars in just three months.
And, according to Open Secrets, tech billionaire Elon Musk has poured more than $118-million into his America PAC in support of former President Donald Trump.
As we publish this episode Tuesday afternoon, we don't know who will win this election. But we do know that outside money has played a bigger role than ever before.
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A look at the life of the singular Quincy Jones Nov 04, 2024

Quincy Jones, the famed music producer who helped artists dominate popular music for half a century, has died.
NPR's Walter Ray Watson described Jones' talent as one that produced music that hooked ears, warmed hearts and moved feet to dance.
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Separating election facts from fiction Nov 03, 2024

In these closing days of the presidential election, polling across the board has nearly every swing state in a statistical tie, meaning the election may come down to just a couple thousands votes.
No matter who wins, in the coming days we're going to hear a lot more from Donald Trump and his allies about the results.
And if history is any guide we can expect a mix of misleading information, rumors and outright lies
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The 2024 presidential race went from deja vu to unprecedented overnight Nov 01, 2024

When the 2024 presidential campaign began, it looked a lot like the last one.
Former President Donald Trump and sitting President Joe Biden became the presumptive nominees for their parties in March. This year was set to be the first U.S. presidential rematch since 1956.
We all know sequels are rarely more interesting than the original, and it seemed like this election might be downright boring. But the joke was on us, because Americans have just lived through the most dramatic, eventful, unexpected presidential campaign of our lives.
We revisit the key moments that brought us to this point in the race.
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How many ways can you tell someone to vote? Oct 31, 2024

There are plenty of ways to encourage people to vote, as the presidential candidates and their supporters are demonstrating in this final stretch of the campaign.
We dig into each campaign's voter turnout operation.
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Harris makes her final pitch for her presidency Oct 30, 2024

On Tuesday night, one week before election day, Vice President Kamala Harris made her closing argument to the American people.
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Democrats are vying for the support of rural voters in North Carolina Oct 29, 2024

North Carolina has more rural voters than any other 2024 presidential swing state.
As early voting continues across the state, canvassing groups are working to turn out voters — including in Nash County, a purple county President Biden won in 2020 and former President Trump won in 2016, both by razor-thin margins.
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Donald Trump's closing argument: leaning into the extreme rhetoric Oct 28, 2024

At a recent Trump rally, many speakers leaned into racist, misogynistic and vulgar rhetoric. So what could it do for his campaign in the final days of election season?
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For some conservative Christians supporting Trump, it's about the policies Oct 27, 2024

Evangelical and Pentecostal conservatives are a powerful force in Republican politics.
They've stuck by former President Donald Trump for three presidential elections in a row.
That's despite Trump's long list of criminal charges, sexual harassment and assault allegations, and regular brutal, personal attacks on political opponents — all of which wouldn't fit many people's definition of Christian.
Conservative Christian support for former President Donald Trump seems to be unwavering. A North Carolina pastor says there's a simple reason why.
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Election battles are being waged at the ballot box and in the courtroom. Oct 25, 2024

Election day is almost here, and we could soon find out who will become our next president.
But winning doesn't only happen at the ballot box, and the results of this election are already being litigated in court.
Trump and his allies filed a slew of lawsuits alleging widespread fraud. These efforts failed. But four years later, they are already trying to employ the same strategies again.
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Are biodiversity efforts keeping up with the effects of climate change? Oct 24, 2024

This week and next, world leaders are gathering in Colombia for the 16th United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to check up on their collective progress in slowing biodiversity loss.
Can they successfully turn those plans into action against what the United Nations is calling "humanity's senseless and suicidal war with nature?"
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Emo music gets its flowers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Oct 23, 2024

If you had any doubts, we can clear them up now. Emo music not only still exists — it's thriving.
A new exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame focuses on Hopeless Records and its history.
The independent record label has had an impressive roster over the last 30 years, featuring some of pop punk and emo music's biggest names from Sum 41 to All Time Low to Avenged Sevenfold.
NPR's Juana Summers travels to Cleveland, Ohio to visit the exhibit and dives into why emo music remains relevant today.
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Even in death, Alexei Navalny hasn't given up the fight against corruption in Russia Oct 22, 2024

In his posthumous memoir, Patriot, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny wrote - "If they do finally whack me, the book will be my memorial."
Though his voice has fallen silent, his wife Yulia Navalnaya is sharing his message. She now leads the movement her husband started, fighting Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power.
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A look into Trump's recent rhetoric focusing on revenge and threats Oct 21, 2024

An NPR investigation has found more than 100 times when former president Donald Trump has said his rivals, critics and even private citizens should be investigated, prosecuted, or put in jail, or otherwise punished.
So, could he act upon those threats if reelected?
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What does it take to run a free, fair and peaceful election? Oct 20, 2024

Millions of ballots are tabulated at the Maricopa County Tabulation Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Inside and out, the building is a fortress.
It's the legacy of the 2020 election when armed protestors gathered outside the building on election night. After Arizona was called for Joe Biden there were months of allegations about voter fraud.
At a time when election results are routinely challenged, candidates cry foul and protesters threaten violence...what does it take to run an election?
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Latinos are more pro-choice than ever before. What spurred this change? Oct 19, 2024

Two decades ago, only a third of Latinos believed abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Today, that number has risen to 62 percent. So why are Latino voters in this country changing their minds about abortion?
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Hamas and Hezbollah are both without leaders. What now? Oct 17, 2024

Today, Israel announced that they had killed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas.
Sinwar came to power in the wake of the death of hiss predecessor, as well as the head of Hamas's military wing – leaving him ss the leading figure of the militant group.
What will Sinwar's death mean for Hamas and for Israel's war in Gaza ?
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The meaning behind Israel's 'right to defend itself'. Oct 16, 2024

"Israel has a right to defend itself and its people." It's a phrase that's been spoken by Israel's allies – and American presidents – for decades, especially in the days after Israel launched its war in Gaza after the October 7th attack by Hamas.
But what do those words actually mean in a historically, politically and in the midst of Israel's incursions into Gaza and Lebanon.
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Bob Woodward's newest book is making headlines Oct 15, 2024

Legendary journalist Bob Woodward's new book War, like so many of his books about the American presidency over the last half century, is generating headlines.
But Woodward's work is about a lot more than juicy nuggets that rocket around cable news and social media.
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What would a Harris win mean for mixed-race Americans? Oct 14, 2024

Vice President Harris' multiracial identity has not been a major focal point during her short campaign. But what do members of her communities think?
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Deep inside a Norwegian fjord, a dream of farming salmon sustainably Oct 13, 2024

If you eat salmon, there's a good chance that it comes from a salmon farm in Norway. The country has been farming salmon for over 50 years.
The industry is touted as a key producer of sustainable, low carbon footprint protein. But there are still negative environmental impacts. Each year, an average of 200,000 farmed salmon escape from their open net pens and breed with wild salmon.
Interbreeding with these escaped salmon passes on significant genetic changes to wild salmon, changes that make them less likely to survive in the wild.
NPR's Rob Schmitz traveled the country's west coast, visiting fishing villages and fish farms to see how the growth of salmon farming is affecting the wild population.
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TikTok executives know about app's effect on teens, lawsuit documents allege Oct 11, 2024

For the first time, internal TikTok communications have been made public that show a company unconcerned with the harms the app poses for American teenagers. This is despite its own research validating many child safety concerns.
The confidential material was part of a more than two-year investigation into TikTok by 14 attorneys general that led to state officials suing the company on Tuesday.
The lawsuit against the popular video sharing platform claims it was designed to keep young people hooked on the service. Documents uncovered by Kentucky Public Radio show that the company's internal research may help support this accusation.
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Hurricane Milton's path of destruction Oct 10, 2024

Hurricane Milton tore a path of destruction through Florida late Wednesday, leaving multiple dead and wrenching buildings apart.
Many across the southeastern U.S. were still struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, which hit less than two weeks ago.
Now, residents and officials must again navigate the clean up rescue and recovery efforts.
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How Helene and Milton were supercharged by climate change Oct 09, 2024

As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida's central west coast, residents are preparing for the worst. The storm exploded into a Category 5 hurricane earlier this week, and now threatens to be one of the strongest storms to ever hit the state.
Like Hurricane Helene, which slammed into Florida and the Southeastern United States nearly two weeks ago, Milton is predicted to bring with it massive storm surges, destructive winds, heavy rain and the risk of death for those in its path.
The damage Hurricane Milton could cause is chilling, but maybe not surprising.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with climate reporter Rachel Waldholz about the ways in which climate change is supercharging hurricanes, including Helene and Milton.
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Hurricane Milton's triple threat Oct 08, 2024

In the span of one day, a Category 1 hurricane headed for western Florida escalated to the highest intensity there is: Category 5.
Since then, the predicted wind intensity for Hurricane Milton has ebbed and flowed ahead of the hurricane's expected landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
But for now, experts are calling it an "extremely life-threatening situation."
NPR spoke to a meteorologist who broke down the triple threat Hurricane Milton poses.
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Is there finally hope in America's overdose crisis? Oct 07, 2024

In a twist that many addiction experts thought impossible, the decades long upward trend of opioid deaths in the United States has finally started to decline. And while there are plenty of theories, there are still very few answers as to why and how.
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October 7th: A year of war through the eyes of those who lived it Oct 06, 2024

The October 7th Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza have changed the course of geopolitics. The events have upended the lives of countless individuals, and they will have far reaching consequences for the world.
Today, we're presenting a special episode of State of the World, NPR's daily global news podcast. Our team of reporters in the region bring us stories of lives changed in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
State of the World brings you vital international stories from NPR reporters around the globe every week day. You can find them on Apple, Spotify or your podcast platform of choice.
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In states where votes are close, organizers are aiming to 'lose by less.' Why? Oct 04, 2024

In a state where every vote matters, campaigns are not only trying to win in counties where they're strongest. They're also trying to lose by less in places where votes for their candidate are harder to find. We take a look at volunteers in Wisconsin who are working to make less more.
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Wisconsin's vote is vital to the presidency. What are residents there looking for? Oct 03, 2024

Consider This host Ari Shapiro and WUWM's Maayan Silver speak with voters along a 15-mile road that cuts through the Milwaukee area's segregated neighborhoods as election season continues in this crucial swing state.
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Neighbors have been helping neighbors recover from hurricane Helene Oct 02, 2024

The effort to recover from Hurricane Helene is only beginning. But neighbors and volunteers from humanitarian organizations are pitching in to help.
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Conflict in the Middle East is spreading. Is a wider regional war imminent? Oct 01, 2024

The war in the Middle East appears to be widening, almost one year after Hamas launched its attack on Israel.
For more on what might unfold from here, Consider This host Ailsa Chang speaks with General Frank McKenzie, the retired Commander of United States Central Command.
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How much can the upcoming vice presidential debate impact the election? Sep 30, 2024

In a race where so much of the polling is within the margin of error — it seems as though any one thing could affect the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
But have vice presidential debates made a difference in past races?
NPR's senior White House Correspondent Tamara Keith dug into that existential, and political question.
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Author Robert Caro on the history of power Sep 29, 2024

Historian Robert Caro's book "The Power Broker" details how urban planner Robert Moses reshaped New York through the roads and bridges he built, and the lives of the communities he destroyed.
It's a definitive account of how power is acquired, how it works and how it's wielded in this country.
That book, along with his four books on President Lyndon Johnson, have made Caro one of the most significant American authors of the last half century.
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Are we entering a #MeToo reckoning for the music industry? Sep 27, 2024

When Sean "Diddy" Combs sang about being a bad boy in his 2001 hit, the lyrics were a mission statement and a boast. But today, the lyrics might sound more like a warning, as dozens of allegations of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, racketeering and rape are piling up against the music mogul.
The #MeToo movement quickly gained prominence in the film and media worlds in 2017. Why has it taken the music industry so long to follow suit?
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Meet the man in charge of prosecuting war crimes Sep 27, 2024

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Karim Khan, the lead prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, about the pager explosions and conflict in the Middle East.
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Without immigrants, America's job growth would have stalled Sep 25, 2024

The share of Americans who are in the workforce today is the highest it's been in decades.
But it's still not enough to replace all the baby boomers who are aging out of the workforce. Which is why immigration has been so important for the economy.
The businesses in Dayton, Ohio know this all-too-well.
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Young voters in GA. will have a huge stake in the election. What do they want? Sep 24, 2024

Consider This host Mary Louise Kelly wanted to find out what young voters in Georgia are most concerned with ahead of the presidential election this year.
So, she traveled across the state to speak with young people from both sides of the aisle to hear their priorities, hopes, and skepticisms.
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More forever wars? Sep 23, 2024

The US is trying to broker an end to the war between Israel and Hamas. Ceasefire talks begin and end and begin again. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has traveled to the region 10 times in the past year.
And that's not the only war the US hopes to end. Russia and Ukraine have been fighting since 2014 when Russia first attacked. It launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, more than two and a half years ago.
The US and NATO have been supporting Ukraine's efforts to hold off Russia in a hope to preserve broader security and stability in Western Europe.
The next occupant of the White House looks certain to inherit two major conflicts.
Why are these wars lasting so long with no end in sight?
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Would long-range missiles for Ukraine pull the U.S. into a war with Russia? Sep 22, 2024

It's been more than two and half years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the U.S. and its NATO allies have slowly and incrementally provided military assistance to Ukraine.
In recent months, Ukraine has been pressing for American long-range missiles with the ability to strike deep into Russia. But some officials fear that providing such weapons could place the U.S. and its allies in direct conflict with Russia.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman.
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Is Georgia ready to vote for a female president? Sep 20, 2024

A few months ago, it was looking like Donald Trump had Georgia all but locked up.
Now with Harris in the race, Georgia is once again in play for democrats. But the state has never elected a female Governor or a female U.S. senator.
Will that fact determine who might win their 16 electoral votes?
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The unraveling of Eric Adams' administration Sep 19, 2024

The biggest city in the country is in the midst of a major political scandal, and things appear to be unraveling in New York Mayor Eric Adam's administration.
There are federal investigations, top level resignations, and scandals reaching back into his 2021 mayoral campaign. So, what's going on?
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Israel rigged pagers and radios to explode across Lebanon Sep 18, 2024

Two unusual attacks against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah come at a time when negotiations over a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas have stalled. What could this mean for the region, and the threat of an all-out war?
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A year after the strike is the UAW still winning? Sep 17, 2024

A year ago at this time, members of the United Auto Workers Union were feeling powerful and optimistic. The group's new President Shawn Fain had called a historic strike. For the first time, the Union walked out on ALL three big automakers.
It was a bold move that by most measures worked. It ultimately brought Ford, GM and Stellantis much closer to the union's demands for historic raises and new job protections.
The strike's success had people predicting a bigger and more powerful union.
A year on the union is still staring down some major challenges.
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Another attempt was made on Trump's life. What do we know? Sep 16, 2024

Former President Donald Trump was targeted in what "appears to be an attempted assassination" on Sunday afternoon, the FBI says.
What do we know about the suspect, his motivations, and what this could mean for the rest of the 2024 election?
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The Republicans who stood up to Trump after the 2020 election Sep 15, 2024

In the new HBO documentary "Stopping the Steal," we hear from Republican officials in Arizona and Georgia who wanted Donald Trump to win the 2020 presidential election but were not willing to break the law for him.
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NASA prepares to head back to the moon. Sep 13, 2024

This time next year, if everything stays on schedule, NASA will send its first crewed mission to the moon, since the end of the Apollo program. Artemis II will be the first flight around the moon in more than 50 years.
Its goal will be to test out the Orion capsule and all the other equipment, so that by 2026, Artemis III can put astronauts back ON the moon.
The Artemis program is aimed to kickstart a new, more enduring era of space travel that leads to Mars.It's also intentionally more representative than Apollo was. The Artemis program will eventually put the first woman on the moon, as well as the first person of color.
It's all as historic and high stakes as it gets, and also pretty daunting.
NPR's Scott Detrow goes behind the scenes at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to see how the team is preparing.
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Anne Lamott has some ideas on getting older in the United States Sep 12, 2024

Getting older has been a punchline for as long as anyone can remember. And while there are plenty of jokes to be made about aging, it can also have some negative implications for how we see ourselves and others.
For writer Anne Lamott, aging has been a challenge, and a gift. "There is grace in not being able to see everything so clearly with all of its faults and annoying tendencies."
Lamott has been reflecting on growing older in her latest column for the Washington Post, and shares some of those insights with Consider This host Mary Louise Kelly.
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During Tuesday's debate, Harris was in command; Trump was incoherent Sep 11, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris was dominant during Tuesday's presidential debate in Philadelphia. Former President Donald Trump struggled to stay on topic and a times sounded incoherent. With the race to the White House neck and neck will this debate make a difference?
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Cooking for the most powerful person in the world Sep 10, 2024

There's an old line: "Tell me what you eat and I'll tell you who you are?" Well if it's true, then Cristeta Comerford knows the last five Presidents better than almost anyone.
She just retired after nearly 30 years as White House chef. Comerford cooked for Presidents from Clinton to Biden...making everything from family snacks to state dinners.
She is the first woman and the first person of color to hold the serve in that job.
She reflects on her groundbreaking role, and what she's learned from cooking for some of the most powerful people in the world.
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Should the presidential debate moderators hold candidates accountable? Sep 09, 2024

After days of back and forth, both presidential campaigns finally agreed on the rules for Tuesday night's debate. But what are the rules for moderators? Just ask questions? Fact check in real time? A Colorado newscaster went viral for his moderation style. He wishes more journalists would try it.
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As debate looms political impressionists get into character Sep 08, 2024

Ahead of the presidential debate, host Scott Detrow talks to comedians Matt Friend and Allison Reese. They're two of the most prominent political impressionists out there, who are trying to channel the candidates.
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The rise and fall of the DEI movement Sep 06, 2024

We're in a moment where DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) hiring practices mean many different things to many people. Over the past four years, many of the companies that publicly embraced DEI policies in the wake of George Floyd's murder have been backing away. What are the politics behind the anti-DEI backlash and what happens when workplace diversity initiatives are lost?
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Project 2025: Political winner or loser? Sep 05, 2024

Project 2025 - you've probably heard about it. It's a roadmap from the conservative Heritage Foundation for the next Republican president.
It's also been a major talking point for Democrats on the campaign trail. Donald Trump, meanwhile, has tried to disavow it and distance himself.
That's because the plan has attracted negative attention over the ultra conservative policies it endorses like overhauling and eliminating some government agencies, firing thousands of civil servants and a mass deportation campaign.
Project 2025 was created to help the next Republican President execute an extreme conservative agenda. Now it's also become an attack line for Democrats.
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'Bring them home.' Hostages' families cry. Sep 04, 2024

It was a night of mourning on Tuesday, when Doug Emhoff, second gentlemen and the first Jewish spouse to a US president or Vice president, spoke at the Adas Israel Congregation in Washington DC.
Emhoff was one of more than a thousand people attending a prayer vigil dedicated to six hostages recently killed by Hamas. Their bodies were recovered over the weekend.
The deaths of the six hostages comes as it's been more than 300 days since Hamas took more than 240 people hostage after it attacked Israel on October 7th. As the days in captivity drag on, many have been killed, and their families live in agony.
One of those family members is LeElle Slifer, who's cousin Carmel Gat was one of the six hostages killed. She shares what her cousin meant to her and what her family wants from the Israeli government.
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Ketanji Brown Jackson chronicles her path to the Supreme Court Sep 03, 2024

When Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson entered the national spotlight, she found praise and also criticism.
In her new book, Lovely One, Jackson describes how she endured her confirmation hearing, along with her multi-generational path to becoming the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court — a branch which she tells NPR remains ready to offer credible opinions on the most contentious issues facing the nation, even in the face of waning public confidence.
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Measles cases are up and childhood vaccinations are down Sep 02, 2024

For about three weeks in 2000, there were zero measles cases in the United States. It was declared eradicated.
Fast forward to 2024, and measles cases are surging, especially in Oregon where the state is facing the worst outbreak since the early 1990s.
This is happening as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the vaccination rate among kindergartners is dropping, and more and more parents are seeking exemptions to school vaccine requirements.
People are vaccinating their children at lower and lower rates. What does that mean for kids as they head back to school, and for infectious and deadly diseases like measles?
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Game on: the sprint to election day Sep 01, 2024

Labor Day is considered the beginning of the end of the Presidential election, but as history shows, things can change a lot by election day.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with his colleagues Senior Political Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro and White House Correspondent Franco Ordoñez about where things are, and where they could go.
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'American Pie', and the bygone era of raunchy teen comedies Aug 30, 2024

Raunchy sex comedies had a moment at the end of the 20th century. And perhaps the king of them all, was American Pie. Even people who have never seen the movie probably know the most memorable scene has something to do with a sex-obsessed teenage boy doing something unseemly with a homemade apple pie.
Flash forward a quarter century and Hollywood is making fewer teen comedies than it used to. For the 25th anniversary of American Pie, Scott Detrow speaks with one of the film's stars Alyson Hannigan about its legacy.
A warning for listeners, this episode contains language and references to scenes not suitable for younger audiences.
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Wrongfully imprisoned for decades, Ben Spencer is exonerated Aug 29, 2024

In 1988, Ben Spencer was sentenced to life in prison for a brutal robbery and murder he has always insisted he did not commit.
Spencer spent the next 34 years in prison, dashing off letters almost every day to his wife, his friends, lawyers, to anyone who would listen, claiming his innocence.
In 2021, he was officially released from prison. But on Thursday, he was officially exonerated.
We hear about his life after decades behind bars — and his faith that one day, the truth would prevail.
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Is the U.S. military ready for the wars of the future? Aug 28, 2024

Earlier this month, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, and the former head of Google, Eric Schmidt, wrote a piece for Foreign Affairs arguing that the future of warfare is here. They say that the U.S. is not ready for it.
The two authors argue recent technological developments have changed warfare more in the past several years than the decades spanning from the introduction of the airplane, radio, and mechanization to the battlefield. And while this new tech has only been shown in small snippets in current conflicts, it is only the beginning.
So, can the U.S. catch up? And what will this warfare look like?
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Why this writer says her son deserves a champion like Tim Walz Aug 27, 2024

When Tim Walz accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president, his son stole the show.
In a viral moment, the cameras panned to 17-year-old Gus Walz, who, with tears in his eyes, stood up, clapped loudly, pointed to the stage and appeared to repeatedly yell out: "That's my dad!"
Some cheered the new visibility of neurodivergent people.
But what do advocates and parents of neurodiverse children actually want from government officials, like Tim Walz, in terms of policy?
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Eggs and Bananas: Life after a Russian prison Aug 27, 2024

It's been more than three weeks since the U.S. and Russia completed the largest prisoner swap since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Speaking from the White House shortly after news broke that three American prisoners were headed home, President Biden described the release as an "incredible relief."
Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was one of those prisoners, and she's sharing what life was like in a Russian prison and how she's adjusting to life at home.
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How would banning taxes on tips actually work? Aug 25, 2024

Both major party presidential nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are on the same side of one issue. Getting rid of taxes on tips. But what would that really look like in practice?
Wailin Wong and Darian Woods from NPR's daily economics podcast, The Indicator, dive into the potential guardrails for a policy that many economists believe could easily go off track.
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Looking The Other Way Pt 2: On tape and under oath Aug 24, 2024

What happens when political ambition collides with a #MeToo allegation in the Democratic party?
Episode 2 of our two-part investigation.
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Looking The Other Way Pt 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal Aug 24, 2024

Did Eric Garcetti, a powerful Democrat, lie under oath about a #MeToo scandal in his office?
That's the question at the center of a new investigation from NPR.
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The fine line between providing campus security and allowing for free speech Aug 23, 2024

College students are trickling back onto campuses for the fall semester, just months after protests exploded across the U.S. over Israel's war in Gaza.
University leaders are bracing for more protests and counter-protests this semester. And on some campuses, new rules have already taken effect.
We hear from Vanderbilt University chancellor Daniel Diermeier about the academic year ahead.
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How blue candidates might win in red districts Aug 22, 2024

Before she became vice president, Kamala Harris had only ever won elections in California — a solid blue state.
To win the White House, the Harris-Walz ticket will need to compete in purple and even red areas.
At the Democratic National Convention, delegates and other attendees from conservative parts of the country offer what they think their party needs to do to reach voters in swing states and Republican strongholds.
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For the first time, the DNC welcomes influencers to the stage Aug 21, 2024

Olivia Julianna, 21, is one of more than 200 digital content creators who has been given media credentials to the Democratic National Convention this week.
She has over a million followers across TikTok, Instagram and other accounts, in an age where more young people are learning the news through social media.
But she never imagined that her "very working-class" upbringing would lead her not only to the DNC — but in front of it.
We hear from the Texas native ahead of her speech to the convention.
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Bangladesh's student protestors are now helping to run the country Aug 20, 2024

Earlier this month, student protestors filled the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in opposition to a controversial quota system for government jobs.
Authorities then cracked down on demonstrators, blocking internet access, imposing a curfew and issuing police officers a shoot-on-sight order. In just over a month, more than 600 people have been killed.
And as the protests escalated, the demonstrations started to become about much more than just the quota system.
Eventually, students were able to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.
The students who ousted Hasina are now helping to lead Bangladesh.
"We youth are not only the generation of Facebook, YouTube and Instagram," says 19-year-old protestor Mumtahana Munir Mitti.
"We also love our country. And we also love to participate in [the] rebuilding of our country."
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Weight loss drugs have transformed an American city. Is that a good thing? Aug 19, 2024

They've been called "Hollywood's worst-kept secret."
Medications like Ozempic or Mounjaro, which are commonly used to treat diabetes, are part of the zeitgeist these days. More and more celebrities are opening up about taking them to lose weight.
So when you imagine where these drugs are prescribed most for weight loss around the U.S., maybe you're thinking Los Angeles or New York.
Turns out, the capital of the weight loss drug boom is in Kentucky — in a small city called Bowling Green, where at least four percent of the population got a prescription in the last year.
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Looking ahead to the DNC, the Harris-Walz campaign prepares for a defining moment Aug 18, 2024

The state of the presidential race is a far cry from what it was just a few months ago. Vice President Kamala Harris's rise to the top of the Democratic ticket has sparked waves of excitement, and some tension, among democratic leaders and voters across the country.
Thousands of delegates now head to Chicago for the party's convention this week, where Harris is expected to deliver the biggest speech of her political career to date.
NPR's Adrian Ma speaker with co-host Ari Shapiro, about how this moment couple shape her campaign to the nation.
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'The Sixth Sense' and a career of plot twists Aug 16, 2024

Twenty-five years ago this month, one film, and one filmmaker, became synonymous with the big plot twist.
So what was it about The Sixth Sense that made it such a cultural phenomenon at the time of its release? And how did that shape the rest of controversial director M. Night M. Night Shyamalan career?
Haley Joel Osment joins Scott Detrow in conversation to reflect on the impact it had on his work, and how he used that success to propel his career forward.
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Trump is promising mass deportations. His own record shows it's not so simple Aug 15, 2024

Donald Trump is pledging to go further on immigration than he did in his first term as president, if he is re-elected in November.
Internal emails and documents from Trump's time in office — obtained by NPR through the Freedom of Information Act — shed light on how realistic his plan is to radically expand the United States' deportation system.
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A new Israel-Hamas cease-fire talk starts this week. Is anything different? Aug 14, 2024

So often, telling the story of the Israel-Hamas war is reduced to a catalog of numbers.
But this war is much more than all of that. It is the daily life of the people living in the midst of the war that has now been raging for 10 months.
The war has also come to encompass a sense of insecurity that permeates, as the humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza through famine, unclean water and dwindling resources. Pair that with the prospect of a wider regional conflict with Iran that looms nearby.
On Thursday, U.S. and Arab mediators will launch new talks to attempt a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. But hopes for tensions to be diffused are not high.
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The plan to tackle customer service bots and subscription fatigue Aug 13, 2024

This week, the Biden administration announced it is taking on more of what it calls "everyday headaches and hassles that waste Americans' time and money."
And it's doing that by having federal agencies make new business rules.
There are actions to simplify health insurance paperwork, crack down on fake product reviews, streamline parent-teacher communications in schools and circumvent those automated customer service calls that the White House labels "doom loops."
It's all part of a wider economic mission to eliminate modern business practices that the Biden administration believes exploit Americans.
Neera Tanden, the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, breaks down why this is happening and how it will work in reality.
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How a candidate's military service can help or hurt their campaign Aug 12, 2024

By most measures, the new Democratic ticket has had an impressively smooth launch.
But there is one caveat to that — controversy over how vice presidential nominee Tim Walz described his military service.
A spokeswoman for the Harris-Walz campaign has said in a statement that the Democratic vice-presidential nominee "misspoke" when talking about his military service.
Walz, who served for 24 years in the National Guard, had made a comment that sounded like he had been to war.
Walz's Republican opponent, JD Vance, pounced on that comment to accuse Walz of what's called "stolen valor," a serious charge among veterans.
But there's also a history of playing politics with military service – one that's been used in past elections.
Is Tim Walz guilty of deliberately misrepresenting his military record or the victim of a familiar political smear tactic?
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Young people are dying of opioid overdoses. Are students and campuses prepared? Aug 11, 2024

Overdose death rates have spiked dramatically for young adults, rising 34 percent between 2018 and 2022, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Yet, there are ways to mitigate the risk of overdose, and even ways to reverse it.
Notably there's Narcan.
It's a brand of the medication naloxone, and it's often used in the form of nasal spray. If administered quickly, it can fully reverse an opioid overdose.
Are college campuses and their students prepared?
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How is the plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert related to ISIS-K? Aug 09, 2024

Three Taylor Swift concerts were canceled in Austria this week, after authorities foiled planned attacks on the venue.
Three young men are now in custody, and at least two of them recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State — specifically an affiliate group known as ISIS-K.
This isn't the first time Islamic State-related groups have been tied to attacks in Europe — over 140 people were killed in an attack on a Moscow concert hall earlier this year, and an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017 killed 22 and injured more than a thousand.
So - what exactly is ISIS-K, and how should we think about their presence in Europe?
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How Team U.S.A. weightlifter Olivia Reeves became a gold-medal favorite Aug 08, 2024

Ever since women began competing in weightlifting in the Olympics, in the year 2000, only one American woman has won a gold medal.
This year, there are hopes that might change.
And many of those hopes rest on the (very strong) shoulders of a 21-year-old college student in Chattanooga, Tenn. named Olivia Reeves.
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How Nancy Pelosi came to call the shots Aug 07, 2024

Speaker of the House Emerita Nancy Pelosi once told Washington Post Columnist Karen Tumulty quote "Nobody ever gives away power. If you want to achieve that, you go for it. But when you get it, you must use it."
That was in 2020, and Nancy Pelosi used her power then. She's still using it. Most recently to influence President Joe Biden's decision to end his presidential campaign.
First as a volunteer and democratic fundraiser, then as a member of Congress, and finally as the most powerful woman in political history, Nancy Pelosi has spent the better part of four decades amassing power and using it to achieve her legislative goals.
Now she's put pen to paper about HOW she did that.
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Can Tim Walz secure Midwestern swing states? Aug 06, 2024

Kamala Harris has tapped Minnesota governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. Democrats hope he can secure Midwestern swing states.
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They are Olympic athletes — and refugees Aug 05, 2024

There are some 43 million refugees in the world, according to the U.N.'s refugee agency.
The 37 of them competing in Paris as the Refugee Olympic Team are fighting for something more than just athletic excellence.
We hear from judoka Muna Dahouk and kayaker Saman Soltani.
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A proposal to tax the rich is gaining traction. But is it feasible? Aug 04, 2024

Over the last decade, calls to tax the rich have grown louder around the world — but the needle hasn't exactly moved.
Now, the Brazilian government has a new proposal: a 2 percent global wealth tax on the uber-rich. It would impact the 3,000 wealthiest people around the world.
Economists say this 2 percent hike would unlock an extra $250 billion per year. That money could go toward addressing a number of issues, like climate change and global poverty.
G20 nations would have to agree on this proposal before it goes anywhere — and so far, that's not happening. France, Spain, South Africa and several other nations have voiced support, but the U.S. and Germany aren't on board.
Is a global wealth tax a feasible solution?
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Leaner, lighter... lethal? Sport climbing's problem with eating disorders Aug 03, 2024

Sport Climbing kicks off at the Olympics in Paris next week.
It's a strength-to-weight ratio sport. Meaning, aside from your technique or mental game, the lighter you are relative to your strength, the easier it'll be to get up a wall.
That's led some climbers to fall into the mindset that losing weight is the path to better performance.
One recent study of 50 elite climbers found that more than a third intentionally lost weight before a competition — primarily by fasting and skipping meals, and occasionally by using laxatives, or vomiting.
The mindset that lighter is better is what led one young climber, Jake Scharfman, to develop an unhealthy relationship with his weight.
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Video game performers are on strike — and AI is the sticking point Aug 02, 2024

If you're not entrenched in the world of video games, you might not realize how much real actors have to do with modern gaming.
They provide everything from lines of dialogue, to portraying heroes and villains, to performing stunts – all of this bringing video games characters to life.
Some of the biggest game studios rely on voice and performance capture artists, and all this adds up to big bucks. The video game industry made close to $185 billion last year.
But video game performers whose human performances become computer data, are especially vulnerable to being replaced by generative AI.
Which is why they're now on strike.
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A look at Ashleigh Johnson, a powerhouse of women's water polo Aug 01, 2024

On Wednesday in Paris, the U.S. women's water polo team faced off against Italy and proved once again what a dominant force they are in the pool, cruising to a 10-3 win.
For the team's star goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson, these games have been something of a reunion. She has played professionally on both Greek and Italian teams. Now that she's in Paris, she's competing against some of her former teammates.
She's the first Black woman to play on the U.S. women's water polo team. She made 80 saves at the Tokyo Olympics alone — more than any other goalkeeper in the women's and men's tournaments. She's considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
So how far will Johnson go in these Olympics?
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Two assassinations of major leaders could change the Middle East Jul 31, 2024

In the Middle East, two assassinations in less than 24 hours could transform the region. Israel claimed responsibility for one. It has no comment on the other.
First, an Israeli attack in Lebanon killed a leader of the militant group Hezbollah. Just hours later, the political leader of Hamas was killed in Iran.
The Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was attending the swearing-in for Iran's new reformist president. Hamas says Haniyeh was killed by a rocket fired into his room at an official residency. Hamas and Iran both blame Israel for the attack.
When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke after the two killings, he did not claim responsibility for the attack in Tehran. He did describe the Israeli strike in Beirut as a crushing blow.
In Washington, White House spokesman John Kirby expressed concern the assassinations could result in an escalation of the conflicts already playing out.
Two assassinations in the Middle East have the potential to start a violent chain of retaliations. Will they?
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A childhood friend paints a picture of Kamala Harris' upbringing Jul 30, 2024

In her childhood in Berkeley, Calif., you can find the seeds of the political leader that Vice President Kamala Harris grew up to become.
Her childhood friend Carole Porter, who lived a few houses away, paints a picture of a working-class, multicultural neighborhood.
And she pointed to two women who had a huge effect on the vice president's life.
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Venezuelans foresaw a new chapter. Then Maduro claimed victory Jul 29, 2024

For a brief moment, people in the Venezuelan diaspora felt a surge of hope as reports indicated the opposition party was polling way ahead of Nicolas Maduro's party. Then, Venezuela's electoral authority declared Maduro the winner.
Members of the opposition have cried foul. And the US and other international observers have questioned the integrity of the election.
So where does Sunday's election leave Venezuelans, who are living in the midst of a humanitarian emergency?
And where does it leave the nearly 8 million people who have left Venezuela during President Maduro's time in office?
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Who will Vice President Kamala Harris pick to be her running mate? Jul 28, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris has a little over a week to pick a running mate to join her on the presidential ticket.
The list of possibilities is long, but many have a couple of things in common — the represent swing states and are white, straight men — qualities that might help make a winning ticket.
Who should the current Vice President pick to be her running mate, and what will make that a winning choice?
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A year after her speakership, Nancy Pelosi's influence remains strong Jul 26, 2024

Among the many Democratic Party insiders who publicly or privately urged President Joe Biden to reconsider running for reelection, one played an outsized role: Nancy Pelosi.
Pelosi is 84 years old — older than Biden — and no longer in House leadership.
But her part in the pressure campaign that led to a change in the Democratic ticket shows: she is still very much a leader, and her political pull remains strong.
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These team USA marathon runners are rooting for each other on and off the track Jul 25, 2024

Clayton Young and Conner Mantz are longtime training partners and friends. They're also the two fastest men's marathoners representing the U.S. at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The pair met on a run at Brigham Young University in 2017. They've been friends, training partners and competitors ever since.
With years of friendship and thousands of miles binding them together, can Young and Mantz break away from the pack and take home the gold at the Olympic games?
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Kamala Harris already faces racism and sexism from Trump and Republicans Jul 24, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris is barreling towards the Democratic nomination for president.
Her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, has a record of personally attacking women of color who stand in his way.
Sexist and racist attacks on Harris have already started. How might they impact her bid for office?
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Kamala Harris is used to firsts. But can she be the first female president? Jul 23, 2024

If Kamala Harris officially becomes the Democratic presidential nominee next month, she'll be the first woman of color to lead a major party's ticket.
Of course, that would not be her first, first.
Harris's entire career is a list of jobs that nobody who looks quite like her had held before, including California's attorney general, Senator, and Vice President of the United States.
Harris often stresses that while she may be a first, others paved the way.
Kamala Harris has had a career full of firsts – could she also be the first woman to become President of the United States?
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Can Kamala Harris find her footing on immigration? Jul 22, 2024

In just a matter of hours, a Kamala Harris for President campaign has gone from a far-flung possibility, to all but certain likelihood.
It puts the Vice President in a tricky spot. She's got to run on President Biden's achievements, while avoiding the more challenging aspects of his record.
Biden entrusted Harris with some of the most challenging parts of his portfolio, including voting rights, the rollback of reproductive rights and immigration.
Harris has struggled to find her footing on immigration. Early on, she faced criticism for having not visited the southern border.
As Republicans like Texas Governor Greg Abbott started bussing migrants to northern cities, the Vice President's mansion in Washington DC became a drop-off point.
Even though Kamala Harris isn't yet the official nominee, both voters and the republican party will force her to answer for the Biden administration's immigration policies in this year's election.
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Biden's out. Here's what's next. Jul 21, 2024

President Biden has made a historic decision to endorse his vice president, Kamala Harris, to take his spot at the top of the Democratic ticket.
The move comes after weeks of calls for Biden to step aside after concerns about his fitness for the job.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Senior White House Correspondent Tamara Keith and National Political Correspondent Mara Liasson about what this means for the Democratic Party in the months ahead to the election.
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'Twister,' 'Twisters' and the actual practice of storm chasing Jul 21, 2024

A plucky meteorology heroine; a male rival with no shortage of hubris; and some very, very big storms: that's the basic formula behind the new disaster action movie Twisters, which follows storm chasers around Oklahoma amid a tornado outbreak.
It's a standalone sequel to the 1996 film Twister, a box-office hit in its day which also spurred a lot of real-life research into severe storms.
We've since learned a lot about how tornadoes behave, and the technology of storm chasing has improved dramatically.
But behind these summer blockbusters is a mystery that scientists are still trying to solve: why do tornadoes form at all?
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USA Gymnastics made a miraculous comeback — but is it actually safer for Olympians? Jul 19, 2024

In 2017, the Larry Nassar scandal rocked the Olympic community.
Hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse against the former USA Gymnastics doctor underscored how vulnerable athletes are — particularly when they're minors.
That year, Congress and the U.S. Olympic Committee had a solution.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport was founded to investigate and respond to allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct. The goal was for predators like Larry Nassar to never harm young athletes again.
Now, seven years later, SafeSport is facing scrutiny of its own — over whether it's made good on that promise.
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Home insurance rates are rising due to climate change. What could break that cycle? Jul 18, 2024

A warming planet is making storms and wildfires more intense, and more destructive. That's making homeowners insurance more expensive and harder to find.
Insurance companies are raising their rates because, they say, they need to cover increasing losses from extreme-weather-related property damage.
This week the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is holding a summit to address this spike in premiums. HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman explains what the federal government is looking to learn.
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What will Trump tell the RNC after an attempt on his life? Jul 17, 2024

Donald Trump's message for America has long been one of grievance and retribution.
What will he say at the Republican National Convention this week, after an attempt on his life?
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The political evolution of J.D. Vance Jul 16, 2024

When President Biden heard that Donald Trump had picked J.D. Vance to be his running mate, he called the Ohio senator "a clone" of Trump. But when Vance first gained national attention, he was one of Trump's loudest critics.
Vance first drew the national spotlight in 2016 with the publication of his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy." The book served as a biography of his upbringing in America's Rust Belt and social commentary on the white working class at a time when many were trying to understand those voting for Donald Trump.
On the press tour for that book Vance had a lot of negative things to say about Donald Trump. He said Trump was unfit for the nation's highest office, and in unearthed private messages, he compared Trump to Adolf Hitler.
J.D Vance went from New York Times bestselling author, to senator, to Vice Presidential candidate. That political journey has brought him closer and closer to a presidential candidate he once professed to despise.
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After the assassination attempt, Trump gets a string of wins Jul 15, 2024

In the days after the assassination attempt, Donald Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination, announced his VP pick and had a legal case dismissed.
Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, dismissed the entire federal case against the former president involving his handling of classified documents.
Consider This host Ailsa Chang spoke with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson about the legal issues in the ruling and its implications.
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A would-be assassin targets Trump. What it could mean for America. Jul 15, 2024

Shortly after 6pm on Saturday, a would-be assassin took aim at former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump and two others were injured and one person was killed before the Secret Service shot and killed the alleged gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Crooks was a registered Republican but gave $15 to a progressive Political Action Committee in 2021. Law enforcement has yet to identify a motive or an ideology.
For the first time in decades, a presidential candidate has been the target of an assassination plot. How might Saturday's events affect an already divided America?
Author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses what history can teach us about this moment.
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Older voters have thoughts on whether Biden's up to the job Jul 12, 2024

In the weeks since Biden's disastrous performance in the presidential debate, a steady drip of high-profile supporters – everyone from members of Congress, to big donors like George Clooney – has urged him to step aside.
They're worried he's too old for a second term, and too vulnerable to losing to Trump.
President Biden rejects those calls. He believes he can withstand a bruising campaign, win re-election, and lead the country for four more years.
Last fall, Consider This host Scott Detrow traveled to western Pennsylvania — a key swing state — where he gathered a group of voters all around the same age as Biden and Trump, to talk about how they viewed age in the race.
This week, Detrow checked back in with some of them to see if recent events have changed how this group of key voters are thinking about President Biden.
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This U.S. company is helping arm Ukraine against Russia — with AI drones Jul 11, 2024

Palmer Luckey launched his first tech company as a teenager. That was Oculus, the virtual reality headset for gaming. Soon after, he sold it to Facebook for $2 billion.
Now 31, Luckey has a new company called Anduril that's making Artificial Intelligence weapons. The Pentagon is buying them – keeping some for itself and sending others to Ukraine.
The weapons could be instrumental in helping Ukraine stand up to Russia.
Ukraine needs more weapons – and better weapons – to fight against Russia. Could AI weapons made by a billionaire tech entrepreneur's company hold the answer?
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Russia is Top of Mind at NATO summit Jul 10, 2024

Four years after World War II, leaders from Europe and North America formed an alliance largely aimed at deterring Soviet expansion — the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — NATO.
Seventy-five years later the member states of that organization have come together in Washington to celebrate NATO and plan for its future.
As they did in 1949, the NATO allies believe Russia presents the largest security threat to their world order. The immediate threat is Russia's war with Ukraine, but the allies also worry about the future of America's leadership.
Eight diplomats from the nations closest to Russia weigh in on the threat the country poses to them and the world order.
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Gretchen Whitmer supports Biden. Some think she should run instead. Jul 09, 2024

Former President Trump derided Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as "the woman in Michigan," when the two publicly clashed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.
A Detroit rapper once put out a song about her called "Big Gretch" praising her handling of the pandemic.
Whitmer's star soared during the pandemic with people being attracted to her human, pragmatic style.
These days she's a national co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign while simultaneously being touted a possible replacement for Biden on the ticket. Whitmer herself says that's not happening.
As Democrats scramble to figure out a way forward this election year, Whitmer talks about her new memoir "True Gretch", and what the future may hold for both her and her party.
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Support is eroding. Can President Biden hang onto the nomination? Jul 08, 2024

On June 27th, long-simmering concerns about President Biden's age – and whether he's fit to serve a second term – exploded after a disastrous debate performance.
Biden has been trying to clean up the mess ever since. First at a fiery rally in North Carolina. And some ten days after the debate in a one-on-one interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos.
Neither event accomplished the goal of shoring up support for Biden, and now members of Congress are questioning whether the 46th President should remain the democratic nominee.
Evan Osnos, New Yorker staff writer and author of a biography on Joe Biden, weighs in on the Biden campaign at a crossroads.
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California is trying to lead the way on reparations but not clear on the path to take Jul 07, 2024

California recently allocated $12 million for reparations for the state's Black residents as a way to compensate them for the harm caused by the legacy of slavery and current discrimination.
Although it's not clear what the money will be spent on, it is clear it won't be directed toward cash payments at the moment, which many in the reparations movement say is the best way to atone for the legacy and harm of slavery.
NPR's Adrian Florido speaks with NPR race and identity correspondent Sandhya Dirks about the latest on California's attempts to lead the way on reparations.
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Disabled students are struggling to get what they need at school Jul 05, 2024

Students with disabilities often face a tough time getting the services they need at school. When they can't get them, many families seek help from the federal government. And, right now, the Department of Education is swamped with a record number of discrimination complaints. The backlog is leaving families across the country waiting months, even years, for help.
NPR's Jonaki Mehta visited one such family, in central Georgia
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Wildfires are getting more extreme. And so is the need for more firefighters Jul 04, 2024

Extreme wildfires doubled worldwide over the last two decades, according to a new study of NASA satellite data.
You'd think, if the wildfire crisis is getting worse, there'd be more and more firefighters in place to meet that demand. But at agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, adequate staffing has been a huge challenge.
But as organizations like the Forest Service raise alarm about firefighter shortages, there's also a whole group of people who are trained to fight fires and are struggling to get jobs in the field: formerly incarcerated people.
We hear from Royal Ramey, a formerly incarcerated firefighter who started an organization to help others build firefighting careers once they're released from prison.
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It's the biggest election year in modern history. Will democracy prevail? Jul 03, 2024

This year, more than half the world's population lives in countries that are choosing leaders. And those choices will tell us a lot about the state of democracy around the world.
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How well did the Civil Rights Act live up to its promise? Jul 02, 2024

The Civil Rights Act was signed into law on July 2, 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson called it a way for America to honor its promise of liberty. But 60 years on, how well has it lived up to that promise?
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Supreme Court rules Trump is immune from prosecution for certain official acts Jul 01, 2024

On Monday the Supreme Court issued its most anticipated decision of the term — expanding the power of the presidency, and calling into question whether former President Trump will ever face a trial in federal court for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
In a 6-to-3 decision, along ideological lines, the Court ruled that presidents have absolute immunity for their core constitutional powers, and are entitled to a presumption of immunity for other official acts.
But the Court ruled that presidents do not have immunity for unofficial acts.
Host Ailsa Chang speaks with constitutional law expert Kim Wehle about the legal issues raised by the ruling and with NPR Senior Political editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro about how this decision could impact the election.
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The evolution of Pride Jun 30, 2024

More than 50 years of Pride marches, parades, festivals, and now partnership deals with major brands has increased LGBTQ visibility and community. And as a result, it's also made Pride the target of a backlash.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with Eric Marcus, the creator of the podcast "Making Gay History" about how Pride has evolved into what it is today.
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Biden tries to reassure voters after a shaky debate performance Jun 28, 2024

The day after a debate in which he faltered many times, President Joe Biden hit the campaign trail to try and reassure supporters that he is still up for the job and capable of beating former President Donald Trump in November.
His performance in the CNN debate on Thursday led many Democrats to panic about his chances of winning reelection. Some commentators who have long supported Biden even called for him to step aside.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Senior White House Correspondent Tamara Keith and Congressional Correspondent Deirdre Walsh about what happens next and whether Biden can quell Democrats' fears.
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Gun violence is getting worse. Is this the solution? Jun 27, 2024

The surgeon general's office has declared gun violence a national public health crisis.
It's the first time the body has ever issued a public health advisory about firearms, and for Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, it's a step in reframing the conversation about death by gunfire.
According to the CDC, more than 48,000 Americans were killed by gun violence in 2021, and over half of those deaths were by suicide.
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A Biden, Trump debate rematch brings opportunities as well as risks Jun 26, 2024

Going into the first presidential debate, polls show a close race. A good debate performance could mean a chance for a decisive lead. But the debate also comes with risks.
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A program to help the most vulnerable Americans keeps them in poverty instead Jun 25, 2024

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is designed to provide monthly checks for low income, disabled and elderly Americans. But outdated rules trap recipients in poverty.
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More primary care doctors could begin to provide abortions Jun 24, 2024

For decades, people seeking abortions went to specialty clinics like Planned Parenthood. But since Roe v. Wade was overturned, more general practitioners are stepping in to provide abortions.
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Biden's executive actions on immigration send mixed signals Jun 23, 2024

In early June, President Joe Biden severely restricted asylum requests from migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization.
Two weeks later, the President struck a more welcoming tone, saying he'd protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens.
Immigration has become a big issue, for both parties. Policy experts say Biden hopes that in a close election year, these executive actions will sway voters to his side.
But will that strategy pay off and how will it affect migrants?
NPR's Adrian Florido speaks with immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd who is reporting from the San Diego border with Mexico.
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Fifteen years after his death, Michael Jackson's legacy remains complicated Jun 21, 2024

The question of how to reconcile Michael Jackson's musical genius with his alleged misconduct is still fraught.
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The U.S. election results will reverberate around the world Jun 20, 2024

Polls – and NPR's own reporting – tell a story of many Americans fatigued by the upcoming presidential race. They're not satisfied with the choice between two men who have both already held the office of President.
But American allies and partners are watching the race intently, including South Korea, Japan, Ukraine and Israel. The fates of those countries are closely tied to whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden ends up sitting in the White House next year.
The NPR correspondents who cover those countries, Anthony Kuhn in South Korea, Joanna Kakissis in Ukraine, and Daniel Estrin in Israel, discuss the stakes each of those countries have in the outcome of America's presidential election.
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Issues with FAFSA could mean many students don't go to college in the fall Jun 19, 2024

This year's college application process was supposed to get easier.
That's because last year, the U.S. Department of Education announced changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
The problems with the FAFSA form began last fall.
And with August and September around the corner, some applicants continue to experience technical issues.
Before this year, students would already know how much aid they're getting. But in 2024, not knowing, which is the case for many, could mean they can't go to college.
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Vice presidents can make or break a candidate. Here's how Trump is choosing Jun 18, 2024

We are just weeks away from one of the biggest political events of the election campaign season: the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Former President Donald Trump is, of course, the party's presumptive nominee, but he's yet to announce his running mate.
The list is long, but the candidates all have one thing in common — they're being considered because they could help Trump get elected in November.
NPR's Franco Ordoñez and Jeongyoon Han break down which candidates are rising to the top and why it matters.
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'An unfair fight': The U.S. surgeon general declares war on social media Jun 17, 2024

Vivek Murthy, U.S. surgeon general, has called attention to what he has called the 'youth mental health crisis' that is currently happening in the U.S.
This week, he published an op-ed in The New York Times calling for social media warning labels like those put on cigarettes and alcohol. He hopes to warn young people of the danger social media poses to their mental wellbeing and development.
On average, teens in the U.S. are spending nearly 5 hours on social media every single day. And it is negatively impacting their health.
So what options do parents have? And will the government step in?
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25 years on, 'Boys Don't Cry' remains a milestone in trans cinema Jun 16, 2024

As part of his ongoing look at groundbreaking films from 1999, host Scott Detrow speaks with Kimberly Peirce, the writer-director of Boys Don't Cry.
The film starred Hillary Swank, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Brandon Teena, a young transgender man searching for himself and love in Nebraska.
Peirce talks about the challenges she faced in getting the movie made and her efforts to find a transgender man to play the lead role in the film.
Detrow also speaks with critic Willow Catelyn Maclay, who sees the film's legacy as complicated.
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Could the U.K. election mean an off-ramp from personality politics? Jun 14, 2024

As the U.K. gears up for a July election, polls show the liberal Labour Party ahead of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives by a hefty margin.
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When it comes to the Israel-Gaza war, the split in opinion is generational Jun 13, 2024

After the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel that killed more than 1,100 people, President Joe Biden expressed America's backing for its Middle Eastern ally.
But that same month, polls showed that support for Israel among American voters was not unwavering. And that, in fact, support was split across generations.
That split between young voters poured out into the streets in November. Two big marches – one organized by pro-Palestinian groups and one by pro-Israeli groups – occurred in Washington.
Whether or not Joe Biden gets re-elected in 2024 will depend a lot on if he can repeat his 2020 success with young voters. But a split over U.S. support for Israel may get in his way.
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What a second Biden or Trump presidency could mean for American allies and foes Jun 12, 2024

America is facing two very different futures on the world stage after November.
If former President Trump wins, he's promised to fundamentally re-evaluate the NATO alliance, reshape global trade and overhaul the Pentagon, State Department and intelligence agencies.
He's largely avoided explaining how he'd handle the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, yet says he can settle the war in Ukraine in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, if President Biden wins, he's signaled his commitment to fight global threats to peace and freedom, and he's vowed to continue to help Ukraine and Israel fight in their respective wars.
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Does artificial intelligence deliver immortality? Jun 11, 2024

Michael Bommer likely only has a few weeks left to live. A couple years ago, he was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.
Then, an opportunity arose to build an interactive artificial intelligence version of himself through a friend's company, Eternos.Life, so his wife, Anett, can interact with him after he dies.
More and more people are turning to artificial intelligence to create digital memorials of themselves.
Meanwhile Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, a research associate at the University of Cambridge, has been studying the field of "digital death" for nearly a decade, and says using artificial intelligence after death is one big "techno-cultural experiment" because we don't yet know how people will respond to it.
Artificial intelligence has opened the door for us to "live on" after we die. Just because we can, should we?
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Can the U.S. force a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas? Jun 10, 2024

On Saturday, Israeli special forces rescued four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, killing at least 270 Palestinians and injuring hundreds in the process.
The rescue of the hostages was a moment of triumph for the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but he didn't have long to bask in it.
Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel's unity war cabinet, announced his resignation on Sunday, over Netanyahu's management of the war in Gaza. After Gantz's resignation, Netanyahu will be even more reliant on far-right members of his coalition, who have vocally opposed efforts to broker a cease-fire.
The U.S. continues to push a cease-fire proposal outlined last month, and on Monday the U.N. Security council passed a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting that deal.
NPR's Michele Kelemen and Daniel Estrin help us get a sense of what this weekend's events might mean for the war and its ending.
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COVID funding is ending for schools. What will it mean for students? Jun 09, 2024

Billions of dollars in federal COVID funding is set to expire for K-12 schools.
Educators across the country say the extra money helped students catch up, and plenty of students still need that support.
Some schools say losing the the money, received over the last few years, will lead to cancelation of crucial programs, budget cutbacks and possible layoffs.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Wall Street Journal education reporter Matt Barnum about the impact of expiring federal funds on schools across the country.
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'Double disapprovers' could decide the election. Here's what they say Jun 07, 2024

With the presidential election approaching, some voters are wondering how we again ended up with Donald Trump and Joe Biden as the presumptive nominees.
Recent focus groups with swing voters put into words why some people are turning away from the main candidates, and polling gives us an insight into what this could mean in November.
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The state of Hamas on 3 fronts: troops, governance and narrative Jun 06, 2024

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the war in Gaza can't end until Israel has destroyed Hamas.
NPR's reporting from Israel and Gaza suggests that goal is still a long way off.
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Hollywood flips the script in the new movie 'Ezra' Jun 05, 2024

'Ezra' is a road trip movie, a movie about fathers and sons.
Bobby Cannavale plays the father Max, and he hasn't quite figured out what his son Ezra's autism diagnosis means for their life together.
The movie draws on the real experiences of screenwriter Tony Spiridakis. William A. Fitzgerald, who plays Ezra. And associate producer Alex Plank also has autism, and is the founder of wrongplanet.net. Many members of the cast and crew are neurodivergent, or have neurodivergent family members.
Hollywood hasn't always gotten it right when it comes to portraying neurodivergent people on screen. The new movie 'Ezra' is flipping the script.
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with screenwriter Tony Spiridakis and producer Alex Plank.
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What will life look like for jurors after the Trump trial? Jun 04, 2024

The 12 New Yorkers who served on the jury for former president Donald Trump's trial, and voted to convict him om 34 counts of falsified business records, have not had their identities disclosed publicly to protect their privacy.
But now the trial is over, and they are likely returning back to normal life. So, will they reveal themselves to the public? And what risks do they encounter in doing so?
In this episode we take a look at what other public figures who have gone up against Trump have faced from his supporters, and what those jurors could stand to gain from sharing their stories.
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Battlefield medicine has come a long way. But that progress could be lost Jun 03, 2024

When the U.S. launched its invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq in the early 2000s, it had been a decade since a full-scale deployment of American troops.
That's why when the wars started a lot of the medical corps' experience came from big city emergency rooms.
But a few years into the wars, the military was facing hundreds of casualties each month between Afghanistan and Iraq.
Military surgeons were seeing wounds requiring double amputations, the kind of thing you might never encounter before serving in a war zone.
The military was able to turn that real world experience into breakthroughs in battlefield care. Some of them were simple tweaks like pop up surgical teams that set up close to the battlefield.
Over the course of the war, small innovations like this tripled the survival rate for the most critically injured troops, according to one study
Now that the post 9/11 wars have ended, some veteran military doctors say those gains are at risk.
The Pentagon has tried to cut its healthcare costs by outsourcing medical care to the private sector. And that could hurt battlefield medicine in a future war.
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How one Nashville museum has embraced the repatriation of stolen artifacts Jun 02, 2024

The Rosetta Stone, the Kohinoor diamond, sculptures from Greece's Parthenon known as the Elgin Marbles are all dazzling objects that bear the history of early civilizations.
But these objects were also taken by colonizers, and still remain on display in museum galleries far from their homes.
Over the past several years museums around the world have been reckoning with the looted treasures they have kept and benefited from.
Now one small museum in Nashville, Tennessee is returning ancient objects excavated in Mexico.
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Trump was found guilty on all counts. What comes next? May 31, 2024

After a trial that lasted 21 days and a deliberation that took less than ten hours, a Manhattan jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 criminal felony counts of falsifying business records.
Trump says he will appeal the charges, but there are still implications for him, and his ongoing presidential campaign for the 2024 election.
So what grounds does Trump have to appeal these charges? And how long could it take to play out? Attorney and NYU law professor Andrew Weissmann joins Ari Shapiro to map out what the next phase of the Trump trial will look like.
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In a historic verdict, Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in hush money trial May 30, 2024

After 10 hours of deliberation, in a historic verdict, a jury of 12 New Yorkers reached a verdict in the criminal hush money trial of former President Donald Trump.
Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of felony falsification of business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump says this is "a rigged disgraceful trial," while the Biden campaign said this verdict shows that "no one is above the law," but that former President Donald Trump still poses a "threat ... to our democracy."
NPR's Scott Detrow and Juana Summers, along with NPR political correspondents, unpack the guilty verdict and what it means ahead of the election in November.
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How these newly included MLB stats recognize the legacies of Black players May 29, 2024

When Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, it heralded an end to racial segregation in professional baseball.
And even though Major League Baseball teams were integrated, official recordkeepers refused to acknowledge stats from the Negro Leagues – where Black players were relegated to for decades.
Author and historian Larry Lester is one of the people who has fought to change that for years.
He's spent over 50 years compiling statistics from the Negro Leagues. Now, that effort is getting recognition from the MLB, and Lester spoke to Ari Shapiro on the battle for inclusion.
Statistics from the Negro Leagues have now been incorporated into the MLB's records – and it's reshaping the history of baseball.
For generations, Black baseball players' contributions to the sport have been ignored. Now, their legacies are being recognized.
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Closing arguments for Trump's trial have been made. What now? May 28, 2024

Nearly two dozen witnesses and 21 days of court later, Donald Trump's New York hush money trial is coming to a close.
Twelve New Yorkers have been listening to witnesses like adult film actor Stormy Daniels and Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen.
Today, those jurors heard closing arguments, first from the defense, and then the prosecution. Now, they have to determine whether Trump falsified business records to cover up an alleged affair with Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
What final impressions did the closing arguments leave, and what could that mean for Donald Trump?
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Forecasters predict another sweltering summer. Are we ready? May 27, 2024

The summer of 2023 saw skylines choked by Canadian wildfire smoke, coral cooked in hot tub-warm ocean water and a month straight of 110-degree Fahrenheit high temperatures in Phoenix.
Scientists say 2024 will likely bring another hotter-than-normal summer and, with it, the potential for more climate-driven disasters.
NPR's Rebecca Hersher says forecasters predict an extremely active Atlantic Hurricane season.
And NPR's Kirk Siegler reports on a shortage of federal wildland firefighters ahead of a high-risk wildfire season.
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Make travel bearable on Memorial Day and beyond May 26, 2024

It seems like every year we hear the same thing: that this will be the busiest summer travel season ever. But this one really stands out. AAA projects that this Memorial Day weekend will see the highest number of travelers in nearly two decades. What will that mean? Congested roads, crowded airports and a lot of headaches. Hannah Sampson, who covers travel news for The Washington Post, shares some tips to survive summer vacation season.
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Here are three possible outcomes in the Trump hush money trial May 24, 2024

We bring you a special episode of Trump's Trials.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harry Litman. Although Litman is convinced the jury will convict Trump in the New York hush money trial he also gives a rundown of other possible outcomes in the case.
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Republicans soften stance abortion, 'abortion abolitionists' go farther May 23, 2024

Abortion Rights has been a motivating political issue for generations, and this year might be the most intense for those on both sides of the issue.
NPR's Sarah McCammon reports on the anti-abortion rights activists who want to ramp up restrictions, criminalize patients who pursue abortions, and ban procedures like IVF.
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The Class of 2024: From a pandemic to protests May 22, 2024

Everyone says you live through history, but "I don't think anyone prepared us for this much history," say the students in the Class of 2024.
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The states where abortion is on the ballot in November May 21, 2024

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, state laws on abortion have been changing constantly. It will all be part of the picture as voters go to the polls in November.
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What to expect after the sudden death of Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi May 20, 2024

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died in a helicopter crash, according to state media. Here's how his death might contribute to instability in Iran and the region.
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What Do Young Voters Want? Candidates Are Determined To Find Out May 19, 2024

A little less than six months out from the general election, it seems like a new poll comes out every few minutes. In the constantly shifting data, every presidential candidate wants to know how to attract voters under 30.
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How 'The Sympathizer' confronts Hollywood's version of the Vietnam War May 17, 2024

Hollywood depictions have long helped inform America's understanding of the Vietnam War.
But there was usually one thing missing from these Vietnam War stories: the Vietnamese perspective.
For Vietnamese Americans, like author Viet Thanh Nguyen, that experience left him feeling confused as a child.
In his Pulitzer-winning debut novel The Sympathizer, Nguyen filled that gap by telling the story of a Vietnamese double agent who struggled with his involvement in all parts of the conflict.
And with the release of a new HBO series adapting the story, one question arises: Can The Sympathizer subvert the long-standing narrative on the Vietnam war in Hollywood?
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As antisemitism grows, it is easier to condemn than define May 16, 2024

For American Jews who grew up thinking antisemitism was a thing of the past, the last several years have been startling. White supremacists marched in Charlottesville. A gunman massacred worshippers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Then came the Hamas attacks of October 7th and Israel's war in Gaza.
The Anti-Defamation League says since then, antisemitic incidents in the US are up 361% over the same period a year ago. Both Congress and the White House have tried to address antisemitism in recent weeks, yet there's still a debate about what it is.
Two journalists, who have been thinking and writing about antisemitism in the U.S. weigh in.
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The migrant aid group caught in a right-wing social media thread May 15, 2024

A conservative group posted a social media thread showing flyers in a border encampment in Mexico urging migrants to vote for Joe Biden. Now, the woman caught up in it, speaks to NPR.
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How this Girl Scout troop offers community to migrant children May 14, 2024

The Girl Scouts have been part of American childhood for generations. And now that quintessential experience is helping young girls, who are new to the United States get a sense of belonging. It comes through a Girl Scout troop based in one of New York City's largest migrant shelters.
The shelter has around 3,500 migrants, and all of the Girl Scouts are children of families seeking asylum. For the last few weeks, NPR's Jasmine Garsd has been spending time with them, and brings us their their story.
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Have the new weight-loss drugs changed what it means to be body positive? May 13, 2024

America is a land of contradictions; while we're known as a nation that loves to eat, we also live within a culture that has long valued thinness as the utmost beauty standard.
Over the last several years the body positivity movement has pushed back on that notion. But then came a new class of weight-loss drugs.
New York Magazine contributing writer Samhita Mukhopadhyay grapples with the possible future of a movement like this in her recent article, So Was Body Positivity All A Big Lie?
She joins All Things Considered host Juana Summers to discuss the ever-evolving conversation on health, size, and whose business that is in the first place.
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He may be a longshot, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could impact the election May 12, 2024

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have turned their attention on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently. And the fact that the major party candidates are either trying to criticize him or praise him is a sign that his independent candidacy could have a real impact.
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Critics hated 'The Phantom Menace.' It might be time to reconsider May 10, 2024

When Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace hit screens across the country in 1999, Return of the Jedi felt like ancient history to Star Wars fans. But after 16 long years, the movie let down fans and critics alike. Twenty-five years have changed how a lot of people feel. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
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From utility man to one of California's foremost journalists May 09, 2024

Louis Sahagún first arrived at the Los Angeles Times in his early twenties as a utility worker, sweeping lead dust around the printing machines.
But it was the buzzing newsroom that inspired Sahagún to soon spend his lifetime writing stories about the undiscovered characters and corners of California.
Now after 43 years, he's retiring from the paper, and reflecting on what motivated him to cover a side of the Golden state that remained unknown to many.
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Israel seized control of the Rafah border crossing. The impact could be devastating May 08, 2024

The Biden administration has put a hold on an arms shipment to Israel. A senior administration official speaking on the condition of anonymity told NPR it was due to concerns the bombs could be used in Rafah.
Rafah is the site of Israel's latest campaign in its war against Hamas. It's also home to some 1.3 million Palestinians. More than half of those people have fled fighting in other parts of Gaza.
On Monday night, Israeli tanks rolled into Rafah taking control of the Palestinian side of the border crossing with Egypt.
The seizure of the border crossing cuts a key supply line for humanitarian aid.
Israel says its incursion in Rafah is a "precise counterterrorism operation." But possible further military action along with the closed border crossing could exacerbate a humanitarian catastrophe.
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Brittney Griner shares her experience behind bars in Russia May 07, 2024

Brittney Griner didn't know the flight she was taking to Moscow in February 2022 would upend her life. But even before she left for the airport, Griner felt something was off.
It was a premonition that foreshadowed a waking nightmare.
She had accidentally left two vape cartridges with traces of cannabis oil in her luggage. What followed was nearly 10 months of struggle in a cell, and diplomatic efforts from the U.S. to get her home.
Griner reflects on the experience in her new memoir, 'Coming Home' and discusses it in depth with NPR's Juana Summers.
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What's behind the 'outside agitator' narrative May 06, 2024

The term "outside agitator" has staying power.
It's been used against protestors throughout history, from the Civil Rights Movement, to the anti-Vietnam War protests and now during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses.
"Outside agitator" was also used to describe some of the people who protested the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri In 2014.
Who exactly are the "outside agitators" and what purpose does it serve to call them out?
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NASA chief is worried about China getting back to the moon first May 05, 2024

On Friday, China launched its Chang'e-6 mission carrying a probe to the far side of the moon to gather samples and bring them back to Earth. If successful, it would be a first, for any country.
The race to get astronauts back on the moon is in full swing. The U.S. has serious competition. China wants to put astronauts on the moon by 2030. Other countries are in the race, too.
If the U.S. stays on schedule it will get humans back on the moon before anyone else, as part of NASA's Artemis program. That's a big if. But NASA is making progress.
The space agency's making a bit of a bet, and mostly relying on private companies, mainly Elon Musk's SpaceX .
With limited resources and facing a more crowded field, it's unclear if the U.S. will dominate space as it once did.
Host Scott Detrow talks to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson about what he is doing to try to keep the U.S. at the front of the race back to the moon.
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Wild Card: Jenny Slate May 04, 2024

Welcome to Wild Card with Rachel Martin. In this first episode, Rachel talks to Jenny Slate, known for her roles in Obvious Child, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and Parks and Recreation. Jenny opens up about whether fate brought her to her husband, what she's sacrificed for motherhood and what's so special about margarine and white bread sandwiches.
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Larry Demeritte will be the first Black trainer in the Kentucky Derby in decades May 03, 2024

Larry Demeritte is the first Black trainer participating in the Kentucky Derby in 35 years. And while the betting-books have his colt West Saratoga running at long odds, Demeritte, who is battling chronic illness and cancer, is feeling confident.
For the 70-something veteran trainer, this is his first time at the Derby, but he is part of a rich history of Black horsemen who helped shape the Kentucky Derby into the iconic race it is today.
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Want to understand America's labor movement? Head south May 02, 2024

If you go by headlines, the last 12 months have delivered major wins to organized labor.
But despite well publicized victories the rate of U.S. union membership fell to a record low in 2023. Just 10%.
And in southern states, the push to unionize can still be a grinding, uphill battle.
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For weeks students have protested the war in Gaza — now things are escalating May 01, 2024

From New York — to Illinois — to Los Angeles — encampments in support of Palestinians dot campuses across the country.
And over the last couple of days the tension has only increased as police have intervened on several campuses, including Columbia University, UCLA and the University of Texas. Hundreds of protestors have been arrested.
Pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses are growing in scope and intensity, and colleges are calling on law enforcement to help. Is it the right decision, and what happens next?
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Judi Dench reflects on a career built around Shakespeare Apr 30, 2024

Dame Judi Dench has played everyone from the writer Iris Murdoch to M in the James Bond films. But among the roles the actress is most closely associated, are Shakespeare's heroines and some of his villians.
Amongst those roles are the star-crossed lover Juliet, the comical Titania and the tragic Lady Macbeth. Now she's reflecting on that work, and Shakespeare's work in Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent.
The book is comprised of Dench's conversations with her friend, the actor and director Brendan O'Hea.
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How the college protests echo history Apr 29, 2024

Protests against Israel's war in Gaza on college campuses have expanded across the country. They're the biggest student protests, since college students demonstrated against the Vietnam war in the late sixties and early seventies.
What do the campus protests of today have in common with those of the sixties? How might they affect the policies of their universities and the US government?
Thirty years ago, South Africa became an emblem of a multiracial democracy. Decades on, how is that legacy holding up?
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With the end of apartheid South Africa became an emblem of democracy. Is it still? Apr 28, 2024

Three decades ago, South Africa held its first democratic election, closing the door on the apartheid era.
And Nelson Mandela was elected its first Black president.
Today, the country is still led by Mandela's political party - the African National Congress. But polls show that voters are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the party's leadership, and next month's national elections could lead to the ANC having to share power with opposition parties.
Thirty years ago, South Africa became an emblem of a multiracial democracy. Decades on, how is that legacy holding up?
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This former NIH chief went public with his prostate cancer to help others Apr 26, 2024

During the early days of the pandemic, former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins became a familiar voice steering the country through an unprecedented public health crisis.
Now, he is going through his own health crisis, an aggressive form of prostate cancer. By talking about it publicly he hopes to draw attention to routine screening.
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How DeSantis' immigration laws may be backfiring Apr 25, 2024

Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a strict immigration law making it harder to hire undocumented workers.
But like much of the country, Florida is dealing with a tight labor market and some employers are struggling to find workers.
NPR's Jasmine Garsd reports on how the law is affecting the state's economy, from construction sites, to strawberry fields.
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Trump is arguing for immunity in his criminal case. Will the Supreme Court agree? Apr 24, 2024

One of Richard Nixon's most famous quotes...right up there with "I am not a crook"... had to do with presidential immunity.
"When the president does it" he said "that means that it is not illegal." That idea – that you can't prosecute someone for actions taken as president - the Supreme Court has never actually ruled on it.
On Thursday, the Justices will take a crack, with the federal election interference case against former president Donald Trump hanging in the balance.
We preview how things might go.
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How voters from different economic sectors see the 2024 election Apr 23, 2024

Americans often rank the economy as a number one voting issue. As part of NPR's "We the Voters" series we check back in with four Americans we've been following since the pandemic.
They share how they're faring in a the current economy, and how that might influence the positions they take in the 2024 presidential election.
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Breaking down the legal case at the center of the political universe Apr 22, 2024

The broad outlines of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case have been known for months.
Hush money payments to a former porn star made in 2016, when Trump was a presidential candidate. Bragg alleges Trump was involved in a scheme to cover up those payments, one that amounted to criminal fraud.
Now we're getting a more detailed outline of their arguments – and Trump's defense.
We break down the legal case at the center of the political universe.
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The push to deliver high-speed rail to Texas Apr 21, 2024

For the last 60 years a transportation revolution has largely passed America by.
Bullet trains were invented in Japan in the early 1960s. Since then, countries all over the world have adopted the technology and constructed sprawling networks of high speed rail lines.
Despite spending billions of dollars in federal funding, he U.S. lags far behind. But a recent visit from Japan's Prime minister has revived interest in bullet train projects around the country.
One of those projects is in Texas – a proposed high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas.
NPR's Andrew Limbong speaks with Dallas Morning News mobility and transportation reporter Amber Gaudet about what it will take to get Texas' high-speed rail project completed, and what it could mean for high-speed rail in America.
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Is this fictitious civil war closer to reality than we think? Apr 19, 2024

Civil War, the new A24 film from British director Alex Garland, imagines a scenario that might not seem so far-fetched to some; a contemporary civil war breaking out in the United States.
And while the film has taken heat for little mention of politics, the question of an actual civil war has everything to do with it.
Amy Cooter is a director of research at the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Her work has led her to the question that Garland's movie has put in the minds of both moviegoers and political pundits: Could a second civil war really happen here?
Cooter joins host Andrew Limbong to discuss the actual threat of current political movements in the U.S., outside of the movie theaters.
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Trump's anti-abortion stance helped him win in 2016. Will it hurt him in 2024? Apr 18, 2024

Back in 1999 when Donald Trump was flirting with a presidential run, he was pro-abortion rights. In an interview on Meet the Press with NBC's Tim Russert, the New York real estate developer said he didn't like abortion, but he wouldn't ban it.
Fast forward almost two decades, and Trump was running for the republican presidential nomination, and he had a very different stance on abortion, even suggesting in an MSNBC town hall meeting that women should be punished for seeking abortions.
Trump ultimately won the presidency with the support of white Evangelical voters, many of whom wanted to see Roe v. Wade overturned. Six years after he won, the Supreme Court justices Trump appointed helped deliver exactly that.
Now as Trump mounts another run for the White House, abortion rights are on the ballot and winning. And Trump has once again evolved his stance on abortion. Is it a political calculation?
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What happened when the threat of danger became Salman Rushdie's reality? Apr 17, 2024

Salman Rushdie is probably most closely associated with his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, a book inspired by the life of the prophet Muhummad. The book was notorious not just for its contents but because of the intense backlash, and the threat it posed to his safety and wellbeing.
While Rushdie saw it as an exploration of Islamic culture, some Muslims saw it as blasphemous. The year after it published, Iran's supreme leader issued a fatwa, ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie.
Rushdie moved to New York in 2000, and was able to resume the public life of a popular author, but that all changed on August 12th, 2022 when a young man charged at Rushdie while he was on stage at an event, stabbing him at least a dozen times.
After two years, he has chronicled his brush with death, and the aftermath in his new memoir 'KNIFE'.
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The man who inspired 'Hotel Rwanda' is still taking risks for his country Apr 16, 2024

In 1994, the world watched as genocide unfolded in Rwanda. Nearly one million people died as neighbors brutally killed their neighbors. Paul Rusesabagina is credited for keeping more than 1,200 people safe in his hotel through weeks of violence. His life and story inspired the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda.
In 2021, Rusesabagina says he was kidnapped, tried and imprisoned in Rwanda for two years and seven months over his ties to the Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD), a group that opposes President Paul Kagame's rule.
After intervention from the U.S. and other countries, Rusesabagina was eventually released from prison. At the time he was released, he says he electronically signed a letter promising not to criticize the government. Ultimately, he decided to disregard that promise.
Many allies of President Kagame would argue that he has been responsible for shepherding an era of what they say is relative peace in the country. His critics say he leads an oppressive government that leaves no space for dissent. We hear from Paul Rusesabagina and his daughter Anaïse Kanimba, who are still speaking out against the Rwandan government.
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Iran's attack on Israel is a major escalation. What comes next for the region? Apr 15, 2024

Iran launched a barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend, saying it was in response to an airstrike earlier this month that hit Iran's consulate in Syria and killed seven Iranian military officials, including two generals.
Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the Syria strike, though the Pentagon said Israel was responsible.
Sima Shine is a former senior Israeli intelligence official. She now runs the Iran desk at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. She says this attack is "crossing the Rubicon" from the point of view of Iran, and explains what Israel's retaliation could be.
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How do you select an impartial jury when your client is famous? Apr 14, 2024

On Monday, former President Donald Trump will enter a Manhattan courtroom for his first criminal trial. But before a verdict can be rendered a jury must be selected. And for Trump's legal team that is going to be a challenge.
A small number of attorneys have faced a similar challenge — how do you select an impartial jury when your client is famous?
Host Scott Detrow speaks with attorney Camille Vasquez for insight into the art of jury selection in such a case. She represented Johnny Depp in his defamation suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
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Is Israel perpetuating a cycle of radicalization rather than ending it? Apr 12, 2024

For months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been insisting that the goal of Israel's bombardment in Gaza is to "destroy Hamas."
But in the path of that destruction, more than 33,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed. Regular people, entire families, and more than 13,000 children.
Yet, it's not clear if Israel is any closer to its stated goal of destroying Hamas. In fact, is it possible that the horrors of this war could ignite a cycle of radicalization in the region?
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O.J. Simpson's trial divided the nation. What legacy does he leave behind? Apr 11, 2024

O.J. Simpson was more than a football star. More than a pop culture icon or a defendant acquitted of murder.
He became a symbol of America's complicated relationship to race, celebrity, and justice. His family announced that he died of cancer Wednesday at age 76.
The murder trial of O.J. Simpson became not only about one man and two victims, but the entire country. Coming up, we assess the legacy of a case, and a verdict, that put race in America on the stand.
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Anti-Diet Culture Gets Hijacked Apr 10, 2024

In recent years, the body positivity movement has raised it's profile, especially on social media largely through self-described anti-diet and body positivity influencers.
These influencers and others like them represent a pivot away from the diet and fitness culture embodied by companies like weight watchers, which focuses on losing weight as a path to healthier living.
Today there is a broad "anti-diet" movement that posits that bodies can be healthy at any size. But some are trying to co-opt this movement.
An investigation by The Washington Post and the Examination found that large food companies are recruiting these influencers to promote sugary cereals and processed snacks.
As people who are part of the anti-diet movement saw an opportunity to practice and spread a message of self-love and acceptance, big food companies saw an opportunity to make money.
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Learning To Live As Neighbors In The Shadow Of A Brutal, Violent History Apr 09, 2024

Many of us don't have the opportunity to handpick our neighbors. We buy or rent a place in a neighborhood with good schools or an easy commute.
Some of us become friends with those who live nearby, others of us never talk to our neighbors at all. For most though, we co-exist.
In the midst of a brutal civil war, neighbors killed their neighbors simply because of who they were.
Thirty years ago this month, that wasn't the case in Rwanda.
We visit a Rwandan village where how neighbors live alongside one another is deliberate, and complicated.
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How Sibling Bonds Shape Our Lives Apr 08, 2024

Researchers are finding that the impact of relationships with siblings —for better or worse — can be important, and endure well beyond childhood.
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Bad Omens Or The Cycle of Nature? How The Ancient World Viewed Eclipses Apr 07, 2024

Tomorrow, the Great American Eclipse will sweep across North America, and millions will experience total darkness.
It's an eerie and mysterious experience even though at this point, we know exactly what's happening: the moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow over earth.
But imagine you lived in the ancient world, with no warning that an eclipse was about to happen, as the sun's disk suddenly disappeared and the day fell dark and cool. Unsurprisingly, eclipses were often seen as bad omens.
That was true in Mesopotamia, the region that today includes Iraq, Syria, Kuwait and Turkey. But even then, ancient Mesopotamian astronomers were looking for other explanations.
Watching an eclipse is one of humanity's oldest rituals, and it's been inspiration to scientists since the beginning of time.
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U.S. Stance On Israel Proving Divisive In Congressional Primaries Apr 05, 2024

The American response to Israel's war with Hamas could be a major factor in the upcoming Congressional elections.
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Bird Flu Has Jumped To Cattle And To Humans. What Are The Potential Risks? Apr 04, 2024

Bird flu has spread to cows. And now a human has contracted the virus from an infected cow. What kind of risk does this virus pose to people, and are we prepared to treat it?
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In U.S., Over 100,000 Await Organ Transplants. Are Pig Organs The Solution? Apr 03, 2024

The recent transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney into a living human raises hopes that lives will no longer depend on the availability of human donor organs.
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Measuring The Economic Impact Of Baltimore's Port Closure Apr 02, 2024

One week after a massive container ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse, a massive effort is underway to clear the wreckage. But it's still unclear how long the cleanup will take.
Meanwhile, with much of the Port of Baltimore shut down, the economic impact is being felt locally, regionally and in the broad economy.
Host Mary Louise Kelly gets the latest from NPR's Laurel Wamsley, on the ground in Baltimore, and Camila Domonoske, who covers the auto industry for NPR. Baltimore is a major national hub for the import and export of vehicles.
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What Happens When A Powerful Corporation Owns The Local News? Apr 01, 2024

When news outlets shut down in a city, that creates what's often called a news desert. But in Richmond, California, NPR's media correspondent David Folkenflik says the situation is more like a news mirage.
Energy giant Chevron is the biggest employer - and the biggest polluter in the California city. Chevron also owns the local news site. How does that impact the community there?
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Folkenflik and Miranda Green, director of investigations for the news site Floodlight - about what happens when a major corporation owns the local news.
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A Billionaire's Land Purchases In Rural Hawaii Have Locals Worried Mar 31, 2024

Hawaii is no stranger to extravagant homes owned by the super-rich. But when a tech billionaire started buying up land in Waimea, a small, rural town on the Big Island, the community got curious - and worried.
Locals fear it will become even more difficult for Native Hawaiians to afford to live in Waimea and buy property. In Hawaii, the average home price is close to a million dollars.
Who's purchasing all this land in rural Hawaii and how will it affect the already high cost of housing in Waimea?
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A new biopic on Shirley Chisolm fills in the picture on a woman who broke barriers Mar 29, 2024

Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 as the first Black woman ever elected to Congress. Four years later, the New York representative made history again when she ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, the first woman and the first African American to do so. A new Netflix movie, called simply "Shirley," tells her story.
Host Ailsa Chang speaks with Regina King, who plays Shirley Chisholm and the film's director John Ridley.
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One Year On, American Journalist Evan Gershkovich Remains In Russian Prison Mar 28, 2024

This week Russian authorities extended the detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich. Authorities have yet to provide any evidence to backup charges that Gershkovich was spying, and no trial date has been set.
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Could Universal Basic Income Help End Poverty? Mar 27, 2024

People who work on ways to end poverty have been trying a simple approach lately: just giving money to those in need, with no strings attached.
Universal basic income, or UBI, once seemed like a radical idea in the US. But now, many places in the country are pushing to make UBI a permanent part of the social safety net.
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Investigators Search For Answers in Baltimore Bridge Collapse Mar 26, 2024

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning after a cargo ship rammed into it. As search and rescue efforts continue, federal investigators are trying to understand what led to the collapse.
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For Millions Of People In Conflict Zones, Famine Is A Man-Made Disaster Mar 25, 2024

Famine is a man-made disaster affecting millions in conflict zones.
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How Two Recent Cases Of Violence Illustrate The Lives of LGBTQ People Mar 24, 2024

Suicide rates for queer and trans people are disproportionately high. They're also routinely targets of violence and hate crimes.
While some states have protections for queer and trans people, many other states have passed laws that restrict the rights and visibility of transgender individuals.
The stories of Nex Benedict and Dime Doe illustrate both those trends.
Benedict died by suicide the day after a physical altercation in their school bathroom. Benedict had been bullied by other students for more than a year.
Dime Doe, a Black trans woman, was killed in 2019. Last month a man who had been in a relationship with Doe was found guilty of killing her. It's the first time a hate crime against a trans person was brought to trial.
What do these cases tell us about the lives of trans and queer people in America?
If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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Stephen King Has Ruled The Horror Genre For 50 Years. But Is It Art? Mar 22, 2024

In 1974, Stephen King published his first book, "Carrie". But 50 years on, critics still debate if his work deserves a place in the literary canon.
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Can America Win The Chips Manufacturing Race? Mar 21, 2024

President Biden just awarded $8.5 billion dollars to the company Intel to help fund semiconductor factories in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon.
At a visit to Intel's campus outside Phoenix this week, Biden said the money will help semiconductor manufacturing make a comeback in the US after 40 years.
The money for Intel comes from the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed in 2022 to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The administration's goal? For 20% of the world's leading-edge semiconductor chips to be made on American soil by 2030.
The US currently makes zero of the world's leading-edge semiconductor chips. By 2030, the Biden administration wants to make a fifth of them. So how will America get there?
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Is Netanyahu's Endgame Achievable? Mar 20, 2024

Next week representatives of the Israeli government are scheduled to fly from Tel Aviv to Washington, DC. When they arrive, they'll head to the White House, where they'll meet with representatives of the US government.
On the agenda – the next steps in Israel's war against Hamas. The meeting comes as famine is imminent for roughly 300-thousand Palestinians in Northern Gaza.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be losing US support. Still, Netanyahu insists that Israel won't stop until it has achieved, quote, "total victory." But what does that mean – and how close is Israel to achieving that?
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A $418 Million Settlement Could Change U.S. Home Buying. But Who Benefits? Mar 19, 2024

The way we have bought homes for the last 100 years could change as soon as July. Who wins, who loses, and who gets a share of the $418 million class-action settlement?
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What Another Putin Term Means For Ukraine Mar 18, 2024

Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia for a quarter century. This weekend's election results confirmed that he will reign for another six years.
Putin's hold on the Kremlin gives him control of the world's largest nuclear arsenal and a military that's been at war in Ukraine for more than two years, ever since he launched an invasion in February 2022.
That war has killed or wounded hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, but despite these losses, the Russian military is pressing forward.
Ukraine faces the stark prospect of a fight in which key US military assistance is in question. So what will six more years of Vladimir Putin mean for the war in Ukraine? And where do both militaries stand at this point in that brutal war?
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To Fight Crime, Blue Cities Take A Page From The Conservative Playbook Mar 17, 2024

Three solidly blue cities have rolled out crime fighting initiatives that feel more like conservative strategies.
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NATO Positions Itself For War Mar 15, 2024

When Russia's war in Ukraine began over two years ago, neighboring countries feared that they could be next.
And NATO asked itself - was it prepared to defend its territory if war arrived on its doorstep?
The answer was no.
So, its military chief decided it was time to ramp up NATO's strategy and revive its military headquarters.
And for the first time this spring, NATO will exercise brand new war plans to prepare for the worst.
The plan comes as Donald Trump makes another run at the White House, and expresses skepticism about NATO along the way. Can NATO take on Russia if American support for the alliance doesn't hold?
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What Do We Understand About Long COVID? Mar 14, 2024

This week marks four years since the outbreak of Covid-19 was officially declared a pandemic. One of the most vexing legacies — one that science still hasn't solved — is long Covid. That's the debilitating condition that can develop in the aftermath of an infection.
Millions of Americans are living with the often debilitating symptoms that can include brain fog, shortness of breath, and low energy. Some struggle with simple daily living tasks like laundry and cooking.
Four years since the pandemic hit, patients with long Covid are still fighting for answers.
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You're Not Imagining It; Shrinkflation Is Real Mar 13, 2024

Here's one sign that shrinkflation is no longer just a topic for economics nerds.
Cookie Monster recently complained on social media that his favorite food was getting smaller. "Me hate shrinkflation!" the fuzzy blue monster declared. "Guess me going to have to eat double da cookies!"
President Biden promised to sign a bill banning it during his State of the Union address.
Shrinkflation isn't new.
It's been happening for years. But people seem to be paying more attention right now amidst high food prices and inflation. And the White House is clearly aware of that.
After years of rising prices, many Americans are fed up with paying more and getting less. Will the pendulum ever swing back?
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Haiti's Prime Minister Says He'll Resign. Will It Help Calm The Violence? Mar 12, 2024

Haiti's Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, has announced his resignation. But the country remains in freefall. Will Haitians finally have a chance to determine their own political future?
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Ramadan In A Time Of War Mar 11, 2024

The holy month of Ramadan begins this week. It is a holy month of worship for Muslims during which they worship, study the Quran, pray and fast from sunrise until sunset.
It is a time of light, but Ramadan feels different this year, especially for Palestinian-Americans, says Eman Abdelhadi. She is a professor at the University of Chicago, whose research focuses on Muslim-Americans.
Abdelhadi says "every moment of joy feels stolen and elicits a sense of guilt." The guilt she describes is connected to the mass death and suffering in Gaza.
What does Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza mean for the holiest of Muslim holidays?
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NASA Hopes To Land Humans On Mars By 2030. Is That A Good Thing? Mar 10, 2024

We're moving closer to the dream of landing humans on Mars. But will sustaining human life on Mars even be possible?
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Is Catastrophic Climate Change Inevitable? We Ask Outgoing Climate Chief Kerry Mar 09, 2024

As John Kerry leaves his role as the first Presidential Envoy for Climate, has he helped shift us away from climate disaster?
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FX's Shogun Takes A New Approach To An Old Story Mar 08, 2024

When Shogun, James Clavell's best selling novel was adapted into a powerhouse NBC miniseries in 1980. The hero of the story was Englishman John Blackthorne.
The people he met when he landed in Japan in search of riches, are viewed and portrayed as primitive.
In the 2024 Shogun adaptation the Japanese characters are fully formed. The series elevates the stories of the Japanese characters as much as it does Blackthorne's.
That was a deliberate decision on the part of Shogun co-creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks.
In the 1980 version of Shogun, Japan, its culture and its people were portrayed as foreign and remote. What do we lose when stories are only told from one point of view? And what can be gained when we widen the lens?
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Generations After The First Nuclear Test, Those Sickened Fight For Compensation Mar 07, 2024

On August 6, 1945, a stone-faced President Harry Truman appeared on television and told Americans about the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima.
The attack on Hiroshima marked the first time nuclear power was used in war, but the atomic bomb was actually tested a month earlier in the Jornada del Muerto desert of New Mexico.
At least hundreds of New Mexicans were harmed by the test's fallout. Radiation creeped into the grass their cows grazed, on the food they ate, and the water they drank.
A program compensating victims of government-caused nuclear contamination has been in place since 1990, but it never included downwinders in New Mexico, the site of the very first nuclear test.
This week, the Senate voted to broaden the bi-partisan legislation that could compensate people who have suffered health consequences of radiation testing. Now, the bill will go to a House vote.
Generations after the Trinity Nuclear Test, will downwinders in New Mexico finally get compensation?
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Haley's Out: Can Trump Win Her Supporters? Mar 06, 2024

Nikki Haley's announcement that she was suspending her campaign for president didn't come as a surprise. She's trailed front-runner Donald Trump in all but two Republican primary contests so far.
Haley did manage to sway some Republican voters away from Trump. She also managed to recruit independents and Democrats, too. As she ended her campaign on a stage in South Carolina, Haley did not endorse Trump. She said he would have to earn their votes.
Nikki Haley appealed to Republicans who did not want another four years of Trump. Now that she's out of the race, where will her voters go?
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How Conflict Can Influence Voters Mar 05, 2024

This week marks a milestone in the presidential primary process. Fifteen states and one US Territory vote on Super Tuesday. This one day is the biggest delegate haul for candidates during the presidential primary season.
The states voting on Super Tuesday include places with lots of Arab American voters, like Minnesota.
Just last week, more than 13 percent of voters in Michigan's Democratic primary voted uncommitted. Many of those voters are Arab Americans who wanted to send Joe Biden a message about his support for Israel in the war in Gaza.
The 2024 election is likely to be narrowly divided between President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump. The way the Biden administration handles conflicts abroad could have the power to shape the electorate here at home.
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The Supreme Court Hands Trump A Legal And Political Win Mar 04, 2024

Former President Donald Trump scored a legal victory today. The Supreme Court ruled 9 to 0 that the likely Republican nominee for President should be restored to the ballot in Colorado.
The decision also says individual states cannot bar candidates for federal office under the insurrection clause. So: a legal victory, and also a political victory.
As the clock ticks toward November 5th – Election day – it's increasingly looking like the many legal cases focused on former President Trump may tip his way, or remain unresolved.
What impact will this have on Trump's campaign for a second term in the White House?
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The Rematch: Biden v. Trump Mar 03, 2024

Chances are, this November 5th 2024 is going to feel a lot like November 3rd 2020 — a bit like Groundhog Day.
After a decisive set of Republican primaries, it's increasingly clear President Joe Biden is likely to face off against a familiar foe: former President Donald Trump.
A race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden isn't only a rematch, but a contest between two men who have already occupied the Oval office and been in the public eye for decades.
This, despite the fact that several polls show Americans did not want a rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. So what is there still to learn about the two candidates, their styles, and the policies they would put in place if they get another four years in the White House?
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Are We Alone In The Universe? Mar 01, 2024

Are we alone in the universe?
It's a question that's been posed again and again. Carl Sagan posed it in the 1970s as a NASA mission scientist as the agency prepared to send its twin Viking landers to Mars.
And nearly 50 years after the first of two landers touched down on Mars, we're no closer to an answer as to whether there's life — out there.
Scientists haven't stopped looking. In fact, they've expanded their gaze to places like Saturn's largest moon, Titan and Jupiter's moon Europa.
The search for life beyond planet earth continues to captivate. And NASA has upcoming missions to both moons. Could we be closer to answering that question Carl Sagan asked some 50 years ago?
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McConnell Releases His Grip On Power Feb 29, 2024

Here in the US, the average age of retirement is 61. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky passed that birthday more than 20 years ago. And on Wednesday afternoon, he announced that while he still isn't ready to retire just yet, he will no longer lead Republicans in the Senate.
McConnell says he still has "enough gas" in the tank to thoroughly disappoint his critics. The soon-to-be former leader intends to serve out the rest of his term which continues through January 2027.
McConnell's Congressional career began back in 1984 when Ronald Reagan was President. The Kentucky republican has long embraced Reagan's conservatism and view of American exceptionalism.
Today's Republican party is one Mitch McConnell played a key role in shaping. Yet as he gets ready to step down from leadership, McConnell seems out of step with the direction the party is heading.
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Can Speaker Of The House Mike Johnson Make A Deal? Feb 29, 2024

Despite a last minute agreement to push a deadline for a shutdown, Congress and the White House have to agree on how to fund the government. So far, all they've been able to do is kick the can down the road.
And conditions for making a political deal are only getting worse. Republicans can only lose two votes. And there's skepticism all around.
Finding a way out largely depends on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana. But Johnson has a fractious caucus, is relatively inexperienced, and shutdowns have become the political weapon of choice.
If the House leader can't find a path to a deal, the entire country could pay the price.
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Trying To Protect Access To IVF Feb 27, 2024

The backlash to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling designating frozen embryos has been intense. Republicans at the state and national level have openly disagreed with the decision. And Democrats have used the ruling to hammer Republicans over reproductive rights.
Last month, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth introduced a bill to protect IVF. It hasn't gotten a lot of attention - until now.
Duckworth used IVF to build her own family, and has been warning since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade that the decision could lead to reproductive rights being challenged.
Duckworth discusses her legislation and whether she thinks republicans will support it.
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How The Underground Railroad Got Its Name Feb 26, 2024

Popular culture is filled with stories of the underground railroad - the legendary secret network that helped enslaved people escape from southern slave states to free states in the north.
Harriet Tubman is the underground railroad's best known conductor. Tubman, who was a Union spy during the Civil War, escaped slavery in Maryland, but returned again and again, risking her own freedom to help free others, including members of her family.
Inevitably there's much we don't know ...including how the term, the Underground Railroad, came to be.
Journalist Scott Shane, stumbled on the answer while he was writing his book "Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery's Borderland."
His book tells the story of Thomas Smallwood, an activist and writer who's story and the key role he played in the abolition movement has mostly been lost to history.
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De-influencers Ring the Alarm on the Environmental Impacts of Overconsumption Feb 25, 2024

In the last few years, a new trend has emerged on social media: de-influencing.
Instead of selling, de-influencers encourage their followers to stop buying things they don't need. De-influencers are also using this trend as an opportunity to raise awareness about the negative impact of overconsumption on the environment.
From plastic packaging to useless gadgets that end up in landfills, overconsumption doesn't just have a negative effect on our wallets, but also on our planet and climate change.
We look at what role de-influencers can play in helping to address climate change and spreading the message of sustainable living.
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Kansas City Communities Continue Block By Block Efforts To Prevent Violence Feb 23, 2024

In Kansas City neighborhood organizations do the work of violence prevention one block, and one person at at time.
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Boredom Followed By Unexpected Tragedy: A Ukrainian Soldier's Life At War Feb 22, 2024

Quote – "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride." That statement, from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the U-S Embassy, came two days after Russian missiles began raining down on his country two years ago.
After weeks of speculation and warnings Russian President Vladimir Putin had declared war.
Fueled by grit, patriotism and billions of dollars from the US, Ukraine has waged a fight no one expected they could. But nearly two years in that could be changing.
US aid is stuck in Congress. This week, Russian forces captured their first city in 9 months. And that plea Zelensky made for ammunition in February 2022 – he's still making it.
Ukraine has waged a war against Russia that has exceeded expectations. Can it continue to stand up to Russia if western aid doesn't come through?
We get the view from the battlefield from a Ukrainian writer turned soldier.
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Wind Power Is Taking Over A West Virginia Coal Town. Will The Residents Embrace It? Feb 21, 2024

Keyser, West Virginia, was once known for coal. But the jobs have been disappearing. First because of automation, then cheap natural gas. And now, the urgency to address climate change is one more pressure on this energy source that contributes to global warming.
Now the town, like so much of the country is attempting to transition to renewable energy. The country's first major climate policy, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, gave that transition a boost. It passed with the key vote of West Virginia's own Senator Democrat Joe Manchin.
Keyser represents a national shift in American energy production. And in a town that was defined by coal for generations, change can be difficult.
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Does Portugal Have The Answer To Stopping Drug Overdose Deaths? Feb 20, 2024

Brian Mann covers the U-S opioid and fentanyl crisis for NPR. That means he talks to a lot of people struggling with addiction. Again and again, he's heard stories of people who have succumbed to their addiction — last year 112, 000 — more than ever in history.
But when Mann traveled to Portugal to report on that country's model for dealing with the opioid crisis, he heard a very different story. Overdose deaths in Portugal are extremely rare.
The country has taken a radically different approach to drugs – decriminalizing small amounts and publicly funding addiction services – including sites where people can use drugs like crack and heroin.
Portugal treats addiction as an illness rather than a crime. No one has to pay for addiction care, and no one scrambles to navigate a poorly regulated recovery system. Could Portugal's approach help the U-S fight its opioid epidemic?
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What Navalny's Death Means For The Russian Opposition Feb 19, 2024

Much of the world has spent the weekend mourning Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. And asking why he chose to return to Russia, after he'd been poisoned, and when it was clear he was in danger.
Filmmaker Daniel Roher, who interviewed Navalny for the Oscar-winning documentary "Navalny," says the Russian opposition leader was an incredibly optimistic and certain about himself and his mission. And that Navalny believed he could usher in a brighter future for Russia.
So what happens to that future now? Aleksei Miniailo an opposition activist and researcher in Moscow weighs in on how the Russian opposition sustains its movement after the death of its most prominent figure.
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A Second Wind For Wind Power? Feb 19, 2024

About two years ago, New Jersey's Democratic Governor Phil Murphy said that the state would be partnering with the Danish company Orsted, the largest developer of offshore wind projects in the world.
The company had agreed to build Ocean Wind 1, the state's first offshore wind farm, powering half a million homes and creating thousands of jobs in the process.
The following year, Orsted inked another deal with the state for Ocean Wind 2, a second offshore wind farm with similar capacity. After years of review, the projects were approved in summer 2023. Construction of the first turbines was slated to begin in the fall.
And then Orsted backed out, cancelling the contracts full stop.
Despite the setbacks, Murphy is still all-in on wind. A month after Orsted dropped out, Murphy directed the state's Board of Public Utilities to seek new bids from offshore wind developers. And the state just approved two new offshore wind contracts.
After several setbacks, could this mean a second wind for offshore wind?
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Rents Take A Big Bite Feb 16, 2024

Rent has skyrocketed in the United States. That means Americans are handing over a bigger portion of their paycheck to their housing costs. They have less money for things like food, electricity, and commuting.
The pandemic and inflation have both played a role in pushing rents higher.
Whitney Airgood-Obrycki a Senior Research Associate at Harvard's Joint Center on Housing Studies says rents are actually going down, but that increases have been so large it's going to take time for the market to even out.
We look at how rent prices got so high and what it might take to bring them down.
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The Romance Between The American Right, Russia And Putin Feb 15, 2024

For half a century, during the Cold War, every U-S president painted Russia as the dominant threat. America's ideological opposite, a hostile and nuclear-armed power. Ronald Reagan went so far as to call the Soviet Union an Evil Empire.
So the events of recent days have been noteworthy. On top of a holdup of U-S aid for Ukraine, former President Trump said he might NOT come to the defense of a NATO ally who hadn't spent enough on defense.
And Tucker Carlson, the erstwhile Fox news host, flew to Moscow to sit down with Vladimir Putin for more than two hours of mostly softball questions.
Afterward, he pronounced Putin "impressive" on stage at the World Government Summit.
So what gives? Why the romance between the American right and Russia?
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Immigration: A Winning Issue For Democrats? Feb 14, 2024

One single election does not a trend make. But does Democrat Tom Suozzi's victory in the special election for New York's 3rd Congressional District mean something bigger for democrats?
The Congressman won his seat – which until recently had been held by disgraced Republican George Santos – by diving head on into an issue that democrats would usually rather avoid – immigration.
Was that the opening chapter in a playbook Suozzi is writing, for fellow Democrats trying to find a way to deal with the thorny political issue of immigration?
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Double Standard On Age For Trump And Biden? Feb 13, 2024

On June 14, Donald Trump will turn 78 years old.
Joe Biden turned 81 in November.
Whether the candidates like it or not, age, mental acuity and physical fitness are issues dominating the 2024 election cycle.
Though the two men were born fewer than four years apart, voters have consistently expressed more concern about Biden's age than Trump's.
Is a double standard being applied when it comes to the presidential candidates and age?
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Are Biden And Netanyahu Breaking On The War Between Israel And Hamas? Feb 12, 2024

The question looming over the war between Israel and Hamas is what will happen what will happen to Rafah, the city in southern Gaza. More than half of Gaza's population has sought refuge there–an estimated one and a half million people.
Israel says that in order to defeat Hamas, it needs to bring the war to Rafah. The Biden administration says a military operation in Rafah cannot proceed. Is this a hairline crack or the beginning of a rift between the U.S. and Israel that could reverberate across the region?
President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu's visions for the future of the war in Gaza are beginning to look irreconcilable. What does that mean for Biden's steadfast support of Israel?
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With A Second Term, Trump Would Take His Immigration Crackdown Further Feb 11, 2024

Immigration is one of the main things Americans will be voting on in November. And many are currently unhappy with the situation at the US Southern Border, which is widely described as a crisis.
As Donald Trump runs for another term, he's hoping to leverage that discontent just as he did in 2016.
An across-the-board crackdown on immigration was one of the signature policies of the Trump presidency. In a second term, he's promising to go even further.
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What Makes A Football Movie Great? Feb 09, 2024

Hollywood films have long tried to capture America's obsession with its most popular sport. So on this Super Bowl weekend, we ask: what do the best football movies have in common?
Is it the "Big Speech" with the team down a point and only seconds to go? Or what about the classic underdog story?
Scott Detrow discusses that with Brittany Luse, host of NPR's It's Been a Minute, and with Stephen Thompson of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.
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The Battle Over Abortion Rights In The 2024 Election Feb 08, 2024

Abortion is a personal issue. But it's also political. And few things motivate voters and politicians like abortion rights.
Over and over, U.S. voters have shown they're willing to choose lawmakers, presidents and ballot initiatives based on how they feel about abortion rights.
We examine the role abortion could play in the 2024 elections.
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The Supreme Court Weighs In On Trump Being Removed From The Ballot Feb 07, 2024

When it comes to whether or not Trump should appear on presidential ballots, there are at least two questions to consider.
The first is legal — does the 14th amendment apply him?
The second is practical. What would happen if Trump WERE removed from the ballot?
How might his tens of millions of supporters respond?
At a rally last month, the former President suggested if he doesn't get what he views as "fair" treatment, the country is in big trouble.
This week the Supreme Court will weigh whether Donald Trump is constitutionally ineligible to be president.
We hear from a legal scholar who says it could be the beginning of a, "bloody unraveling of democratic norms."
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America's Immigration System Is Broken. Congress Can't Seem To Fix It. Feb 06, 2024

The U.S. Immigration system isn't working. The last significant reform was in 1986. Presidents and Congress have been trying to fix it and change it ever since.
Congress is at it again, but that effort, like so many others, looks doomed to fail. Just a few hours after the text from the Senate bipartisan bill dropped, Speaker of The House Mike Johnson said IF the bill reaches the house – it will be DEAD on arrival. And on Monday night GOP support for the legislation in the Senate seemed to all but fade away.
As the Senate gets ready to vote on yet another attempt to address immigration in the U.S, we look at why the effort to fix America's broken immigration system fails across decades, administrations and parties.
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East Palestine Residents Worry About Safety A Year After Devastating Train Derailment Feb 05, 2024

It was a year ago this month that a Norfolk Southern freight train with 38 cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.
Twenty of those train cars carried hazardous materials. In the days after the crash officials, decided to burn off one of those hazardous materials, vinyl chloride. The burn and massive plume of smoke it created caused environmental problems and concerns about the health and safety of residents.
A year after that devastating derailment and chemical burn the train company Norfolk Southern and the EPA say the air and water are safe.
The people who have to go on living there aren't so sure.
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What Vision Zero Has And Hasn't Accomplished Feb 04, 2024

More than 100 people are killed on U.S. roads every day — more than 40,000 people a year. So, it seemed bold, if not crazy, when city leaders across the country began to set their sights on eliminating traffic fatalities completely.
It has now been 10 years since U.S. cities began to adopt the approach known as Vision Zero.
NPR's Joel Rose reports on what has worked and what hasn't.
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Masturbation Abstinence Is Popular, And Doctors Are Worried Feb 03, 2024

More than two decades of growing internet use has surfaced fears about the social and psychological impacts of nearly unfettered access to pornography. But many researchers and sex therapists worry that the online communities that have formed in response to these fears often endorse inaccurate medical information, exacerbate mental health problems and, in some cases, overlap with extremist and hate groups.
NPR's Lisa Hagen speaks about her reporting with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe.
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Why Trump's Persecution Narrative Resonates With Christian Supporters Feb 02, 2024

Former president Donald Trump is facing dozens of criminal charges, including four felony counts on charges of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump says he's being persecuted, and that idea resonates with his Christian base.
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Violent Crime Is Dropping, But Americans Feel Less Safe. Feb 01, 2024

For people in the US, 2020 was one of the most dangerous years in decades. The first year of the pandemic saw a huge spike in violence. The number of homicides in the country rose about 30 percent from 2019.
Fast forward a couple of years – and things look very different. According to crime analyst Jeff Asher, "2023 featured one of the lowest rates of violent crime in the US in more than 50 years."
In big cities and small, from the East coast to the West, violence has dropped dramatically.
Despite a significant and measurable drop in violent crime, Americans feel less safe. According to a Gallup poll released in November, more than three quarters of Americans believe there's more crime in the country than there was last year.
We explore the reasons why the good news on crime isn't getting through.
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Is Fox News Still A Republican Kingmaker? Jan 31, 2024

Fox News has been the Republican Party's biggest cheerleader almost since it premiered in 1996.
Nearly three decades later, many Republicans perceive Fox as the de facto kingmaker for all kinds of Republican candidates — including presidential.
That kingmaker status brought Fox News power, ratings and billions in profits and has spawned a succession of imitators and competition.
But for Fox, that synergy with Trump and the Republicans has come with significant risk and significant consequences.
Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox for defamation after network anchors amplified Trump's false election claims. The company settled, at a cost of nearly $790 million.
Nevertheless, Fox News still has the power to shape Republican politics as the country heads into another presidential election cycle. But is that power diminished in 2024?
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Impeaching Mayorkas: High Crimes and Misdemeanors Or Politics As Usual? Jan 30, 2024

Immigration and management of the U.S. Southern Border is always a politically charged issue, but especially at this moment.
House republicans are trying to advance articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. They say he has refused to comply with the law and has breached the trust of the public.
Meanwhile President Biden is describing the U.S. immigration system as broken.
All this is playing out as a government funding bill is tied to the border and a presidential election is months away.
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With 3 Soldiers Dead, The U.S. Tries to Avoid Direct Conflict With Iran Jan 29, 2024

A deadly attack on an U.S. military base in Jordan pulled the United States deeper into a regional conflict that it's trying to avoid.
How the U.S. responds could determine whether the country enters another full scale war. We ask National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, what comes next.
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What Would The Economy Look Like If Donald Trump Gets A Second Term? Jan 28, 2024

During his time in office, former president Donald Trump talked a great deal about all of the positive changes he was making to improve the economy.
When he gave his final State of the Union address in February 2020, employers had added more than six million jobs, unemployment was at three-and-a-half percent and the stock market was soaring.
But by March all of that ended as coronavirus spread rapidly across the globe.
Donald Trump is poised to capture the Republican presidential nomination. As president, some of his economic policies came out of the traditional Republican playbook. But other policies were more populist, more nativist and more unpredictable.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley about what might change, and what might stay the same, under a second Trump administration.
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How Do You Win An Oscar? It's More Complicated Than You Think Jan 26, 2024

A look behind the curtain at the Oscar campaign machine and what it takes to bring home the gold.
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US troops in the Middle East face a growing challenge Jan 25, 2024

Ever since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas almost four months ago, U.S. leaders have been afraid that the conflict will grow.
That could have consequences for American troops in the Middle East. Recently, U.S. forces have been attacked in Iraq by Iran-backed militias, for example.
Host Ari Shapiro speaks with NPR's Jane Arraf in Amman, Jordan and NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman about what all this could mean for troops in the region.
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In Israel, Anger At Netanyahu Getting Louder Jan 24, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spent a career defying political gravity. Now he's facing his biggest challenge yet.
For decades, Netanyahu has sold himself as a leader who would keep Israelis safe.
Instead, one of the world's strongest militaries failed to protect its citizens from a long-planned, Mad Max style invasion - with attackers from Gaza coming in on motorcycles, pickup trucks and hang gliders. Israeli authorities say 1,200 people were killed October 7th and more than 200 taken hostage.
Netanyahu promised an investigation after the war with Hamas, but public outrage has grown louder in recent days.
Now as public outrage grows in Israel, Netanyahu's future seems all but certain. And that future is inseparable from the future of Israel's war with Hamas, or an eventual peace in Gaza.
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Trump Brings Back Birtherism Taunts Jan 23, 2024

In a republican primary field that at one time boasted more than a dozen candidates, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump are the last ones standing.
That means Trump's fire is concentrated on Haley — a daughter of Indian immigrants. And he's using that heritage to try to undermine Haley's candidacy, and stoke concern about her legitimacy for the presidency.
For the record, that concern is unfounded – Haley, as the Constitution dictates, is a natural-born US citizen.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly and Senior Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro dissect the reasons WHY Trump keeps returning to this particular political playbook.
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Alabama To Use Untested Execution Method This Week Jan 22, 2024

Alabama has already tried to execute Kenneth Smith once. On the night of November 17, 2022, he was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection, but workers couldn't find a vein to place an IV. They tried for an hour, during which, he was jabbed with needles in his arms, hands and collar bones.
Smith, one of only two living people in the U.S. to have survived an execution attempt, faces death again. On Thursday, the state of Alabama plans to execute him using a method it calls nitrogen hypoxia. It has never been tested in the U.S.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to investigative correspondent Chiara Eisner about Smith's execution, and what led Alabama to use a new and untested execution method.
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With DeSantis Out Of The Race, What To Expect From New Hampshire Primary Jan 21, 2024

Just days away from the nation's first primary in New Hampshire, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended his bid for president. What will this mean for the remaining candidates?
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Zingers and Gaffes: A Look At the Utility of Presidential Debates Jan 19, 2024

The presidential debate has been a right of passage for both primary and general election candidates for more than thirty years.
Now in the midst of another election season, it looks like this well-established tradition might be fading away. But do debates inform voters, and do they change minds?
We take a look at how the modern presidential debate came to be, and what their absence would mean for candidates and voters.
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The Cozy Relationship Between Boeing and the Federal Government Jan 18, 2024

These days when you think of Boeing, the words that come to mind might be: door plug, 737-max, grounded. But before this month's safety debacle and the Ethiopian and Lion Air crashes five years ago, Boeing was synonymous with industry and innovation, and the company enjoyed a special relationship with the U.S. government and U.S. presidents.
Former President Barack Obama joked he was Boeing's top salesman, and former President Donald Trump praised the company at a visit during his presidency.
Now that special relationship between Boeing and the U.S. government is under renewed scrutiny.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to transportation correspondent Joel Rose about that relationship and what this latest incident could mean for the company and its oversight.
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Is the US Already in a Regional Conflict in the Middle East? Jan 17, 2024

Since Israel's war against Hamas began, the US has tried to prevent a wider regional war from breaking out.
Now, with US attacks against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, drone strikes in Iraq and fighting across Israel's northern border with Lebanon is that regional conflict the US wanted to avoid, already here?
The last three presidents have tried to shrink the US footprint in the Middle East. NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Ben Rhodes. Rhodes was Deputy National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama.
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The Headline Everyone Expected - Trump Wins Iowa Caucuses Jan 16, 2024

Former President Donald Trump's victory in the Iowa caucuses this week surprised almost no one, but should news outlets have called the contest before some caucus goers, even had a chance to vote?
That's one of the questions we explore in today's episode. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly looks ahead to what happens next in the race for the republican nomination with senior editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.
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How AI Is Transforming National Security Jan 15, 2024

Artificial Intelligence is front of mind these days. Many of us are spending a lot of time pondering how AI can make our lives easier.
Or on the flip side — whether it's going to put us out of a job. But how would you be thinking about AI... if you were in charge of a major US intelligence agency?
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly spoke to FBI Director Chris Wray and National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone about Artificial Intelligence as a national security threat.
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25 years Ago Jon Stewart Took Over The Daily Show And Redefined Political Comedy Jan 14, 2024

Jon Stewart ushered in a new era of late night comedy and pushed the boundaries between news and entertainment.
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Are We Having Fun Yet? The Serious Business Of Having Fun Jan 12, 2024

If you can't remember the last time you had fun, you're not alone. If you want to have more fun, prioritizing it may be the key.
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Taiwan's History of Colonialism Forged Its Distinct Cuisine Jan 11, 2024

Tainan is considered the culinary capital of Taiwan. At one of the oldest wet markets in that Southern city, Shuixian Gong Market, the island's vibrant cuisine is on the display.
There are displays of shiny orange and silver fish, bright rows of glistening pork ribs and overflowing crates of dragon fruit and guava.
It's the place for everyday grocery shopping for cooks around here.
But it's much more it's a portrait of all the forces – both indigenous and colonial – that have shaped modern Taiwan. In essence, Taiwan's cuisine is a reflection of its long history of influences.
NPR's Ailsa Chang tours the market with "Made in Taiwan" cookbook authors Clarissa Wei and Ivy Chen.
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'It's the Stuff of Nightmares' Scenes from Inside a Gaza Hospital Jan 11, 2024

It's been nearly a hundred days since Hamas' deadly attack on Israel, which prompted Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza. Israel says it aims to destroy Hamas.
By Palestinian officials' tally - more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and about one in every 40 people there have been wounded in just three months.
Israel's military is now pushing deeper into central Gaza. The World Health Organization says the most important hospital there is al-Aqsa Hospital.
American pediatrician Seema Jilani, spent two weeks working at the al-Aqsa hospital there. She recorded voice memos about what she saw and talks to NPR's Ari Shapiro about the experience.
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What It Means To Be Taiwanese For One Family Jan 09, 2024

On Saturday, the Taiwanese people vote for a new president.
It's one of the most important and closely-watched elections around the world this year.
While most of the world – including the United States – does not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country, they are watching the results.
On New Year's Eve, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said China would "surely be reunified" with Taiwan – reiterating Beijing's aspiration to one day control Taiwan. Caught in the middle of this are the island's people.
NPR's Ailsa Chang and Emily Feng spent some time with one family who don't agree on what it means to be Taiwanese.
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The Political Evolution of Nikki Haley Jan 08, 2024

In 2015, then-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley led the way for the removal of the Confederate Flag from the state Capitol. The move came after a white gunman had murdered nine Black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
Fast forward almost eight years. At a town hall in New Hampshire, a voter asked Haley what she believed caused the Civil War. Haley failed to identify slavery in her answer, and she's been trying to clean up that misstep ever since.
When Haley rose to political prominence a decade ago, she was touted as the future of an inclusive and diverse Republican party. Now, in 2024, she's trying to win the Republican nomination against Donald Trump, who has used divisive rhetoric and politics to build a political base with unwavering support.
Can Haley win over those voters and the nomination without losing herself?
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Will Changes to Medicare Coverage Improve the Mental Health Gap? Jan 07, 2024

Accessing mental health services can be challenging for people on Medicare, the federal health insurance program available to most people over 65.
At the beginning of this year, the program expanded coverage to licensed professional counselors and licensed marriage and family counselors. But is this expansion enough to address a growing mental health gap in the United States.
NPR's Juana Summers talks to a licensed professional counselor and professor about what these changes could mean.
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With The Resignation Of CEO LaPierre And A Looming Civil Trial, Will The NRA Survive? Jan 05, 2024

Longtime CEO of the National Rifle Associate has announced his resignation. LaPierre steps down amid accusations of misappropriating funds from the non-profit. Facing a civil trial, what will the NRA look like after LaPierre?
Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR's Brian Mann, who's been following the case.
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Why The Epstein Documents Matter Jan 04, 2024

Several hundred pages of documents were released Wednesday in a lawsuit brought against Jeffrey Epstein. They include the names of dozens of powerful men with alleged connections to Epstein. Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, magician David Copperfield, Prince Andrew and more.
Most of those publicly named — many of whom are already known to have links to Epstein — have denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019.
We make sense of the newly revealed documents and discuss why the Jeffrey Epstein case still matters.
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Violence in Iran and Lebanon Prompts Concern Israel-Hamas War Could Expand Jan 03, 2024

Twin bombings in Iran and a senior Hamas leader killed in Lebanon are just two recent events that are prompting concern that the war between Israel and Hamas could be expanding to other parts of the Middle East.
NPR correspondents Jane Arraf and Peter Kenyon, both with deep experience in the region, talk to All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly about the days events, and what it could mean for the stability of the region going forward.
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Could January 6th Decide the Next Election? Jan 02, 2024

Former President and likely Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been kicked off primary ballots in Maine and Colorado. His name on the ballot is being challenged in several other states across the country. All the challenges are based on the insurrection clause in the 14th amendment and stem from Trump's involvement in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.
Trump is appealing the Maine decision, and is expected to appeal the Colorado decision.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a democrat, told All Things Considered that Trump's actions on January 6th are what drove her decision to remove him from the ballot.
NPR's Juana Summers, talks to Senior Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro about the decisions to remove Trump, whether they'll stand, and what these challenges could mean for the outcome of the Presidential election.
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How To Make New Year's Resolutions You Can Actually Keep Jan 01, 2024

The tradition of the New Year's resolution can be alluring. What better moment in time to resolve to accomplish important goals ? New year, new you, right?
But research and polling show that a lot of people who set out make resolutions give up on them. If the temptation of an extra hour of sleep is likely to crush your dream to attend that 6am spin class, maybe you need to rethink your resolution.
Host Juana Summers talks with Marielle Segarra, host of NPR's Life Kit, about why focusing more on smaller goals and intentions can help you succeed
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Finding Comfort And Joy In The New Year Dec 31, 2023

If you've had a tough 2023, it might be hard to jump into 2024 with enthusiasm.
For our last episode of the year we check in with a writer who's advice on life and writing has resonated with millions of readers.
NPR's Adrian Ma speaks with author Anne Lamott who shares some tips for a happier new year.
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A Sarajevo Museum Gives Children Of War A Voice Dec 30, 2023

The trauma of war and its aftermath can leave scars on those who survive - deep scars that can be both physical and emotional.
For children who experience war, trauma can cut deep, reshaping every part of their lives.
While we hear news reports from war zones, stories from survivors don't often include children's voices.
The War Childhood Museum is a unique place, dedicated to creating a space for those affected by war as children to tell their stories and donate items of significance.
The museum collects and preserves the stories of both adults, describing their experiences as children, and of children currently living with war.
The museum houses audio, video and objects from World War II to the current war in Ukraine - a collection that spans both the globe and time.
NPR's Adrian Ma speaks with Jasminko Halilovic about growing up in war torn Bosnia, and dignity and resilience of children facing war.
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Aboard a rescue ship, migrants talk about their journey to Europe Dec 28, 2023

The United Nations says more than 2,500 people died in the Mediterranean Sea this year as they tried to reach Europe.
Those who survive the journey on smuggler's boats mostly arrive on Italy's shores – where their future will be determined, in large part, by the EU's new migration process, should it be ratified next year.
This fall, NPR's Ruth Sherlock joined a rescue ship run by the charity Doctors Without Borders where migrants picked up at sea told her about the risks they took escaping their country and their hopes for a new life in Europe.
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Division Keeps the U.S. From Effectively Tackling the Fentanyl Crisis Dec 27, 2023

Fentanyl has killed an unprecedented number of people in the United States again in 2023. But so far Washington's political leaders haven't been able to workout creative solutions to the crisis together.
Like the pandemic before it, the fentanyl crisis has divided Americans along political and cultural fault lines.
NPR's Asma Khalid speaks with three reporters — NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann, WBUR's Martha Bebinger, and KFF Health News' Aneri Pattani — about the depth of the crisis and possible solutions.
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You Don't Think AI Could Do Your Job. What If You're Wrong? Dec 26, 2023

2023 might go down as the year that artificial intelligence became mainstream. It was a topic of discussion everywhere - from news reports, to class rooms to the halls of Congress.
ChatGPT made its public debut a little over a year ago. If you'd never thought much about AI before, you're probably thinking - and maybe worrying - about it now.
Jobs are an area that will almost certainly be impacted as AI develops. But whether artificial intelligence will free us from drudge work, or leave us unemployed depends on who you talk to.
Host Ari Shapiro speaks with NPR's Andrea Hsu on how people are adapting to AI in the workplace and ways to approach the technology with a plan instead of panic.
This episode also feature's reporting on AI and Hollywood background actors from NPR's Bobby Allyn.
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The Day the Guns Fell Silent Dec 25, 2023

It's the stuff of legend. In the months after World War I erupted, young men in Europe were killing each other by the tens of thousands. Yet on a frozen Christmas Eve in 1914, the guns briefly fell silent.
That simple act of humanity in the midst of war has inspired operas, movies, and even television commercials.
NPR's Ari Shapiro highlights the many ways in which this incredible event inspired generations of artists, and brings you the voices of the soldiers themselves, who were on the frontlines that day.
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We Have Our Favorites, But What Makes A Christmas Movie A Classic? Dec 24, 2023

Maybe you and your family are gathering round the new 65 inch TV that Santa brought and snuggling in with some hot cocoa for your yearly holiday movie marathon.
Your tradition may include It's a Wonderful Life, or cheering on the Grinch's loyal dog Max, or fighting with your spouse over whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
If you celebrate Christmas, you probably have a movie that you consider the best. There's personal preference, but what other elements give a Christmas movie staying power for generation after generation?
Host Scott Detrow talks with NPR's pop culture correspondent Linda Holmes about what makes a classic a classic.
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Trump's Trials: The Supreme Court takes a pass Dec 23, 2023

Today we're sharing an episode of NPR's podcast Trump's Trials, hosted Scott Detrow. In this episode, Scott is joined by NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson.
This week's focus: The Supreme Court and presidential immunity. The court decided they would not take up Special Counsel Jack Smith's request to fast-track arguments on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for alleged crimes committed while in office. Instead, the case will continue to make its way through the appeals process, further delaying the trial start date. Plus, Colorado's Supreme Court decision to remove Trump from the Republican primary ballot.
Topics include:
- The Supreme Court and presidential immunity
- Colorado Supreme Court ruling on Trump
- Predictions on how the U.S. Supreme Court may eventually respond
- A look ahead to 2024
Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.
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Why the Comparisons Between Beyoncé and Taylor Swift? Dec 22, 2023

It was the year of Beyoncé! It was the year of Taylor!
Both musicians had highly successful tours, highly successful concert films and both women pumped billions into the economy. And each has been supportive of the other this year, and in the past. So why is there a narrative that they're rivals?
NPR's Juana Summers revisits the year that was for Beyoncé and Swift, and talks to Miami University of Ohio Music Professor Tammy L. Kernodle about the tendency of society, and the media, to pit successful women in the music industry against one another.
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The Impact of Restrictive Abortion Laws in 2023 Dec 21, 2023

Nearly two years into Roe v. Wade being overturned, pregnant people continue to have a hard time accessing abortion and miscarriage care. This year saw the addition of new restrictive abortion laws in some states and protection of existing abortion laws in others.
What does this mean for abortion care in 2024, and how might all of this affect the 2024 elections?
NPR's Juana Summers digs into these questions with health policy reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin and national political correspondent Sarah McCammon.
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Oprah's Done with the Shame. The New Weight Loss Drugs. Dec 21, 2023

Americans are increasingly using drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro to lose weight. And they got a big endorsement last week when Oprah Winfrey announced that she, too was using weight loss drugs.
And it's not just Oprah, the decades-old weight management company Weight Watchers is also embracing the drugs, integrating them into the business model.
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Weight Watchers CEO Sima Sistani about the company's decision, and talks to NPR consumer health correspondent Yuki Noguchi about what is known and unknown about these drugs.

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Trump's Rhetoric, Always Extreme, Is Getting More So Dec 19, 2023

Former President Donald Trump has always embraced dehumanizing rhetoric, but now as he tries to capture the presidency again, he's making even more extreme statements.
It's a strategy that gets him lots of attention and that fuels his base.
NPR's Juana Summers talks to White House correspondent Franco Ordonez and domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef about Trump's use of increasingly autocratic statements and social media posts.
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Vladimir Putin's Horrible, Terrible, but in the End Pretty Good Year Dec 18, 2023

For Russian President Vladimir Putin, 2023 began with his war against Ukraine stagnating. It went on to deliver one of the most public challenges to his leadership, ever.
Now as 2023 comes to a close, the man who lead the rebellion against Putin Yevgeny Prighozin is dead. US aid to Ukraine is on the Congressional chopping block, and Putin is getting ready to embark on a fifth campaign for the presidency of Russia. Odds are, he'll win.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Russia correspondent Charles Maynes about Putin's year that was, and how things are looking for 2024.

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Is A Trump Win In Iowa A Done Deal? Dec 17, 2023

On January 15, Iowa will take center stage as the first leg of the Republican primary race to the presidential nomination.
Usually, the caucuses signal the kickoff to primary season. But this year, there isn't a lot that is usual about the Republican race so far.
Former President Donald Trump is vying for his party's nomination - against an increasingly smaller pool of challengers.
And despite the fact that Trump is currently facing 91 felony charges from state and federal jurisdictions, and has not attended a single debate, he continues to lead the pack.
The most recent Iowa polls show him at over 50%. If that number sticks, it would be impossible for any of his four challengers to pull ahead in any significant way.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks to Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters and J. Ann Selzer, president of the Iowa based polling firm Selzer and Company, on what the candidates numbers say about the race and the overall state of the Republican party.
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Trump's Trials: Jack Smith's big gamble Dec 16, 2023

Today we're sharing an episode of NPR's podcast Trump's Trials, hosted Scott Detrow with regular analysis from Domenico Montanaro. They are joined by former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harry Litman.
This week's focus: the January 6th federal election interference case. Prosecutor, Special Counsel Jack Smith, made an unusual move, and sidestepped the appeals court and went straight to the Supreme Court to answer a fundamental question at the heart of the case:. Can presidents be criminally prosecuted for crimes they are allegedly committed while in office?
Topics include:
- Presidential immunity
- Does presidential immunity apply to Trump's actions on January 6th
- Predictions on how the Supreme Court may respond
- New case timeline
- An update on the New York Civil Fraud trial
Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.
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Is the US Falling Behind in the Race to Electric Vehicles? Dec 15, 2023

The auto industry, along with the Biden administration, has bet billions on the electric vehicle industry, but as 2023 comes to a close the auto industry is scaling back on its investment in EVs, prices are higher than many consumers can afford and charging stations can be hard to find.
NPR's Scott Detrow digs into the state of EVs in the United States with Biden administration Infrastructure Czar Mitch Landrieu and Keith Barry senior writer with Consumer Reports.
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The Fight Over Free Speech on College Campuses Dec 14, 2023

Protests by students supportive of Israeli and Jewish communities, and protests by students supportive of Palestinian communities, have reignited the debate over free speech on college campuses.
That debate only intensified when the Presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and MIT testified before a Congressional committee last week about antisemitism.
NPR's Scott Detrow talks with NPR education correspondent Elissa Nadworny and first amendment lawyer Greg Lukianoff about the climate on college campuses and the tension between protecting students and supporting free speech.
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Finding The Light In Hanukkah At A Time Of War Dec 13, 2023

Hanukkah's origin story has been a moving target since the beginning says Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, but throughout its evolution, it's been associated with bringing and sustaining light.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Lau-Lavie about the how the lights of Hanukkah can be a tool for those trying to find peace amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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Zelenskyy's Pitch for More American Dollars Dec 12, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spent Tuesday in Washington pressing American lawmakers to approve a new funding package for his country's war with Russia.
Zelenskyy's lobbying effort comes as the current U.S. aid package is rapidly dwindling, and the fight between Ukraine and Russia has all but stalled.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to NPR Pentagon Correspondent Tom Bowman about the state of the war, what new funding would be used for, and what the country can – and can't – do without more money.
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Social Media Affects Opinions, But Not the Way You Might Think Dec 11, 2023

Anyone who spends time on social media has seen it — the post from someone about a current event, or issue that's dividing people — abortions, mask wearing, the election. But do those posts change minds?
Researchers have been gathering data on this question for years. They've found that social media affects opinions on these issues, but probably not the way you think.
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with researchers, who've studied the relationship between social media posts and opinions, and outlines their findings.
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Trump's Authoritarian Impulses and the Justice Department Dec 10, 2023

If Donald Trump is elected next November, he's promising to use the power of the presidency to go after political enemies and perceived rivals.
In a recent interview with Fox's Sean Hannity, the former President said he'd only be a dictator on "day one." At other moments, he's pledged to "root out the communists," and said he'd have his Attorney General go after people who run against him.
Consider This host Scott Detrow and NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson breakdown what a second Trump term would mean for the Justice Department.
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Trump's Trials: Should the Jan 6 trial be televised? Dec 09, 2023

Today we're sharing an episode of NPR's podcast Trump's Trials, hosted by Scott Detrow with regular analysis from Domenico Montanaro. This week they're joined by NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson. Each week they'll break down the latest courtroom drama, testimony, and legal maneuverings in the criminal and civil cases facing former President Trump — and talk about what it all means for American democracy.
This week we focus on the January 6th federal election interference case led by special counsel Jack Smith. The case is scheduled to go to trial in March in Washington, D.C., and it might be coming to a TV near you.
Yes, Trump and some media outlets are requesting cameras in the courtroom. We'll talk about how likely that is, how it could impact the case and the campaign, plus some news from a couple of key swing states.
Topics include:
- How televising the trial could help and hurt Trump
- Prosecution and defense strategies for the federal election interference case
- Pro-Trump electors from Wisconsin admit President Biden won the 2020 election
- Pro-Trump electors criminally indicted in Nevada over attempts to overturn Biden's 2020 win
Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.
Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.
Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.
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65 Years After Release, A Rockin' Christmas Classic Hits Number One Dec 08, 2023

Brenda Lee was just 13 years old when she recorded "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" in 1958. It's a true Christmas classic, a bouncy earworm — and pretty much everyone knows the lyrics. But it's never made it to number one on Billboard's Hot 100 — until now.
NPR's Scott Detrow spoke with the 78-year-old about her long career and how she feels now that her iconic holiday tune is finally at the top of the charts.
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Women Candidates and the Race for Big Money Dec 07, 2023

A woman has never been president. Hillary Clinton has come the closest, but that highest, hardest glass ceiling is still intact. Now Republican Nikki Haley wants to succeed where her predecessors have not.
The list of reasons a woman hasn't won is long — sexism, lack of representation in circles of power, and lack of representation in circles of money. But Nikki Haley has just scored an endorsement from the Koch Network that could change that.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Political Scientist Kira Sonbonmatsu about the inequities between men and women when it comes to fundraising and what the Koch Network endorsement could mean for Haley.

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The Seriousness of America's Latest Homegrown Spy Dec 06, 2023

Diplomat and former US Ambassador Manuel Rocha is facing charges related to secretly serving as an agent of Cuba's government.
Rocha is the latest in a long line of spies, who have worked for the federal government while spying for other countries. Some for decades at a time.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to former CIA officer Robert Baer about the charges against Rocha and how he might have managed to go undetected for four decades.
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The Symbolism And History Of The Keffiyeh Dec 06, 2023

Keffiyehs, checkered scarves most closely associated with Palestinians, have been in the news lately. In Vermont, three men of Palestinian descent, two of whom were wearing keffiyehs, were shot.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Wafa Ghnaim, a fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and curator for the Museum of the Palestinian People, about the history of the garment, what it means to Palestinian identity and what it means to her.
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Is Biden's Unconditional Support Of Israel Nearing Its Limit? Dec 04, 2023

Israel has stepped up military operations in Gaza after the temporary ceasefire ended last week. Gaza health officials say several hundred Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more have been wounded since the fighting resumed, complicating how the U.S. maintains its alignment with Israel.
NPR's Fatma Tanis speaks with analysts who say that U.S. support for Israel is undermining American interests and NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, about how President Biden's history with Israel is shaping current U.S. policy.
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Ranked Choice Voting May Be Coming To An Election Near You Dec 03, 2023

Ranked choice voting has become the latest political change touted as a way to strengthen democracy.
Instead of choosing one candidate, in ranked choice voting a voter picks a favorite candidate, a second favorite and so on.
According to an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll conducted after the midterm elections, more than 8 in 10 Americans feel there is a serious threat to Democracy in the U.S.
NPR's Miles Parks reports on whether ranked choice will live up to the hype as a cure-all for the country's deep partisan divides.
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Big Oil Leads at COP28 Dec 01, 2023

Every year world leaders gather at the Conference of the Parties, or COP, to devise solutions to what amounts to a growing existential crisis for humankind: our rapidly heating planet.
The United Arab Emirates is hosting COP28 this year. The goal of the conference is to decrease emissions and protect the planet. But leading the climate talks is the head of one of the biggest oil companies in the world, in a nation that derives much of its wealth from oil. Are the goals of this meeting truly in sync with the goals of the hosts?
NPR's Miles Parks speaks with NPR international correspondent Aya Batrawy from COP28.
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The Legacy of Henry Kissinger Nov 30, 2023

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was viewed as brilliant by some and a war criminal by others. The only man to ever hold the jobs of National Security Advisor and Secretary of State at the same time died at his Connecticut home at the age of 100.
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to author and historian Jeremi Suri about Kissinger's complicated legacy.
Listen to Throughline's deeper dive on Kissinger here.
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Rosalynn Carter Practiced What She Preached Nov 29, 2023

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter leaves behind a rich and expansive legacy, including fierce and enduring advocacy for better mental health care in the US.
But her commitment to the issue extended well beyond her role as First Lady.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Anne Mahoney Robbins, a friend of the Carters and member of President Jimmy Carter's mental health commission, about how Rosalynn Carter supported her during her own crippling depression.
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Police Pushback Against Progressive Prosecutors Nov 28, 2023

In different places throughout the country, police are pushing back against the policies of progressive prosecutors.
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer tells the story of one such struggle in St. Louis where a detective wouldn't testify in a case. That refusal may have helped a man charged with murder walk free.
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Rebuilding Life After Captivity Nov 27, 2023

Dozens of hostages have been released by Hamas over the last four days. Now after 50 days in captivity, and joyous reunions, the long journey of healing and rebuilding begins.
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to Hostage US executive director Liz Cathcart about that process.
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What Young Voters Want in 2024 Nov 26, 2023

Next year Gen Z and Millennials will make up nearly half of the electorate. What exactly that will mean in the 2024 election is an open question.
Host Scott Detrow talks with NPR political reporter Elena Moore about the different ways new voters approach politics than older voters.
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Black Friday and Beyond Nov 24, 2023

Consumer spending is a huge part of the economy and sends a strong signal about how Americans feel about the financial health of the country.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR business correspondent Alina Selyukh about what Black Friday shopping says about where the economy has been and where it might be headed.
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The mystery of a missing father leads to an unmarked grave, new family members Nov 23, 2023

For this holiday episode, we're bringing you a story from the Radio Diaries podcast,The Unmarked Graveyard: Stories from Hart Island.
Hart Island is a narrow strip of land in New York, off the coast of the Bronx.
More than a million people are buried there in mass graves, with no headstones or plaques.
Annette Vega never met her biological father. She had been searching for him for decades.
That search finally led to Hart Island.
Along the way, she found the family that she never knew.
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How the Hostage Deal Looks to Palestinians and Israelis Nov 22, 2023

On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas announced details of a deal that calls for the freeing of at least 50 Israeli women and minors taken hostage during last month's Hamas attack on Israel in exchange for at least 150 Palestinian women and minors held in Israeli jails.
NPR correspondents Brian Mann in Israel, and Lauren Frayer in the occupied West Bank, report on how Israelis and Palestinians are reacting to this moment.
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Making the Most Out of Friendsgiving Nov 21, 2023

It's just a few days before Thanksgiving, but there's a good chance your holidays are already underway. Maybe you are hosting, or attending, a Friendsgiving celebration.
The increasingly widespread alt-holiday meal and gathering happens in November. It's a time to eat, drink, and bask in the glow of our closest friends.
But it turns out there can be just as much stress within our social circles as within our families. So what can you do to handle any potential stress or drama?
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with friendship coach Danielle Bayard Jackson about how to avoid unneeded stress and have an enjoyable holiday gathering with your friends.
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Remembering The Long Life And Lasting Legacy Of Rosalynn Carter Nov 20, 2023

It was announced on Sunday that former first lady Rosalynn Carter had died, at age 96. The Carter family had said she was suffering from dementia earlier this year.
Although President Jimmy Carter only served for one term, Rosalyn Carter transformed the role of first lady.
And her influence continued for decades after she left the White House.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with journalist Judy Woodruff, who covered the Carter administration, about Rosalynn Carter's life and legacy.
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Pope Francis: Climate Activist? Nov 19, 2023

Pope Francis says he will attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai next month, which would make him the first pontiff to attend the annual UN gathering. The pope has made addressing the climate crisis an important focus since 2015, when he published an encyclical on climate change and the environment.
Last month, he doubled down on his stance with a new document – Laudate Deum. It's a scathing rebuke of the inaction by world leaders over the last eight years.
As Francis takes on an even bigger role in climate activism. What does he hope to achieve? And how does this all fit into his broader legacy as leader of the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics.
NPR's Scott Detrow spoke with Fordham professor Christiana Zenner, and Associated Press Vatican correspondent Nicole Winfield, about Pope Francis and his role in advocating for action on climate change.
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Trump's Trials: 'The boss is not going to leave' Nov 18, 2023

Today we're sharing an episode of a new NPR podcast called Trump's Trials, hosted by Scott Detrow with regular analysis from Domenico Montanaro. Each week they'll break down the latest courtroom drama, testimony, and legal maneuverings in the criminal and civil cases facing former President Trump — and talk about what it all means for American democracy.
In this week's episode, Scott and Domenico spoke with NYU's Melissa Murray about leaked confidential videos of two former Trump lawyers — and what they could mean for the Georgia election interference case. Plus: a development in the January 6th case.
Follow Trump's Trials on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for episodes available every Saturday.
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Benjamin Netanyahu on the Future of Gaza Nov 17, 2023

In an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu often referred to post-WW II Germany as a possible road map for what he called the "de-militarizing" and "de-radicalizing" of Gaza.
Netanyahu said Gaza needs a new 'civilian government,' but won't say who.
NPR National Security Correspondent Greg Myre parses what Netanyahu said in a conversation with co-host Ari Shapiro.
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Fresh Start for Student Loan Borrowers in Default Nov 16, 2023

Nearly 7 million federal student loan borrowers are in default, and now the U.S. Department of Education is rolling out a new program, called Fresh Start, to make getting out of default easier.
NPR's Cory Turner reports on the Fresh Start program and the ripple effects of landing in default.
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Biden's Support of Israel Could Cost Him Votes in 2024 Nov 15, 2023

There's a very real possibility that the 2024 presidential election could come down to a few thousand votes in a few pivotal states.
One of those states is Michigan, which is home to a large Arab American community — with some two hundred thousand registered voters. Many of those voters say that the White House has disproportionately supported Israel, while doing little to protect the lives of Palestinians. And that position could cost President Biden their votes.
Meanwhile, the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll shows how the Israel-Hamas War has divided Americans along racial and generational lines.
NPR National Political Correspondent Don Gonyea reports from Detroit on the concerns of Arab American voters. And Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Senior Political Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro about what the latest polling tells us about Americans' changing views on Biden's support of Israel.
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The Promise and the Limits of the UAW Deals Nov 14, 2023

The United Auto Workers secured its biggest victory in decades in deals with the Big 3 car companies after weeks of strikes.
While the union won a lot of concessions for workers: big pay raises, cost of living adjustments tied to inflation and increased retirement contributions, some workers are focused on what the new contracts are missing.
NPR Labor and Workplace Correspondent Andrea Hsu reports on what the historic contracts include and what they don't. Host Ari Shapiro speaks with NPR business reporter Camila Domonoske about how the UAW is looking to build on its gains.
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Fighting False Election Claims Could Get A Lot Harder In 2024 Nov 14, 2023

Researchers, election officials and former tech executives are concerned the federal government, fearful of kicking up a storm, has pulled back from its rumor fighting efforts that were effective in 2020 and 2022. NPR correspondents Miles Parks and Shannon Bond joined our co-host Ailsa Chang to discuss their reporting on misinformation. Email us at considerthis@npr.org
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Election Battle Lines Emerging in the 2024 Race Nov 12, 2023

Elections in Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, and elsewhere showed slightly surprising Democratic strengths and the enduring power of abortion as a campaign issue.
Meanwhile, a series of polls indicate that President Joe Biden is unpopular, and struggling against former President Donald Trump, a year out from the elections.
In the background, Trump's multiple criminal cases which could impact his popularity going forward.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Senior Political Editor/Correspondent Domenico Montanaro and White House Correspondent Asma Khalid about the emerging battle lines in the 2024 election.
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When Disaster Hits, Dogs Come To The Rescue Nov 10, 2023

This year the U.S. has experienced devastating natural disasters.
Outbreaks of tornadoes leveled entire neighborhoods.
Flooding trapped people in their homes.
Wildfires burned out of control.
When people go missing during these catastrophes, it's a race against time to find them alive – or their remains.
That crucial search is often carried out by specially trained dogs.
FEMA has 280 certified detection dogs trained to find people in disasters. Another 80 dogs are trained to search for human remains.
NPR's Scott Detrow visits a Maryland training facility where dogs, and their handlers, learn skills that could save lives.
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Far from Gaza, West Bank Farmers Face Harassment from Israeli Soldiers and Settlers Nov 09, 2023

It's olive harvesting season in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But farmer Ayoub Abu Hejleh hasn't been able to harvest olives from any of his 370 trees yet this year.
He says Israeli soldiers and settlers have blocked him from his land since the war started. That was back on October 7, when Hamas insurgents attacked Israel, killing more than 1,400 people.
While the world has focused on Israel's response in Gaza, violence in the West Bank is also spiking.
The International Crisis Group estimates more than 130 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the war began.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly and her team traveled to Abu Hejleh's village. They saw first-hand how the war between Israel and Hamas is upending lives for Palestinians in the West Bank, sometimes in extremely frightening ways.
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Big Cities Struggle To House Migrants, Asylum Seekers Nov 08, 2023

Across America, big cities facing an influx of migrants, struggling to provide basic resources.
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Gun Bans for Domestic Abusers Face a Test at the Supreme Court Nov 08, 2023

At the Supreme Court on Tuesday, justices seemed inclined to uphold a federal law that bans anyone covered by a domestic violence court order from having a gun.
But if they do that, the decision will likely be a narrow one, leaving many questions about the future of gun regulations unanswered.
NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg reports.
A note to listeners, there is a graphic description of violence in this episode.
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An American Citizen Managed To Leave Gaza, But The Decision Was Not Easy Nov 06, 2023

Since the Rafah border opened between Egypt and Gaza opened last week, it has been flooded with people hoping to leave.
With food, water and electricity in short supply, thousands of people in Gaza are hoping for a chance to flee to Egypt.
But so far, only a trickle of people have been allowed to pass through, a few hundred at a time.
NPR's Mary Louis Kelly is reporting from Tel Aviv, and spoke with an American citizen who managed to make it out of Gaza.
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A Class Action Suit Could Upend The Entire Real Estate Industry Nov 05, 2023

If you have ever bought a home or are thinking about buying one, you know it can be expensive. For most people, a home is the most expensive purchase they will ever make.
But selling a home can be expensive too. In part, that's because of the commissions real estate agents collect when a home is sold.
Depending on the price of the home, commissions can be tens of thousands of dollars.
A class action lawsuit brought by a group of Missouri home sellers against the National Association of Realtors argues that these fees hurt consumers by artificially inflating home prices.
This past week, a federal jury awarded the home sellers $1.8 billion.
Adrian Ma and Wailin Wong, co-hosts of NPR's The Indicator, break down how that decision could change the entire real estate industry.
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Is Israel Breaking the Laws of War in Gaza? Nov 03, 2023

On October 31st Israeli military forces bombed the Jabalia refugee camp just north of Gaza City.
They said the area was a Hamas stronghold that included underground tunnels and a command center, and that they were targeting a Hamas commander there.
The health ministry in Gaza says the strike caused a large number of civilian casualties. So what are the rules of war that might apply to such situations?
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Tom Dannenbaum, an associate professor of international law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy about the rules of war in an urban setting.
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Eric and Donald Trump Jr. Take the Stand Nov 02, 2023

The two older sons of former President Donald Trump spent Thursday in a New York courtroom testifying in the civil fraud case against them and their father.
The trial accuses the two brothers, as well as their father, of knowingly committing fraud by submitting statements of financial condition that inflated the value of their properties and other assets.
During testimony, Eric and Donald Jr. repeatedly distanced themselves from The Trump Organization's fraudulent financial statements and declarations to banks.
NPR's Andrea Bernstein and Ximena Bustillo report on the trial and what's at stake for The Trump Organization.
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Egypt's Border with Gaza Opened for a Select Few Nov 01, 2023

After weeks of being bombarded by Israeli airstrikes, following the Hamas attacks of October 7th, some in the Gaza strip are finally able to leave the besieged territory.
Hundreds of people – including wounded Palestinians and individuals with foreign passports – have now crossed into Egypt.
The opening of the Rafah Border is a small diplomatic success in a war that has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians. But it's unclear just how many people will be allowed to make the crossing.
Consider This co-host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with NPR's Aya Batrawy, who's in Dubai and has been reporting on the situation.
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After An Unthinkable Tragedy, A Mother Channels Her Grief Into Action Oct 31, 2023

The deadly mass shooting this month in Maine shone a spotlight on the small city of Lewiston.
Once again, like far too many American communities, the people of Lewiston face the challenge of trying to move forward after the loss of family members, friends and neighbors.
For many survivors of a mass shooting, charting a path forward can mean searching for purpose in the wake of senseless violence.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio's, Lexi daughter, was killed in May of 2022, at her elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. In total, 19 students and two teachers were killed in Uvalde.
Mata-Rubio has decided to turn her anger and grief into action. She is running for mayor of Uvalde.
Host Juana Summer spoke with Mata-Rubio, prior to the shootings in Lewiston.
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Pandemic Era Benefits Made A Big Dent In Poverty. So Why Did They End? Oct 30, 2023

Without Pandemic Era Safety Net, Millions Of Americans Could Fall Into Poverty
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The Nightmare Before Christmas Turns 30 Oct 29, 2023

The Nightmare Before Christmas is back in theaters, celebrating its 30th anniversary. The film, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, was not a smash hit upon its release, but has become something of a holiday classic over the years. And while there is some debate as to whether it counts as a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie, its spooky themes draw many viewers back to the film every October.
NPR's Scott Detrow spoke with Todd Lookinland, the set builder for The Nightmare Before Christmas, and writer and film critic Jordan Crucchiola, about the enduring legacy of film.
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A Mass Shooting in Maine and the Manhunt that Followed Oct 27, 2023

Residents of Lewiston, Maine spent two days sheltering in place as authorities searched for the man suspected of fatally shooting 18 people and wounding 13 others.
Law enforcement has a playbook for capturing fugitives. But Maine's rural setting, the nearby international border with Canada and the suspect's military training all complicate the search.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Kenneth Gray, who was a special agent with the FBI for 24 years, about what a search like this entails.
Note: This episode was recorded on Friday afternoon, shortly before authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order for Lewiston and the surrounding area.
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"A Complete Catastrophe:" The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Oct 26, 2023

In Gaza doctors are operating without anesthesia. Fuel is running out. Food is running out. And trucks full of it can't get through — including those from the UN World Food Programme or WFP.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Cindy McCain, the WFP's Executive Director, about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza which she calls "a complete catastrophe."
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Who is Mike Johnson, new Speaker of the House? Oct 26, 2023

After three weeks of congressional paralysis, House Republicans have elected a new Speaker of the House: Mike Johnson of Louisiana.
There's a pretty good chance you've never heard of him. He's kept a low profile since he was first elected in 2016.
Here's what you should know: He's a conservative lawyer who opposes abortion and same sex marriage — and played a major role in attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Johnson is one of Trump's biggest supporters in Congress. Now he's House speaker. What does that tell us about how he'll lead the house — and work with the current president, whose election he tried to overturn?
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Diplomats Race The Clock To Free Hostages Before Ground Invasion Oct 24, 2023

During the brutal Hamas-led attack on Israel earlier this month, more than 1,400 Israelis were killed and more than 200 Israeli and foreign hostages were kidnapped.
So far, Hamas has released just four hostages.
The families of the remaining hostages fear that time may be running out to save their loved ones. Israeli airstrikes continue and a ground invasion into Gaza seems imminent.
Experts say that would put the hostages in danger.
NPR's Michele Kelemen speaks to host Juana Summers about the diplomatic efforts to free the remaining hostages.
And host Mary Louise Kelly talks to Bader Al-Saif, a professor of history at Kuwait University, on the Gulf nation of Qatar's role in negotiating for the hostages' release.
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A Mental Health Hotline In Israel Has Been Overwhelmed Since The War Started Oct 23, 2023

The violence between Israel and Gaza is entering its third week.
As the number of dead and wounded continues to rise, survivors of the October 7th attack by Hamas are still reeling from shock.
And thousands of friends and family are left mourning loved ones and wondering how they'll pick up the pieces of their lives.
The Natal helpline has existed for 25 years to help people experiencing PTSD from war. But for the last two weeks they have been in "emergency mode" and calls are surging.
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Emi Palmor, chair of Natal, the Israeli helpline.
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How a Rookie Hockey Player Prepared for the Big League Oct 22, 2023

Hockey season is underway and NPR followed one hopeful rookie dreaming of taking the ice for the Washington Capitals.
NPR's Scott Detrow spends time at hockey training camp with goalie Mitchell Gibson.
A note for our listeners. We want to hear from you about what you like and how we could improve. Please visit npr.org/fallsurvey to complete a short, anonymous survey.
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With Jim Jordan Out, What Does The Latest Failed Speaker Bid Mean For Republicans? Oct 20, 2023

Ever since Kevin McCarthy was ousted as Speaker of the House by only eight members of Congress, things have been pretty messy in the chamber.
Ohio Republican Jim Jordan tried and failed to rally support for his nomination. After losing three ballots on the House floor and a secret Republican-only vote, he's out.
Not having a speaker has essentially shut down the business of governing, and House Republicans have no consensus on a candidate.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR's Congressional Correspondent Deirdre Walsh and Political Correspondent Susan Davis about the ongoing speaker battle and what comes next.
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Will War Between Israel And Hamas End Hopes For Two-State Solution? Oct 19, 2023

During his visit to Tel Aviv this week, President Biden reiterated a desire for peace between Israelis and Palestinians through the implementation of a two-state solution.
For years, the idea of establishing a state for the Palestinian people and a state for the Israeli people has been a strategy that presidents - on both sides of the political aisle - have evoked as a framework for peace in the Middle East.
With the unprecedented violence playing out between Israel and Hamas for many political analysts, a peaceful, two-state agreement seems impossible.
But a little over two decades ago there was hope that it could be achieved.
NPR's Scott Detrow talks with ambassador Dennis Ross about how 23 years ago Palestinian leaders and Israel's prime minister came close to an agreement.
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Palestinians Appear to Have Been Killed in Reprisal Attacks in the West Bank Oct 18, 2023

More than 60 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in the days after Hamas' attack on southern Israel. Some of those deaths appear to be reprisal killings.
NPR's Leila Fadel visited the village of Qusra in the West Bank where some of these killings have taken place.
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Israelis Working 24/7 to Identify Hundreds Killed in Hamas Attacks Oct 17, 2023

At a military base south of Tel Aviv, Israeli soldiers and medical examiners are working around the clock to identify remains of hundreds of people killed in the Hamas attacks earlier this month.
NPR's Ari Shapirovisited the base and spoke with those conducting the work about the challenges of identifying so many bodies.
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Palestinians In Jordan Fear For Family Members In Gaza Oct 16, 2023

Israel's military has ordered all residents of Gaza City and northern Gaza to evacuate to the southern end of the territory ahead of an expected ground invasion.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians are struggling to evacuate - as closed borders hamper those efforts. Others refuse to leave the areas Israeli military forces say they will target.
For Jordanian Palestinians who have family in the Gaza Strip their loved ones are just 90 miles away. But that distance can feel painfully close AND impossibly far.
NPR's Ari Shapiro traveled to Amman, Jordan. He spoke with two Jordanian Palestinians who have family in the Gaza Strip about their hopes and fears.
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The Emotional Impact of the Israel-Gaza Conflict on Jewish and Palestinian Americans Oct 15, 2023

It's been more than a week of war in Israel and Gaza, following Hamas attacks in southern Israel that left more than 1,300 Israelis dead. In response, Israeli air strikes in Gaza have killed more than 2,500 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The intense violence — and the prospect of more to come — is having a deep emotional impact on people who care about both Israelis and Palestinians.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Aziza Hasan, executive director of NewGround: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change, and Alyson Freedman, a member of Sisterhood Salaam Shalom.
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Israel's Evacuation Order in Gaza Oct 13, 2023

How do you evacuate more than a million people across a cramped, urban bombed out territory and get them to safety — in just one day?
In the lead up to a likely ground war invasion, Israel on Friday gave residents of Gaza an ultimatum: move to the southern end of the territory, or face the full force of the Israeli military as it plans to go after Hamas militants on the ground.
Israel's government is intent on stamping out the Hamas militants who planned and carried out last week's attack that killed 1,300 Israelis. Since then, Israel has launched a wave of airstrikes into Gaza that Palestinian health officials say have killed at least 1,500 civilians.
NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Mark Regev, Senior Advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ari Shapiro speaks to Dr. Mustafa Barghouti a member of the Palestinian National Initiative in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
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What Happened the Last Time Israel Invaded Gaza and What to Expect Now Oct 12, 2023

Following the surprise attack launched by Hamas militants, hundreds of thousands of Israeli forces are gathering along the border of Gaza.
All signs suggest an Israeli ground invasion of the Palestinian territory is imminent. The last time this happened was in 2014.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with reporter Gregg Carlstrom, who covered that conflict, to hear what we might expect if Israel invades Gaza again in the coming days.
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Here's Why it's Hard to Make Money as an Amazon Seller Oct 11, 2023

Amazon is by far the U.S.'s largest online marketplace. But sellers say they're being squeezed out by higher fees and cheaper merchandise sold direct from Amazon itself.
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How We Reached This Point in the Israel-Gaza Conflict Oct 10, 2023

Conflicts have broken out between Israel and Gaza several times over the years. But this past weekend saw Hamas launch a surprise attack unlike any other before.
Hamas killed over a thousand people, took others hostage, and even assumed control of several Israeli communities. Israel's military was caught completely unaware.
Now the Israeli military has laid siege to Gaza. Retaliatory Israeli air strikes have killed at least 800 Palestinians and displaced around 200 thousand people. They've cut off fuel, electricity and food supplies into the area.
How did we get to this point?
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Tal Schneider, political and diplomatic correspondent for the Times of Israel, and Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat professor of peace and development at the University of Maryland.
Additional reporting in this episode by Daniel Estrin and Aya Batrawy.
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Using AI to Combat Homelessness Oct 09, 2023

One of the main challenges to countering homelessness is to figure out who's most at-risk of losing their homes and getting them the resources they need. Now, in a first-of-its-kind experiment, Los Angeles is using artificial intelligence to help make those predictions and keep people in their homes.
NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports on the program and meets people who are benefitting from this new use of AI technology.
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What Comes Next, After Surprise Hamas Attacks on Israel? Oct 08, 2023

The death toll rose in both Israel and Gaza as the Israeli military and Hamas militants battled for a second day on Sunday. The surprise multi-pronged attacks by Hamas against Israel have killed at least 700 people, according to Israeli media reports.
Israel's response has included air strikes gainst targets in Gaza. At least 400 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials. Thousands are injured in both Gaza and Israel.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR correspondent Aya Batrawy in Tel Aviv for the latest developments on the ground, and we also hear from NPR's Michele Kelemen about diplomatic efforts to try and contain the violence in Israel and Gaza.
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To Be Greener, Get Rid Of Your Grass Oct 06, 2023

Who doesn't love a lush, perfectly manicured grass lawn? It turns out, a lot of people are actively trying to get rid of their lawns, ripping out grass in favor of native plants, vegetables, and flowers to attract pollinators.
As the realities of climate change become starker, more and more people are looking for ways to create environmentally friendly spaces.
NPR's Scott Detrow talks with research ecologist Susannah Lerman with the United States Forest Service about the impact of grass lawns on the environment and sustainable alternatives.
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The Challenge of Filling the Army's Ranks Oct 05, 2023

In the 1980s the U.S. Army launched a recruiting drive around the slogan, "Be all you can be." They've relaunched the slogan now as the push is on to make up for a drop off in recruitment.
The Army is having a hard time convincing potential recruits that the military is the best place to reach their full potential. Last year, the Army was 15,000 soldiers short of its recruiting goal.
Army surveys have found that many potential recruits don't want to join because they fear getting wounded or killed, even though the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are over. And the tight labor market means recruits have lots of other job opportunities.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth about the struggle to staff up the largest branch of the U.S. military. NPR's Pentagon Correspondent Tom Bowman provides additional reporting for this episode.
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With McCarthy Out What's Next for Republicans in the House? Oct 05, 2023

It took just eight Republicans, voting with Democrats, to oust Kevin McCarthy from the House speakership. His removal may have been unprecedented, but for several years now the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives has been marked by chaos and unruliness. The job to lead them seems increasingly impossible.
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Rep. Matt Rosendale, of Montana, who was one of the eight Republicans to vote for McCarthy's removal. Co-host Juana Summers speaks with NPR Congressional Correspondent Deirdre Walsh about the challenge Republicans face to replace McCarthy.
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The CFPB On Trial Oct 03, 2023

The Supreme Court heard a case Tuesday that threatened the existence of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on the legal arguments in a case brought by payday lenders against the watchdog agency.
And NPR's Scott Horsley walks through the track record of the CFPB since its founding in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
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The Chair Of the Joint Chiefs Is Retiring. What's His Legacy? Oct 02, 2023

Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had a tenure marked by a relentless series of challenges. He served through the U.S. withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions with China.
He also served under an American president with little regard for the norms that have historically separated politics from the U.S. military: Donald Trump.
In an interview shortly before his retirement last weekend, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asked Milley about the relationship between the military and the executive branch — and how it was tested under Trump.
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Does Sam Bankman-Fried's Fraud Trial Spell the End of Crypto? Oct 01, 2023

Not too long ago, crypto was being trumpeted as the next big thing. Celebrities were getting in on it, including Kim Kardashian, Matt Damon and Tom Brady.
Now the former face of crypto, Sam Bankman-Fried, who ran the FTX exchange, is going on trial. He's accused of orchestrating one of the largest frauds in history.
As his case gets underway it's as if the whole crypto industry is on trial.
NPR's David Gura speaks with Bloomberg reporter Zeke Faux who wrote the book "Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall," and Sheelah Kolhatkar, a staff writer for The New Yorker who has a new article out on Bankman-Fried and his parents.
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How Mortal Kombat Konquered Gaming Sep 29, 2023

When the video game Mortal Kombatreleased in 1992, it took arcades — and later the American home — by storm. Thirty years on, the franchise is still going strong.
NPR's Scott Detrow faces off against co-host Juana Summers in the latest version of the game, Mortal Kombat 1, and speaks with co-creator Ed Boon.
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Here's How a Government Shutdown Could Impact Millions of Americans Sep 28, 2023

The federal government will shut down on October 1st if Congress doesn't pass funding legislation for the next fiscal year before then.
That looks increasingly likely as House Republicans continue to hold out for deep spending cuts before agreeing to any deal to keep the government running.
A shutdown could potentially affect millions of Americans, among them some of the country's most vulnerable people.
Host Ari Shapiro speaks with a trio of NPR correspondents about the potential impact of a government shutdown.
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Could The Big Antitrust Lawsuit End Amazon As We Know It? Sep 27, 2023

The U.S. government and 17 states sued Amazon on Tuesday in a landmark case that could take down the tech giant.
The Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general say that Amazon is a monopolist that chokes competitors and raises costs for both sellers and shoppers.
Lina Khan, the head of the Federal Trade Commission, has spent years arguing that a few big companies have too much control over corporate America. The new lawsuit against Amazon is the biggest test of these arguments yet.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to FTC Chair Lina Khan, the driving force behind the case.
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Biden On The Picket Line Sep 26, 2023

President Biden made history on Tuesday when he joined members of the United Auto Workers union on a picket line outside Detroit as they strike for better pay and benefits from the Big Three automakers.
Biden is walking a political tightrope. He wants a better contract for workers–and to win union members' votes in battleground states. He also wants to support carmakers as they transition to a future of electric vehicles.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Micheline Maynard, the author of The End of Detroit: How the Big Three Lost Their Grip on the American Car Market, to understand how profitable the big carmakers are right now. And NPR's Michel Martin speaks with historian Jefferson Cowie about the unprecedented nature of Biden walking the picket lines.
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WGA Reached A Tentative Deal With Studios. But The Strike Isn't Over Yet Sep 25, 2023

146 days.
That's how long it took for the WGA to reach a tentative agreement with major Hollywood studios.
WGA leadership is scheduled to vote Tuesday on accepting the new three-year deal. They'll pass it on to the guild's entire membership for ratification. It will take longer for the WGA membership to learn the details and vote.
While this is happening, actors are still on the picket line. SAG-AFTRA hasn't reached an agreement yet.
Until then, writers say they will stand in solidarity with actors, which means many TV shows and movies won't be resuming production right away.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks withKim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter's editor, about the WGA's new deal and what it means for the industry at large as actors continue to strike.
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How Important Are Biden And Trump's Ages? We Asked Older Voters. Sep 24, 2023

As president Joe Biden's campaign for a second term gets underway, a slew of recent polls show that voters have concerns about his age. At the end of a second term, he would be 86 years old. The Republican frontrunner, former president Donald Trump, is just a few years younger.
We wanted to check in with some voters who have first-hand experience with aging: seniors. So we headed to Pittsburgh and the surrounding suburbs, a pivotal region in a pivotal state in the 2024 race, and spoke with older voters how they're thinking about age in this election.
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Why Are So Many Inmates at This Federal Prison Dying? Sep 22, 2023

Close to five thousand people have died in federal prison since 2009.
There are 100 federal prisons across the U.S. An NPR investigation found that a quarter of those deaths happened at one federal prison.
Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina.
Inmates have a constitutional right to health care. Being denied care is considered cruel and unusual punishment.
But many of the sick inmates who wind up at Butner don't get the healthcare they are entitled to – and some end up dying.
NPR's Meg Anderson tried to find out why.
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How New York City Became the Center Of a Debate Over Immigration Sep 21, 2023

New York City has become an unlikely battleground for migrant rights.
The city, like others, has struggled to deal with the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants - bussed in from Republican-led states like Texas and Florida.
Amid rising pressure to do something to alleviate this problem, the Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it was granting Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to nearly a half million Venezuelans - thousands of whom are in New York City. TPS protects them from deportation and allows them to apply for work permits.
Host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Jasmine Garsd about how New York has landed at the center of America's immigration debate and what the Biden administration's policy announcement means for migrants.
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What the US-Iran Prisoner Swap Means For the Family of a Man Freed After 8 Years Sep 20, 2023

On Tuesday, five Americans detained for years in Iran stepped off a plane back onto US soil.
They were released in the US-Iran prisoner swap that also saw five Iranians freed and the US agreeing to 6 billion dollars of Iranian oil money being unfrozen. Per the deal, Iran is supposed to spend the money only on humanitarian goods like food and medicine.
Among the five freed Americans: Siamak Namazi. The longest-held US citizen in Iran, detained since 2015.
When he stepped off that plane yesterday, his brother Babak was there to greet him.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Babak Namazi on what the prisoner swap means for his family.
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California's Big Oil Lawsuit Strategy Mirrors Fight Against Big Tobacco Sep 19, 2023

The state of California has filed a massive lawsuit against oil companies.
The charge is that oil companies knewthey were causing climate change, and lied to cover it up. And now, California is suing for damages.
The state is suing to force fossil fuel companies to help fund recovery efforts related to California's extreme weather related events — floods, fire, dangerous heat --which have been made more common and intense by climate change.
Back in the 1990s, states across the country sued tobacco companies - demanding that they be compensated for healthcare costs associated with treating people for smoking-related illnesses.
It was a long and complicated process, but states won more than $360 billion. The victory brought a big change to the tobacco industry, forcing companies to accurately label cigarettes as potentially lethal, and limiting where and how cigarettes could be marketed.
Host Ailsa Chang speaks with Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity on the ramifications of the climate lawsuit.
A previous version of this episode did not include a statement from the American Petroleum Institute responding to Richard Wiles' comments.
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U.S.-Iran Exchange Prisoners – A Year Since the Death of Masha Amini Sparked Protests Sep 18, 2023

On Monday, five Americans who were imprisoned in Iran, stepped off a plane in Doha, Qatar. They were freed as part of a prisoner exchange deal between the U.S. and Iran.
Despite the happy news, the Biden administration is facing a lot of criticism for this deal, which also gave Iran access to about $6 billion of its oil revenue - money that had been frozen under sanctions targeting the government in Tehran.
The deal also comes just a little over a year after the death of a young Kurdish-Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini. Her death sparked the biggest anti-regime protests that Iran had seen in years.
NPR's Arezou Rezvani tells us about the legacy of those protests a year later. We also hear reporting from NPR's Michele Kelemen about the U.S.-Iran prisoner swap.
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Speaker McCarthy and the Impeachment Inquiry Sep 17, 2023

Since becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy has faced the constant threat that members of the right wing of his own Republican Party could move to oust him from power.
And now, many view his launch of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden as a political move to protect his flank.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich about McCarthy's political dilemma and with NPR's Congressional Correspondent Deirdre Walsh.
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Rotten Tomatoes Changed The Role Of Film Critics. But Is That A Good Thing? Sep 15, 2023

If you're over a certain age and you love movies, when you think "movie critic", you probably picture Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert and their popular TV shows. Their iconic "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" move made it clear what each of them thought about a film.
In some ways, the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes is the opposite of Siskel and Ebert. Their viewers depended on the insights of two individuals that they trusted, and felt they knew.
Rotten Tomatoes aggregates and averages reviews from lots of critics to assign a movie a number ranking, and declare it "fresh" or "rotten".
Since its launch 25 years ago, it's become the the go to site for lots of potential movie goers, offering everything they need to decide whether or not a movie is worth seeing.
But for a while now, there have been complaints about the way the site ranks films. And concerns that those rankings unfairly influence whether a movie succeeds or bombs.
Host Scott Detrow talks to Lane Brown, who took the site to task in a recent article on Vulture, and film critic Jamie Broadnax, editor-in-chief of the culture site, Black Girl Nerds.
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Without Expanded Child Tax Credit, Families Are Sliding Back Into Poverty Sep 14, 2023

It can be hard to see how big government policies have a direct effect on an individual's experience. But it was easy to measure the difference made by the expanded child tax credit.
Giving more money to low-income families with children had a big impact. After the expanded child tax credit took effect, child poverty hit a record low of 5.2% a year ago.
But less than a year later, Congress let it expire. New census data shows that child poverty has more than doubled.
Host Ari Shapiro speaks with pediatrician and researcher Megan Sandel, who has seen the health consequences for kids play out in real time.
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How Concerns Over EVs are Driving the UAW Towards a Strike Sep 13, 2023

The president of the United Auto Workers says the union is planning to carry out sudden, strategic and partial strikes at plants should contract talks with Detroit's Big Three automakers fail ahead of a contract deadline on Thursday night.
UAW President Shawn Fain also held out the possibility of an all-out strike in the future of the nearly 150,000 union members.
In addition to concerns over pay, workers are worried about what electric vehicles mean for their future.
NPR's Camila Domonoske reports on how the transition to electric vehicles has many autoworkers concerned about their job security.
And Senior White House Correspondent Tamara Keith reports on why the UAW hasn't endorsed President Biden for re-election in 2024.
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New Shots and a New Era for COVID Sep 12, 2023

Right now it seems like people all around us are testing positive for COVID. But for the most part, they are not getting seriously ill.
The Food and Drug Administration just approved a new booster.
And on Tuesday advisers to the CDC recommended it for everyone six months and older.
With a new variant and a new booster, how should we think about the pandemic in this moment?
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What Putin And Kim Jong Un Stand To Gain By Meeting Sep 11, 2023

When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2019, both countries were in a different position. Russia had yet to invade Ukraine.
Four years later, Russia is trying to secure weapons from North Korea. The two leaders are expected to meet this month to discuss a deal.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Jean Lee, the former Pyongyang bureau chief for the Associated Press, and Georgetown University's Angela Stent, about the upcoming meeting between Kim Jong Un and Putin — and what North Korea might get out of it.
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Sports Betting And The NFL Are Profitable Partners, But Controversies Continue Sep 10, 2023

The National Football League's regular season is finally underway. And for loyal fans who have been devouring all the news of their favorite teams, it couldn't have come soon enough.
But even if you're just a casual viewer of football, or really any network television program, you've probably seen the star-studded ads for a related business: sports betting.
The league's partnership with major sports betting sites continues to draw criticism. Ten NFL players have been suspended for gambling violations since April, leaving critics and fans wondering if the relationship between football and gambling will harm the integrity of the game.
Host Nathan Rott speaks with David Purdum who covers the gambling industry for ESPN.
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Climate Change is Making It Difficult to Protect Endangered Species Sep 08, 2023

The Endangered Species Act turns 50 this year.
The landmark law has been successful for decades at stopping extinctions of several plants and animals.
Recovering endangered or threatened species to the point where they no longer need federal protection has been more difficult because of climate change.
NPR's Nathan Rott speaks with Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the agency's plans to mitigate threats of extinction caused by climate change.
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Fran Drescher on How the Hollywood Strikes Can End Sep 07, 2023

The writers and actors strikes have been grinding on for months with no end in sight. Many on the picket lines are struggling to pay for basics.
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to Fran Drescher about what it's going to take to end the strikes. Drescher's the president of SAG-AFTRA, which represents the actors on strike.
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When Big Oil Gets In The Carbon Removal Game, Who Wins? Sep 06, 2023

Giant machines sucking carbon dioxide out of the air to fight climate change sounds like science fiction, but it's close to becoming a reality, with billions of dollars of support from the U.S. government.
And a key player in this growing industry is a U.S. oil company, Occidental Petroleum.
With a major petroleum company deploying this technology, it begs the question, is it meant to save the planet or the oil industry?
NPR's Camila Domonoske reports.
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Google Turns 25 Sep 05, 2023

Google was founded 25 years ago by two Stanford PhD students, Larry Page and Sergei Brin.
The company went on to shape the internet and now, after a quarter century, finds itself at a turning point. With the rise of AI and social media platforms like TikTok, its continued dominance is not assured.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge, about Google's legacy and what the future holds for the company.
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What Is The Future Of Remote Work? Sep 04, 2023

It's been over three years since the pandemic started and changed the way millions of Americans work.
The possibilities of remote work gave a new kind of freedom to many workers. But as more and more companies demand employees return to the office, is the work from home era coming to an end?
Host Scott Detrow speaks with Anne Helen Petersen, culture writer and the author of Out of Office, about the future of remote work.
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Student Loan Payments Are Back. Now What? Sep 03, 2023

After three and a half years, the pause on federal student loan payments is coming to an end. Getting more than 40 million borrowers back into repayment will be an enormous challenge, especially because many students who graduated when the pause was already in place have never made a payment.
We put borrowers' questions to two experts: NPR Education correspondent Cory Turner, and Carolina Rodriguez, director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program, a non-profit funded by New York State to help residents navigate repayment of their student loans.
Read Cory's list of 12 things every student loan borrower should know.
And if you're having an issue with your student loan servicer, Cory wants to know. Email him at dcturner@npr.org.
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Do Youth Curfews Help Curb Crime? Sep 01, 2023

Hundreds of towns, cities and counties across the country impose curfews on young people.
On September 1st a curfew went into effect in seven neighborhoods across the District of Columbia that will affect those aged 17 and under.
Like many other cities, the nation's capital has seen an increase in violent crime. And some of the most shocking crimes have been committed by young people.
Teens as young as thirteen as well as pre-teens have been suspected of, or charged with carjacking. In the past couple of months a 14 year-old and a 16 year-old have been charged with murder. And young people are also the victims of violent.
Keeping kids inside at night may seem like a good strategy for cities facing a surge in youth violence. But experts say that research doesn't back up the effectiveness of curfews.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with Kristin Henning, director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic at Georgetown University about what does and doesn't work.
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What Do Mitch McConnell's Silent Episodes Tell Us? Aug 31, 2023

For the second time this summer the top Republican in the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, abruptly went silent at a news conference.
He was about to answer a question from a reporter when he suddenly froze up. He seemed unable to speak. An aide then stepped in, trying to keep things moving along.
The senator's silences have raised concerns about his mental fitness – and larger questions about an aging Congress.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Dr. Ann Murray, the Movement Disorders division chief at the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute at West Virginia University.
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Here's What Goes Into a Hurricane Evacuation Order Aug 30, 2023

When people find themselves in the path of a hurricane they are faced with the question: should they evacuate or not? Who makes that call and how?
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate about the decision-making process behind evacuation orders and why people should heed them ahead of hurricanes making landfall.
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Biden's Push to Make Some of the Most Expensive Prescription Drugs Cheaper Aug 29, 2023

On Tuesday, the Biden administration released a list of 10 medications that it's planning to negotiate prices for Medicare in an effort to bring down the costs of some of the most expensive drugs. It's part of a reform included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Many on the list are life-saving drugs that treat diabetes, cancer and other major health problems.|
The new prices that the federal government will eventually negotiate for these prescription drugs won't actually go into effect until 2026, and that's only if it doesn't get tied up in court with drugmakers. Six pharmaceutical companies who have filed lawsuits against the administration are calling these provisions unconstitutional.
Juana Summers speaks with NPR's pharmaceuticals correspondent Sydney Lupkin and Deepa Shivaram at the White House about the battle lines being drawn between the Biden Administration and pharmaceutical companies.
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The Latest Mass Shooting in Florida Was Racist. What Role Do State Politics Play? Aug 28, 2023

The latest mass shooting in Jacksonville, Florida left three people dead.
All of the victims were Black and the white gunman left behind racist, hate-filled letters.
The Justice Department is now investigating this shooting as a hate crime.
A big part of the conversation now is what role state politics play in crimes like this.
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has loosened gun laws in recent years and put restrictions on how race is taught in public schools.
NPR's Juana Summers talks with Mutaqee Akbar, president of the Tallahassee branch of the NAACP, about how much responsibility lies with politicians.
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Biden's Climate Moves Aug 27, 2023

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry is preparing for the next major climate summit, in Dubai. He's calling for an end to permitting new, unabated coal-fired power anywhere in the world. We ask him about whether the U.S. has lived up to its climate commitments.
We also talk to Vox climate reporter Rebecca Leber about Biden's signature climate legislation, which was passed a year ago this month.
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The New Space Race Is On - And Everyone Is Headed To The Moon Aug 25, 2023

The South Pole of the Moon is the coolest place to be.
And nearly every country with a space program is vying for a spot there - for a chance to explore the shadowy, polar craters in hopes of finding usable quantities of water ice.
On Wednesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation successfully landed its Chandrayaan-3 probe near the moon's south pole. It was the first time India had landed a spacecraft on the moon, and the first time any country had successfully landed at the coveted moon's south pole.
Many have tried including, Japan, Israel, and most recently Russia, whose Luna-25 spacecraft crashed onto the surface just days before India's successful landing.
NASA is preparing its ARTEMIS mission to return to the moon. Luxembourg and Saudi Arabia have also set their sites on moon missions.
A new space race is underway. But why exactly are we racing to the moon again?
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks to space lawyer Michelle Hanlon to find out.
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The Dangers of Grass Fires Aug 24, 2023

With the wildfires in Maui contained, the recovery process has begun.
The focus has also turned to how the island can prepare for similar disasters in the future
Officials and experts hope to address Hawaii's emergency alert system, as well as the construction of more fire-resistant homes.
But what of the fires themselves? We often hear about forest fires, but the deadliest fire in the US in more than a century was a grass fire. Co-host Ailsa Chang talks to Jeva Lange, who wrote a story called "Most Wildfires Aren't Forest Fires," about how wildfires largely occur in grasslands.
Also Rebecca Thiele with Indiana Public Broadcasting reports on how certain native plants can help combat the deadly effects of climate change.
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The End for Russian Mercenary Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin? Aug 23, 2023

Russia's state news agency Tass reported that the country's most famous mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was on the passenger list for a flight that crashed on its way from Moscow to St. Petersburg on Wednesday, killing all ten people on board. Despite being on the passenger list, it's not clear Prigozhin was on the flight.
As head of the Wagner Group, Prigozhin led an unsuccessful mutiny against the Russian military in June. He quickly stood down and struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin that would see him exiled to neighboring Belarus. That exile never came and questions swirled about what punishment, if any, Prigozhin would face for crossing Putin.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Nina Khrushcheva. She is a professor of international affairs at The New School in New York City, and she's also the great-granddaughter of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
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A Trumpless Debate Aug 22, 2023

Former president Donald Trump is the frontrunner in the Republican presidential primary. And with a healthy lead in the polls, he's skipping the first Republican presidential debate on Wednesday.
So how do you prep for a big, televised debate when your biggest opponent decides not to show up?
That's been the question facing the eight Republicans who will be on stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday night.
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In Puerto Rico, Natural Disasters Take A Mental And Academic Toll On Children Aug 21, 2023

Puerto Rico has seen a string of natural disasters in the past few years – hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and landslides. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, things got even worse.
These disasters have taken a heavy toll on student mental health. They've disrupted everyday life - including school. That disruption has seriously impacted educational outcomes for kids and teens on the island.
The Nation's Report Card shows that more than one-third of fourth graders overall in the U.S are considered proficient or better in math.
In Puerto Rico, that number rounds out to zero. Children on the island have worse outcomes when it comes to graduation rates, and reading scores continue to decline.
Reporter Kavitha Cardoza traveled to Puerto Rico to learn how students and teachers cope.
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Cities Voted For Progressive Prosecutors. Republican State Leaders Are Pushing Back. Aug 20, 2023

The last few elections have brought a wave of self-styled progressive prosecutors into office. They've won elections by campaigning on issues like bail reform and alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders. Now, Republican-controlled state legislatures and governors are taking steps to curtail their power, or strip them of it altogether.
We talk to Monique Worrell, who was elected state attorney for Florida's ninth judicial circuit, which includes the city of Orlando, in 2020. This month, Republican Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis suspended her and installed a replacement. He said her office had refused "to faithfully enforce the laws of Florida," in its charging decisions. Worrell called her suspension an attack on democracy.
And we talk to Carissa Byrne Hessick, director of the Prosecutors and Politics Project at the University of North Carolina, explains how these sorts of battles are playing out across the country.
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Fighting Noise Pollution Aug 18, 2023

A growing body of research makes it clear that noise pollution can have severely harmful impacts on our health. It has been tied to heart disease and thousands of premature deaths around the world.
Still, our communities seem to get louder and louder. Some people are fighting back - pushing for more regulation and quieter cities.
NPR's Pien Huang takes a sonic tour of Providence, Rhode Island with researcher Erica Walker and talks about noise pollution solutions with Jamie Banks the founder and president of Quiet Communities, and New York City Council member Gale Brewer.
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NPR Investigation Reveals 'Barbaric' Conditions in ICE Detention Facilities Aug 17, 2023

The Biden administration is under intense political pressure from Republicans over immigration, who accuse the president of being too lenient toward migrants.
Now, the administration is locking up more unauthorized immigrants and asylum-seekers in detention facilities, and NPR has exclusively obtained more than 1,600 pages of confidential inspection reports examining conditions inside those facilities.
They describe barbaric practices, negligent medical care, racist abuse and filthy conditions.
NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports on the abysmal conditions detainees are forced to endure.
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COVID Nearly Sunk the Cruise Industry. Now it's Trying to Make a Comeback. Aug 16, 2023

The CDC says that a new omicron variant called EG.5 is causing a summer wave of COVID cases.
Yet, COVID is nowhere near the threat that it was more than three years ago at the beginning of the pandemic.
And that might be one of the reasons that people are cruising again on big ships following a COVID-19 decline.
WLRN reporter Tom Hudson tells us how one of the hardest hit industries during the peak of the pandemic is trying to make a comeback.
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The Georgia Indictment May Be Trump's Most Difficult Legal Challenge Aug 15, 2023

A grand jury in Georgia has indicted Donald Trump for his role in failed efforts to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election results, implicating the former president as the head of a sweeping conspiracy to subvert his defeat.
The indictment also includes charges against former Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman and Jenna Ellis, and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, along with a number of so-called fake electors.
In charging former President Donald Trump and his allies, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is relying on Georgia's broad set of RICO anti-racketeering laws
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100,000 Afghans Were Airlifted Out Of Kabul. What Happened To Those Who Weren't? Aug 14, 2023

It's been two years since the Taliban entered Kabul, throwing the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan into chaos. Crowds of people desperate to leave the country surrounded the airport.
Tens of thousands of Afghans were airlifted out before American troops pulled out. Many more are still trying to reach the U.S. Some are risking their lives to cross the border from Mexico.
NPR's Tom Bowman has the story of one family who traveled from Afghanistan to Virginia, by way of Pakistan and Mexico, to get medical care for their young daughter.
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The Challenges for a Saudi-Israeli Peace Deal Aug 13, 2023

For the past few months, President Biden's top foreign policy advisors have been working as intermediaries between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Eventually they want to get the two countries to agree on a deal to finally establish formal diplomatic relations.
It would be a breakthrough for Israel to get that recognition, after decades of Arab hostility stemming from the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Saudi Arabia is home to two of Islam's holiest sites, and it's an oil giant in the region.
But it seems like an almost impossible three-way agreement. So, what's standing in the way?
NPR's Daniel Estrin, who covers Israel, speaks with Felicia Schwartz from the Financial Times, Bader Al Saif, an assistant professor of history at the University of Kuwait, and fellow NPR correspondent Aya Batrawy, who covers Saudi Arabia, to understand what challenges remain for the two countries to normalize relations.
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The Battle Over Book Bans Takes a Toll on Librarians and Comes at a Financial cost Aug 11, 2023

As the battle over book bans in schools and libraries continues to play out in various states across the U.S., the toll it's taking on librarians is coming at a great cost — personally and financially.
Many librarians are speaking up about fearing for their jobs and safety.
Yet some conservative activists see the current fight playing out as necessary to protect children.
NPR's Tovia Smith traveled to Louisiana where tensions have been flaring up — pitting librarians against book ban advocates in the local community.
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Maui's Devastating Wildfires Aug 10, 2023

Hawaii may be a tourist attraction to many Americans, but for over a million people, it's their home. And like any state in the US, it is not immune to the effects of climate change.
This week brought a devastating reminder, as wildfires stoked by Hurricane Dora spread across the island of Maui. Dozens have been killed in the fires and thousands have been evacuated. Much of the historical town of Lahaina lies in ruins.
Hawaii, like many other places on the planet, has experienced less rainfall in recent years, making it more prone to devastating wildfires that seemed unimaginable a generation ago.
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The People Smuggling Fentanyl Across The Border From Mexico May Not Be Who You Think Aug 09, 2023

The number of overdoses from fentanyl continues to soar, as do concerns from those in Washington. Immigration authorities say illicit fentanyl is flowing into the U.S. from Mexico through official ports of entry.
Not everyone believes that's the full story.
NPR's Joel Rose traveled to the border to find out what's really happening.
Fentanyl is largely smuggled by U.S. citizens and other authorized border crossers. We hear the story of one of the smugglers.
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From Selfies To Satellites, The War In Ukraine Is History's Most Documented Aug 08, 2023

In past wars, updates have trickled out slowly — often tightly controlled by the militaries involved. In the war in Ukraine, every day is a firehose of nearly real-time information, in the form of cell phone footage captured by civilians, updates from satellite intelligence companies and embedded military bloggers.
NPR national security correspondent Greg Myre explains how that's shaping perceptions of the war in Russia, in Ukraine and around the world.
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Military Families Urge An End To Senator's Hold On Pentagon Appointments Aug 07, 2023

One Republican senator from Alabama is single-handedly holding up over 300 senior-level military promotions and appointments.
Senator Tommy Tuberville says he's doing it to take a stand against a Defense Department policy that reimburses travel expenses for military personnel who have to leave their states to get an abortion or other reproductive care.
Tonya Murphy is a military spouse who went to Capitol Hill to hand deliver a petition signed by hundreds calling on lawmakers to stop the impasse. She explains how this political standoff is impacting military families.
And NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman gives us the big picture overview of how all of this is affecting the Pentagon and, potentially, national security.
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Three Stories From A Very Hot July Aug 06, 2023

July was almost certainly the hottest month, globally, on record. It was also a month in which many lives were upended by weather related-disasters — the sort of disasters that are increasingly likely as climate change continues.
So what do the people who lived through those disasters make of all this?
We asked Dr. Frank LoVecchio, an emergency room doctor at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., about trying to keep people alive who spent too much time out in the deadly heat.
And Michelle Eddleman McCormick, general manager at the Marshfield Village Store in Vermont, about living through extreme flooding.
And Will Nicholls, of the Cree Nation of Mistissini, editor-in-chief of The Nation magazine, about how historic wildfires in northern Quebec have affected his community.
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Former Baptist Leader Sees A Crisis Of Faith In America — But Also A Way Forward Aug 04, 2023

For years, Russell Moore was one of the top officials in the Southern Baptist Convention. But after he criticized Donald Trump, Moore found himself ostracized from many other Evangelical leaders who embraced Trump and Trumpism.
Moore eventually resigned from his post, and found himself on the outside of a denomination that had, up until that point, defined his life.
Today, Moore argues that Christianity is in crisis in America, and he explores a way forward for the faith he loves in his book, "Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call For Evangelical America."
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Would A Free Speech Defense Work For Donald Trump In Court? Aug 03, 2023

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to criminal charges related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. And a member of his legal team told NPR that Trump plans to invoke the right to freedom of speech as part of his defense.
To learn how a free speech defense would work for the former president in court, we hear from Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a professor at Stetson University's College of Law in Florida.
And former acting solicitor general of the United States, Neal Katyal, tells us about Tanya Chutkan, the U.S. district judge assigned to Trump's case.
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Hollywood And The Threat From Artificial Intelligence — Real Or Imagined Aug 02, 2023

The unions representing actors and writers in Hollywood have some differences in what they want from the big film studios. But one thing they agree on is the threat posed by artificial intelligence to their members' livelihoods.
The threat of AI is something Hollywood was imagining long before it was real. NPR arts critic Bob Mondello tells the story of how AI became a movie villain.
The threat of AI is something Hollywood was imagining long before it was real. NPR arts critic Bob Mondello tells the story of how AI became a movie villain.
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Latest Trump Indictment Is 'Most Important' One Yet Aug 02, 2023

Former President Donald Trump was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on four counts related to the efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to court documents.
Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, witness tampering, conspiracy against the rights of citizens and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding.
Special counsel Jack Smith has been leading the investigation into Trump's conduct after the 2020 election and his role in the insurrection that played out at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
We hear from presidential historian Tim Naftali about the significance of the new charges against the former president.
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Leaders of the Niger Coup Face a Deadline to Avoid Military Intervention Jul 31, 2023

Two years ago, Mohamed Bazoum was elected as president in Niger's first peaceful democratic transfer of power. He enjoyed the backing of Western governments, including the United States. Then, last week, members of his own presidential guard detained him and seized power.
The coup in Niger is part of a wave of attempted, and successful, power grabs in West and Central Africa, a region gripped by political instability. Now, a group of West African nations imposed sanctions on Niger, and threatened military action if the coup leaders don't reinstate the president within the week.
NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu reports from neighboring country Nigeria, and he brings us the latest developments. We discuss what this means for the Sahel, and for democracies around the world.
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America's Farms Are Facing A Serious Labor Shortage Jul 30, 2023

There's a labor shortage on farms in the U.S., and that has implications for all of us who enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables.
For farmers across America, finding enough labor has become a top concern. Decades ago, whole families of migrant farmworkers, the majority of them from Mexico, would travel around the U.S. in search of seasonal work. But over time, farmworkers began to settle. Now, many of them are aging out. And their children and grandchildren are finding opportunities in other sectors.
Who will replace them? And what is Congress doing to solve this issue? This summer, two NPR reporters visited some farms to see how this is playing out: NPR's Ximena Bustillo who reports on food and farm policy, and NPR's Andrea Hsu who covers labor.
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NPR Investigation Reveals Flaws In U.S. Claims About Baghdadi Raid Casualties Jul 28, 2023

Editor's note: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence.
The U.S. military has consistently maintained that its troops didn't harm civilians during the 2019 raid on the Syrian hideout of ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, which lead to Baghdadi blowing himself up.
It stuck to that version of events even after NPR reported on claims from Syrians that civilians were killed and maimed by U.S. helicopter fire during the raid. The Pentagon claimed the men were enemy combatants.
NPR sued the Pentagon under the Freedom of Information Act to release documentation of the airstrikes, and obtained a redacted copy of the Defense Department's confidential 2020 report on the incident.
NPR's Daniel Estrin digs into the document, and finds that it reveals flaws in the Pentagon's conclusion.
His investigation, in English and Arabic, includes declassified Pentagon documents, photos, maps and videos.
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Affirmative Action — For The Rich Jul 27, 2023

The Supreme Court may have ended race-conscious admissions in higher education. But the end of affirmative action seems to have added fuel to another contentious debate around college admissions policies.
For decades, many elite, private institutions have given prospective college students preference if a relative attended the school or, in some cases, when a major donor was involved.
While the practice of affirmative action is dead, legacy admissions continue. But more and more critics of the practice are calling on schools to do away with them, including President Biden.
Host Juana Summers speaks with economist John Friedman, a professor and chair of economics at Brown University. He co-authored a study that quantifies the lasting socio-economic disparities between legacy students and their less affluent peers.
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A Patchwork of Transgender Healthcare Laws Push Families Across State Lines Jul 26, 2023

When Utah passed a ban on gender-affirming care for people younger than 18, Kat and their family had to make a tough choice. Should they uproot their lives and leave the state?
Kat is 14 and transgender. The Utah law banned the medical care that Kat was considering.
Around 20 states have passed similar laws — meaning many families could face the same tough decision: whether to leave their homes and where to go. Often it's to a state like Minnesota, where elected officials have protected trans health care for patients and providers.
We speak with reporters Saige Miller from KUER in Salt Lake City and Dana Ferguson, a political reporter with Minnesota Public Radio to hear how this patchwork of laws in both states affects trans patients and their doctors.
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After East Palestine Derailment, Are Railroads Any Safer? Jul 25, 2023

When a fiery, toxic train wreck forced residents of East Palestine, Ohio to evacuate last February, the crash and its aftermath became a national flashpoint and a hot button issue on both sides of the political aisle.
Alan Shaw, the CEO of Norfolk Southern - the freight railroad responsible - found himself in front of Congress, grilled by bipartisan lawmakers.
Shaw insists the company is continuing its commitment to help East Palestine recover, and that they are at the forefront of improving safety in the rail industry.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with Shaw about how the company hopes to become "the gold standard" in rail safety.
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The Judicial Overhaul That Has Torn Israeli Society Apart Jul 24, 2023

On Monday, Israel's parliament voted into law a key measure to overhaul the country's judiciary. The measure prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are "unreasonable."
The law strips Israel's Supreme Court of a key check on the power of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This marks the first big move in a broader effort to weaken court oversight of senior officials. It comes after six months of protests from Israelis concerned that their government will have unchecked power. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is defending it, saying this law is the essence of democracy and will allow the elected government – his government – to carry out its agenda.
We hear from concerned protestors outside Israeli parliament — many citizens are afraid that their way of life is in danger.
Dahlia Scheindlin is a political analyst from Tel Aviv, she explains what this new Israeli law says about the state of democracy there.
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Messi Mania: Will Bringing Soccer's 'G.O.A.T.' Change Major League Soccer's Rep? Jul 23, 2023

The United States' preeminent professional soccer league, Major League Soccer, has long lagged behind top European leagues.
However, international soccer superstar Lionel Messi joining the Inter Miami might be the boost the league needs.
NPR's Scott Detrow reports on the impact of Messi coming to the MLS and what the league's future could be.
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Remembering Tony Bennett Jul 21, 2023

Tony Bennett, the crooner whose success spanned generations, died Friday. He was 96 years old.
His voice was synonymous with the Great American Songbook, which he continued to bring to new audiences even as the country's musical tastes changed.
NPR's Walter Ray Watson traces the arc of Bennett's life, from his days as a singing waiter in Astoria, New York, to his Billboard-charting hits as a nonagenarian.
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How To Protect Ourselves From Extreme Heat — And Our Planet From Climate Change Jul 20, 2023

We know that climate change is making all sorts of extreme weather events more likely all around the globe. So what can we do about that?
In this episode, NPR's Allison Aubrey gives us tips on how to avoid heat-related illnesses when temperatures soar to dangerous levels.
And we hear from a climate researcher about what steps we would need to take on a global scale to try and bring temperatures down.
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January 6, Election Interference Could Be Focus of New Trump Indictments Jul 19, 2023

It's easy to lose track of the seriousness of the legal cases involving Donald Trump, in part because there are just so many.
This week the former president and current presidential candidate said he received a letter informing him he is a target in Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Such a letter often precedes an indictment.
And a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, may soon consider an election interference case there that could lead to yet another indictment of Trump.
We hear about both cases in this episode.
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New Research Could Change the Landscape of Human Reproduction Jul 18, 2023

One of the most cutting-edge and controversial fields of biomedical research right now is the quest to create eggs and sperm in the lab for anyone with their own DNA. And now, private companies have jumped into the race to revolutionize the way humans reproduce.
In vitro gametogenesis, or IVG, would enable infertile women and men to have children with their own DNA instead of genes from the sperm and eggs of donors. It would also provide queer couples the opportunity to have children biologically related to both partners.
NPR health correspondent Rob Stein reports on the excitement and concerns this new technology has fueled.
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The Spanish Tennis Pipeline That Led Carlos Alcaraz To A Wimbledon Trophy Jul 17, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz's victory over Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final was the latest coronation of a tennis great from Spain.
NPR's Rob Schmitz looks into how the country became such fertile ground for outstanding players.
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Ahead of the 2024 Election, Young Rural Voters Want To Be Heard Jul 16, 2023

Since the 2024 Presidential election may ultimately be decided by a handful of votes in a handful of states, courting young voters will be key. Gen Z has been turning out in record numbers in recent midterms.
Often much of the political conversation focuses on young voters in and around big cities. But since young voters are so key for Democrats' success, and rural voters are an essential bloc for Republicans, what young, rural voters think really matters.
Host Scott Detrow spoke with NPR's Elena Moore and Xinema Bustillo, who talked to Gen Z voters in rural North Carolina.
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Alabama's Last Two Executions Failed. They're Trying Again Next Week Jul 14, 2023

James Barber is scheduled to be executed on Thursday in Alabama, for the murder of Dorothy Epps in 2001. It's the first execution since Governor Kay Ivey paused capital punishment in the state and ordered a "top-to-bottom" review of death penalty protocols after the state failed to execute two inmates last year.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with The Atlantic's Elizabeth Bruenig. She reported extensively on Alabama's troubles with lethal injection last year. She says the state's process is very opaque, and almost nothing of the review was made public.
Deborah Denno, a death penalty expert at Fordham Law School, says lethal injection problems are an issue all around the country.
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One Couple's Fight to Cure ALS Jul 13, 2023

Six years ago when former Obama staffer Brian Wallach was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - ALS - a rare neurological disease that kills most people who contract it within a few years, he and his wife Sandra Abrevaya quickly got to work. They launched a non-profit advocacy group I am ALS and a battle to try and fight for increased funding and research that they hoped would lead to a cure for the disease.
Since then Wallach and Abrevaya have changed the face of medical advocacy in the country, helping secure legislation that President Biden signed in 2021 that funds $100 million worth of ALS initiatives each year.
NPR's Juana Summers spent time with Wallach and Abrevaya to hear about their fight for a cure for ALS.
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The Anthropocene Jul 12, 2023

As we confront the realities of a changing climate, a group of scientists says we're living in a world of our very own making - a world altered by the burning of fossil fuels, the explosion of nuclear weapons, plastic pollution and environmental degradation. The scientists call it the Anthropocene. And they have identified a geological site in Canada they say best reflects this new epoch in Earth's history.
We hear from NASA's Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor Kate Calvin. Also, NPR's Adrian Florido speaks with Francine McCarthy, a professor of Earth Sciences, who led a working group of scientists who identified Canada's Crawford Lake as the best example of a place that demonstrates humanity's impact on the planet.
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Trying to Reverse the Decline of Black Players in Major League Baseball Jul 11, 2023

Baseball was once known for breaking racial barriers in the U.S. But now, Black representation in the major leagues is at its lowest level in decades.
This year, MLB did something to try and change that, by staging the first annual HBCU Swingman Classic. It's an opportunity for players from historically Black colleges and universities to play in front of scouts and executives on a national stage.
NPR's Juana Summers reports from Seattle on MLB's efforts to reverse the decline and recruit Black American players.
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The Impact of Cluster Bombs Jul 10, 2023

Since the war began, military aid from the US to Ukraine has largely received bipartisan report. But a new planned 800 million dollar package has split Democrats and also riled up Human Rights Groups because of one weapon included in the package — cluster bombs.
More than a hundred countries, including allies of the US, have banned use of the weapon, which releases a large number of bomblets over a wide area. Unexploded bomblets pose a danger to civilians. The Biden administration is defending the decision, citing Ukraine's desperate need for ammunition.
To get a sense of the human cost of cluster bomb use during wartime, we take a look at Laos. Between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. dropped more than 270 million cluster bombs on Laos during the Vietnam War. Host Mary Louise Kelly discusses this with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Lewis Simons, who reported from Asia and the Middle East for decades.
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The Black Maternal Mortality Crisis and Why It Remains an Issue Jul 09, 2023

The U.S. has the worst maternal mortality rate of high-income countries globally, and the numbers have only grown.
According to a new study published in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association – maternal death rates remain the highest among Black women, and those high rates have more than doubled over the last twenty years.
When compared to white women, Black women are more than twice as likely to experience severe pregnancy-related complications, and nearly three times as likely to die. And that increased rate of death has remained about the same since the U.S. began tracking maternal mortality rates nationally — in the 1930s.
We trace the roots of these health disparities back to the 18th century to examine how racism influenced science and medicine - and contributed to medical stereotypes about Black people that still exist today.
And NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, a nurse midwife and professor of nursing at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, about how to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.
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Are We Witnessing The Death Of Movie Stars? Jul 07, 2023

Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Bettie Davis, Clark Gable. During Hollywood's Golden Age, which existed roughly from the 1910s and 20's into the early 1960s, these actors weren't just stars...
They were in the words of NPR's movie critic Bob Mondello "American royalty".
But in an age of Disney and Marvel, the movie star appears to have been eclipsed by the franchises in which they appear.
NPR critics Mondello and Aisha Harris breakdown the decline and seemingly disappearance of the classic movie star and what that means for Hollywood.
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Confronting Police Violence and Racism in France Jul 06, 2023

The police killing in France of a 17-year old of North African descent sparked protests and violence across the country as well as a national conversation about racism and police brutality.
Rebecca Rosman reports from the Paris suburb of Nanterre where the police killing took place. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports from Marseille, the scene of some of the worst violence. And Ari Shapiro interviews Sebastian Roche, a sociologist who studies policing and race in France.
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Palestinians Deal with Loss and Destruction Following Israeli Attack on Jenin Jul 05, 2023

On Wednesday Israel said it concluded a two-day military operation in the Jenin refugee camp meant to root out armed militants. The raid on the camp in the occupied West Bank - complete with airstrikes – was the most intense military operation Israel has carried out in more than 15 years. At least 12 Palestinians were killed and scores wounded. One Israeli soldier was killed.
Israel claimed the attack was one that targeted militants and minimized harm to non-combatants. NPR's Daniel Estrin visited Jenin as the operation was winding down and said Palestinians had a different story to tell.
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LGBTQ Vets Still Suffering The Consequences of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Jul 04, 2023

It's been more than a decade since 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was repealed. Introduced in 1993, the law remained in effect until 2011. During that time an estimated 114,000 troops were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation.
Veterans who received an "other than honorable" discharge from the military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" were ineligible for veterans' benefits. That meant missing out on benefits like free VA healthcare, VA-backed home loans or funds for college tuition.
While the Pentagon says that 90% of applications to change discharge status have been granted, advocates say that as of March 2023, only 1,375 vets have had benefits reinstated – a tiny fraction of the number of affected vets believed to be out there.
NPR's Quil Lawrence follows the story of two gay veterans, both affected by "Don't Ask Don't Tell", but in very different ways.
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Hot Dog Eating Contests: A Distinctly American Tradition Jul 03, 2023

There's nothing obviously patriotic about scarfing down as many hot dogs as you can in ten minutes. So how did competitive eating become so synonymous with the holiday celebrating the Fourth of July?
To find out, host Scott Detrow visits a hot dog eating contest in Washington, D.C.
And producer Matt Ozug unpacks the evolution of eating as a sport, from a 17th century farmer to today's televised competitions.
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Supreme Court Term Ends With Decisions That Will Impact Millions Jul 02, 2023

The Supreme Court ended its term this week with three rulings that will have far reaching consequences in the lives of millions of Americans.
The court struck down President Biden's student debt relief program. It also sided with a Colorado website designer who wants to refuse business to a same-sex couple, and it effectively killed affirmative action in college admissions.
All three rulings were a 6-3 split. All of the court's Republican-nominated justices voting against the three justices who were put forward by Democratic presidents.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with two legal experts, journalist Dahlia Lithwick and law professor Leah Litman from the University of Michigan, about what this term tells us about the current Supreme Court.
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Putin's Hold on Power Jun 30, 2023

A week on from an aborted uprising, Vladimir Putin is still standing. But for how long? The brief rebellion, launched by the leader of the mercenary Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin, marked the greatest challenge to Putin's rule since he came to power, 23 years ago.
The mercenary leader is now in exile in Belarus and no charges are being filed against him or his followers. So where does that leave Putin, who has a reputation for being ruthless with his enemies?
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The Death of Affirmative Action Jun 29, 2023

The Supreme Court effectively killed race-conscious admissions in higher education on Thursday.
In two cases, the court decided that the admissions policies of Harvard and the University of North Carolina - both of which consider race - are unconstitutional, ruling the policies violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
The decisions reversed decades of precedent upheld over the years by narrow court majorities that included Republican-appointed justices. The rulings could end the ability of colleges and universities, public and private, to do what most say they still need to do: consider race as one of many factors in deciding which of the qualified applicants is to be admitted.
NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg reports on the ruling and what it means for college admissions. NPR's Adrian Florido looks at how colleges and universities in California adjusted their admissions policies when the state banned affirmative action 25 years ago.
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What — And Who — Is To Blame For Extreme Heat? Jun 28, 2023

A punishing heat wave has left more than a dozen people dead across Texas. In recent days temperatures have climbed above 100 degrees in many parts of the state. Now the extreme heat is heading east, putting people's health at risk across the Mississippi Valley and the Central Gulf Coast.
NPR's Lauren Sommer reports on how climate change and the El Niño climate pattern are increasing the intensity and frequency of heat waves. And Monica Samayoa from Oregon Public Broadcasting reports on how one county is suing oil and gas companies for damages caused by a heat wave.
This episode also features reporting from KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo in Dallas.
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Florida In The Political Spotlight Jun 27, 2023

When it comes to American politics, Florida regularly finds its way to the center of the conversation. Often important, if not pivotal in presidential elections, Florida is home to former President Trump and his strongest opponent in the Republican presidential primary for 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis. As he campaigns for the nomination Gov. DeSantis has taken center stage in some of the most contentious battles of the culture war, those around trans rights, book censorship and immigration.
But just how did the Sunshine State end up the center of the political universe? NPR's Political Correspondent Kelsey Snell and National Correspondent Greg Allen explain.
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Putin Survived An Uprising. What's Next? Jun 26, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin faced a direct challenge to his authority over the weekend. Mercenary fighters with the Wagner group took over a military headquarters and launched a march toward Moscow.
The group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, eventually called off the uprising. He's apparently accepted a deal to live in exile, and claims the weekend's events were a protest, not an attempt to overthrow the government.
NPR's Charles Maynes in Moscow, and Greg Myre in Kyiv, explain what the turmoil could mean for the future of Putin's rule and the course of the war in Ukraine.
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Mitch Landrieu, the man Biden hopes can rebuild America, bring broadband to millions Jun 25, 2023

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act is a $1.2 trillion law meant to spur a massive infrastructure renewal and rebuilding program complete with new bridges, railroads and highways.
It also allocates $65 million to expand internet access to all.
Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans, is the man Biden tapped to make sure the massive job gets done.
We speak with Landrieu about the Affordable Connectivity Program – which provides monthly $30 subsidies for lower-income individuals to buy Internet access.
Then we speak with Kathryn de Wit, project director for the Pew Charitable Trust's Broadband Access Initiative, about why accessing the internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
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A Year After Dobbs Ruling, Seeking Reproductive Health Care Can Mean Few Good Options Jun 23, 2023

Last June, when the Supreme Court reversed the Roe v. Wade decision, which had stood for nearly 50 years, the constitutional right to abortion ceased to exist.
While reproductive health providers had been fearing, and preparing for the possible reversal for years, it still left millions of people seeking reproductive health care in flux.
A year on, state controlled access to abortion continues to shift in many locations across the country.
We hear from people who have been forced to make decisions that they never imagined. And, we learn how lawmakers plan to defend reproductive rights.
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A New Report Warns China And The U.S. Are 'Drifting Toward A War' Over Taiwan Jun 22, 2023

There has been no shortage of confrontations between the U.S. and China this year. This week, shortly after a trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing, intended to thaw relations with China, President Biden likened Chinese President Xi Jinping to a "dictator" in off the cuff remarks. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called that "an open political provocation." Before that there were dust ups over TikTok and a Chinese spy balloon.
But one of the most intractable and volatile issues continues to be the fate of Taiwan. And a new report sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations says that the U.S. and China are 'drifting toward a war' over the island.
Two of the report's authors, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon and Admiral Mike Mullen, formerly the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, argue the U.S. should take action now to prevent that outcome.
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Insurers Flee California As Catastrophic Wildfires Become The Norm Jun 21, 2023

As climate change gets worse, California is seeing larger and more dangerous wildfires. And in response some insurers are leaving the state behind, finding the growing risk too high to pay.
Host Ailsa Chang talks with Michael Wara, who directs a climate and energy policy program at Stanford, about the financial calculus insurers are making as the threat of climate-fueled disasters grows.
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What It's Like Inside The Submersible That's Lost In The Atlantic Jun 20, 2023

Time is running out to locate the submersible vessel that went missing Sunday, on a voyage to visit the wreckage of the Titanic. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates the five people aboard the vessel, known as the Titan, could run out of air by Thursday morning.
CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue was aboard the same vessel to take the same voyage last year. He says its interior is the size of a minivan, it's built with a combination of off-the-rack and highly technical components and it has a hatch that's bolted shut from the outside.
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Remembering The Children's Crusade On Juneteenth Jun 19, 2023

While Black people in this country have been celebrating Juneteenth for decades, what is sometimes referred to as Emancipation Day or America's "second Independence Day" is only being celebrated as a national holiday this year for the third time.
June 19th marks the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the U.S. learned they were free. on that day, Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army delivered the news to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas.
But for African Americans, the fight for freedom began long before the Civil War. And it didn't end with the Emancipation Proclamation. So to mark the day we're looking at a turning point in the fight for civil rights — The Children's Crusade.
NPR's Debbie Elliot traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, which is marking the 60th anniversary of the movement, when leaders like Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. looked to children to join the struggle for equal rights. The vicious response from white segregationists shocked the world and galvanized support for the Civil Rights Act.
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Made in America: It's trickier than it sounds Jun 18, 2023

Made in America. It may be a catchy political slogan, but it's a lot more complicated than it sounds. So many things we use everyday come from China. In 2018 - former President Donald Trump launched a trade war with the country, eventually slapping tariffs on more than 300 billion dollars worth of Chinese imports. Two and half years into the Biden presidency – those taxes are still here.
To understand why, NPR's White House correspondent Asma Khalid spoke with policy makers, economists and even went out to a factory floor in Minnesota.
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Celebrating Fathers From All Walks Of Life Jun 16, 2023

It depends on when, and where you grew up, but you can probably name a few of your favorite sit-com dads - from Mike Brady and his "bunch", to Homer Simpson, to Andre Johnson from Blackish.
There is no single, universal way to be a father. There are as many ways to be a dad as there are dads.
This year, for Father's Day, we asked a variety of different dads to tell us their stories about what fatherhood means to them.
And we have a story that puts a new twist on the old saying "like father, like son".
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The drug fueling another wave of overdose deaths Jun 15, 2023

A deadly and addictive chemical normally used as a horse tranquilizer is being mixed into illegal drugs.Xylazine has been around for a while, but over the last year authorities have been seeing it turn up in higher quantities all over the country. In recent weeks, U.S. Drug Czar Rahul Gupta has been sounding the alarm, even acknowledging public health experts and police are mostly in the dark about how Xylazine took hold so quickly.NPR's Juana Summers speaks with addiction correspondent Brian Mann, who has been reporting on the mysterious and deadly emergence of the drug. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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A North Korean Defector SharesThoughts On Diplomacy With U.S. Jun 14, 2023

When Kim Hyun-woo stepped into the NPR studios in Washington, he was doing something that in his past life would have gotten him killed - speaking frankly with an American journalist.
That's because Mr. Kim spent 17 years working for North Korean intelligence at the Ministry of State Security.
He defected in 2014 and lives today in South Korea.
In a rare glimpse behind the curtain of one of the most isolated countries in the world, he shared his thoughts on pathways to diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang, possible successors to Kim Jong Un and his fears for loved ones who remain in North Korea.
Kim Hyun-woo spoke with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly in an exclusive interview.
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Trump in Court...Again Jun 13, 2023

On Tuesday, former president Donald Trump appeared in a federal courthouse in Miami where he pleaded not guilty to 37 criminal charges, including obstruction and unlawful retention of classified documents at his Florida home and private resort Mar-a-Lago.
He is the first former U.S. president to face federal criminal charges. Trump and many of his supporters have called the indictment politically motivated.
NPR's White House correspondent Franco Ordonez has been following Trump's case and he spoke to Ailsa Chang about how Trump, as well as his opponents in the Republican primary are reacting to the indictment on the campaign trail.
Ailsa Chang spoke with NPR's Andrea Bernstein about why Trump sees so many lawyers come and go.
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Making It Easier For Kids To Get Help For Addiction, And Prevent Overdoses Jun 12, 2023

The U.S. is in the midst of a drug crisis, with opioid overdose deaths climbing to epidemic proportions.
And overdose deaths among young people, between the ages of 10 and 19, have been on the rise with sharp increases in recent years.
Across the country, cities and states are looking for strategies to help kids survive the opioid crisis.
At a school in Virginia, students are learning how to obtain and use the lifesaving overdose reversal nasal spray Narcan that was recently made available for sale over the counter.
And in California, where fentanyl is the cause of 1 in 5 deaths among youths, a pending bill could allow younger teens to seek drug treatment without parental consent.
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The PGA LIV Golf Deal Is All About The Green Jun 11, 2023

For more than a year the PGA, the world's leading pro golf league, has basically been at war with the upstart Saudi-funded LIV Golf league. Lawsuits and countersuits were filed as the the leagues competed for marquee golfers and control of the narrative around the game. Some PGA players resisted big paydays to join LIV because they were critical of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the source of the league's seemingly endless supply of money. But last week, the two leagues announced a plan to join forces.
Though the deal has yet to be finalized, it's already faced backlash from players who remain loyal to the tour, and from human rights activists who see this as an attempt by the Saudi government to use sports to draw attention away from their record of human rights abuses.
NPR's Susan Davis speaks with Sally Jenkins, a sports columnist for the Washington Post, who wrote a column critical of the merger, and Terry Strada, who chairs the group 9/11 Families United, which represents thousands of surviving family members of those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Strada has been one of the most vocal critics of the plan.
We also hear from Doug Greenberg, a writer for the sports news site Front Office Sports, who says the Saudi-backed league has actually been good for golf.
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An American Indian Boarding School That Was Once Feared Is Now Celebrated Jun 09, 2023

Federal Indian boarding schools left a decades long legacy of abuse, neglect and forced assimilation of Indigenous children.
Last year, when the federal government finally acknowledged its role — that painful history drew attention to a few schools that remain open.
NPR's Sequoia Carrillo and KOSU's Allison Herrera visited Riverside Indian School in southwest Oklahoma to find out how a school that once stripped children of their Native identity now helps strengthen it.
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Missing White Woman Syndrome: Media Bias And Missing People of Color Jun 08, 2023

Every year about 600,000 thousand people are reported missing in the United States per the National Missing and Unidentified Persons database.
In 2022, about 34,000 people reported as actively missing were people of color. But people of color who disappear seldom get the same amount of media attention devoted to white people who go missing - especially white women and children.
The late journalist Gwen Ifill coined the phrase "Missing White Woman Syndrome" to describe the media's fascination with, and detailed coverage of, the cases of missing or endangered white women - compared to the seeming disinterest in covering the disappearances of people of color.
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with David Robinson II. His son, Daniel Robinson, has been missing for nearly two years. And Natalie Wilson, co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation, who has been helping him find answers.
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Black Immigrants in the South Jun 07, 2023

Being Black and an immigrant is an increasingly common phenomenon in the South, where 1 in 10 Black people are immigrants.
Still, despite growing numbers of Black immigrants in the region, their experience is fraught with worries over discrimination and assimilation.
NPR's Leah Donnella reports on hurdles Black immigrants face in order to drive in Tennessee, a state with one of the fastest growing populations of Black immigrants in the South, and with few options for transportation.
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If Allah Has No Gender, Why Not Refer To God As 'She?' Jun 06, 2023

When people speak about God in various religions, the deity is typically referred to using the masculine pronoun "He."
In Islam, Allah is not depicted as male or female — Allah has no gender. Yet Allah has traditionally been referred to, and imagined by many, as a man.
Some Muslim women have begun to refer to Allah with feminine or gender neutral pronouns.
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Hafsa Lodi, who wrote about this movement in the religion magazine The Revealer, about what's driving this.
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For Russia and Ukraine, The Battlefield Includes The Economy Jun 05, 2023

Wars are expensive. And Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had an impact on the economies of both countries.
NPR's Julian Hayda, in Kyiv, reports that international assistance is allowing Ukraine to stabilize its economy and avoid collapse.
The Russian economy seems to have remained resilient in the face of sanctions and other trade and financial restrictions. But NPR's Stacey Vanek Smith reports on how that could be changing.
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The Future Of Black Owned Media Jun 04, 2023

While it may seem like Black-focused media is at a high these days, the reality is only 4% of all media in the U.S. is Black-owned.
Moreover, experts say that biased practices from advertisers make it harder for Black-owned media companies to be profitable.
NPR's Eric Deggans talks to Byron Allen, about his ambitions to grow his media empire, hold advertisers to account, and control the narrative of how Black people are represented in media.
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The Power Of Lullabies Jun 02, 2023

Lullabies. We all know one. Whether we were sung one as a baby or now sing one to our own children. Often, they're used to help babies gently fall asleep. But lullabies can be more than that. They can be used to soothe, to comfort, and to make children feels closer to their parents and vice versa.
We hear from Tiffany Ortiz, director of early-childhood programs at Carnegie Hall, about their Lullaby Project, which pairs parents with professional musicians to write personal lullabies for their babies. Also NPR's Elissa Nadworny takes a look at a program inside a South Carolina prison that helps incarcerated mothers write lullabies for their kids. And NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin examines the science behind a good lullaby.
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This Is What Democracy Looks Like? How Erdogan Won Again In Turkey Jun 01, 2023

In the months ahead of the election, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faced criticism for his government's response to devastating earthquakes and for crushing inflation.
Yet, he still managed to come out ahead in this week's runoff election, extending his two-decade tenure leading Turkey by another five years.
His victory was a case study in how to use populism, intimidation and division to harness a democracy and stay in power.
NPR's Fatma Tanis breaks down his victory and what it means for democracy in Turkey and more broadly.
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A right to repair in Minnesota and beyond May 31, 2023

The right to repair movement scored a big victory last week in Minnesota, where it got legislation signed into law that requires manufacturers to let independent shops and consumers buy the parts and tools necessary to repair their own equipment. The new law could make fixing your own devices, gadgets and appliances a lot easier in states across the country.
NPR's Eric Deggans speaks with Gay Gordon-Byrne the executive director of the Repair Association, about the importance of the new law. And Minnesota State Rep. Peter Fischer talks about how he got involved in the movement and the obstacles he and others faced on the path to getting this law passed.
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Iran's Nuclear Program Marches Forward, 5 Years After The U.S. Abandoned The Deal May 30, 2023

It's been five years since the U.S. pulled out of the nuclear deal. What followed: the U-S re-imposed crushing sanctions, over time, Iran stopped adhering to the limits the deal had set and day-by-day its nuclear program crept forward.
So how close is Iran to a bomb? What can the U.S. do to stop Iran, if it chooses to pursue one? And how are regional and global shifts changing the equation?
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly puts these questions to the U.S. special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, and to Vali Nasr with the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
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Unraveling The Evolution of Hong Kong's Civic Life May 29, 2023

Back in March, roughly 80 people in Hong Kong marched in opposition to a land reclamation project that protesters say would increase pollution. Police were watching closely. Demonstrators had to wear numbered badges around their necks as they walked in the rain.
It was a different image from the hundreds who protested in 2019. Back then, the people of Hong Kong showed up in unprecedented numbers. They were opposing what they saw as mainland China's latest efforts to impose authoritarian restrictions to chip away at Hong Kong autonomy.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Louisa Lim, author of Indelible City: Dispossession And Defiance In Hong Kong. They discuss the long history of friction between Hong Kong and China, and the state of freedom of expression in Hong Kong today.
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What's Up With Twitter? May 28, 2023

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign announcement on Twitter did not go as planned. A series of awkward technical glitches delayed the event for about 20 minutes.
Nevertheless, it was still a big moment, not just for DeSantis, but for Twitter, too.
In fact, Desantis' announcement is just one example of how the social media platform has changed since Elon Musk took over the company.
NPR's Eric Deggans talks with writer Charlie Warzel, who has covered the platform for 15 years, about his latest piece in The Atlantic, "Twitter is a Far Right Social Network."
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Remembering Rock and Roll Icon Tina Turner May 26, 2023

Tina Turner, one of Rock and Roll's greatest stars, died this week in her home in Switzerland at the age of 83, after a long period of illness.
In a career that spanned six decades, Turner left behind an indelible legacy in music, on the stage and on screen. Host Eric Deggans looks back on her tumultuous, and triumphant, life. Also we answer whether the "Queen of Rock and Roll" was somehow still underappreciated.
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How A Jeopardy! Champ's Disappearance From The Show Left Fans Mystified For Decades May 25, 2023

Since its relaunch in the 1980s, Jeopardy! has had thousands of contestants. For some of the its most memorable champions, the gameshow has been a launchpad for wider success.
However, the disappearance of one of the earliest champions from the show left fans mystified for decades.
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer talks with Claire McNear, a staff writer with The Ringer, about the 40-year-long mystery behind one of Jeopardy's most enigmatic champions.
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Uvalde One Year Later May 24, 2023

It's been one year since an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 students and 2 teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. The tragedy reignited debates around gun safety in America and has haunted a community still seeking to fully understand how law enforcement was so slow to take down the shooter.
About a month after the shooting, Congress passed the most significant gun legislation since the Federal Assault Weapons ban of 1994, but many Republican led-states, including Texas, have resisted gun safety legislation, even loosening gun restrictions.
Uvalde, too, is divided — between those who want stricter gun laws and those who oppose them, between those who want to mark a year since the massacre, and those who want to move on. And for the families who lost loved ones, they're still searching for justice, accountability, and healing. NPR's Adrian Florido reports from Uvalde. And we hear from Texas Tribune reporter Zach Despart about the police response to the shooting.
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With The Expansion of Carbon Capture Pipelines Come Safety Fears May 23, 2023

The United States has 27 years to reach its net-zero emissions goal. And among other initiatives to move towards that goal, the Biden administration is offering incentives for carbon capture and storage.
Carbon capture is a way to suck up carbon dioxide pollution from ethanol plants, power plants and steel factories, and store it deep underground.
While the companies that build the pipelines say the technology will help the U.S. meet its greenhouse gas emissions goals, they have also run into problems.
In Iowa, farmers are pushing back against the pipelines crossing their land. And for a town in Mississippi, a CO2 pipeline endangered lives.
NPR's Julia Simon reports from Satartia, Mississippi on the aftermath of a pipeline rupture. The Climate Investigations Center obtained recordings of the 911 calls from Satartia and shared them with NPR.
Harvest Public Media's Katie Peikes also provided reporting in this episode.
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David Simon, Creator Of The Wire, On AI, Television and the WGA Strike May 22, 2023

The Hollywood writers' strike has meant three weeks of late-night comedy and soap opera reruns for television fans. And for some fans, it might feel familiar. 15 years ago a Writers Guild strike lasted 100 days. And the effect of that strike was felt on shows from Saturday Night Live to Friday Night Lights.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with veteran TV writer David Simon about the strike and the changing business practices in the entertainment industry.
And writer and cultural critic Emily St. James explains how the 2007 WGA strike may have saved the life of an iconic character in Breaking Bad.
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Post Roe V. Wade, A Senator Wants to Make Birth Control Access Easier — and Affordable May 21, 2023

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recently recommended allowing birth control pills to be sold without a prescription.
While more than 100 countries currently allow access to birth control pills over the counter, the U.S. is not one of them.
Washington Senator Patty Murray says it's important that the pill is easily available - but also affordable.
When - and if - that day comes and the pill is available over the counter, Murray wants to require insurance companies to cover the cost, free of charge.
NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks with Senator Murray on the proposed legislation.
And we hear the latest on the legal challenge to the abortion medication mifepristone, as attorneys gather in New Orleans at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to argue whether it should be removed from the market.
NPR's Becky Sullivan and Selena Simmons-Duffin contributed reporting on the real-life experiences of individuals taking mifepristone.
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How The Class Of 2023 Survived High School In A Pandemic May 19, 2023

Across the country, members of the class of COVID are graduating: students who started high school before the pandemic, then spent the end of their freshman year and subsequent years navigating a new reality.
And it was a very difficult path.
According to many studies there has been considerable learning loss for K-12 students throughout the pandemic. And a recent study from researchers at Harvard and Stanford shows that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities.
NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with three graduating high school seniors about how they made it through remote learning and coped with social isolation, and what they learned about themselves.
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Parkinson's Threatened To Tear Michael J. Fox Down, But He Keeps On Getting Up May 18, 2023

Few stars shined brighter in the 80's than Michael J Fox, and when the '90s rolled around, he was still one of the top names in show biz.
But in 1991, after a night of heavy drinking, Fox noticed a tremor developing in his right pinky, an early symptom symptom of Parkinson's Disease, a diagnosis that would change the course of his life.
Fox speaks to NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer, about his new documentary "Still", and how he found meaning in sharing his disease with the world.
A note for our listeners, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is a supporter of NPR.
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Florida Guts Trans Rights May 17, 2023

At least fourteen states in the US have passed laws or policies that limit or restrict gender-affirming care for young people. Republican lawmakers claim the bills are meant to protect kids, but most medical groups say the treatment is safe, effective and potentially live-saving.
Even so, Republican leaders like Texas governor Greg Abbot compare gender-affirming care to child abuse. Meanwhile trans people, parents, and their supporters have protested outside of Republican controlled statehouses across the country.
Florida has targeted gender-affirming care more than most other states. And on Wednesday, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed the latest such bill into law. It's gotten to the point where some trans youth are leaving the state, rather than living under the ban.
With reporting from WUFS's Stephanie Columbini and WFSU's Regan McCarthy.
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Palestinian Family Stays Connected To Their Home Village, Long After Its Destruction May 16, 2023

The state of Israel turned 75 this week. For many Israeli Jews, it's a moment of celebration - the nation was established as a homeland and refuge from the persecution they have faced throughout history.
But in the war surrounding Israel's founding, the majority of Palestinian Arabs were permanently displaced from their homeland.
Palestinians call the anniversary of Israel's founding "The Nakba", an Arabic word that translates to "the catastrophe." And many say the catastrophe is not history, it is ever present with the Israeli military occupation.
NPR's Daniel Estrin tells the story of how one Palestinian family stays connected to their home village, decades after it was destroyed.
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COVID Public Health Emergency Ends, But For ERs, There's Still No "New Normal" May 15, 2023

Hospital emergency rooms saw some of the most painful scenes of the pandemic: beds filled to capacity, nurses and doctors risking sickness themselves, and patients dying without their loved ones.
Today, ERs are still living with the consequences of the pandemic. They face staffing challenges, patients who delayed care and arrive sicker, and the lingering emotional strain.
We visit an emergency room at a hospital outside Baltimore to hear how this moment looks to the doctors and nurses who work there.
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Biden Administration Ends Title 42. What Now? May 14, 2023

On Thursday, the Biden administration lifted title 42, a pandemic-era policy that shut down virtually all avenues for migrants to seek asylum in the US. In March of 2020 then president Trump invoked the rule as a public health emergency measure, allowing for the quick expulsion of migrants at the border.
Now that Title 42 has been lifted, tens of thousands of migrants fleeing poverty, violence and political instability will be subjected to decades-old immigration laws that will allow them to stay in the country while their cases make their way through immigration court. But the process could cause a bottleneck at the border and strain federal, state and local government resources.
How will the Biden administration respect asylum law and get control of the border, all while running a re-election campaign?
Host Asma Khalid talks to White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. Also NPR's Joel Rose provide a view from the southern border.
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Breaking Down The Conflict in Sudan May 12, 2023

Sudan's month-long conflict has been a story of broken ceasefires, constant clashes, mass displacement and an exodus of refugees.
Now, a conflict that started in the capital has spread across the country. At the center of this conflict is a bitter rivalry between two generals. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the country's military, and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan is Africa's third largest country, it shares a border with seven other countries in an already volatile region. The longer the conflict drags on, the greater the risk that it could erupt into a civil war - and the greater the danger that the conflict could spill over into surrounding countries.
NPR's Asma Khalid speaks with Africa correspondent Emanuel Akinwotu, Middle East correspondent Aya Batrawy, and Michele Kelemen who covers the U.S. State Department.
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Jordan Neely's Killing Turns Spotlight On New York's Crisis Of Homelessness May 11, 2023

On Wednesday, after a week of demonstrations, New York City mayor Eric Adams made some of his most forceful comments about the death of Jordan Neely – a homeless Black man who died on a subway train last week when another passenger - Daniel Penny, who's white - held him in a chokehold.
While Mayor Adams said that Neely should not have died, he did not call for Penny to be arrested and charged with Neely's death. On Friday, Daniel Penny was arraigned and criminally charged in a Manhattan courtroom.
Jordan Neely's death raises difficult questions – about race, class, justice, and society's responsibility to care for those in need.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Milton Perez, head of the Homelessness Union of VOCAL-New York, on how New York is succeeding and failing at providing services for people who are living on the streets.
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Dolly Parton's New Kid's Book Is A Story Of Perseverance and Standing Up To Bullies May 10, 2023

In addition to being one of country music's biggest icons, Dolly Parton is also a prolific philanthropist.
One of the most important causes she's dedicated herself to is child literacy, which she does through both the work of her non-profit organization the Imagination Library, as well as by being a writer of children's books.
Parton newest book Billy the Kid Makes It Big! and she spoke with NPR's Melissa Block about writing for children, standing up to bullies, and why her program to deliver books to children meant so much to her dad.
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How Parking Explains Everything May 09, 2023

No matter how you measure it, there is a lot of parking in the U.S. According to some estimates there are as many as six parking spaces for every car. Put another way, America devotes more square footage to storing cars than housing people.
Henry Grabar walks through how we got here, and what Americans have sacrificed on the altar of parking. From affordable housing to walkable neighborhoods to untold hours spent circling the block, hunting for a free spot.
His new book is Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World.

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Violence In Sudan Forces A Mother To Make Difficult Choice May 08, 2023

Sudan's capital city Khartoum has been embroiled in a vicious urban battle between rival armies for nearly two weeks.
With the country on the brink of collapse, Residents Muhjah Khateeb, and her son have to make the difficult decision to leave their home and everything they have, behind. We hear excerpts from the audio diary that Khateeb recorded as they undertook the harrowing journey.
NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu reported her story.
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The Texas Lawyer Behind The So-Called "Bounty Hunter" Abortion Ban May 07, 2023

Jonathan Mitchell devised the legal strategy behind SB 8, a near-total ban on abortion in Texas. That legislation pioneered the idea of allowing private citizens to file lawsuits against people they suspected of helping provide access to abortion.
Mitchell is also involved in similar efforts by conservative activists in other states. NPR'S Sarah McCammon profiles the Austin, Texas-based attorney.
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The Kids Are Not Alright May 05, 2023

A new advisory out this week from the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has deemed loneliness a public health challenge that needs immediate attention. And some of those most severely affected are young people.
But it's not just loneliness. Across the country, kids are struggling with challenges to their mental health - from social isolation to poor grades at school.
NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks to Lisa Damour, a psychologist, and author of the book "The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents", about what's going on with kids and how they can be helped.
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The Push for the Supreme Court to Adopt an Ethical Code May 04, 2023

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has put the Supreme Court, again, under scrutiny. Reports show that conservative billionaire Harlan Crow paid boarding school tuition for Justice Thomas' grand-nephew.
Revelations about the private dealings of other supreme court justices are shaking the already fragile public confidence in the institution.
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with independent Sen. Angus King of Maine about what needs to be done in order to create a binding code of conduct for the Supreme Court.
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Trouble In Hollywood As Writers Continue To Strike For A Better Contract May 03, 2023

Union writers in Hollywood have put down their pens and reached for picket signs, after the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.
Some television shows and movies with finished scripts can continue filming, but other productions, like late-night talk shows, may soon be in reruns.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with TV writer and WGA captain Jeane Phan Wong about what union members want and what's getting in the way.
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Iconic Bookstore Closes, But The Community It Helped Build Lives On May 02, 2023

Eastwind Books in Berkeley, California, has closed its doors. It was one of the oldest Asian-American bookstores in the country.
For decades, the store functioned as a cultural hub, not only for the Asian-American community, but for a variety of marginalized groups.
NPR's Ailsa Chang spoke with co-owner Harvey Dong about the bookstore's history and legacy.
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College Acceptance: Check. Paying For It: A Big Question Mark. May 01, 2023

Lots of colleges and universities have announced tuition hikes for the upcoming school year, just as inflation is taking a bite out of many families' budgets.
Still, NPR's Elissa Nadworny explains that the real cost of college for most students has actually been falling for the past few years, after decades of growth.
But college is still very expensive, and it can feel out of reach for some students. Two Washington, D.C. high school students explain how they're trying to make the math work.
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An Early Forecast Of Biden and Harris' Reelection Strategy Apr 29, 2023

Earlier this week, nobody was surprised when President Joe Biden officially announced he is running for re-election. Framing it as a battle for the soul of the country, Biden did not mention Republican frontrunner Donald Trump by name but he took aim at "MAGA extremists".
At 80, Biden is already the oldest president in US history, and even among Democrats it's become an issue. And while some hoped a younger candidate might emerge - and maybe that person would be Vice President Kamala Harris, she has faced doubts from within the party as well.
Host Sarah McCammon talks with NPR's White House correspondent Scott Detrow about the potential hurdles facing Biden and Harris on the road to reelection. And Boston Globe columnist Renée Graham weighs in on why some people will criticize Kamala Harris no matter what she does.
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Three Trans Americans Reflect On The Current State Of Trans Rights Apr 28, 2023

Several U.S. states have passed bills restricting or banning gender-affirming care for trans youth, while other states have enacted measures to protect access to that care. What does that say about the future of trans rights in America?
NPR's Melissa Block speaks with three trans Americans about the progress that's been made in regards to trans rights, and how those same rights are currently under attack.
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How Social Media Use Impacts Teen Mental Health Apr 27, 2023

The idea that social media use has helped fuel an increase in anxiety, depression and loneliness among teenagers was once controversial. But a series of studies are helping researchers understand how much of a correlation exists between the two.
NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff tells us about Jean Twenge, a researcher who first raised the alarm in 2017, and about other researchers who have recently released studies on this topic.
And NPR's Allison Aubrey shares some advice from another study looking into ways to minimize social media's impact.
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Tucker Carlson Built An Audience For Conspiracies At Fox. Where Does It Go Now? Apr 26, 2023

Fox's statement announcing the departure of Tucker Carlson, it's most watched primetime host, was a terse four sentences. "FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways," it read.
Carlson's brand of divisive and conspiracy theory-laden rhetoric helped fuel Fox's audience numbers. So what happens now that he is gone? And where will Carlson go?
Mary Louise Kelly discusses all of the above with correspondents Shannon Bond and David Folkenflik, who cover misinformation and media matters for NPR.
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What Lessons Have We Learned From The Covid Pandemic? Apr 25, 2023

President Biden has officially ended the national emergency that was declared during the COVID-19 pandemic. But so far
there's been no official commission to look into how the country could be better prepared for the next pandemic.
Now, the non-partisan Covid Crisis Group has issued a report titled "Lessons from the Covid War." NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with the group's director, Philip Zelikow, about the report's findings.
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Despite Layoffs, There Are Still Lots Of Jobs Out There. So Where Are They? Apr 24, 2023

Even amid mass layoffs in tech and other sectors, the economy is still adding jobs. Even tech jobs.
NPR's Andrea Hsu reports on a program that recruits and trains workers to enter the tech pipeline.
And NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Dana Peterson, chief economist with the Conference Board, about some of the broader trends in the labor market and what they could mean for job seekers.
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Local Newsrooms Are Vanishing - Here's Why You Should Care Apr 22, 2023

Newspapers and intrepid reporters are at the heart of hundreds of movies - think Citizen Kane, All The President's Men -and have always been a big part of American culture.
But in recent decades, the rise of digital news has led to the steady decline of print. And while big papers like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post still distribute print editions – small, local papers have been disappearing at an alarming rate.
Add to that the consolidation of news outlets by big companies like Gannett and Alden Global Capital. Both companies have been buying regional newspapers, only to reduce the reporting staff, or completely dismantle an operation, focusing on turning a profit.
Research has shown that when local newspapers are lost affected communities experience lower voter turnout, decreased civic engagement, and increased polarization.
Host Adrian Florido speaks with Joshua Benton of the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University on the increasing number of news deserts.
And we hear from journalist Ashley White about the difficulties of providing a Louisiana community with news and information at a newspaper undergoing drastic reductions.
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Sen. John Fetterman On His Return To Congress Apr 21, 2023

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is back at work on Capitol Hill after taking leave to seek treatment for clinical depression.
It is rare for a sitting politician to publicly discuss their mental health. But Sen. Fetterman sat down with NPR's Scott Detrow to talk about what the past few months have been like and what comes next.
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Seven Years Of U.K. Drama Apr 20, 2023

The past seven years in the United Kingdom have been intense. The country struggled through Brexit, royal scandals and the pandemic - and then Queen Elizabeth II died.
NPR's global democracy correspondent Frank Langfitt covered the U.K. through all of this and more. As he wraps up his time in London, Frank reflects on all the history and drama he's covered in the last seven years.
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Why Melting Ice In Antarctica Is A Big Problem For Coastal Texas Apr 19, 2023

As Earth's climate warms, more ice is melting near the poles. And that is a huge driver of sea level rise around the globe. But some coastal communities are threatened by this more than others.
Places like the Gulf coast of Texas, for example, are feeling the impact of melting ice in West Antarctica, thousands of miles away.
NPR Climate Correspondent Rebecca Hersher traveled to Galveston, Texas, to see how that ice melt is affecting sea levels there and what experts are doing to prepare.
This reporting is part of NPR's Beyond the Poles: The far-reaching dangers of melting ice series.
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How Sudan's Democratic Dreams Were Dashed Apr 18, 2023

Just a few years before the violence and chaos currently engulfing Sudan, it seemed to be on a tenuous path toward democracy.
NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu explains how two rival generals who had promised to transition the country to civilian rule are instead tearing it apart in a bloody power struggle.
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A Possible Explanation for Long COVID Gains Traction Apr 17, 2023

While the country seemingly moves on from the pandemic, an estimated 15 million U.S. adults are suffering from long COVID. Scientists are trying to understand what causes some people to develop long COVID while others do not.
NPR's Will Stone spoke with researchers and reports on a growing body of evidence that points to one possible explanation: viral reservoirs where the coronavirus can stick around in the body long after a person is initially infected.
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Love, Loss And Resilience - Stories From A Kindergarten Class In Ukraine Apr 15, 2023

Millions of children have left Ukraine since the Russian invasion. They have relocated across the country and the globe. And while these children are survivors, for many the emotional scars are difficult to heal.
A team of NPR journalists spent months following the stories of 27 kindergarten students - 6-year-olds - who were forced to leave their homes and school in the northeast city of Kharkiv in Ukraine when Russian troops invaded.
Two of the children, Aurora and Daniel, were best friends. Always together in class - inseparable – until they were forced apart by war. Daniel and his family fled to New York. Aurora and her parents ended up in Spain.
Host Elissa Nadworny speaks with the children and their parents about how they are learning to live without each other in a world where they have already lost so much.
And a psychologist discusses the strength and resilience of kids in the face of trauma.
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The EPA Wants Millions More EVs On The Road. Should You Buy One? Apr 14, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled ambitious new emissions rules this week. The agency estimates car makers would need up to 67% of their new vehicle sales to be electric by 2032 in order to comply with the stricter standards.
Michelle Krebs, executive analyst with Cox Automotive says the changes "reinvent the vehicle" and will require a reinvention of the auto industry.
In the face of these impending changes, Keith Barry, an automotive reporter for Consumer Reports, walks through what prospective electric vehicle buyers should be considering.
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In Nearly Every Part of Syria, Life Is Struggle Apr 13, 2023

Syria is buckling under the stresses caused by civil war, a brutal dictatorship, punishing international sanctions, and most recently the devastation caused by earthquakes in the region last February.
At the same time, the effectiveness of sanctions meant to hurt and isolate the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad is being questioned. Recently, a group of former U.S. officials and Syria experts urged President Biden to rethink U.S. policy and make sanctions more effective.
NPR's Aya Batrawy traveled to a government-controlled area of Syria to learn more about what life under sanctions is like there.
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Ukrainian Kindergartners And The Lasting Impact of War Apr 12, 2023

Millions of Ukrainian children had their schooling interrupted by Russia's invasion. The war has also shaped their childhood in lasting ways.
NPR's Elissa Nadworny visited a kindergarten classroom in Kharkiv, Ukraine, that was hit by Russian artillery last August. She set out to find out what happened to the children who had been students there.
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What, Exactly, Does 'Tough On China' Mean? Apr 11, 2023

Democrats and Republicans disagree on a lot of issues. But there's a growing consenus in both parites that China represents a threat to the U.S. And some worry that the rise in anti-China rhetoric could pave the way for xenophobia against Asian-Americans.
Congresswoman Judy Chu, D-Calif., is concerned about that. She herself has been accused of disloyalty by a fellow lawmaker, and she says she worries about a "new McCarthyism," in the Republican Party.
And Erika Lee, a professor of history and Asian-American studies at the University of Minnesota, says there's a long American history of national security concerns fueling xenophobia.
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Expelled Tennessee Lawmaker Could Be Back In State House Soon Apr 10, 2023

A majority of the Nashville Metro Council supports reappointing former state Representative Justin Jones to the seat he was expelled from last week.
Jones was one of two Democrats ousted by the Republican-controlled Tennessee state legislature after taking part in protests calling for stricter gun control in the state.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Nashville Council Member-At-Large Zulfat Saura about her vote to send Jones back to the State House.
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TikTok vs. Everybody Apr 08, 2023

Whether you're a politician, a mental health expert, or a parent, it seems everyone has a problem with TikTok. Some concerns stem from the social media platform's addictive qualities or its effects on one's mental health. Critics have also noted dangerous video trends. Members of Congress in both parties are calling for a ban over fears that the Chinese government could harvest Tik Tok user information. And many states and colleges have taken steps to regulate the platform.
But for tens of millions of Americans, TikTok has become a part of their lives, providing entertainment, news, and even community.
Are the threats to ban TikTok missing the point?
Host Scott Detrow talks to Mark Pocan, a Democratic Congressman from Wisconsin, and Rebecca Jennings, who covers internet culture for Vox.
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How A New Majority On Wisconsin's Supreme Court Could Impact Reproductive Health Apr 07, 2023

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, a 19th century abortion ban took effect in Wisconsin and forced those practicing and seeking reproductive healthcare to travel across state lines.
Earlier this week, voters elected Judge Janet Protasiewicz to become a justice on Wisconsin's Supreme Court, flipping control of the court to liberals for the first time in 15 years. That could have big implications on the future of abortion in the state.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Dr. Kristen Lyerly, an OB-GYN from Green Bay, Wisconsin, about how the judicial change could impact Wisconsin doctors who provide reproductive healthcare and their patients.
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Authors Of Banned Books Are Fed Up – and Fighting Back Apr 06, 2023

2023 is on track to beat last year's record when it comes to book bans. The free speech group PEN America counted 2,500 instances of book bans in U.S. schools during the 2021-22 academic year.
Author Judy Blume has had a number of her books banned. She spoke to NPR ahead of the release of a documentary about her life, "Judy Blume Forever," streaming on Amazon Prime April 21.
And NPR's Tovia Smith spoke to other authors of banned books about how the scrutiny has negatively impacted their sales - and about alternative ways they've found to get their stories to readers, outside of schools.
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The Lasting Impact Of Police Brutality On Black Families Apr 05, 2023

Black Americans are killed by police at more than twice the rate of White Americans. And there's a growing number of Black families who have to live with the pain of losing a loved one at the hands of police.
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with two women who have been living that reality for years.
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Trump, The Defendant Apr 04, 2023

The legal and political worlds officially moved into uncharted waters when former President Donald Trump was arraigned on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
NPR's Carrie Johnson breaks down the case against Trump, and the difficult path to conviction for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
And Peter Skinner, an attorney who worked alongside Bragg for several years in the Southern District of New York, talks about what Bragg is like as a prosecutor.
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How Over-The-Counter Narcan Could Help Save More Lives Apr 03, 2023

The FDA has approved over-the-counter sales of Narcan, a nasal spray version of the life-saving medication naloxone. The medication is known for its ability to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
The FDA's move will make Narcan more widely available than ever before. But experts say this is just one step in the right direction, when it comes to preventing overdose deaths.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at the University of North Carolina who has been studying opioid overdose prevention and addiction treatment since 2002, about what this means for the opioid epidemic.
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Pokémon Says Goodbye To Ash and Pikachu Apr 01, 2023

In the twenty-five years since the Japanese media franchise Pokémon launched in the US, it has become a staple of American culture — from trading cards to t-shirts, from action figures to videogames, from Oreo cookies to McDonald's Happy Meals. And of course, the animated series.
Since the launch of that series the biggest stars have undoubtedly been aspiring Pokémon Master Ash Ketchum and his adorable pocket monster sidekick Pikachu. But now fans must say goodbye to these iconic heroes as the series moves on without them.
Host Scott Detrow talks to Izzie Ramirez, culture writer for Vox Media, about the legacy of the show and the future of the Pokémon franchise after Ash and Pikachu. And we hear reactions from fans and from Sarah Natochenny, who has voiced Ash since 2006.
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The Road to Trump's Indictment and What Comes Next Mar 31, 2023

Former President Trump has been indicted by a New York grand jury, making him the first former president in American history to face criminal charges.
The case involves hush money paid by Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump.
NPR's Andrea Bernstein says the lengths Trump's company went to cover up the hush money payment is part of a larger pattern of how Trump has long operated his businesses.
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Should We 'Pause' AI? Mar 30, 2023

It's been another month of impressive and unsettling AI breakthroughs. And, along with excitement, these breakthroughs have also sparked concerns about the risks AI could pose to society.
Take OpenAI's release of GPT-4, the latest iteration of its ChatGPT chatbot. According to the company, it can pass academic tests (including several AP course exams) and even do your taxes. But NPR's Geoff Brumfiel test drove the software, and found that it also sometimes fabricated inaccurate information.
Wednesday more than a thousand tech leaders and researchers - among them, Elon Musk - signed an open letter calling for a six month pause in the development of the most powerful AI systems. NPR's Adrian Florido spoke with one signatory, Peter Stone, a computer science professor at the University of Texas.
NPR's Shannon Bond has more reporting on AI and disinformation.
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The Politics Of Involuntary Commitment Mar 29, 2023

Some officials in Democratic-led jurisdictions around the country are pushing to use involuntary commitment as a tool to tackle a surge in homelessness. We hear what officials in New York City, California and Portland, Oregon are proposing - and some of the pushback they are getting.
Ailsa Chang speaks with April Dembosky with KQED in San Francisco and Amelia Templeton with Oregon Public Broadcasting about how the conversation about involuntary commitment is playing out in California and Oregon.
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Lessons From A Country On The Front Lines Of Climate Change Mar 28, 2023

The United Nations says time is running out to avoid the worst effects of climate change. At the same time, countries like Bangladesh have no choice but to adapt to an already changing climate.
Bangladesh is prone to flooding from rising sea levels and melting glaciers. And it is in the path of some of the world's most powerful cyclones.
NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from northern Bangladesh on how the country is becoming a hot spot for climate solutions.
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How Do You Put A Price On America's Original Sin? Mar 27, 2023

A task force set up by the California state legislature is studying how the legacy of slavery has harmed the state's Black residents. This summer it will submit recommendations for how the state legislature should compensate African-Americans for that harm.
The task force has to answer thorny questions like who should qualify for reparations, how to measure the suffering that Black people have endured and how to attach a dollar figure to that suffering.
The chair of the task force, Kamilah Moore, says she hopes the panel's work will make a real difference in the lives of millions of Black Californians and serve as a model for a national program.
NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports on one big obstacle to a federal reparations package: public opinion is firmly against it. That's especially true among white Americans.
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Possible Trump Indictment Is A Tricky Landscape For Rivals Mar 25, 2023

Donald Trump was the first president in American history to be impeached twice. Now, he may be the first modern president, current or former – to be charged with criminal conduct.
The New York investigation into hush money paid to adult entertainment actor Stormy Daniels is just one of several criminal probes currently faced by Donald Trump, And it's the one that is closest to issuing charges.
Amid all the legal drama Trump has announced his third bid for the White House. A pending indictment would usually be a golden opportunity for Trump's Republican challengers - some who have declared - like Nikki Haley - and those who are expected to jump in the race - like Mike Pence and Ron DeSantis.
But for the field of Republican presidential candidates, taking Trump down while not alienating his base is risky business.
Host Scott Detrow talks to NPR congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell. He also talks to Jeff Sharlet, a professor of English at Dartmouth college and the author of the new book "Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War."
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March For Our Lives Co-Founder David Hogg Is Still Angry, Five Years On Mar 24, 2023

On March 24, 2018, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of Washington, D.C. to demand an end to gun violence. That was also the start of the March For Our Lives movement, which continues to call on young people to make their voices heard through the ballot box.
Survivors of a mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida organized that first march. One of them was David Hogg. NPR's Adrian Florido speaks with Hogg about the triumphs and frustrations of the past five years and the movement's hopes for the future.
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The Rise And Fall Of A Notorious Financial Investor Mar 23, 2023

PIMCO founder and legendary investor Bill Gross was known as the "Bond King." People all over the finance world listened to his market calls. He helped change a sleepy bond market into the highly competitive and profitable world we know today. His story is also the story of how American financial markets work, how people game them, and what happens when they implode.
NPR's Mary Childs wrote about Gross in her book, The Bond King: How One Man Made A Market, Built An Empire And Lost It All.She reported an episode about Gross for NPR's Planet Money.
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Can't Find a Teacher? Grow Your Own Mar 22, 2023

School districts across the country are struggling to fill vacancies among their teaching staff. In addition to stepping up their recruitment efforts, some districts are looking to turn more of their existing staff into teachers.
NPR's Cory Turner reports on the Mississippi Teacher Residency program, and on the impact it is having in the state's capital, Jackson.
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The Cherokee Nation's Fight Against The Opioid Crisis Mar 21, 2023

The Cherokee Nation has been hit hard by opioid addiction and fentanyl-related overdose deaths. But the tribe has a plan to heal.
Like many communities around the country, the Cherokee Nation received settlement money from big drug companies and pharmacy chains accused of fueling the opioid crisis. The tribe is investing that $100 million in programs to support treatment, harm reduction and a fight against stigma.
Tribal leaders say the funds will save lives and save families.
NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann traveled to Oklahoma to see how the Cherokee Nation is fighting the opioid crisis.
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20 Years Since The Start Of The Iraq War, Young Iraqis Still Dream Of A Better Future Mar 20, 2023

On March 20, 2003, the United States launched its invasion of Iraq. We recall how the war started, and the trauma it left behind.
NPR's Eric Westervelt was embedded with the U.S. Army's Third Infantry Division as it pushed north from Kuwait. He describes what he saw in the first days of the war.
We also hear reporting from NPR's Ruth Sherlock, who spoke to young Iraqis who grew up in the years since the invasion and are still trying to realize a better future for their country.
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The Most Successful Global Public Health Plan You Probably Never Heard Of Mar 18, 2023

Today, when we hear the word pandemic, most people think of COVID-19. But by 2003, while rates of HIV infections and deaths from AIDS had stabilized and fallen in the US, in sub-Saharan Africa, the rates were at epidemic proportions.
In his State of the Union address that January, President George W. Bush announced a massive investment in the global fight against HIV –The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR.
In the twenty years since, the program has dedicated billions of dollars to HIV prevention and treatment across Africa and other regions, saving tens of millions of lives.
NPR's Pien Huang speaks with Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, and Dr. Helene Gayle, an epidemiologist and president of Spelman College, who spent 20 years at the CDC focused on HIV treatment and prevention and global healthcare.
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Is This a Moment for Women's College Hoops? Mar 17, 2023

When it comes to TV ratings, women's college basketball is trending upward - even as the men's game is losing viewers. When it comes to resources and media coverage? There's still a wide gap between the men and women.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Chantel Jennings, senior writer covering women's basketball for The Athletic, about the factors that contribute to that gap and how the women's game could overcome them.
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With Congress Divided Over New Gun Legislation, Biden Issues Executive Order Mar 16, 2023

President Joe Biden has signed an executive order that he says can keep more guns out of the hands of dangerous people by increasing the number of buyers who have to submit background checks.
The White House says that's the closest the U.S. can get to universal background checks without additional legislation from Congress, where Democrats and Republicans remain divided on any new actions aimed at reducing gun violence.
NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports on the order, which Biden announced during a visit to Monterey Park, California, where a gunman killed 11 people and injured nine more in January, one of over 110 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year.
And NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with White House domestic policy adviser Susan Rice about the order's potential impact and where gun legislation goes from here.
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Meet The Volunteers Running Into A War Zone To Rescue Civilians Mar 15, 2023

A group of volunteers is braving artillery barrages to evacuate residents from towns and cities in Ukraine's Donbas region, including Bakhmut, the epicenter of fighting in the eastern part of the country.
NPR's Frank Langfitt speaks with two rescuers, Kuba Stasiak, 29, a former journalist from Poland, and Andre West, 22, from Germany, who document their rescues on Instagram
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'Sextortion' Documentary May Leave Viewers With Exaggerated Sense Of Risk To Children Mar 14, 2023

A new documentary called Sextortion: The Hidden Pandemic has gained attention at screenings hosted by universities, police departments and even the Pentagon. But many of the claims made in the film are poorly supported and overhyped.
The film warns parents about the dangers of sexually coercive crimes online and suggests that strangers are targeting potentially millions of minors - pressuring them into sharing revealing content and, often, extorting them for money.
But NPR has found the documentary could leave viewers with an incomplete and exaggerated sense of the risk by relying upon statistics that lack context. Experts fear it could hinder harm reduction efforts by skewing public perception.
NPR's Lisa Hagen, who covers how false and misleading information spreads, shares her reporting into the documentary and its filmmakers.
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How Silicon Valley Bank Failed, And What Comes Next Mar 13, 2023

The Biden administration took extraordinary measures to protect the accounts of customers at two banks that failed over the past few days: Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
Federal regulators said Sunday that they were taking the emergency measures to prevent contagion at other small and regional banks in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank's implosion.
NPR's David Gura reports that, despite those measures, many bank stocks plunged on Monday.
And former Congressman Barney Frank, a Democrat who sponsored new banking regulations in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, explains what he thinks went wrong at the banks. Frank more recently also served on the board of Signature Bank.
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Adding Racial Equity To The Business Of Legal Weed Mar 11, 2023

In about the last 10 years, the legalized cannabis industry has grown into a $32 billion business. Today, in 21 states, and the District of Columbia, you can legally purchase recreational marijuana if you are 21 or older. And 37 states have legalized medical marijuana programs.
While it's easy to feel that cannabis has come a long way from the scare tactics of Reefer Madness, since 1970's Controlled Substance Act, marijuana has been classified as a drug on par with cocaine and heroin - dramatically increasing penalties for possession, sale, and distribution. Those penalties were enforced in ways that continue to disproportionately target people of color, especially black people.
While the same states that once prosecuted the sale of weed are now regulating and taxing it, will those most affected by the punitive frameworks of the past be able to profit too?
Host Michel Martin speaks with Devin Alexander, owner of the cannabis delivery business, Rolling Releaf, based in Newton Massachusetts. And we hear from Tauhid Chappell, President of the Philadelphia CannaBusiness Association.
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Buttigieg Calls This A "Put Up Or Shut Up Moment" For Rail Safety Mar 10, 2023

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says he welcomes a bipartisan effort in Congress to push for new rail safety regulations in the wake of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Buttigieg spoke to NPR's Ari Shapiro a day after Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw apologized for the East Palestine derailment during a Senate hearing, but stopped short of endorsing specific new regulations for his industry.
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After Extra SNAP Benefits Expire, Some Fear A "Hunger Cliff" Mar 09, 2023

Some 16 million American households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will get less money this month.
During the pandemic, the federal government temporarily increased SNAP benefits. But those extra benefits have now expired. That means recipients will get about $90 less each month on average, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research institute. Some families may see their benefits cut by more than $250 per month.
Dr. Megan Sandel, co-director of the Boston Medical Center's Grow Clinic, which focuses on treating malnutrition issues in kids, explains how children's health can suffer when families are not able to put enough food on the table.
And NPR's Stacey Vanek Smith reports on another worrying trend in Americans' personal finances. Credit card debt is increasing at a record rate, as people struggle to keep up with inflation.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Alison Aubrey.
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Colin Kaepernick revisits his adolescence in new graphic novel Mar 08, 2023

Before he was the face of a protest movement and a starting quarterback in the Super Bowl, Colin Kaepernick was a teenager who was trying to figure out who he was and where he was going.
Kaepernick's new graphic novel "Change The Game," written with Eve L. Ewing and illustrated by Orlando Caicedo, is about that time in his life. He talked to NPR about his coming-of-age story, his career, and whether the NFL has changed since his departure.
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DeSantis Rising Mar 07, 2023

He hasn't yet entered the contest, but even so, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is one of the leading Republicans in the race for the GOP presidential nomination.
DeSantis has just released a new book that highlights his pugnacious style and hardline stance on issues ranging from education to public health. And he has attracted even more attention as Florida's Republican-led legislature began its session Tuesday.
NPR's Greg Allen has this look at how DeSantis became what some believe is the future of the Republican Party.
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Restrictions On Drag Shows Have A History In The U.S. Mar 06, 2023

Tennessee passed a bill last week restricting drag shows. The law specifically bans "adult cabaret performances" in public or in the presence of children.
In more than a dozen states, Republican lawmakers have been pushing similar bills.
Historian Jules Gill-Peterson of Johns Hopkins University says laws that target drag have a long history in the U.S, and LGBTQ people have fought back before.
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Finding Solutions For Crime – Without Politics Getting In The Way Mar 04, 2023

When Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her re-election bid this week, many people saw the result as a referendum on how she handled crime.
But crime is not just a Chicago issue. Nationally, murders, shootings, and thefts are up. Communities that feel under siege are looking to hold elected leaders accountable for their failure to address the problem. But when agreements on how to solve crime break down along party lines -and even within parties- are politics hindering potential solutions?
Host Michel Martin talks to Thomas Abt, senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice, about non-partisan, research-based solutions. We also hear from Ja'Ron Smith, a fellow with Right on Crime, a conservative criminal justice reform coalition.
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The Dominion Lawsuit Pulls Back The Curtain On Fox News. It's Not Pretty. Mar 03, 2023

Documents released as part of a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit reveal that many Fox News stars knew conspiracy theories about the 2020 election were baseless but invited guests who spewed those claims on air anyway.
The documents were released by Dominion Voting Systems as part of its lawsuit against both Fox News and its parent company. They include text messages sent by Fox News personalities and statements made under oath by the network's controlling owner Rupert Murdoch.
NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik explains that the lawsuit is the latest in a series of ethical breaches during Murdoch's decades-long reign at the helm of one of the most powerful media companies in the world.
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While The Fate Of The CFPB Is In Limbo, The Agency Is Cracking Down On Junk Fees Mar 02, 2023

The Supreme Court is weighing whether or not the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is constitutional based on how it receives its funding.
Last fall a panel of three Trump appointees on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals outlined that if funding for a federal agency like the CFPB is not appropriated annually by Congress, then everything that agency does is deemed unconstitutional.
While the agency's fate is in limbo, its latest initiative is aimed at cracking down on junk fees that can cost Americans a lot of money.
We speak with CFPB's director, Rohit Chopra, on how unnecessary fees impact everyday people.
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Iconic Indian-American Chef Reflects On His Life And The Healing Power Of Food Mar 01, 2023

Raghavan Iyer built his career helping Americans get to know the fundamentals of Indian cooking. Now, after years of treatment for aggressive cancer, he has released what he says will be his last book.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Raghavan Iyer, about the book, "On The Curry Trail: Chasing the Flavor That Seduced the World."
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One Uprooted Life At A Time, Climate Change Drives An American Migration Feb 28, 2023

Margaret Elysia Garcia tried hard to rebuild her life in Greenville, California after it was devastated by a wildfire in 2021.
But the difficulty of life there — power outages, mud slides, razed streets she could barely recognize — eventually it all became too much. She left her home there and moved to Southern California.
Jake Bittle's new book, The Great Displacement: Climate Change And The Next American Migration, argues that stories like this are becoming more common. From drought-hit farms in Arizona to flooded coastlines in Virginia, it's a close look at the way climate-fueled disasters are forcing people to move.
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How EPA Plans To Keep East Palestine Residents Safe After Derailment Feb 27, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency says tests have not shown any contamination of air or drinking water linked to the train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio.
But residents in the area still have safety concerns.
NPR's Ari Shapiro asks EPA Administrator Michael Regan about those concerns and about the agency's response to the disaster.
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How to Talk About Politicians and Mental Health Feb 25, 2023

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's call for mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 seemed like a direct challenge to President Joe Biden, who is 80. But she could have been referring to the other announced candidate in the race: former President Donald Trump, who is 76. Or other high ranking leaders over the age of 75 - Senators Mitch McConnell and Bernie Sanders, both 81. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is 89, but the oldest sitting member of Congress, by a few months, is Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, also 89. She has announced that she will not run for re-election next year, however her term does not end until January 2025.
On the heels of Haley's announcement, Democratic Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to seek treatment for clinical depression, a condition often associated with recovery from a stroke, which he experienced last May.
While Fetterman's case differs from age-related cognitive decline, both issues raise questions about how much the public has the right to know about a public figure's mental health, and whether acknowledging these very common, very human conditions alleviates stigma or just reinforces it.
Host Michel Martin talks to former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy about how his decision to speak publicly about his own issues with mental health.
We also hear from Matthew Rozsa, who writes about health and science for Salon.
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A Ukrainian City Marks A Year Of Loss—And Resistance Feb 24, 2023

Kherson was the the first major Ukrainian city to fall to Russian troops. With deep historical ties to Russia, it was not expected to be a center of resistance.
But an army of citizen spies defied Moscow's expectations, and helped Ukrainian forces liberate the city last November.
A year after Russia launched its invasion, NPR's Joanna Kakissis has the story of Kherson's partisans: teachers and accountants and landscape designers, who became eyes and ears for the Ukrainian military.
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Views From The Classroom On The New AP African-American Studies Course Feb 23, 2023

There are a lot of different Advanced Placement history courses out there: art history, European history, U.S. history. Now, after a decade in development, there finally is an AP course focused on African-American studies.
The course hasn't official launched yet, but it's currently being piloted in 60 schools across the U.S.
The course has drawn national attention after controversies erupted over what is, and isn't, in the curriculum. We ask three educators who are teaching the course what they are actually teaching and why it matters.
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Inside Story: Life in Prison, As Told by Formerly Incarcerated People Feb 22, 2023

For people who have not experienced it, life in prison can seem unimaginable. So reporters who have themselves been incarcerated can offer an important perspective when covering the prison system.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Lawrence Bartley, host of the new series Inside Story, which documents life in the US prison system. The series was created by formerly incarcerated people, and aims to reach audiences both inside and outside the system.
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Zelenskyy's Transformation From Comedian To Icon Of Democracy Feb 21, 2023

This week marks one year since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022.
And in the past year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has undergone a dramatic political transformation.
Zelenskyy got his start as a comedian who played an accidental president on TV. He was then elected president in real life, only to see his popularity slump. Now, after a year of war, he is widely considered an icon of democracy.
NPR's Frank Langfitt takes a look at how Zelenskyy became the kind of leader he is today and why some Ukrainians still question his leadership.
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Social Justice and Climate Justice: How One Environmental Leader Is Moving Forward Feb 20, 2023

The Sierra Club has been at the forefront of the American environmental movement for decades. However, the group has also face criticism for racist and exclusionary attitudes embedded in some of its founding ideals.
The Sierra Club's new executive director, Ben Jealous, explains how he aims to advance the group's climate goals, while also reckoning with that past.
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Are Sanctions Slowing Down Russia's War Machine? Feb 18, 2023

We're approaching a year since Russian leader Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, a conflict that has resulted in thousands of dead civilians and over eight million refugees.
Along with sending billions of dollars in military aid to Ukrainian forces, the US has responded with a wide range of sanctions meant to cripple Putin's war machine, targeting Russian banks, finances, oil, and Russia's billionaire oligarchs.
But as the war continues, critics are asking just how effective the sanctions have been.
Host Michel Martin speaks with Edward Fishman of Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. From 2013 to 2017 he was part of the US State Department, where he was involved in the effort to sanction Russia after its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
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What Happens After The Protests In Iran? Feb 17, 2023

"This kind of dissent? It doesn't go away." That's what NPR heard from a 20-year-old woman on the street in Tehran.
Mary Louise Kelly and a team of producers traveled there last week to see what life looks like, and what remains of the protests that shook the country for months, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Amini died in police custody after being detained, reportedly for improperly wearing a headscarf, part of Iran's strict dress code for women. Human rights groups say the regime cracked down on those protests with killings, arrests and executions.
In Iran, NPR found people frightened of the regime, but who felt nevertheless compelled to air their grievances.
We speak with Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group, about the lingering discontent behind the protests and what could happen next.
Find more of NPR's reporting from Iran.
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Life Is Still Uncertain For Residents Of Ohio Town Where Train Derailed Feb 16, 2023

The derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3rd sparked fear and uncertainty among residents. They are still concerned, almost two weeks later.
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to Stan Meiburg, former acting deputy administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, about the agency's response and what authorities should focus on in order to prevent accidents in the future.
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What We Know About Three Mystery Objects The U.S. Shot Down—And What We Don't Feb 15, 2023

A total of four high-flying, balloon-like objects have been shot down by US fighter jets this month. Officials have still not said where three of them came from.
The United States claims the first one was a Chinese surveillance balloon, which China denies. But American officials have made no definitive statement as to what the other three could be, nor has anyone come forward to claim ownership.
NPR correspondents Scott Detrow and Greg Myre share what they've learned about the mysterious flying objects.
And Timothy Heath, a senior researcher at the Rand Corporation, talks about the various ways governments use high-altitude balloons.
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Love Is In The Air—And On The Shelves Feb 14, 2023

Sales of romance novels were up in 2022, with a surge of about 52 percent for sales of print copies, according to Publishers Weekly. That's despite an overall dip in book sales last year.
Still, there's a longstanding social stigma against romance novels, as they're often written off as frivolous, or even shameful.
NPR's Juana Summers visits a group of readers who are loud and proud about their love for the genre.
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Two Versions Of The Same Nightmare: A Week In Quake-Hit Turkey and Syria Feb 13, 2023

One week since arriving in southern Turkey after massive back-to-back earthquakes hit the region, our correspondent recounts what she has seen in seven days of covering the tragedy in Turkey and neighboring Syria.
NPR's Ruth Sherlock traveled from Lebanon soon after the quakes hit, and has since reported from both Turkey and Syria. She says thousands of people in both countries are living versions of the same nightmare.
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Haiti In Turmoil Feb 11, 2023

Haiti, a country long besieged by political turmoil, was plunged further into chaos in 2021 when then president Jovenel Moïse was assassinated. Today, gangs run large swaths of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Schools and businesses have shuttered, food, water and gas shortages have spiraled, and Haitians desperate to leave the country have overrun immigration offices hoping for a passport.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been the de facto ruler since Moïse's assassination. There have not been official elections in the country since 2016. In January, its ten remaining senators left office, leaving no single regularly elected official. Henry, whose rule is heavily criticized by many Haitians, says there cannot be new elections until the country is made safer.
Amidst the chaos, calls have risen for the US to help stabilize the country, but a fraught history of US intervention in Haiti has created a climate of mistrust.
Host Michel Martin talks to Pamala White, former ambassador to Haiti, about what options are available to Haiti to quell the country's unrest.
And Marlene Daut, a professor at Yale of French and African-American studies, unpacks the history of US intervention in Haiti.
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NPR's View From The Ground In Iran Feb 10, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly is on the ground in Iran, where she spoke directly with Iranians about their grievances against the regime.
She later put some of those grievances to Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, during a rare in-person interview in Tehran.
You can hear more of NPR's interview with Iran's Foreign Minister, on whether Iranians can freely voice their ideas, here.
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How Some Dealerships Use 'Yo-yo Car Sales' To Take Buyers For A Ride Feb 09, 2023

Negotiating a purchase at a car dealership can be a stressful experience. But once you sign the deal and drive away, the car is yours right? Not necessarily.
NPR's Chris Arnold breaks down how some dealerships engage in a practice called a "yo-yo car sale" that can entrap people in bad deals.
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The State Of The Union And A House Narrowly Divided Feb 08, 2023

President Joe Biden's State of the Union address seemed like business as usual, until one of Biden's remarks drew loud boos from some Republican lawmakers.
We ask two House freshmen – Democrat Maxwell Frost of Florida and Republican Mike Lawler of New York – what they made of that moment and how they think the two parties could work together in a narrowly divided Congress.
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Parts of Turkey And Syria Are Reeling After Powerful Quake Feb 07, 2023

Communities in northern Syria and southeastern Turkey are struggling in the aftermath of Monday's devastating earthquake and its powerful aftershocks.
NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports on ongoing rescue efforts in the region.
And we speak with Gönül Tol, director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute, who is in Hatay province in Turkey. She raises questions about the Turkish government's response to the tragedy.
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After The Balloon: Where US-China Relations Go Next Feb 06, 2023

China and the US were supposed to hold diplomatic talks over the weekend. Instead they sparred over a Chinese balloon that entered American airspace before it was shot down. Where do relations between Washington and Beijing go from here?
This wasn't the first time a Chinese surveillance balloon flew into into U.S. airspace. NPR's Greg Myre talks us through past incidents.
Then we speak with Jessica Chen Weiss, a professor of China and Asia Pacific Studies at Cornell University, about where U.S. and China relations now stand.
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Why the NFL (Still) Has a Diversity Problem Feb 04, 2023

Football is the most watched sport in the US - and one of the most profitable. The NFL reported that last year, the Super Bowl was watched by two-thirds of Americans.
But for some, the popularity and success of the sport are overshadowed by its continuing problems around race - from its handling of players kneeling in protest against the killing of unarmed Black people, to lawsuits over racially biased compensation for concussed Black players, to the NFL's inability –or is it unwillingness?--to hire and retain Black coaches in a league where a majority of the players are black.
On Tuesday, the Houston Texans announced that they have hired a new head coach - DeMeco Ryans. He becomes one of three Black coaches among the 32 teams in the NFL.
The league is also touting a historic first in the upcoming Super Bowl – two Black starting quarterbacks. Are these hopeful signs or progress, or, as some critics contend, too little, too late?
Host Michel Martin talks to Justin Tinsley, who writes about sports and culture and appears on ESPN.
And Carron Phillips, of Deadspin, explains why 20 years of the NFL's Rooney Rule failed to diversity football's leadership roles.
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Hidden Viruses And How To Prevent The Next Pandemic Feb 03, 2023

More than three years since the start of the COVID pandemic, infectious disease experts are studying other viruses with pandemic potential. Their goal is to understand how pandemics begin and how they can be prevented.
This is the focus of the NPR series "Hidden Viruses: How Pandemics Really Begin." In this episode, NPR's Ari Daniel takes us to Bangladesh, where researchers studied a dangerous virus called "Nipah" and how it spreads.
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Specialized Police Units Are In The Spotlight, Again Feb 02, 2023

The Memphis Police Department has disbanded its special SCORPION unit, after five of the unit's officers were involved in the death of Tyre Nichols. But similar units are still operating across the U.S.
Specialized police units are often created after a spike in crime, as officials come under pressure to do something about it. The units often operate with little oversight and develop a reputation for using aggressive tactics.
We speak with journalist Radley Balko, author of "Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces." He has studied police tactics and whether special units work to keep communities safe.
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Pamela Anderson Takes Control Of Her Life Story Feb 01, 2023

Pamela Anderson has had an incredibly rich, and varied, career. She's an actress, the author of several books, and a prominent activist - especially for animal rights.
But many people still see her primarily as a sex symbol, the archetypal "blonde bombshell."
In a new memoir titled "Love, Pamela", Anderson takes control of the narrative, telling her story in her own words.
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A Personal Recession Toolkit Jan 31, 2023

Signs of a forthcoming recession seem to be everywhere: from grocery stores, where food prices are soaring, to Fortune 500 companies, where workers are being let go by the thousand.
Survey after survey shows fears of recession are high. And if one does come, navigating the downturn can be tricky.
NPR's Arezou Rezvani shares advice from economists and personal finance experts on how to prepare for a potential recession.
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Could Migration Help Ease The World's Population Challenges? Jan 30, 2023

While some countries are seeing their populations decline and grow older, others are growing fast. That has economic implications. Could migration help?
NPR's Emily Feng reports on the long term consequences of China's shrinking population.
We also hear from Lant Pritchett, research director with the think tank Labor Mobility Partnerships, about the ways in which migration could help tackle population imbalances.
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Changing the Way Media Reports on Gun Violence Jan 29, 2023

Americans have grown accustomed to hearing about the latest mass shooting. And recently news coverage has been focused on two tragic events in California — Last weekend eleven people were killed and nine injured in Monterey Park near Los Angeles. And on Monday, seven people were killed and one wounded in Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco.
In the past 72 hours alone, seventy-one people were killed and 114 were injured by shootings in different incidents all across the country - including another mass shooting this morning near Los Angeles. Three people were killed and four were injured.
Beyond getting the facts right, which is crucial, news outlets put careful thought into how best to cover these stories. But as gun violence continues to rise, is it time for the media to rethink their approach?
NPR's Michel Martin talks to Nick Wilson, the senior director for Gun Violence Prevention at the Center for American Progress. And Dr. Jessica Beard from Philadelphia Center For Gun Violence Reporting discusses ways the media can avoid retraumatizing survivors of gun violence.
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In the Wake of Tyre Nichols' Death, Does Diversity Make A Difference In Policing? Jan 27, 2023

Five police officers have been charged with murder and other crimes in the wake of Tyre Nichols' death this month in Memphis. Nichols, who was Black, died after a traffic stop. All five of the officers facing charges are Black.
Since the deaths of George Floyd in 2020 and so many others, many police departments have vowed to diversify their forces as a way to help end police brutality and racism within their ranks. But does diversity in a police force make a difference? And what more can be done to reduce police violence?
We speak with Phillip Goff of the Center for Policing Equity about how the Tyre Nichols case speaks to larger issues with police department culture and diversity.
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Retired WNBA Star Maya Moore And Her Husband Jonathan Irons Talk About Their Journey Jan 26, 2023

Maya Moore stepped away from her stellar basketball career to help free Jonathan Irons, a man who was incarcerated for over two decades on a wrongful conviction.
With the help of Moore and her family, Irons was exonerated and released from prison in 2020.
Over the course of working on his case, Moore and Irons developed a friendship that turned into love and the pair got married shortly after Irons was freed from prison.
This month, Moore officially retired from basketball to focus on her new family with Irons.
We speak with Moore and Irons about their journey together.
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German And American Tanks Are Headed for Ukraine Jan 25, 2023

For months, Ukraine pressed western allies for state-of-the-art tanks. For months, Germany and the U.S. resisted. That changed Wednesday.
Both countries have now promised to send tanks to Ukraine. The German-made Leopard II and American-made Abrams tanks are considered the best in the world.
NPR's Rob Schmitz in Berlin and Greg Myre in Washington explain how Ukraine's allies changed their minds.
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Some Muslim Americans Turn To Faith For Guidance On Abortion Jan 24, 2023

Since the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to an abortion, some Muslims in America have sought a better understanding of what their faith says about abortion.
NPR's Linah Mohammad reports on the diversity of views within Islam about the issue.
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Shock And Pain in Monterey Park, Site Of Another American Mass Shooting Jan 23, 2023

The people of Monterey Park, California, would normally be celebrating Lunar New Year right now, one of the biggest holidays of the year in a community that is two-thirds Asian. Instead, the city is mourning a terrible loss.
Ailsa Chang went to the site of Saturday night's mass shooting in Monterey Park to speak to people there about the tragedy's impact on their community, which is often described as the "first suburban Chinatown" in America.
We also hear from Min Zhou, a professor of sociology and Asian American studies at UCLA, about Monterey Park's history and significance as a safe space for Asians and Asian Americans.
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Despite Billion-Dollar Jackpots, Critics Say the Lottery Is a Losing Game Jan 21, 2023

Admit it - you've fantasized about what you would do if you hit the lottery and exactly how you would spend your millions - or billions.
Spending a few dollars for a chance at a massive jackpot seems irresistible. Roughly half of all Americans buy at least one lottery ticket per year, despite the nearly impossible odds of winning. But some people take it much further.
Unlike casino games and sports betting, messaging around playing the lottery can make it seem much less like actual gambling and more like a fun way to chase a dream of luxury and wealth.
But some critics feel that the lottery uses predatory practices to disproportionately target low-income communities and people of color.
Host Michel Martin talks to Jonathan D. Cohen, author of For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries In Modern America.
NPR reporter Jonathan Franklin contributed to this episode.
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Holiday Traditions in China and Ukraine Offer Comfort During Uncertain Times Jan 20, 2023

In China, huge numbers of people are expected to travel and gather with family this weekend for the start of the Lunar New Year, just as the country experiences a major surge in COVID infections.
NPR's Emily Feng reports that the holiday may be bittersweet for some. We also hear reporting from NPR's Wynne Davis, who collected recipes to help ring in the Lunar New Year.
And in Ukraine, many Orthodox Christians marked the feast of the Epiphany on Thursday by plunging into the frigid waters of the Dnipro River. NPR's Elissa Nadworny talked to some of the brave swimmers, who said that this year the ritual felt like a needed respite from the ongoing war.
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How The Government Tracks Classified Documents—And Why It's An Imperfect System Jan 19, 2023

The Justice Department is investigating the mishandling of classified documents linked to President Biden and to his predecessor, former President Trump. Both cases raise questions about how classified information should be handled.
NPR's Greg Myre explains how classified material is handled at the White House, and how that compares to other government agencies.
And we speak to Yale law professor and former special counsel at the Pentagon Oona Hathaway, about the issue of "overclassification" of documents.
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Lessons From The 2011 Debt Ceiling Standoff Jan 18, 2023

The U.S. will hit its borrowing limit on Thursday, according to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and her department will need to take "extraordinary measures" to avoid default.
That means the clock is ticking for Congress to take action to raise the debt ceiling. For the moment, though, Democrats and Republicans are in a staring match.
House Republicans say they won't raise the limit without significant spending cuts. The White House says it won't negotiate over it.
Juana Summers talks with two people who've been here before: Jason Furman, who was an economic advisor to then-President Obama during the 2011 debt ceiling stalemate, and Rohit Kumar, who was then a top aide to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
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The Key To Happiness, According To A Decades-Long Study Jan 17, 2023

If you could change one thing in your life to become a happier person — like your income, a job, your relationships or your health — what would make the biggest difference?
That's the question Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Robert Waldinger has been attempting to answer through decades of research. He's the director of "the world's longest-running scientific study of happiness," and he spoke with Ari Shapiro about the factor that appears to make the biggest difference in people's lives.
Waldinger is a co-author of The Good Life: Lessons from the world's longest scientific study of happiness.
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Dr. Céline Gounder Dispels Disinformation About Her Husband's Death Jan 16, 2023

The soccer world was shocked by the death of renowned U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl at the World Cup in Qatar. Then came the conspiracy theories claiming his death was caused by the COVID vaccine.
Wahl died from an aortic aneurysm. His wife, epidemiologist Dr. Céline Gounder, gave multiple interviews and released Wahl's autopsy results to combat the disinformation.
We ask Gounder about her decision to speak out about her husband's death, and about his legacy.
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For Black Men, Barriers To Mental Health Care Can Be Complex Jan 14, 2023

The start of a new year can push us to think about how we take care of ourselves – our bodies or our minds. And for some people that can mean seeking help for mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
In some ways, being open about pursuing treatment for mental health concerns is becoming more commonplace. But for men who are socialized not to express vulnerability and keep emotions in check, seeking therapy may feel taboo.
Black men must also contend with the long history of neglect and abuse that has influenced how generations of African-Americans feel about health services, a lack of Black mental health professionals, and the understanding that shielding emotions are a way to face the pressures and dangers of racism.
Host Michel Martins talks with writer Damon Young, author of What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays, and psychologist Earl Turner of Pepperdine University, on making therapy more accessible for Black men.
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Where The Ukraine War Goes Next Jan 13, 2023

This is a pivotal moment in the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces continue to have the upper hand on the battlefield, but there are real questions about what comes next and what an acceptable end to this war could look like.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmyrto Kuleba provides his assessment on the state of the war and the path ahead.
And former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice argues for a dramatic increase in military aid to Ukraine.
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Author Aubrey Gordon Wants To Debunk Myths About Fat People Jan 12, 2023

People sometimes object when Aubrey Gordon describes herself as fat. It's not that they're disputing her size, she says. Rather, they're acting out on their assumptions about what it means to be a fat person.
Gordon is the author of "'You Just Need To Lose Weight' and 19 other Myths about Fat People." In the book, she explores and debunks pervasive societal myths about fat people.
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How California's Deadly Floods Are Tied To The State's Ongoing Drought Jan 11, 2023

Destructive flooding caused by torrential rains has created a deadly disaster in California. The death toll rivals the worst wildfires and points to a common cause for both: drought.
Brian Ferguson with California's Office of Emergency Services explains how a "weather whiplash" of dry years followed by heavy rain and snow can lead to dangerous outcomes. And NPR's Lauren Sommer reports on how officials are hoping to store more storm water as a way to prevent future floods and fight the ongoing drought.
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Attack On Brazil's Capitol Is Part of Transnational Extremist Movement Jan 10, 2023

The attack on Brazil's congress and presidential palace Sunday was reminiscent of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Both are part of a broader transnational extremist movement.
We talk about that with Guilherme Casarões of the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, and with NPR correspondents Shannon Bond and Sergio Olmos.
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In Some States, An Unpaid Foster Care Bill Could Mean Parents Lose Their Kids Forever Jan 09, 2023

Parents who have their kids placed in foster care often get a bill to reimburse the state for part of the cost. NPR found that in at least 12 states there are laws that say parents could lose their kids forever if they fail to pay it.
We hear about one family in North Carolina who had a child taken away because of an unpaid bill. And NPR investigative correspondent Joseph Shapiro takes a closer look at the laws behind such cases.
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Why We Can't Resist 'Best Of' Lists Jan 07, 2023

'Tis the season for lists! Best films of the year, best albums, best podcasts. Lists can provoke strong emotions- from spirited debate to outrage - over who or what made the cut or ranked higher.
This week, Rolling Stone magazine faced backlash over their list of the 200 greatest singers of all time, which omitted some big names (Celine Dion, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole to name a few)
Lists! We love to hate them. and yet they are almost irresistible. Can they function as more than just clickbait?
NPR's Andrew Limbong talks to Aisha Harris and Stephen Thompson, hosts of Pop Culture Happy Hour.
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The Lasting Impact Of The January 6th Insurrection Jan 06, 2023

It's been two years since rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, leaving an indelible mark on American democracy.
We speak to NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson and NPR Senior Political Correspondent Domenico Montanaro, about how the events of that day continue to impact the country two years later.
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The Fight To Keep Climate Change Off The Back Burner Jan 05, 2023

The world faces key deadlines for climate action in coming decades. But most of us are more focused on the short term — today, tomorrow, maybe next year. So what do we do about that?
NPR's Rebecca Hersher explains why humans have so much trouble prioritizing climate change.
And Esme Nicholson reports on climate protesters in Germany who are taking increasingly disruptive steps to demand action.
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How GOP Hardliners Have Managed To Block Their Party's Path In Congress Jan 04, 2023

A small group of Republican hardliners set out to block Kevin McCarthy, their party's leader in the House of Representatives, from becoming Speaker. That same faction has taken on GOP leaders before.
We speak to Paul Kane, senior Congressional correspondent and columnist for the Washington Post, about the history behind this week's standoff in the House and what it means for Congress.
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How Buying A Home Became A Key Way To Build Wealth In America Jan 03, 2023

High mortgage rates and a low supply of homes for sale has made homeownership feel out of reach for many Americans. And yet it remains an important way for Americans to build wealth.
We speak with Chris Herbert, with the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, about how homeownership became such an important part of the American Dream, and about other ways to build wealth.
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A New Grammy Category Puts Songwriters Like Tobias Jesso Jr. In The Spotlight Jan 02, 2023

Although not widely known, 37-year-old Tobias Jesso Jr.'s name pops up on the credits of some of today's biggest musical hits. He's written for Adele, Harry Styles and FKA twigs among many others.
Jesso Jr.'s body of work as a songwriter has earned him a Grammy nomination in the brand-new category Songwriter of the Year. And although he got his start in the music industry as a solo artist, he says he feels more at home behind the scenes.
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How to Make Better New Year's Resolutions Dec 31, 2022

It's that time of year - the ball has dropped, the champagne bottles are empty and you have a list of resolutions to start living your best life in 2023.
There's plenty of expert advice to help us succeed at making a budget or running a 5K. But research and polling show that many people fail to reach their goals. If you routinely give up your resolutions by February, maybe the key to succeeding is rethinking the whole idea of what a resolution is.
NPR's Elissa Nadworny talks with Marielle Segarra, host of Life Kit about why focusing less on goals and more on intentions may be a better approach to making resolutions. And Faith Hill of The Atlantic shares why she decided to stop making New Year's resolutions.
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Britain's 2022 Was A Year Of Epic Turbulence Dec 30, 2022

The United Kingdom is, for many, synonymous with stability. But 2022 has been a year of turbulence and change for the U.K.
In one, chaotic four-month stretch, the U.K. went through major transitions involving three prime ministers and two monarchs.
We look back at what this turbulence meant for the United Kingdom, and ahead to what new leadership could bring, with NPR's London Correspondent Frank Langfitt.
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Artificial Intelligence Made Big Leaps In 2022 — Should We Be Excited Or Worried? Dec 29, 2022

Artificial intelligence is now so much a part of our lives that it seems almost mundane. So is that something to be excited about? Or is the world a scarier place because of it?
NPR's Bobby Allyn reports on how some new AI advances showcase both the power and the peril of the technology.
And NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Brian Christian, author of the book "The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values", about what we might see in field of artificial intelligence in the year to come.
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They Say You Can't Choose Your Family, But Some Do Dec 28, 2022

You've heard the saying, 'Blood is thicker than water,' right? Yet for many people, family is not just about blood or DNA — it's about deep connections .
For those people, chosen family could be close friends, people who share similar identities, people who went through similar experiences, or something else that forms a bond.
We hear stories from people about their chosen families.
We also speak with marriage and family therapist and sexologist Dr. Lexx Brown-James, about why chosen families are vital in people's lives.
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What's Ahead for Rep. Kevin McCarthy and the Republican Party? Dec 27, 2022

Rep. Kevin McCarthy is the GOP leader in the House of Representatives and he's campaigning to become Speaker in the next Congress. But a handful of House Republicans say they won't support him.
Associated Press' chief congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro talks about McCarthy's strategy.
And NPR's Elena Moore reports on what young conservatives want from their party.
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For These Exonerated Men, The Fight For Compensation Is About More Than Money Dec 26, 2022

Malcolm Alexander and Frederick Clay both spent decades in prison for crimes they didn't commit. Both were eventually exonerated and released.
Clay has received compensation from the state of Massachusetts, but Alexander is still battling the state of Louisiana in court.
We hear from the two men about what it's like to fight for compensation for their wrongful convictions — and why that fight is about more than just the money.
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From 'Harry & Meghan' to 'The Slap', Celebrity Gossip Was Big News in 2022 Dec 24, 2022

Even if you don't follow gossip sites, it was almost impossible this year to ignore the scandals, missteps, and legal woes of celebrities.
Gossip has been a part of the media landscape almost since the advent of newspapers, gaining popularity throughout the 20th century and expanding across new media platforms.
But this year, stories that might have once been relegated to sites like TMZ or Gawker became part of the mainstream news feed.
NPR's Andrew Limbong speaks with media critic Eric Deggans, and Constance Grady of VOX, on the thin line between news and gossip.
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Coping With Trauma Is Part of the Job For Many In The U.S. Intelligence Community Dec 23, 2022

Trauma is an inherent part of intelligence work. Think of undercover operatives deployed in dangerous places or investigating gruesome crimes. But getting help to process that trauma can be difficult.
We speak with Heather Williams, a former U.S. intelligence officer, about her own experience with trauma and what she learned about how best to cope with it.
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Anxiety Is Up. Here Are Some Tips On How To Manage It. Dec 22, 2022

The number of Americans experiencing anxiety has been rising, especially since the start of the pandemic.
There also aren't enough providers to meet the need, making it tough to access proper treatment for millions of Americans.
NPR's Juana Summers talks to Catherine Ettman, a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, about how the pandemic caused anxiety to spike.
And NPR's Rhitu Chatterjee shares some strategies that could help manage anxiety.
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When Your Parents Are Also Your Roommates Dec 21, 2022

More and more young people are moving back in with their parents — and staying there.
According to Pew Research, from 1971 to 2021, the number of adult Americans living in multigenerational households quadrupled.
There are several reasons that many young adults have moved back in with their parents, including: low pay, high housing costs, caring for loved ones – and more recently, the pandemic.
NPR's Claire Murashima spoke with a handful of young adults between the ages of 25 and 34 who are experiencing the highs and lows of living with their parents.
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Interest In Electric Vehicles Is Growing, And So Is The Demand For Lithium Dec 20, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Biden this year includes incentives for buying an electric vehicle, ideally to persuade people to ditch cars that run on gasoline and switch to EVs.
And as interest in electric vehicles grows, so is the demand for lithium - a key component of electric vehicle batteries.
One way to get more lithium is to open new mines — which could pose various environmental concerns.
But as NPR's Camila Domonoske reports, new mines aren't the only option.
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Jan. 6 Committee Issues Four Criminal Referrals For Trump Dec 19, 2022

The House Select Committee investigating the deadly January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol held what is expected to be its final hearing.
Committee members voted to refer former President Donald Trump to the Justice Department for prosecution on four criminal charges. They include inciting an insurrection, obstructing an official government proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
We discuss the news with NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh.
And Republican strategist Ron Bonjean breaks down what this could mean for Trump and the GOP.
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Making Wine More Inclusive and Less Pretentious Dec 17, 2022

The world of wine has long had a reputation for snobbery. And it has long been dominated mostly by white men.
But that has slowly begun to change. From sommeliers to vineyard owners, the industry is gradually opening up to more people of color and women. Vintner's associations and vineyards have rolled out recruitment plans and scholarships to provide opportunities for equity, diversity, and inclusion in wine-producing regions.
Host Michel Martin speaks with sommelier and anti-wine snob André Hueston Mack, host of Bon Appetit's video series World of Wine. He shares some of his ideas for holiday wine and spirits to gift and serve.
And we talk with Chrishon Lampley, owner of the wine company Love Cork Screw, one of the few Black women in the wine industry.
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What China's New COVID Surge Could Mean—For China And The World Dec 16, 2022

Three years into the pandemic, the world could be on the cusp of the biggest outbreak yet — in China.
The country had some of the strictest COVID polices anywhere, but in recent weeks has dramatically eased them.
And as China has dropped most testing and quarantine requirements, the virus is spreading largely unchecked. How could that impact China and the world?
NPR China affairs correspondent John Ruwitch, science correspondent Michaeleen Doucleff and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley take stock of where things may be headed.
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Big Money Swirls Around College Football's Star Coaches Dec 15, 2022

Deion Sanders' decision to leave Jackson State for the University of Colorado has stirred a lot of debate in the world of college football.
LA Times sports culture critic Tyler Tynes explains why some are saying that Sanders is letting down Historically Black Colleges and Universities by leaving Jackson State.
And Washington Post sports writer Liz Clarke breaks down how big money swirls around some of college football's star coaches.
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Remembering The Victims Of The Sandy Hook School Shooting, 10 Years Later Dec 14, 2022

Each mass shooting has a grim number attached to it. But that number is made up of individuals, each of whom had a full life and a family who continues to cope with their absence.
Ten years ago, 26 first graders and staff were murdered in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. In this episode, we make space to think of the individuals who died. We spoke with the parents of four students about how they'd like their children to be remembered.
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The Parents Caught In The Middle Of The FTX Collapse Dec 13, 2022

Prosecutors say the former CEO of cryptocurrency giant FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, defrauded investors and customers for years, to the tune of billions of dollars. Bankman-Fried was arrested Monday night in the Bahamas, on an extradition request by American authorities.
NPR's David Gura unpacks the charges and the ongoing investigation into Bankman-Fried's activities at FTX.
And Wall Street Journal reporter Justin Baer discusses the role Bankman-Fried's influential parents – the legal scholars Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried – played in the rise and fall of FTX.
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Tech Layoffs Throw Immigrants' Lives Into Limbo Dec 12, 2022

In November, Huy Tu found out they were one of 11,000 Meta employees being laid off. Tu is allowed to stay in the U.S. through the OPT program, which requires that they be employed.
Since there is only a 90-day grace period for employees who are laid off, Tu is now racing to find a new job. That will be especially difficult because nearly 150,000 tech workers have lost their jobs this year, according to Layoffs.fyi, which tracks the number.
NPR's Stacey Vanek Smith reports on the struggle many immigrants are now facing.
Betsey Stevenson, a labor economist at the University of Michigan who also served in the Obama administration, explains what the tech layoffs might mean for the broader economy.
You can hear more about the tech layoffs on 1A.
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Why Do We Love True Crime? Dec 10, 2022

If you think about Jack the Ripper or In Cold Blood, true crime stories have always fascinated us. But the groundbreaking success of the 2014 podcast Serial sparked a new interest in these sordid stories. Hundreds of true crime podcasts followed in Serial's footsteps, telling tales of the murdered and the missing and the unresolved.
Today true crime podcasts dominate weekly podcast charts. But what makes them so popular? And is that popularity problematic?
We hear from Ashley Flowers, host of the award-winning podcast Crime Junkie, who has a new work of crime fiction out, called All Good People Here, and Jane Coaston, host of the New York Times opinion podcast The Argument.
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How A Foiled Coup In Germany Came To Be Dec 09, 2022

This week, authorities in Germany arrested more than two dozen suspected far-right extremists over a plot to violently overthrow the government.
The plotters were reportedly inspired by QAnon conspiracy theories.
NPR's Rob Schmitz walks us through the latest.
And German historian and author Katja Hoyer explains why members of Germany's far-right can seem invisible.
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The Deal That Freed Brittney Griner Dec 08, 2022

President Biden on Thursday announced the negotiated release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a penal colony in Russia and her return to the U.S. She had been detained since February, when Russian authorities found a small amount of hash oil in vape cartidges that were in her luggage when she arrived in the country.
In return, the U.S. released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
NPR's White House Correspondent Franco Ordoñez and Moscow Correspondent Charles Maynes walk through the details of the deal.
And White House National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby explains how the negotiations unfolded.
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Democrats And Republicans Have Lessons To Learn From Georgia Runoff Dec 07, 2022

In Georgia, Democrat Raphael Warnock held on to his U.S. Senate seat, defeating Republican candidate Herschel Walker in a special runoff vote. Warnock's reelection is a big win for Democrats, as it gives them a slightly expanded majority in the Senate. It also further supports the idea that Georgia, a historically red state that Democrats managed to flip in 2020, really is becoming more purple.
We speak with Republican strategist Janelle King, and Democratic strategist Fred Hicks about the lessons both parties can learn from the results of this contest, as they look ahead to 2024.
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Israelis And Palestinians Await A Far-Right Government With Bated Breath Dec 06, 2022

Jewish ultranationalists are about to have a lot more power in Israel. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to return to office after his far-right coalition won elections last month. And he's already named two of the most incendiary figures in Israeli politics to key positions in the government.
The new government could stir internal divisions among Israel's citizens, push to erode the rights of minorities and set off further conflict with Palestinians.
NPR's Daniel Estrin has been talking with Israelis and Palestinians about the future they see under what's expected to be the most right-wing government in Israel's history.
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Children Are Grieving. Here's How One Texas School District Is Trying to Help Dec 05, 2022

It's been more than a year now since many kids across the country returned to their classrooms.
And many of them brought grief and trauma with them, too.
But some educators just don't feel equipped to support kids who are grieving.
NPR's Rhitu Chatterjee speaks with a handful of school mental health professionals who recently attended a special training on grief and trauma.
Also in this episode, NPR's Eric Deggans speaks with a psychologist on collective trauma in the wake of mass shootings.
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Punishing Player Misconduct: Will the NFL Ever Get it Right? Dec 03, 2022

On Sunday, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will return to the field for the first time in nearly two years. This comes after an 11-game suspension and $5 million fine imposed by the NFL after more than two dozen female massage therapists filed allegations against him ranging from sexual misconduct to sexual assault.
The allegations stem from incidents that occurred in 2020 and 2021, while Watson was a quarterback for the Houston Texans. And while he doesn't face criminal charges, the sheer number of women coming forward with similar accounts is striking - but not, striking enough to deter Cleveland from signing Watson -in time for the 2022 season -with a five-year $230 million deal
The NFL has faced criticism in the past for how it handles cases like Watson's, and many critics say the fine and suspension don't go far enough.
Host Michel Martin speaks with Kevin Blackstione, a sports columnist for the Washington Post and ESPN panelist, about how the NFL might better handle allegations of player misconduct against women.
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Twitter's Safety Chief Quit. Here's Why. Dec 02, 2022

It didn't take long for Elon Musk's stated vision for Twitter—a "digital town square" where all legal speech flows freely—to run head long into reality. Namely, the fact that many citizens of that town square want to share inaccurate, racist or violent ideas.
Yoel Roth used to lead the team that set the rules for what was allowed on Twitter, and aimed to keep users safe. Not long after Musk took over the company, Roth quit.
In an interview, he explains why he left and what he thinks is ahead for the company.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Shannon Bond.
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China's Outspoken Generation Dec 01, 2022

The protests in China may have been silenced, for now. But could this be the start of a new political awakening among young people in the country?
Host Juana Summers talks to Yangyang Cheng, a Fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center, and Professor Mary Gallagher, who directs the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan about why this is happening now.
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Can Newly Elected LGBTQ Lawmakers Shift The Landscape For LGBTQ Rights? Nov 30, 2022

The advocacy group Human Rights Campaign reports that in the past year, more than 300 bills targeting LGBTQ rights have been introduced by state legislatures around the U.S.
A recent NPR analysis shows that about 15% of those bills were signed into a law.
NPR's Melissa Block breaks down the current landscape of anti-LGBTQ legislation.
At the same time, a record number of openly LGBTQ candidates were elected to public office across the nation this year. We hear from two just-elected state representatives: Zooey Zephyr, the first out trans lawmaker elected to office in Montana, and New Hampshire's James Roesener, the first out trans man ever elected to a state legislature.
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The (Literally) Cold War In Ukraine Nov 29, 2022

Russian attacks have repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy and heating infrastructure, threatening to leave millions vulnerable to the approaching bitter cold of winter.
Winter will also force both sides to change their tactics on the war's frontlines. NPR's Nathan Rott reports on what leafless trees and frozen fields mean for the battlefield.
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How Abortion Bans—Even With Medical Emergency Exemptions—Impact Healthcare Nov 28, 2022

Christina Zielke went to an ER in Ohio bleeding profusely while experiencing a miscarriage. This was in early September, before the state's 6-week abortion ban was put on hold by a judge. What happened to her next is an example of how new state abortion laws can affect medical care in emergency situations.
Doctors who run afoul of these laws face the threat of felony charges, prison time and the loss of their medical license.
NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports that some doctors are asking themselves a tough question: when they are forced to choose between their ethical obligations to patients and the law, should they defy the law?
Selena's story about Zielke is part of NPR's series, Days & Weeks, documenting how new abortion laws are affecting people's lives.
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Pulling Back The Curtain On Our Climate Migration Reporting Nov 27, 2022

For over a year, we've been working on a series of stories on climate migration that spans thousands of miles and multiple continents.
Our team of journalists saw firsthand how climate change is making places like Senegal less habitable. They saw how that's pushing some people to places like Morocco, where they cross international borders in search of a better life. And how that migration is driving a rise in far-right politics in wealthier countries, like Spain.
We're pulling back the curtain with a conversation about some of the moments that will stick with them, to give you a sense of life in the places they visited and take you across the world through your ears.
Hear and read the rest of our series on climate migration and the far-right.
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When Does Comedy Cross the Line? Nov 26, 2022

Every time stand-up comic Dave Chappelle gets in front of a mic, he seems to reignite a debate over when, or whether, a comedian can go too far. Chappelle has been heavily criticized for jokes about gay people and the trans community. Most recently the comedian came under fire while hosting SNL. During his monologue, he made comments that critics say elevated longstanding, prejudiced tropes against Jewish people.
Can a joke become harmful, can comedy cross the line? Who decides what happens when that line is crossed?
NPR's Eric Deggans speaks with Roy Wood Jr, a comedian and correspondent for Comedy Central's The Daily Show, and Jenny Hagel, a writer and performer for Late Night with Seth Meyers and head writer for the Amber Ruffin Show on Peacock.
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Life Is Hard For Migrants On Both Sides Of The Border Between Africa And Europe Nov 25, 2022

There are two tiny patches of Spain on the African continent. One is a city called Melilla that's surrounded by Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea.
The European Union has spent billions to keep migrants from sub-Saharan Africa from crossing the border between Morocco and the Spanish city.
This episode, we look at what that means for the people who make it through and for the city they arrive in.
This story is part of an NPR series on climate migration and the far-right.
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Our Picks For TV Shows And Movies You Should Watch This Holiday Weekend Nov 24, 2022

As people across the U.S. celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy their long holiday weekend, Consider This provides listeners with a list of TV shows and movies to binge over the holiday weekend.
One of them is the HBO breakout hit The White Lotus, featuringMichael Imperioli in a lead role for season two of the show.
Viewers might best remember Imperioli for his previous role as Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos.
NPR's Erika Ryan takes a deeper look at the arc of Imperioli's career.
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A Triple Serving Of Flu, COVID And RSV Hits Hospitals Ahead Of Thanksgiving Nov 23, 2022

Hospitals around the country are overwhelmed, but this time it's not just with COVID.
Cases of the flu and RSV are also spiking earlier this year.
We hear from a pediatrician in Seattle who says it is the worst season she's seen in her 16-year career.
And NPR's Rob Stein reports on what infectious disease specialists recommend to stay healthy this season.
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Amid Missile Tests, What Is North Korea's Endgame? Nov 22, 2022

North Korea says it has successfully tested its largest intercontinental ballistic missile. And experts say it could potentially deliver a nuclear warhead to targets in the continental United States.
But what is North Korea's ultimate goal? And how can the United States and its allies deter Pyongyang? Mary Louise Kelly discusses that with NPR correspondent Anthony Kuhn and Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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Meet The Everyday Crypto Investors Caught Up In The FTX Implosion Nov 21, 2022

Jake Thacker of Portland, Ore. says he had $70,000 trapped in FTX when the the cryptocurrency exchange collapsed this month. That money may be gone.
And he's not the only one. The company's bankruptcy filing says it could owe money to more than a million people.
NPR's Chris Arnold reports on how the FTX implosion is affecting everyday investors.
And NPR's David Gura looks at whether it could spur Congress to pass new regulations on the crypto industry.
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How to Cook a Faster, Easier Thanksgiving Dinner Nov 19, 2022

Thanksgiving is probably the most celebrated meal of the year. But for a lot of home cooks or new cooks, or would-be cooks-- it's also the most daunting.
But what if there was a much easier approach to Thanksgiving for cooks who don't have the time - or frankly, the patience? What if you could make Thanksgiving dinner in a few hours with one pot and one pan? No kidding!
Host Michel Martin speaks with Melissa Clark, a food writer for the New York Times. Clark shares a super easy Thanksgiving dinner recipe from her latest cookbook, Dinner in One: Exceptional and Easy One Pan Meals. And the cooking pros featured in our In A Pinch offer tips on pulling off a no-hassle holiday meal.
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How Much Should Wealthier Nations Pay For The Effects Of Climate Change? Nov 18, 2022

At COP 27, the annual U.N. conference on climate change, one of the big questions that's been raised is how some of the wealthier nations should be paying for the effects of climate change in less developed countries. The U.S. is one of those wealthier nations, and the Biden administration supports creating a fund to help developing countries deal with climate change. But year after year, the money isn't there. We speak with national climate adviser to President Biden, Ali Zaidi, to understand the role the U.S. has in addressing the global climate crisis. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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The Hidden Toll Of Working On Prison Executions Nov 17, 2022

During the past 50 years, more than 1,550 death sentences have been carried out across the U.S.
Many of the hundreds of people involved in carrying out those executions say their health has suffered because of their work.
NPR's Chiara Eisner and the investigations team spoke with all kinds of current and former workers about their experiences.
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What Happens To The Investigations Involving Now-Candidate Trump? Nov 16, 2022

Former President Trump is launching his 2024 campaign with a cloud of legal issues hanging over his head. They include the federal investigation into the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, another into the top secret documents he kept at Mar-a-Lago and a criminal tax fraud trial in New York.
University of Michigan Law Professor Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. Attorney, explains how his status as a candidate might weigh on those investigations.
And NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik explains another development since Trump's last campaign: the conservative media properties run by Rupert Murdoch appear to have cooled on the former president.
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Michelle Obama On Parenting, Partnerships And Political Action Nov 15, 2022

Even a former first lady who's lived an extraordinary life has ordinary and relatable fears.
NPR All Things Considered host Juana Summers sat down with Michelle Obama, who talked about how she navigates the world, even when it feels like things are at their "lowest point," and about her new book, "The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times."
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How Rising Seas Turned A Would-be Farmer Into A Climate Migrant Nov 14, 2022

Climate change is a present tense disaster in some parts of the world. In Senegal, rising seas are destroying neighborhoods and once-fertile farm fields.
That's pushing young Senegalese like Mamadou Niang to make the treacherous journey to Europe. He's attempted it three times: twice he was deported, the third time, he narrowly escaped drowning. But he says he's still determined to make it there.
We visit Senegal to see how climate migration is reshaping life there. And we meet a rapper named Matador, who is trying to help young people realize a future in Senegal, so they don't have to go to Europe.
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Can Black Twitter survive Elon Musk? Nov 12, 2022

A surge in anti-Semitic and racist tweets, an incoherent rollout of a paid verification service, and thousands of layoffs. Then a scramble to rehire some employees. This is only a couple of weeks into Elon Musk's ownership of Twitter.
It's impossible to deny that Musk is a highly successful businessman who made some high-visibility missteps on the way to Tesla and SpaceX. But unlike those two companies, Twitter is not about goods and services. For millions of users, it's about community. And many feel that Musk will end up destroying these virtual communities.
Disgruntled Twitter users have sparked a mini-movement with the hashtag #TwitterMigration, leaving the platform for the social network Mastodon over concerns about increasing hate speech and misinformation.
But others are defiantly staying put - ready to fight back to sustain the influential communities that have made the platform their home.
Host Michel Martin speaks with Meredith Clark, Associate Professor in Journalism and Communication studies at Northeastern University, and the author of a forthcoming book on Black Twitter.
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How Hip-hop Is A Mirror That Reflects The Problem Of Gun Violence In America Nov 11, 2022

Takeoff, from the Atlanta trio known as Migos, was shot and killed at the beginning of November outside a bowling alley in Houston.
The issue of violence, specifically gun violence, is often associated with rap culture. But those who follow the industry closely, and know its history, say the culture isn't the culprit.
We speak to A.D. Carson, a professor of hip-hop at the University of Virginia, about how death and violence have impacted the rap and hip-hop industry, and how the music is just a mirror reflecting back the larger issue of gun violence that plagues all of America.
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For Many In Ukraine, The Struggle Doesn't End With Liberation Nov 10, 2022

As Russian forces have retreated in Ukraine, people in newly liberated towns and villages have been trying to pick up the pieces. But it's a process that can be long and painful.
NPR's Kat Lonsdorf met a woman named Ludmilla, six months ago in the liberated town of Borodianka. Somehow, Ludmilla happened to know Kat's childhood neighbors in Wisconsin. She had stayed with them years ago. That random encounter stayed with Kat, so she checked back in with Ludmilla to see how she is doing.
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No Red Wave But A Divided Government Is Still A Possibility Nov 09, 2022

The "red wave" of Republican gains that some predicted didn't come to pass during the midterm elections. As of Wednesday afternoon, control of both houses of Congress was still up for grabs.
But it appears likely that the country is headed for a divided government. And if history is any guide, that could mean a lot of stalemates. Two political veterans explain what to expect: Ron Bonjean, a strategist with a long career of working for Republicans in both chambers of Congress, and Jim Messina, former Deputy Chief of Staff to President Obama.
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Haiti Is In Turmoil — But Is International Intervention The Right Solution? Nov 08, 2022

Haiti is a country in crisis. Armed gangs have overtaken the capital of Port-au-Prince. Electricity and clean drinking water are in very short supply and there's been an outbreak of cholera. Half the population is facing acute hunger.
Haiti's government has asked for international assistance. But many Haitians don't want that.
NPR's Eyder Peralta spoke to Haitians who are actively resisting the idea of international intervention.
NPR's Michele Kelemen reports on the debate at the United Nations over whether to send an international force into Haiti to help stabilize the situation.
And NPR's Rachel Martin speaks to Robert Fatton, a Haitian American professor of politics at the University of Virginia, about Haiti's long, complicated and painful history with international intervention.
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Five Big Issues Americans Are Voting On This Election Nov 07, 2022

National issues are increasingly crowding out more local concerns in elections across the country.
With that in mind, we hear from five NPR correspondents covering some of the issues that may shape the course of the midterms.
Scott Horsley unpacks inflation. Sarah McCammon explains how this year's Supreme Court decision striking down a constitutional right to abortion is shaping voter decisions. Joel Rose puts immigration numbers in context. Martin Kaste explains why Republicans are making crime an election issue. And Miles Parks explains why Democrats say Democracy itself is on the ballot.
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Diversity After Affirmative Action Nov 05, 2022

Over the last four decades, affirmative action has helped transform diversity on college campuses in the United States. But soon, affirmative action in higher education may come to an end.
This week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments challenging affirmative action policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. Many Court observers believe that the current 6-3 conservative supermajority will rule that higher education can no longer consider race as a factor in admitting students.
If affirmative action is overturned, what tools can colleges and universities use to make their campuses more diverse? For answers, we look to California. In 1996 the state banned the use of affirmative action in public universities.
Mitchell Chang is Associate Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Los Angeles. He spoke with NPR's Adrian Florido.
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What Happens When The Mighty Mississippi Becomes The Measly Mississippi Nov 04, 2022

The extremes of climate change are wreaking havoc on the Mississippi.
Over the past two months, this critical waterway has seen below average rainfall. In some places, water levels haven't been this low for more than 30 years.
NPR's Debbie Elliot explains how that is helping the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico push upriver, threatening municipal and commercial water supplies.
Then Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco and Eva Tesfaye, of The Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk, show us how life on the river can be just as hard when climate change produces too much water.
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Why Federal Security Agencies Are Warning About Potential Election Violence Nov 03, 2022

The attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband and other recent incidents have security experts worried about the potential for political violence around the midterm elections.
NPR's Miles Parks and Odette Yousef explain what law enforcement and elections officials are preparing for.
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Qatar's Human Rights Record In The Spotlight Ahead Of 2022 World Cup Nov 02, 2022

Billions will be watching when the men's soccer World Cup begins in Qatar this month. But the country's human rights record will also be in the global spotlight during the tournament.
A 2021 investigation by The Guardian revealed that more than 6,500 migrant laborers died during the construction of World Cup facilities and infrastructure.
There are also questions about how LGBTQ soccer fans and players may be treated in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
We hear from one man who is speaking out about the lack of LGBTQ rights in his home country. And we speak with Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch, one of the groups that has been putting pressure on Qatar ahead of the World Cup.
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How Ukrainian Soldiers Are Preparing For The Battle Over Kherson Nov 01, 2022

More than eight months after the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, new challenges are emerging.
NPR's Franco Ordoñez reports that Ukrainian soldiers are preparing for what could be their toughest battle yet: the fight for the southern city of Kherson.
Meanwhile, supply chain issues are complicating the flow of Western military aid to Ukraine. We hear about that from NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman and NPR global economics correspondent Stacey Vanek Smith.
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What Do Young Voters in Wisconsin Want? Oct 31, 2022

Elections are tight in many parts of the US these days. They certainly are in the battleground state of Wisconsin, where the last two presidential elections were decided by very thin margins. This year's midterms could be just as tight in the state.
For Democrats, who are hoping to pick up a US Senate seat in Wisconsin, a key factor will be turnout among young voters. NPR's Juana Summers talked to three Wisconsin voters under the age of 30 to find out what issues are driving them to the polls this year.
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From Clergy to Veterans, Volunteers Rally To Fight Voter Intimidation Oct 29, 2022

On Friday, federal authorities issued an internal bulletin that warned of the potential for violence from domestic extremists during the midterm election season.
The same day, a federal Judge in Phoenix refused to stop a group from patrolling outdoor ballot boxes. Members of the group have been showing up heavily armed, often masked and wearing tactical vests. Critics say this is intimidating voters. The judge said that barring the group would violate their constitutional rights.
From election deniers who continue to insist without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen, to a flood of recent state laws that make voting more difficult, for many Americans, voting feels much more fraught. But volunteers are stepping up across the country to make sure that all voters feel safe casting their ballot.
Host Michel Martin talks to the Reverend Barbara Williams-Skinner of Faiths United to Save Democracy and TurnOut Sunday and Emily Eby, Senior Election Protection Attorney at Texas Civil Rights Project.
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Brazil's Presidential Vote Could Have An Impact Beyond The Country's Borders Oct 28, 2022

On Sunday, Brazilians will go to the polls to choose between two very different presidential candidates. One is the far-right incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, who has been called Latin America's Trump. The other is leftist former president and working class icon, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The outcome of the presidential runoff vote will of course shape the future of Brazil's democracy. But the vote's impact could also be felt far beyond the country's borders.
We hear what the outcome could mean for the future of the Amazon rainforest and efforts to prevent catastrophic climate change. And then, NPR's Shannon Bond explains why conspiracy theories about Brazil's elections are circulating in the United States.
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Black Vets Were Excluded From G.I. Bill Benefits. Congress Could Fix That. Oct 27, 2022

The G.I. Bill of 1944 provided free education, unemployment pay and home loans for millions of veterans returning from fighting in World War II. These benefits helped to expand the American middle class after the war.
But many returning Black veterans were excluded because of segregation. And that exclusion helped widen the wealth gap between white and Black Americans.
A bill in Congress would repair some of that harm by paying reparations to the families of nearly one million Black veterans who served in World War II.
NPR's Quil Lawrence spoke with the family of Bill Dabney, who fought in the little known Barrage Balloon Battalion, about what that money would mean to them.
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Here's What We Know About The 12 Million Midterm Ballots Cast So Far Oct 26, 2022

As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 12 million people have cast ballots in the 2022 midterms, according to the United States Elections Project.
Hidden in that number are hints about the effect disinformation might be having on voting by mail, whether new voting restrictions are depressing turnout and how motivated Americans are to cast ballots this year.
NPR's Miles Parks breaks down the national early voting picture, and Sam Gringlas with WABE in Atlanta, talks about the role early voting has played in that crucial midterm state.
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For William Shatner, seeing Earth from space was moving and heartbreaking Oct 25, 2022

A year ago, William Shatner, the actor who played Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series, boarded a Blue Origin rocket ship. At the age of 90, he became the oldest person to fly into space.
We hear from Shatner about "Boldly Go," the book he has since written about how that experience changed his outlook. And we also hear from Frank White, the author and philosopher who coined the term "Overview Effect" to describe experiences like Shatner's.
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It's Not Just The U.S. There Are Signs Of A Global Economic Downturn. Oct 24, 2022

The war in Ukraine is stressing global energy and food markets. China's COVID-19 lockdowns continue to affect supply chains. Economies large and small are facing persistent inflation. All of it adds up to a bleak global economic picture.
We talk to three NPR reporters on three different continents —Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley in Washington, Rob Schmitz in Berlin and Lauren Frayer in Mumbai—about how economic crises half a world away can bear down on daily life.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's David Gura on where CEOs think the economy is headed.
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Is Britain's Political Turmoil a Lesson in Democracy for the U.S? Oct 22, 2022

This week, politics in the UK looked a little — crazy.
Outraged members of Parliament yelled their demands for Prime Minister Liz Truss to resign, a head of iceberg lettuce managed to outlast her, and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson -who was just ousted a few months ago over the "partygate" scandal- is back in play as a possible replacement for Truss.
It feels like political theater, but the consequences are very real as people in the U.K. continue to struggle through an economic crisis.
As the very "un-British" chaos continues to unfold, is it proof that the British political system, at its messiest, is still less dysfunctional than U.S. politics?
NPR's Cheryl W. Thompson speaks with Rosa Prince, editor of "The House", a magazine that covers U.K. Parliament. And expat Brian Klaas of The Atlantic, explains why he thinks the latest fallout is proof that British democracy is in better shape than American democracy.
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This episode was produced by Tyler Bartlam. It was edited by Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Natalie Winston.
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Former President Donald Trump Subpoenaed by House January 6 Committee Oct 21, 2022

The House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot has subpoenaed former President Donald Trump for testimony under oath and records.
We speak with Nick Akerman, a former federal prosecutor who was involved in the Watergate case, about what's at stake for both Congress and the former president.
Plus, NPR's Carrie Johnson reports that Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon has now been sentenced to four months in prison for defying his own subpoena from the January 6 committee.
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As Election Day Nears, Democrats Rest Hopes On Abortion Rights Oct 20, 2022

Election day is less than three weeks away, and Democrats are trying desperately to hold on to their slim majority in Congress by focusing on abortion rights. But Republicans are betting that the economy and inflation are the most pressing issues for voters.
So how is the focus on abortion working out for the Democrats? We discuss that with NPR Political Correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben and NPR Senior Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro.
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What A Third Term For Xi Jinping Could Mean For China And The World Oct 19, 2022

This week, China's Communist Party Congress is expected to approve a historic third term in office for the country's leader, Xi Jinping.
Xi has already been in power for a decade, a period marked by growing authoritarianism in China. Many experts believe he could emerge a more emboldened leader in his new term.
Ailsa Chang speaks with Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, about the global implications of a third term for Xi Jinping and how this signals a new era for China. And NPR's Emily Feng reports on how little we know about the way China's Communist Party Congress makes its decisions.
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Ongoing Protests In Iran Echo A Century-Old Revolution Oct 18, 2022

It's been more than a month since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being detained by Iran's morality police – allegedly for breaking the rule requiring women to wear a hijab. Her death sparked protests that continue to this day.
Women and girls have been at the forefront of the demonstrations, often removing and burning their hijabs in defiance of the authorities.
We hear from some of the protesters themselves. And we talk to Iranian-American writer Reza Aslan, who tells us that what we are seeing today echoes a revolution that took place in Iran more than a century ago.
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How PPP Loan Forgiveness Became a Messy Process with Limited Scrutiny Oct 17, 2022

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was designed to soften the financial impact of the pandemic for small businesses. It issued about $800 billion in potentially forgivable government loans to keep workers employed during COVID shutdowns.
Now, the overwhelming majority of those loans have been forgiven with very little scrutiny. That means many loans have been forgiven to businesses that flourished during the pandemic or to fraudsters who took advantage of the lax system.
Meanwhile, the majority of the loans that remain unforgiven belong to the smallest businesses, companies the program was most meant to help.
Sacha Pfeiffer and Austin Fast of NPR's Investigations team looked into how the program failed to be as stringent as the government promised.
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What Does a Record Number of Black Candidates Really Mean for Republicans? Oct 15, 2022

In a party not known for ethnic diversity, 22 Black candidates are running for Republican House seats this year. And for the first time, we could see two Black Republican senators serving simultaneously. The historically diverse lineup also includes Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans on Republican tickets for the midterms.
While some Republican see a shift toward Ronald Regan's vision of the party as an inclusive "Big Tent''. But others say that the party's problematic record on race continues to keep Black voters away - even those who consider themselves conservative.
Host Michel Martin talks to Theodore Johnson, a researcher, and writer whose work focuses on how race plays out in politics and policy. Johnson writes a column for the center-right news and opinion site, The Bulwark.
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This episode was produced by Tyler Bartlam. It was edited by Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Natalie Winston.

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Are We Ready for Another COVID Surge? Oct 14, 2022

Public health officials are warning of a possible surge in COVID cases this winter. How bad it could get depends on how many people take the right precautions, according to Dr. Ashish Jha. We talk to the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator about bracing for the next potential wave.
Even if a COVID surge doesn't happen, there are plenty of respiratory ailments making a comeback, especially in children. Dr. Ibukun Kalu of Duke Children's Hospital in Durham, North Carolina explains why viruses like RSV are already swamping hospitals with sick kids.
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Does The U.S.-Saudi Alliance Have A Future? Oct 13, 2022

President Biden met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this summer — a man he had previously accused of ordering the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But at the meeting, he met the Crown Prince with a fist bump.
It all came as gas prices were rising globally, under pressure from Russia's war in Ukraine. One of Biden's goals was to convince Saudi Arabia's leaders to increase oil production.
But this month, Saudi Arabia and the other oil producing countries of OPEC Plus decided to cut production by 2 million barrels a day. That move is expected to drive up gas prices, and put more money in Russia's pockets. It has prompted Democrats in Congress to call for the U.S. to rethink or even walk away from its seven-decade partnership with Saudi Arabia.
NPR's International Affairs Correspondent Jackie Northam reports on where the relationship may be headed.
And Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, explains why he plans to block future weapons sales to the Saudis.
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#Dementia TikTok Is A Vibrant, Supportive Community Oct 12, 2022

There are more than 16 million people in the U.S. that are caring for someone with Alzheimer's and related dementias. More than two-thirds of them are women.
Caregiving can be emotionally and physically draining, as well as isolating. There are not a lot of resources available for caregivers and many are not paid.
For six years, Jacquleyn Revere took care of her mom who had dementia and posted about the highs and lows on her TikTok account.
Revere gained thousands of viewers and followers who could relate to her. Many of whom were also caregiving for a loved one with dementia.
Michigan Public Radio reporter Kate Wells shares Revere's story and how a niche corner of TikTok became a place of community and support.
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A Russian Missile, A Little Pink Coffin And Unimaginable Grief Oct 11, 2022

In the span of one morning this week, Russian airstrikes hit cities across Ukraine—some hundreds of miles from the frontline. Throughout the war, even when Russian troops haven't been able to reach Ukrainian cities, their missiles and rockets and artillery have.
More than 6,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since Russia launched its campaign in February, according to the United Nations. NPR's Jason Beaubien has the story of one of those deaths, 11-year-old Nasta Grycenko.
This episode also includes reporting from NPR's Kat Lonsdorf.
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The Supreme Court Case That Will Decide if Voting Rights Should Be Race-Blind Oct 10, 2022

Last week, the Supreme Court heard opening arguments in Merrill v. Mulligan, a case that could gut the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for the third time this decade.
At the center of the debate is Alabama's new congressional maps. Black voters make up the majority of only one out of seven districts. More than a quarter of the state's population is Black.
A three-judge federal panel ruled that Alabama should create a second congressional district. The state appealed, arguing that congressional maps shouldn't take race into consideration, and the case is now in front of the Supreme Court.
Eric Holder was the U.S. attorney general during the first case that weakened the Voting Rights Act: Shelby County v. Holder. He is now in the middle of this latest fight as the chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which supports the plaintiff in the Alabama case. He shares with us the potential impact of this case and where the fight for voting rights goes if the Voting Rights Act receives yet another body blow.
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Report on Pervasive Culture of Abuse in Women's Pro Soccer Incudes Youth Sports Oct 08, 2022

Over the past few years, we've heard shocking allegations from women athletes about experiencing sexual harassment and abuse. And earlier this week a report was released outlining a pervasive culture of abuse among coaches in the National Women's Soccer League. Elite women soccer players were subjected to a range of abuse - from belittling comments to sexual advances.Sally Yates, former Acting Attorney General, led the investigation – which was a response to allegations made last year against coaches by a number of women players. Many of the charges had been reported in the past but never acted upon. Host Michel Martin speaks with Steph Yang, staff writer for The Athletic who covers women's soccer and Julie DiCaro author of the book "Sidelined: Sports, Culture and Being a Woman in America".In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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Chess, Fishing, Irish Dancing: Cheating Scandals Reveal Why We Care About Cheating Oct 07, 2022

Cheating allegations have rocked many worlds over the last few weeks.
Chess, fishing, poker, and even Irish dancing.
These 'sports' cheating scandals have attracted a lot of attention lately.
Maurice Schweitzer is a professor at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
He studies emotions, trust and ethical decision making and says that our reaction to cheating might tell us something deeper about human nature and why we care about people cheating to get ahead.
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Is Independence The Answer For Puerto Rico? Oct 06, 2022

As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is perpetually stuck in limbo.
The people there are subject to federal laws, but don't have a vote for president or Congress.
This is a major problem when it comes to responding to disasters like Hurricane Fiona, which hit the island last month.
Many Puerto Ricans are deeply frustrated by what they claim has been a slow and inefficient response from a federal government that they have no say in.
Some want statehood, some want more autonomy. A small, but growing, group of people want independence.
Jaquira Diaz's essay "Let Puerto Rico Be Free" for The Atlantic looks back at key moments in the history of Puerto Rico and argues for the island's independence.
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Prescribed Burns Started a Wildfire, But Experts Say They're A Crucial Tool Oct 05, 2022

After a prescribed burn became the largest wildfire in New Mexico history earlier this year, the U.S. Forest Service put a ninety day ban on controlled burns.
But while these kinds of burns do carry risk, very few escape, and they are a crucial tool in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Forest ecologists are worried the ban added to the wildfire risk in areas that desperately need maintenance.
An investigation by CapRadio and the California Newsroom found that proper fire mitigation could have protected the Northern California town of Grizzly Flats from the Caldor Fire last year. CapRadio's Scott Rodd reports on how the U.S. Forest Service failed to execute its own mitigation plan in time, despite recognizing the danger decades ago.
KCRW's Caleigh Wells looked into all of the obstacles that stand in the way of prescribed burns and fire preparation in California's Big Bear Valley, which could be the next disaster.
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Migration Is Shifting. Who Is Crossing Where? Oct 04, 2022

The past twelve months have been the deadliest on record for the migrants crossing the Southern U.S. Border from Mexico. More than 800 have died in the last fiscal year.
This past year also saw a shift in migration. More and more are coming from Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela. Past entry points have given way to more remote locations on the border, like Eagle Pass and Del Rio, Texas.
These were sleepy border towns, now they are some of the busiest junctions on the border.
Who is arriving and what happens when they get there?NPR's Marisa Peñaloza and Joel Rose report.
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As Mortgage Rates Climb, A Hot Housing Market Cools Oct 03, 2022

Higher mortgage rates are putting a damper on the U.S. housing market. Home prices are down and sales of existing homes have now fallen for seven months in a row.
The ripples in the housing market are being felt as the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates to fight inflation. And those higher borrowing costs mean that monthly mortgage payments have shot up.
We hear from would-be buyers who say that soaring mortgage rates are pushing them out of the market. And we talk to NPR's Chris Arnold about how the Fed's moves are affecting buyers and sellers.
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Is the Electoral College Anti-Democratic? Oct 01, 2022

The Electoral Count Reform Act is a bipartisan response to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol where rioters and the former president attempted to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into subverting the election count.
But some critics think it doesn't go far enough and argue that real reform would mean making significant changes to the Electoral College and to the winner take all allotment of electoral votes.
Host Michel Martin talks to Stanford Historian Jonathan Gienapp about the origins of the Electoral College, and Elie Mystal, justice correspondent at The Nation.
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Russia's Illegal Annexation Ushers In A Dangerous New Phase Of The War Sep 30, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the formal annexation of four territories in Ukraine on Friday, after the conclusion of what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called "sham" referendums and "a complete farce."
NPR's Kat Lonsdorf talked with Ukrainians near the frontline about how the turmoil is affecting them.
Dara Massicot, a Russian military analyst with the RAND corporation, says, with this move, Putin has "burned bridges behind him," leaving him with few options to force a closure to the war. She says that makes this the beginning of a dangerous new phase.
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Hurricane Ian Tears Across Florida Sep 29, 2022

Hurricane Ian carved a path of destruction through central Florida, with extreme winds, heavy rains and a torrent of waters flooding in from the Gulf of Mexico.
Roads and bridges were washed away, coastal cities were swamped and electrical systems were wrecked - leaving millions of homes and businesses without power.
While the full scope of the disaster is not yet known, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says it will take years to rebuild.
We'll hear an eyewitness account of the destruction in Ft. Myers and check in with NPR's Greg Allen in Sarasota, where many neighborhoods are flooded.
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In Iran Protests, Anger At Hijab Rules Is "The Tip Of The Iceberg" Sep 28, 2022

The widespread protests in Iran were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She died after being detained by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code.
The fuel that's keeping them going is a broader, deeper resentment at life under the regime.
Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace explains what risk the protests pose to the regime, and why he believes it is incapable of reform.
This episode also features excerpts from NPR's Steve Inskeep's interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and reporting from NPR's Peter Kenyon.
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The Heartbreak And Cost Of Losing A Baby In America Sep 27, 2022

Every year, more than 300,000 U.S. families have infants who require advanced medical care in neonatal intensive care units.
Specialized treatments and round-the-clock care rack up enormous bills for parents as they try to navigate their baby's care. And in the worst case scenarios, some families are left with millions of dollars in medical bills long after their child has passed.
We talk to Kaiser Health News correspondent Lauren Weber about her reporting on how steep medical bills have impacted families and what resources are available for parents with infants in the NICU.
We also hear from Kingsley Raspe about the bills that piled up from treatments for his daughter, Sterling, and the heartbreak of dealing with insurers after she passed away at eight months old.
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The Civil Rights Activist Sharing Her Story With A New Generation Sep 26, 2022

Ruby Bridges was just six years old in 1960 when she became the first Black child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.
She was escorted by four federal marshals and greeted by a mob of angry white protesters.
Today, Bridges is a civil rights activist and author, and she is sharing her experience with a new generation of kids in her latest children's book, I Am Ruby Bridges.
Bridges tells her story through the eyes of her six-year-old self and talks about what today's children can learn from her experience.
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What's Really Causing America's Mental Health Crisis? Sep 24, 2022

This week the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced recommendations that doctors screen all patients under 65 for anxiety.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we've heard about sharp increases in the number of people suffering from mental health problems.
With a health care system already overburdened and seemingly unable to deal with the rise in mental health issues, America is facing what is being called a mental health crisis.
But are we losing sight of another crisis - the issues causing increased anxiety and depression in Americans?
Host Michel Martin speaks with Dr. Danielle Carr about her recent essay in the New York Times, Mental Health Is Political.
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Scandals? What Scandals? The NFL Keeps Surging. Sep 23, 2022

The NFL has dealt with plenty of scandal this century, but this offseason was pretty rough.
Accusations of racist hiring practices, star players charged with sexual assault, and owners behaving badly have all been embarrassments for the league.
None of that has affected the bottom line. TV ratings are as high as ever and NFL programs dominate the Nielsen top ten.
Our host Juana Summers talks to Kevin Draper, sports reporter for the New York Times, about what, if anything, can slow down the NFL juggernaut.
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The Stories Of People Serving Life Sentences, In Their Own Words Sep 22, 2022

More than 55,000 people in the U.S. are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, according to research from The Sentencing Project.
Behind bars, they are largely unseen and unheard.
The Visiting Room Project is an effort to change that. It's a collection of first-person testimonials of people who are serving life sentences.
We hear inmates tell their stories and talk with Calvin Duncan, co-creator the project, which invites the public to sit face-to-face with people who have no chance of parole.
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An Unfinished Recovery From Hurricane Maria Left Puerto Rico Vulnerable to Fiona Sep 21, 2022

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has allocated billions of dollars to Puerto Rico to help it rebuild from Hurricane Maria with more resilient infrastructure. Five years after the storm, only a tiny fraction of it has been spent, and Hurricane Fiona has again left much of the island in the dark.
NPR's Adrian Florido explains how Fiona has left some Puerto Ricans feeling like their recovery has gone "back to zero."
Sergio Marxuach, with The Center for a New Economy, a Puerto Rican think tank, explains why the island's power grid is so fragile, despite dedicated federal funding to improve it.
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The Experiment Aiming To Keep Drug Users Alive By Helping Them Get High More Safely Sep 20, 2022

As record numbers of people in the U.S. die from drug overdoses, communities are searching for tools to prevent them. A new program in Canada could serve as a model.
Over the past few years, government-approved clinics have opened across the country, where people can use street drugs under medical supervision. If they overdose, they can get life-saving care immediately. Some doctors are even prescribing powerful opioids to patients to keep them from using street drugs that may be laced with deadly chemicals.
It's a controversial program, and some in the medical community argue that it could encourage drug use.
NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann visited some of those supervised injection sites in Ottawa, to see how the program is working.
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Britain And Its Former Colonies Debate The Monarchy's Future After Elizabeth Sep 19, 2022

For many in the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth was synonymous with the monarchy. As she's laid to rest, King Charles faces a potentially "existential" challenge in convincing the British and global public that the monarchy is a force for good, according to historian Dan Jones.
That may be a difficult task in the Commonwealth, a group of 56 countries connected in part by a history of British colonial rule. Many see the monarchy as inextricably linked to the injustices of that colonial system.
Jones talks to NPR's Rachel Martin about the Queen's legacy and the shoes Charles must now fill.
Jamaican member of Parliament Lisa Hanna explains why she believes the monarchy is at a crossroads and must use this moment to correct historical wrongs committed by the British Empire against people of the Caribbean.
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College Athletes Cash in on Endorsements, but Playing Field is Uneven Sep 17, 2022

Since a Supreme Court ruling paved the way for college athletes to profit from the use of their name, image, or likeness - NIL for short - athletes are popping up in ads selling everything from protein shakes to air conditioners.
Host Michel Martin speaks with Ramogi Huma, founder and President of the National College Players Association, about the hurdles that keep some college players from cashing in, and the future of student compensation.
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Strippers In The U.S. Want Better Work Conditions. Some Are Trying to Unionize Sep 16, 2022

For the past six months, dancers at the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in Los Angeles have been striking almost every weekend.
This is because the strippers say they've faced unsafe working conditions, including assault and harassment from customers.
After the dancers say they were unable to meet with club managers to discuss their demands and were not allowed to work, they launched an effort to form a union.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Brianna Scott and KCRW's Robin Estrin.
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COVID Risk May Be Falling, But It's Still Claiming Hundreds Of Lives A Day Sep 15, 2022

It's a strange moment in the pandemic. Mask mandates and other restrictions have all but disappeared. For most vaccinated people, the risk of severe illness has gone way down.
But hundreds of people are dying of COVID-19 every day. For their loved ones, grieving a terrible loss as the country is moving back to normal can be jarring.
Everyday Americans are weighing the threat the coronavirus poses to them. Scientists, too, are debating how dangerous the virus is right now.
NPR's Rob Stein reports on the debate about whether COVID is more or less dangerous than the seasonal flu.
And Susan Reinhard with the AARP's Public Policy Institute argues that more still needs to be done to protect nursing home residents.
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With New Counteroffensive, Ukraine Punches Back Sep 14, 2022

Over the past week, the Ukrainian military has retaken thousands of square miles of territory from Russian troops, in a counteroffensive east of Kharkiv. Retreating Russian soldiers left behind tanks and ammunition as they fled.
We'll hear the stories of Ukrainians who spent months under Russian occupation, and take a look at what the counteroffensive means for the next phase of the war.
This episode also features reporting by NPR's Ashley Westerman.
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Does Social Media Leave You Feeling Angry? That Might Be Intentional Sep 13, 2022

Social media platforms have helped fuel political polarization and incitements to violence across the globe, from the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar to the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
This is because algorithms consistently select content that evokes anger and outrage from its users to maximize engagement. And sometimes, those extreme emotions turn into extreme actions.
New York Times reporter Max Fisher took a deep dive into the impact of social media in his book, "The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World." He shares with us how platform leaders have prioritized profit and growth over safeguards and how the polarizing effect of social media is only speeding up.
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How Owning A Mobile Home Can Leave You On Shaky Ground Sep 12, 2022

A lot of mobile homes aren't actually that mobile. They're brought in trucks in big pieces, then screwed together and put up on foundations.
At that point they're basically just houses, with one major exception: the people who own those houses, if they live in a mobile home park, often don't own the land underneath them.
That can leave them at the mercy of the big companies that own and manage the mobile home parks.
NPR's Chris Arnold and Robert Benincasa have the story of a group of residents who are suing their corporate landlord, and what it might say about the mobile home industry in America.
You can read an in-depth version of the story here.
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When Fashion Is About More Than Trendy Clothes Sep 10, 2022

Even if you have never walked the red carpet at the Met Gala, or sat in the front row of a Fashion Week runway, the notion of fashion is hard to escape. For some of us, what we wear – whether it's Gucci or the GAP–is about more than just the clothes on our bodies.
Fashion is often about who we are - our ideas, identity, and culture. For those who cover and create fashion, it can be a way to challenge and change the culture in ways that resonate beyond the red carpet and the runway.
Host Michel Martin speaks with designer Eileen Fisher, one of the first in the industry to introduce sustainable clothing production. She is stepping down as CEO of her self named company after 34 years. Kenya Hunt is stepping into the editor-in-chief role at Elle UK. She is the first Black woman to hold the position. Hunt talks about why she chose Lizzo for the magazine's September cover.
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Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Robert Baldwin III. It was edited by Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Natalie Winston.
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Quiet Quitting: A Loud Trend Overtaking Social Media Sep 09, 2022

Quiet quitting. It's a buzzy topic in the workplace and on social media, sparked by a viral TikTok video earlier this summer. So what does it mean?
For some workers, it's simply doing what's in your job description and nothing more. For others, it's about setting boundaries and focusing on work-life balance.
Quiet quitting doesn't actually involve quitting a job. But as workplace culture has changed during the pandemic, many people are re-evaluating their relationship to work and trying to figure out the right balance between their work lives and their personal lives.
We talk to Robyn Garrett, CEO of the leadership company Beamably, and Jhanee Carter, CEO and founder of the HR Queen, about quiet quitting and the impact it's having on workers and the workplace.
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The Life And Reign Of Queen Elizabeth II Sep 08, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch of Britain since 1952, died on Thursday at the age of 96. She reigned for longer than any other ruler of the United Kingdom, spanning seventy years and fifteen prime ministers.
NPR's Frank Langfitt brings us the story of her life and reign, including the ups and downs of the royal family during her tenure.
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In Jackson, Mississippi, A Water Crisis Decades In The Making Sep 07, 2022

For more than a month, residents of Jackson, Mississippi, have not had access to safe drinking water. The city is under a boil water advisory after problems with the pumps at the city's main water treatment plant.
It's the latest emergency in a city that has had problems with its water system for decades.
We talk to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan about efforts to fix Jackson's water infrastructure.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Cory Turner and Jennifer Ludden.
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Traffic Deaths Are At A 20-Year High. What Makes Roads Safe (Or Not)? Sep 06, 2022

Traffic fatalities have surged since the early days of the pandemic, reversing a persistent decline since the 1970s. Roads in the U.S. are now more dangerous than they've been in 20 years.
Vox's Marin Cogan tells us about the deadliest road in the country, a stretch of US-19 in Pasco County, Fla.
And we speak to Ryan Sharp, director of transportation and planning in Hoboken, N.J. That city has managed to bring traffic deaths to zero for the past four years.
This episode also features reporting from KCUR's Frank Morris.
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Tracking Down A Journalist's Killers Sep 05, 2022

When Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in 2017, she was in the midst of reporting on corruption within the island's government. After her death, a small team of reporters picked up her work where she left off, determined to find the people behind her assassination.
In this episode, we'll talk with one of those reporters — Stephen Grey from Reuters — about their investigation, which has uncovered new evidence about the network of people responsible for killing Caruana Galizia.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Joanna Kakisiss.
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The Quiet Trend of Reimagining and Reusing Prisons and Jails Sep 04, 2022

After decades of scandals over horrible conditions, many states are reimagining prisons and jails and reusing those properties to benefit the community.
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This Tool Was Supposed To Detect Election Hacking. Now It's A Misinformation Target Sep 02, 2022

After the 2016 election – and Russian hacking attempts targeted at local election offices – hundreds of local governments across the country made changes.
Among them, installing something called an Albert sensor. It's designed to warn of hacking attempts.
But in Washington State, this cybersecurity tool has become the subject of suspicion on the political right. It's part of a trend that one voting expert described as "using the language of election integrity to dismantle the infrastructure of election integrity."
The Northwest News Network's Austin Jenkins and NPR's Miles Parks explain what's happening.
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Still Reeling, Uvalde Goes Back To School Sep 01, 2022

Students in Uvalde, Texas are going back to school for the first time since a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School back in May. But parents and kids are still worried about security in the district — and some families are opting to homeschool instead of going back in-person.
NPR's Juana Summers spent a week in Uvalde speaking with families about how the community is trying to move forward — and balance education with the need to keep students safe.
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As Climate Change Drives More Disasters, What Can We Learn From 'Katrina Babies'? Aug 31, 2022

It's been 17 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, permanently changing life for many people across the country.
Over a thousand were killed, and many more were displaced. The city suffered billions of dollars of damage.
New Orleans has slowly recovered over the years, but for many, the trauma of the natural disaster lingers on.
NPR's Juana Summers talks with filmmaker Edward Buckles Jr. about his new documentary, 'Katrina Babies,' which explores the trauma experienced by families and children from Hurricane Katrina.
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In Serena Williams, A Generation Of Black Players Saw A Legend "Who Looked Like Me" Aug 30, 2022

Serena Williams dominated tennis for the better part of two decades. Her athleticism and aggressive style changed the way the women's game is played. And she inspired a generation of young Black players who followed in her footsteps.
Coco Gauff was one of them. At 18 years old, she was born five years after Williams' first Grand Slam singles title. Today, she's ranked 12th in the WTA rankings.
"Growing up, I never thought I was different," she said, "because the number one player in the world was somebody who looked like me."
As Williams plays in what may be the final matches of her career, in the U.S. Open, Chanda Rubin of Tennis Channel reflects on Williams' career and her legacy.
This episode also features reporting on the Williams family's time in Compton, California, from NPR's Danny Hajek.
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Abortion Bans Bring Back Painful Memories For One Rape Survivor Aug 29, 2022

This summer, just weeks after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the story of a 10-year-old girl in Ohio became a flashpoint in the national abortion debate.
The girl had become pregnant as a result of rape and had to travel across state lines to Indiana to get an abortion.
For one rape survivor, the case reminded her of what she lived through long ago, before Roe was the law the of the land. She spoke with NPR's Sarah McCammon about her experience.
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To attract and retain teachers, some schools are getting creative Aug 27, 2022

Across the country, some teachers are deciding not to return to the classroom this September. The pandemic didn't create the problem of teacher burnout, but it made a bad situation worse. Fed up with low pay, hampered by partisan politics intruding in the classroom, and shaken by the recent Uvalde shooting, many say they have reached their breaking point.
Teacher vacancies have left school districts across the U.S. scrambling to find enough qualified faculty for the fall. In some areas, competition for teachers is fierce, and schools are finding creative ways to hold on to existing teachers and attract new talent.
Host Don Gonyea speaks with John Kuhn, Superintendent of Mineral Wells Independent School District in Texas, about the bold changes he made to retain teachers.
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What You Need To Know About Biden's Plan to Forgive Student Loan Debt Aug 26, 2022

President Biden's plan to forgive federal student loan debt – up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for others who qualify – leaves millions of borrowers with unanswered questions.
NPR's Sequoia Carrillo and Carolina Rodriguez of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program in New York, examine the new plan and help answer some of the frequently asked questions about how it would work.
This episode features reporting from NPR's Scott Horsley.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci Steps Away Aug 25, 2022

For nearly four decades, Dr. Anthony Fauci has been leading the fight against infectious diseases in America - including AIDS and COVID-19. Now, he's stepping away.
Earlier this week, Dr. Fauci announced he would retire as the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the end of the year. In this episode, we'll talk with Dr. Fauci about his decision to leave, and take a look at the twists and turns of his long - and sometimes controversial - career.
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For Families Of Ukrainian Prisoners Of War, An Agonizing Search For Answers Aug 24, 2022

The soldiers known as the Azovstal defenders are heroes in Ukraine. They held out for months against the Russians, fighting from a bombed-out steel plant in the southern port city of Mariupol.
When the city fell, the Ukrainian soldiers were taken captive by Russia.
Last month, the prison where they were being held was rocked by an explosion. More than 50 people died according to Russian sources, and both Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the attack.
NPR's Joanna Kakissis and producer Iryna Matviyishyn spoke to some of these soldiers' families as they waited to find out whether the men were dead or alive.
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As Inflation Eases, Food Prices Soar Aug 23, 2022

Gas prices are down. Inflation is dropping ever so slightly. But the cost of food is going up. The price of food in America rose more in the past year than it has at any time since 1979.
We'll explore the ways that high food prices are affecting consumers and small businesses alike, and see what inflation means for those who are most vulnerable to food insecurity.
This episode features reporting from NPR's Asma Khalid, Scott Horsley and Ari Shapiro, along with Stephan Bisaha from our Gulf States Newsroom.
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Life For Afghan Women And Girls Under Taliban Rule Aug 22, 2022

One year after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the lives of women and girls have changed dramatically.
Girls are no longer permitted to attend secondary school. Women are blocked from working in most sectors. And they are under orders to cover themselves in public.
Rangina Hamidi was the acting minister of education when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. We hear about her decision to leave the country and her yearning to return.
Additional reporting in this episode comes from NPR's Steve Inskeep and Diaa Hadid.
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Close to a decade after a catfishing incident, former NFL player Manti Te'o opens up Aug 20, 2022

It's the kind of captivating, complex story that's hard to forget once you hear it. In 2012, star Notre Dame linebacker Manti T'eo's grandmother died. Just hours later, his girlfriend died of leukemia. Rising above the tragedy he seemed unstoppable on the field as Notre Dame went on to a winning season.
But the girlfriend was a hoax. Te'o was the victim of catfishing. He had fallen in love with a fake Facebook profile. In the media frenzy that followed, he went from the golden boy of Notre Dame football to the target of ridicule and attack. In a new documentary on Netflix, Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist, Manti Te'o gets the opportunity to tell his full story for the first time in nearly ten years.
Host Michel Martin speaks with Te'o about the scandal and how he overcame it.
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$4 Trillion: How The Biden Administration's Legislative Successes Became Reality Aug 19, 2022

President Biden had the narrowest possible Democratic Majority in the Senate when he took office. Yet the Biden administration's legislative successes continue to pile up.
He signed the American Rescue Plan just a couple months after taking office, followed by a major infrastructure bill last fall. Most recently, Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. These three legislative packages total up to around $4 trillion.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with journalist Michael Grunwald, author of the book, "The New New Deal", about what it all means for the country.
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Trying To Heal The Wounds Of Partition, 75 Years Later Aug 18, 2022

75 years ago this week, British colonial rule ended in India. Two new nations emerged - Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India.
But that freedom was followed by chaos and bloodshed. Partition triggered a mass migration across a shared border, as millions of Muslims fled to Pakistan and millions of Hindus and Sikhs fled to India.
Violent attacks happened on both sides of the border. An estimated one million people were killed.
Pakistan and India still grapple with the repercussions of Partition and the effects are still felt today.
NPR's Lauren Frayer tells us about an effort to heal some of those old wounds by reconnecting elderly survivors of Partition with the homes and villages they haven't seen in decades.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Diaa Hadid.
You can read more about Diaa and Lauren's reporting on this story here.
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Where Does Liz Cheney Go From Here? Aug 17, 2022

A key primary this week in Wyoming re-affirmed Donald Trump's hold on the Republican party.
As expected, Republican Representative Liz Cheney lost her race in a landslide, defeated by attorney Harriet Hageman, a Trump-endorsed political newcomer.
Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, came to office five years ago as a Republican darling. But everything shifted when she voted to impeach Trump after the January 6th insurrection. She then took center stage in the January 6th hearings, speaking out against Republicans that continued to defend Trump's stolen election lie.
With Cheney's time in Congress coming to an end, Political journalist Jodi Edna has been thinking about what Cheney might do next — and what it means for the future of the GOP.
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How The Family Separation Policy Came To Be Aug 16, 2022

In 2018, more than 5,500 children of immigrants were separated from their parents at the border.
The Trump administration's "Zero Tolerance" policy, better known as family separation, was short-lived, ending in June of 2018 after facing condemnation from the public and members of Congress.
For some families, it took years to reunite, and hundreds of families still have not been brought back together.
Caitlin Dickerson's latest cover story for The Atlantic, titled, "We Need To Take Away Children: The Secret History Of The U.S. Government's Family Separation Policy", is an exhaustive investigation into how the policy came about.
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A U.S. Marine's View From Kabul's Airport As the City Fell to the Taliban Aug 15, 2022

One year ago, on August 15, 2021, the Taliban swept into power in Kabul.
It's a day that many remember, as videos and images showed a chaotic scene at the Kabul airport, with thousands of Afghans desperately trying to flee the country.
Lt. Col. Chris Richardella was one of the officers leading the U.S. Marine Corps at the airport when the Taliban took over. In a conversation with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, he recounts what followed.
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High profile grads and a yearning for respite have helped boost HBCU applications Aug 13, 2022

At one point, over 90% of African Americans with a college degree obtained it from an HBCU. But in the decades following the legal dismantling of segregation, enrollment declined at HBCUs.
Recently, some HBCUs have seen a significant rise in applications. The boost could be due to more funding, celebrity students, or famous HBCU grads like Vice President Kamala Harris.
But informal conversations with Black students and their families point to something even more powerful: HBCUs are a safe and nurturing space to learn in a time of increasing anti-Black racism.
Host Michel Martin speaks with Walter Kimbrough, the past president of two historically Black institutions - Philander Smith College and Dillard University - and the interim executive director of the Black Men's Research Institute at Morehouse College.
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What Is The Status Of All Of Trump's Legal Woes? Aug 12, 2022

Former President Donald Trump is dominating headlines yet again.
Earlier this week, the FBI took several boxes of secret and top secret documents from Mar-a-Lago during a search of Trump's home. And on Friday, a federal judge unsealed the warrant for the search – plus a list of what was taken from the property.
NPR's Carrie Johnson explains what the unsealed warrant reveals, and what comes next.
But the news from Mar-a-Lago is just the latest in a litany of legal battles entangling the former president. From the civil and criminal cases in New York, to the Georgia election interference case and the Jan 6th DOJ investigation – it can be hard to keep track of it all.
Barbara McQuade is a professor at University of Michigan Law School and a former U.S. attorney, she helps us understand where these cases stand.
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What The Climate Package Means For A Warming Planet Aug 11, 2022

Up until a few weeks ago, meaningful climate legislation was sidelined in the U.S. Senate. But after months of wrangling votes — and adding concessions to oil and gas companies — Democrats in the Senate have finally passed the Inflation Reduction Act.
The bill includes more than $300 billion in climate investments — the highest amount ever allocated by the federal government to tackle climate change. This episode lays out what the bill does, what it doesn't, and tracks the ups and downs of the legislation as it wound its way through Congress.
This episode also features reporting by NPR's Laura Benshoff looking at the ways the legislation incentivizes individuals to fight climate change in their everyday life.
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From The Grassroots To The Top Of The Ticket, Election Denial Looms Large in GOP Aug 10, 2022

In Republican politics, one of the biggest issues in the 2022 election is the 2020 election. In at least 8 states so far, Republicans have picked candidates for Secretary of State who deny the results of the last presidential election. This is despite the fact that not a shred of evidence calls President Biden's victory into question. If elected, they would become the chief elections officer in their states.
In some of the same swing states where election deniers will be on the statewide ballot in November, there's another effort underway, backed by key figures in former President Trump's orbit. Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer who worked on Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election, is working to mobilize an "army" of poll watchers.
NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports on what he learned from leaked audio of one of her summits.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Miles Parks, who covers voting and election security.
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How The U.S. Gave Away Cutting-Edge Technology To China Aug 09, 2022

Researchers at an American national laboratory spent years developing cutting-edge vanadium redox flow batteries. But now, a Chinese company is making those batteries in a factory in northeastern China.
An investigation from NPR's Laura Sullivan and Northwest News Network's Courtney Flatt shows how the U.S. federal government gave away American-made technology to China.
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The Course Of The War In Ukraine Hinges On The Fight For Kherson Aug 08, 2022

All eyes are on Kherson. In Ukraine's first major offensive of the war, soldiers are pushing towards the city, trying to retake it from Russian troops. It's a transport hub and key river crossing, and reclaiming it would be a huge victory for Ukraine.
NPR's Kat Lonsdorf brings us the story of Vitaly, a 22-year-old college student in Kherson. Since the city first fell, he has sent NPR voice memos detailing life under the Russian occupation. Now, he's decided he has to get out.
And NPR's Brian Mann travels near the front lines with Ukrainian forces pushing towards Kherson. It's a vast stretch of half-abandoned villages and farms fields, old industrial sites and dense forests, where the exact point of contact between Russian and Ukrainian troops is often unclear day by day.
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Palestinian pop singer Bashar Murad struggles for freedom and equality on two fronts Aug 06, 2022

Bashar Murad's danceable riffs and live concerts and videos - filled with bubbles, enormous hats, and layers and layers of veils - have earned him the nickname "Palestinian Lady Gaga" from his fans. And much like Born This Way is an anthem of equality, Murad's songs challenge conservative social norms and push for LGBTQ rights while also challenging the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Earlier this summer, Murad's concert in the West Bank city of Ramallah was cancelled under threats by anti-LGBTQ activists. As an outspoken proponent of LGBTQ rights, Murad is challenging both the external conflict Palestinians face with Israel and the internal conflicts imposed by a conservative society. This week, NPR's Daniel Estrin speaks with Bashar Murad about his music, his activism, and how anti-LGBTQ events that unfolded during the summer have added to the complexities that can come with being a voice for both the Palestinian and the LGBTQ communities.In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.This episode was reported by Daniel Estrin. It was produced by Miranda Mazariegos and edited by Jeanette Woods and Larry Kaplow. Our executive producer is Natalie Winston. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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As U.S. Declares Monkeypox A Public Health Emergency, What To Know About The Risks Aug 05, 2022

This week the Biden administration declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency.
And as the number of cases in the U.S. continues to climb, there's a lot of confusion about the disease, how it spreads and who's most at-risk.
NPR health correspondents Pien Huang and Michaeleen Doucleff join us to discuss the current outbreak.
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The National Security Advisor's Very Busy Week Aug 04, 2022

With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the U.S. airstrike that killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, there's a lot to talk about with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan these days.
He weighs in on all three in a sit-down interview with NPR.
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Abortion Bans Have Consequences For Wanted Pregnancies, Too Aug 03, 2022

Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, a dozen states have implemented laws banning or severely restricting abortion. Those laws have consequences for wanted pregnancies, too.
NPR's Carrie Feibel brings us the story of a woman in Texas whose pregnancy took a sudden turn. Because of the state's abortion law, her case became a medical crisis.
This episode also includes reporting from NPR's Sarah McCammon and Melissa Block
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Al Qaeda Leader Killed In U.S. Drone Strike In Afghanistan Aug 02, 2022

Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al Qaeda, was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan over the weekend. For years, al-Zawahiri was Osama Bin Laden's deputy — and was known as the mastermind behind the 9-11 attacks.
NPR's Greg Myre and Diaa Hadid discuss the implications of al-Zawahiri's death for the U.S., Afghanistan, and America's decades-long war on terror.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Steve Inskeep.
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Why We Will See More Devastating Floods Like The Ones In Kentucky Aug 01, 2022

Dee Davis remembers watching his grandmother float by in a canoe during the 1957 flood that hit Whitesburg, Ky. The water crested at nearly 15 feet back then--a record that stood for over half a century, until it was obliterated last week.
The water was more than six feet higher than the 1957 mark when floodwater destroyed the gauge.
The flooding took out bridges and knocked houses off their foundations. It had claimed at least 35 lives as of Monday afternoon.
And it was just the latest record-breaking flooding event to hit the U.S. this summer.
NPR's Rebecca Hersher explains that climate change is making extreme floods more frequent. A warming atmosphere can hold more moisture, which means, when it rains, it rains harder.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Kirk Siegler, KJZZ's Michel Marizco and St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Fentem.
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Being An Abortion Doula In A Post-Roe World Jul 30, 2022

You may have never heard the phrase abortion doula, but for years they have been working to support people navigating the process and experience of ending a pregnancy.
With Roe overturned, depending on where you live, figuring out how to obtain an abortion has gotten much harder. This could make the role of abortion doulas more critical than ever --- and more risky.
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Vicki Bloom. She refers to herself as a full spectrum doula and provides a range of reproductive health support services, from helping clients create a birth plan, to being present at abortions, to providing information and emotional support.
We discuss what a abortion doula does and how that role might change in a post-Roe world.
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In Canada, The Pope Delivers An Apology To Indigenous Peoples Jul 29, 2022

This week, Pope Francis has been in Canada, on what he calls a "Pilgrimage of Penance". He's been going around the country to apologize for the Catholic Church's role in Canada's residential school system.
These schools – funded by the Canadian government and administered by the Catholic Church – were aimed at erasing the culture and language of indigenous people.
The apology from Pope Francis this week comes after years of allegations detailing abuse and neglect at these residential boarding schools. Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in 2008 to document what happened at these schools – and the lasting trauma that has followed.
Stephanie Scott is a member of the Anishinaabe from Roseau River First Nation. She's executive director of the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation – and has been part of a years-long effort to gather the testimony of survivors. She shares with us the mixed feelings about the Pope's apology, and the work that still has to be done towards reconciliation.
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How To Protect Yourself From The BA.5 Omicron Subvariant Jul 28, 2022

The BA.5 variant is the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's highly transmissible and it's driving up COVID cases and hospitalizations.
This week NPR learned that the Biden administration may scrap plans to let more younger adults get second COVID-19 boosters this summer. Instead, officials are trying to speed up availability of the next generation of boosters in the fall — boosters that specifically target the new subvariant.
We talk to Dr. Robert Wachter, the chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, about the administration's booster strategy and how people can protect themselves in the midst of the latest surge.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Rob Stein.
A heads up to listeners: we recorded this episode Thursday afternoon, before the Biden administration announced that it will hold off on offering boosters for people under 50 this summer.
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What We Lost When Hotels Stopped Being Housing Jul 27, 2022

Residential hotels used to play a huge role in the American housing landscape, providing flexible accommodation for anyone who needed it, from the rich and famous to the barely scraping by. Slate staff writer Henry Grabar argues that a return of extended-stay hotels could help solve some of today's housing market dysfunction.
KNKX's Will James reports on what happened after tenants of a residential hotel in Tacoma, Wash., were forced out—into a housing market with very few affordable options.
You can read his entire series on the Merkle Hotel here, and Henry Grabar's article on extended stay hotels here.
This episode also features reporting on the US housing shortage from NPR's Chris Arnold.
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The Long And Winding Journey Of The James Webb Space Telescope Jul 26, 2022

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured images of the universe that have stunned both scientists and the public. But for more than twenty years before its launch, the mission faced multiple delays, cost overruns, technical difficulties and threats from Congress to kill it altogether.
We'll speak with some of the leaders of the Webb telescope mission who fought to keep it alive — and hear from astronomers whose work is now changed forever by its images.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce.
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With Inflation Soaring, The Fed Weighs Another Interest Rate Hike Jul 25, 2022

Food, gas, rent — prices are climbing across the board. As inflation hit a 40-year high last month, millions of Americans are adjusting their spending and looking for ways to stretch their budgets.
The Federal Reserve is taking action, too. Policy makers are meeting this week to consider whether and how much to raise interest rates in an effort to curb inflation.
We talk to NPR's chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley and business correspondent David Gura.
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Do Police Officers View Themselves Differently As Public Perception of Them Changes? Jul 23, 2022

This week dozens of family members of victims of the Uvalde Texas school shooting showed up at the town's first school board meeting since a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in May.
The atmosphere became tense and emotional as families confronted board members, demanding assurances that students and staff would be safe in the coming school year.
The school board meeting followed the release of surveillance footage from the day of the shooting and an investigative report released by the Texas House of Representatives.
The investigation found that a total of 376 local, state, and federal officers converged on the scene. But due to "systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making" on the part of the police, more than an hour passed before anyone confronted the gunman.
Many Americans feel that the police stand between order and chaos. Yet the massive failure by law enforcement in Uvalde may change how the public views police and how police view themselves.
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Seth Stoughton, a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law.
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The January 6th Committee Rests Its Case For Now, And Eyes Turn to Merrick Garland Jul 22, 2022

This week the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol wrapped up its first set of public hearings. The final hearing focused on former President Trump's actions - or lack of action - as rioters breached the Capitol.
As the hearings continue, the Department of Justice is conducting its own investigation. And Attorney General Merrick Garland is under pressure from the left to bring criminal charges against Trump.
We spoke to former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about the evidence that the House Select Committee has presented and what the attorney general may be considering. Weissmann was a senior prosecutor on Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
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Climate Change And Record Breaking Heat Around The World Jul 21, 2022

Record high temperatures have wreaked havoc around the world this week. In Southern England, railway tracks bent from the heat. In China, the roof tiles on a museum melted. In Texas, heat and a dry spell have caused nearly 200 water main breaks over the past month.
And extreme heat puts lives at risk, too. It's more deadly than tornadoes, hurricanes, and all other weather events combined.
Extreme temperatures, and the attendant misery, are connected to global warming, which is driven by human activity and accelerating.
Reporters from around the globe talk about what they're seeing and how governments are responding. NPR's Rebecca Hersher, who reports on climate science and policy from the US, NPR's John Ruwitch in Shanghai and Willem Marx in London.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Franco Ordoñez.
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How To Talk To Kids About Abortion Jul 20, 2022

Talking about abortion can be difficult even among adults. So how do you talk to kids about it? We asked listeners to send us their questions — and brought together two experts to answer them.
Reena B. Patel, a parenting expert and licensed educational psychologist in San Diego, California, and Dr. Elise Berlan, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist in Columbus, Ohio, join us to talk about ways to broach the conversation around abortion with kids of all ages.
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He Tracked Down Nazi War Criminals. Now He's Investigating Atrocities In Ukraine Jul 19, 2022

How serious is the U.S. about investigating Russian war crimes in Ukraine? They put Eli Rosenbaum on the case. He's best known for directing the Department of Justice special investigations unit which tracked down Nazis who had gone into hiding after World War II.
He lays out the challenges of conducting an investigation in the midst of an ongoing war.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Jason Beaubien and Brian Mann on Russian airstrikes that killed Ukrainian civilians.
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As States Ban Abortion, Demand For Contraceptives Is Rising Jul 18, 2022

Interest in birth control and emergency contraception has surged since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion. But safe and reliable birth control isn't always easy to access.
Now the FDA is considering whether to make birth control pills available without a prescription. If approved, it would be the first over-the-counter oral contraceptive in the U.S.
We also hear from NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce about the most popular form of contraception for women in the U.S. - permanent contraception, colloquially known as "getting your tubes tied" - and why barriers to access leave many requests for this procedure unfulfilled.
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In A Divided America, Can The January 6 Hearing Change Hearts And Minds? Jul 16, 2022

The televised probe into the mob attack on the Capitol has dropped plenty of bombshells as insider testimonies pull back the curtain on the efforts of former President Donald Trump and his allies to hold onto power after he lost his reelection bid.
But at Tuesday's hearing, one of the most compelling witnesses was not a former staffer or official but Stephen Ayers. A staunch believer in Trump, Ayers came to D.C. on Trump's command and stormed the Capitol. After his arrest, he looked at the facts about the 2020 election and realized he was fed and had believed a lie.
Polls, studies and surveys warn that Americans are deeply and bitterly divided by politics. Can the January 6 hearing help close that partisan gap? We speak with Didi Kuo, Associate Director for Research at Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.
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As Monkeypox Cases Climb, U.S. Officials Increase Testing and Order More Vaccine Doses Jul 15, 2022

Public health experts know what it takes to get a disease outbreak under control - widespread testing and treatment, and vaccines made available to communities most at risk.
But in the last two months of the Monkeypox outbreak, the response has not met the need. And there's been criticism that the missteps look a lot like the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, with more than 1,400 confirmed cases in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more help is on the way. Testing capacity is increasing along with vaccine doses.
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky about the federal government's response to Monkeypox and whether it's enough to contain the outbreak.
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They Don't Trust Election Officials, So They're Doing Their Own Door-To-Door Audit Jul 14, 2022

Your vote is secret. But the fact that you voted in an election is typically public record.
So some people who falsely believe the 2020 election was stolen have tried to audit the results themselves by going door to door in neighborhoods across the country.
NPR's Miles Parks and Colorado Public Radio's Bente Birkeland report on this canvassing effort. It's part of a controversial movement to galvanize everyday Americans to try to uncover voter fraud in their own communities.
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What We Learned From This Week's Jan. 6 Hearing — And What Questions Still Remain Jul 13, 2022

In a tweet sent on December 19, 2021, former President Trump issued what Democrats now say was a "clarion call" to his supporters. "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th," he wrote. "Be there, will be wild!" This week, in a hearing of the House committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol, we learned more about what happened in the days and weeks after the President sent that tweet — and the tense moments in the White House just hours before.
Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, a member of the House committee investigating January 6th, tells NPR that next week's primetime hearing — the final scheduled hearing of the committee — will unravel minute-by-minute events at the Capitol and present an account of what President Trump was doing during that time.
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As New Variant Surges, Officials Warn More Will Follow Without Global Vax Effort Jul 12, 2022

A new omicron subvariant is now the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. It's called BA.5 — and it appears to evade neutralizing antibodies, making it easier for fully-vaccinated people to become infected or those who recently had COVID to get re-infected.
Dr. Ayoade Alakija, co-chair of the African Union's Africa Vaccine Delivery Alliance, warns that more variants will follow unless global vaccine efforts get more aggressive.
Atul Gawande, head of global health for the U.S. Agency for International Development, says Congress needs to authorize a new round of spending to help get vaccines to countries where many people still have not been vaccinated.
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The Other Gun Deaths Jul 11, 2022

Mass shooting deaths represent just a fraction of people killed by gun violence in America, and more than half of all gun deaths are suicides.
The numbers are staggering: in 2020, the most recent year with available data, 45,000 people in America were killed by guns. This episode, a few of the people touched by that violence share their stories.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or contact the Crisis Text Line: text HELLO to 741741.
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What Will It Take To Get Brittney Griner Out Of Detention In Russia? Jul 09, 2022

When the Women's NBA All-Star Game gets underway this weekend, the league will be missing one of its superstars, Brittney Griner.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and star center for the Phoenix Mercury has been detained in Russia on drug smuggling charges since February.
This week, Griner pleaded guilty to the drug charges, saying she did not intend to break the law. If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of up to ten years in a Russian prison. The country's prison system is known for some of the harshest conditions in the world.
Her supporters have called on President Joe Biden to step up efforts to bring her home. But negotiating with Russia, about anything, is seldom easy.
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The Supreme Court just had its most conservative term in nine decades Jul 08, 2022

A wave of decisions by the Supreme Court's conservative majority has lead to criticism that the court is more politicized than it used to be. Now there's data to support that claim. Researchers with The Supreme Court Database — which is run by legal scholars from multiple universities — have shown that the court produced more conservative decisions this term than at any time since 1931.
NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg joined Jamal Greene, a Constitutional law professor from Columbia University, and Tom Goldstein, the founder of SCOTUSBlog, to talk about the implications of the decisions from the term.
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The Stolen Election Lie Keeps Spreading, Here Are Some Of The People Responsible Jul 07, 2022

Donald Trump's lie that the election was stolen from him continues to spread. That's, in large part, because of a group of people crisscrossing the country, spreading false claims about voter fraud.
NPR's Investigations team used social media and news reports to track four key figures in the movement: MyPillow CEO and longtime Trump supporter Mike Lindell, former U.S. Army Captain Seth Keshel, former high school math and science teacher Douglas Frank, and former law professor David Clements.
NPR's Miles Parks explains their findings.
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Your Vaccine Questions Answered Jul 06, 2022

COVID vaccines are available to children as young as six months old. Still, plenty of parents and caretakers have questions before they get their children the jab. NPR Health Correspondent Rob Stein and Dr. Nia Heard-Garris, a pediatrician at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, answer some of those questions from listeners.
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Post-Roe America: A Chaotic Patchwork Of Litigation Jul 05, 2022

Trigger bans. Restraining orders. State and local disputes. New fights about old laws. After Roe, states are awash in abortion-related legal challenges. Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer tells NPR 'there's a lot of confusion,' and 'it's a terribly anxious time.'
The chaos has trickled down from state courts to individual abortion care providers, where staff and patients have been struggling to adjust to rapidly-changing legal realities. NPR's Sarah McCammon visited one provider in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The shifting legal realities could make accessing abortion care difficult for members of the military who are stationed in certain states. NPR's Brian Mann spoke to women in the military about their concerns.
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Songs Of The Summer In A Time Of Protest Jul 04, 2022

It may be too soon to crown the "song of the summer". NPR Music's Stephen Thompson says there's no one quality that the songs that carry that title have... it's a collective feeling, a shared vibe.
For so many Americans on this July 4th, songs of the summer and songs of protest feel one and the same.
NPR's Ann Powers is a music critic, and Shana Redmond is a professor at Columbia University, and the author of "Anthem: Social Movements And The Sound Of Solidarity In The African Diaspora." They explain the role of protest music in this moment.
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Criminal Prosecution Of Pregnancy Loss Expected To Increase Post-Roe Jul 02, 2022

In states across the country, long before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, pregnant people were already being criminally charged, convicted, and imprisoned for loss of pregnancy. Advocates for reproductive rights say this is because laws created to protect pregnant people from violence and abuse are being used to prosecute people whose pregnancies end prematurely.
We speak with Dana Sussman of National Advocates for Pregnant Women about how the prosecution of pregnancy loss could look in the country's new, post-Roe era. The organization documents and provides legal defenses in cases involving pregnant people charged with pregnancy-related crimes.
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Summer Travel Is Chaos Right Now. Here's Some Reasons Why Jul 01, 2022

As many countries have loosened their COVID-19 restrictions and reopened their borders, the demand for travel is high. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of flights getting canceled and delayed on a daily basis across the globe. A shortage in airline staff, especially pilots, is a big reason why.
Pilots took to the picket lines this week to protest this shortage. They are also frustrated by stalled contract negotiations and strained pilot schedules.
NPR's Ari Shapiro spoke to Captain Casey Murray from Southwest Airlines Pilots Association about what has caused this shortage.
Airline companies are having to get creative in their efforts to recruit, hire and retain pilots. NPR's David Schaper reports about how one major airline opened its own flight school.
Additional reporting in this episode came from Amanda Andrews at George Public Broadcasting.
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The Global Struggle For LGBTQI+ Rights Jun 30, 2022

While the last few decades have shown major progress when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights globally, queer people have had to continue to fight for them.
During Pride month there have been several high-profile instances of violence targeted at queer people. These events are stark reminders that the struggle for equal rights and safety for LGBTQ+ people continues.
NPR's Ari Shapiro spoke with three high-level diplomats assigned to LGBTQ+ issues – the U.S.'s Jessica Stern, Italy's Fabrizio Petri and Argentina's Alba Rueda – about whether life is improving for queer people globally.
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What We've Learned From A Month Of January 6th Committee Hearings Jun 29, 2022

Cassidy Hutchinson's testimony before the January 6th committee landed with a bang. The surprise hearing on Tuesday, featuring this aide to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, was the most powerful evidence to date in the case that House investigators have been building through hours of public hearings.
NPR Senior Political Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro and NPR National Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson walk through the case the committee has built so far, its implications for a potential criminal prosecution of former president Donald Trump and the impact it might have on an extremely polarized American public.
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Pell Grants In Prison: A New Effort To Fund Degrees For People Behind Bars Jun 28, 2022

There are 1.5 million people in state and federal prisons in the United States. Very few of them get a chance to earn a bachelor degree. That's due to a decades-old ban on the use of federal money to help people in prison pay for college classes.
But that's about to change. Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, people in prison will be eligible to receive Pell grants in the amount of nearly $7,000 per year. Experts say this change will mean a chance at higher education for hundreds of thousands who are academically eligible.
NPR's Elissa Nadworny reports on what the change means, and tells the story of a man who earned the type of degree that will soon be available to many more people.
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On Gun Control, Two Big Steps In Opposite Directions Jun 27, 2022

Congress and the Supreme Court took big steps in opposite directions last week, in the country's long standing debate on whether and how to regulate guns.
Congress passed the first major federal gun legislation in decades, with bipartisan support. President Biden signed it into law on Saturday.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 opinion striking down a major gun control law in New York. The sweeping ruling puts many other gun regulations in states across the country, on shaky ground.
Daniel Webster, whose research focuses on policies intended to reduce gun violence, explains the real world impact he anticipates after these changes. Webster is Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.
This episode features reporting from NPR's Nina Totenberg.
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Does HBO's 'The Wire' still hold up after 20 years? Jun 25, 2022

Omar Little, Jimmy McNulty, Stringer Bell, Snot Boogie. If you recognize these names, you are probably a fan of the HBO series The Wire.
This month marks 20 years since the series premiere. It ran for five seasons, following the lives of the cops, criminals, political players, and everyday folks caught up in Baltimore's often futile war on drugs.
Many argue that The Wire is the best television show ever created and has earned praise for its realistic, humanizing, multi-dimensional portrayal of Black characters. But 20 years on, the conversation about policing in Black communities has changed. The deaths of Freddie Gray, George Floyd, and many others after encounters with police and the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement have brought about more public scrutiny, debate, and criticism of the police.
As social commentary, is The Wire still relevant? We speak with NPR TV critic Eric Deggans and Ronda Racha Penrice, editor of the essay collection, Cracking The Wire During Black Lives Matter.
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Roe v. Wade Is Overturned Jun 24, 2022

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion no longer exists. For nearly 50 years, Americans have had a constitutional right to an abortion. We're about to find out what the country looks like without one. The court's ruling doesn't mean a nationwide ban– it allows states to do what they want.
NPR's Nina Totenberg walks us through the ruling, and NPR's Sarah McCammon discusses the states where "trigger bans," or laws passed in anticipation of the Supreme Court's action, are already in place.
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The Rental Market Is Wild Right Now Jun 23, 2022

Listed rents are up 15% nationwide, and as much as 30% in some cities. At the same time, inflation and rising interest rates are pricing many buyers out of the housing market — increasing the pressure to rent. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports that competition is so intense, some people find themselves in bidding wars.
The red-hot rental market could mean that more people face the threat of eviction at a time when most pandemic-era protections have disappeared. Carl Gershenson, Project Director of the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, explains how being evicted makes it all the more harder to find a new place to live.
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The Foreign Fighters Who've Gone To Ukraine Jun 22, 2022

Two American citizens who'd traveled to Ukraine to join the fight against Russia have reportedly been captured by pro-Russian forces. The State Department says it's "closely monitoring" the situation and has urged Americans not to travel to the country, noting the risk and danger. But still, thousands of foreign fighters have journeyed there.
NPR's Ryan Lucas met some of them — a group of Americans and Brits who have formed a unit that is fighting in the east.
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Meet The Man Who Helped Build The Court That May Overturn Roe Jun 21, 2022

As soon as Thursday, the Supreme Court could rule on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. A leaked draft opinion in that case showed a majority of justices agreeing to overturn Roe v. Wade, which would end the constitutional right to an abortion.
However the court rules, this moment is the culmination of a decades-long effort by conservative activists around the country. One man in particular has played an outsized role in that effort: Leonard Leo, Co-Chairman of the Federalist Society. He's devoted his career to getting conservatives appointed to the country's most powerful courts.
We look at how he came to have so much sway.
In this episode, you'll hear excerpts from the interview NPR's Deirdre Walsh conducted with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
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Teachers Reflect on a Tough School Year: 'It's Been Very Stressful' Jun 20, 2022

After two years of pandemic disruptions, this school year was supposed to be better. But for many teachers, it was harder than ever.
Teachers say they are stressed and burned out. Many are considering leaving their jobs sooner than planned.
We speak to three teachers about the past school year and their concerns about the future.
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Warning Vulnerable Populations About Monkeypox Without Stigmatizing Them Jun 18, 2022

Many of the people affected by the current global monkeypox outbreak are reported to be men who identify as gay or bisexual, or men who have sex with men.
The virus can affect anyone, but in response to where the majority of cases are, public health officials are gearing their information toward communities of gay and bisexual men. And that has some saying that the messaging echoes back to the HIV/AIDS crisis and has the potential to stigmatize the gay community while missing others who are susceptible to the disease.
We speak with Dr. Boghuma K. Titanji, physician and clinical researcher in infectious diseases at Emory University, about the lessons public health officials can learn from the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s.
And Northwestern University journalism professor Steven Thrasher talks about his recent article for Scientific American, "Blaming Gay Men for Monkeypox Will Harm Everyone."
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Q&A: If Abortion Is Illegal, What Happens Next? Jun 17, 2022

There are few issues as highly debated and emotionally charged as abortion.
And in the coming days, the Supreme Court will issue a ruling that could fundamentally change the landscape for abortion in the U.S.
The possibility that the court could strike down Roe v. Wade has raised all kinds of legal questions, as people consider what a post-Roe America might look like.
We asked members of the NPR audience what questions they had about abortion access and reproductive rights.
Khiara Bridges, a law professor at UC Berkeley who studies reproductive rights, and NPR's Sarah McCammon, who covers abortion policy, answer some of their questions.
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China and Taiwan: What's Ukraine Got To Do With It? Jun 16, 2022

The war between Russia and Ukraine is reverberating in Taiwan, a self-governed island that China claims as its own and has threatened to invade if Taiwan declares independence.
Residents of the island are watching intently as Ukraine defends itself against a much larger and more powerful adversary. And they are thinking about what it takes to galvanize international support.
The U.S. has a longstanding policy of ambiguity when it comes to talking about Taiwan and independence, not wanting to risk a conflict with China. So it was surprising last month when President Biden said the that U.S. will defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion by China.
We speak to journalist Chris Horton, who is based in Taiwan. His recent piece in The Atlantic is headlined, "The Lessons Taiwan is Learning from Ukraine."
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DACA Recipients On Ten Years Of Precarious Protection Jun 15, 2022

It's been ten years since the Obama administration announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. The policy provided protection from deportation for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.
President Obama called it a "temporary stopgap measure," at the time, but Congress hasn't passed any legislation in the intervening years to create permanent protection for the people covered by DACA.
Last year, a federal judge in Texas ruled the program is illegal, and the program is essentially frozen in place while the Biden administration appeals. Current DACA recipients can reapply, but the administration can't grant any new applications. NPR's Joel Rose reports that that has left roughly 80,000 DACA applications indefinitely on hold.
Two early DACA recipients and advocates for undocumented immigrants, Diana Pliego and Esder Chong, discuss how they view the program, on its tenth anniversary.
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The Emerging Deal On Gun Violence: Is It Enough? Jun 14, 2022

A bipartisan group of Senates say they have reached a deal on a package of safety and gun-related measures. The deal is not yet done, but lawmakers say they are closer than they've been in a long time.
The package includes measures to enhance background checks for gun buyers under 21, incentivize states to pass so-called "red flag laws," and fund school safety and mental health initiatives. Is it enough? We put that question to Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman who was injured in a 2011 shooting. Since then, Giffords has dedicated her life to calling for action on gun control, co-founding Giffords, an advocacy group that promotes gun safety. The group's executive director, Peter Ambler, also spoke to NPR.
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Inflation Is Not Getting Better. Why Some CEOs Are Predicting Recession Jun 13, 2022

Prices rose more than expected in May. Gas is averaging $5 a gallon. Food, rent, and housing all cost more, too. NPR's Scott Horsley spoke to consumers trying to cope.
Some CEOs are predicting a recession — but not all. NPR's David Gura reports.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Chris Arnold on the growing cost of housing. Transportation company owner Dennis Briggs spoke to NPR's Ayesha Rascoe on Weekend Edition Sunday.
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Is the U.S. Moving Closer to Erasing All Federal Student Loans? Jun 11, 2022

After years of struggling to pay federal student loans used to attend the for-profit Corinthian Colleges, hundreds of thousands of student borrowers will have their debt canceled. Corinthian closed in 2015 after investigators found it had defrauded students with misleading claims about future job prospects. Earlier this month, The Department of Education discharged all outstanding debt for all Corinthian borrowers.
With over a trillion dollars owed, federal student loan debt has been called a national crisis. Advocates for the cancellation of all federal student loans hope the Department of Education's latest move could signal a step in that direction.
We speak with political strategist and student loan cancellation advocate Melissa Byrne.
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January 6th Hearings Begin, With A Focus on the Proud Boys Jun 10, 2022

On Thursday, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol began presenting its findings in the first in a series of high profile public hearings. The panel showed videos of aides to former President Trump testifying that his claims of a stolen election were simply not true. Some used more colorful language.
The committee seeks to show that the mayhem at the Capitol was not spontaneous, but rather an orchestrated subversion of American democracy. And they say former President Trump was a key player.
The hearing also included video of the Proud Boys at the Capitol on the day of the attack. We speak to documentary filmmaker Nick Quested who shot some of that footage and testified before the committee on Thursday.
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With Gas Prices Still Soaring, Electric Cars Meet A Moment Jun 09, 2022

There have never been more options for drivers who want an electric car. But the demand — fueled by high gas prices — is almost over-powering, and supply chain constraints aren't helping.
NPR's Brittany Cronin reports on one of the biggest EV launches of the year: Ford's F-150 Lightning. NPR's Camila Domonoske explains why China dominates the market for electric car batteries.
Also in this episode: General Motors President Mark Reuss, who spoke to NPR's Steve Inskeep on Morning Edition.
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A First Step To Crypto Regulation, Or A Step Backwards? Jun 08, 2022

Nearly everyone agrees the cryptocurrency industry needs regulation, but there are huge disagreements about what that should look like.
A Senate bill proposes a new regulatory framework for the industry. Cosponsors Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) argue that their bill hits the "sweet spot" between allowing innovation and protecting consumers.
Software engineer Molly White, who runs the blog Web3 is going just great, says that the bill is too industry-friendly, and puts into legislation the "foggy regulatory space" that crypto companies have taken advantage of.
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As Lawmakers Debate Gun Control, What Policies Could Actually Help? Jun 07, 2022

President Biden urged Congress to act and the House is preparing to pass multiple gun control measures. But the Senate is where a compromise must be made. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is reportedly discussing policies like enhanced background checks and a federal red flag law.
While it's unclear what Congress might agree to, researchers do have ideas about what policies could help prevent mass shootings and gun violence. NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce explains. Hear more from her reporting on Short Wave, NPR's daily science podcast, via Apple, Google, or Spotify.
NPR's Cory Turner reports on what school safety experts think can be done to prevent mass shootings, and former FBI agent Katherine Schweit describes where Uvalde police may have erred their active shooter response. Schweit is the author of Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis.
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New White House COVID Czar: 'Less Fear Is A Good Thing' Jun 06, 2022

In the third summer of the pandemic, White House COVID response coordinator Ashish Jha tells NPR it's a good thing that many people feel less afraid of getting sick. But he says the Biden administration still has work to do.
One of their latest challenges is managing the vaccine rollout for children under 5, which could begin in weeks — and educating parents and caretakers about the importance of vaccination.
NPR's Rob Stein reports on another persistent public health challenge: long COVID. A recent study offers some clues about why many people suffer from symptoms for months. Rob also spoke to Gregory Glenn of Novavax, who you'll hear in this episode discussing the company's new COVID vaccine, which is awaiting FDA authorization.
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As School Shootings Claim More Victims, Young Activists Want to Be Heard Jun 04, 2022

The mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX has parents and students worried about safety at school. Data gathered by the Washington Post estimates that more than 300,000 students have experienced shootings at school since the 1999 school shooting in Columbine, Colorado. But experts say the impact of school shootings is far more extensive, and even children who don't come into direct contact with violence can be traumatized.
We speak with Hannah Rubin, a 16-year-old activist with March for Our Lives, a youth-led movement pushing for gun control measures.
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Jubilee Jubilation for a Troubled Monarchy Jun 03, 2022

The UK is celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne with four days of pomp and tribute.
But, as the nation thanks its queen for seven decades of service, there are questions about what the monarchy will look like after she's gone. NPR's Frank Langfitt takes a look at a royal family at a crossroads.
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Robb Elementary School and Uvalde's History of Mexican-American Activism Jun 02, 2022

So many people in Uvalde, Texas have a shared history. Some of that history runs right through Robb Elementary School, a place that was part of the Mexican-American community's struggle for racial equality.
NPR's Vanessa Romo spoke with Eulalio Diaz, Jr. He was the coronor on duty when a gunman massacred 19 children and two teachers at the school. Diaz also went to Robb Elementary and knew a lot of the victims' families. And NPR's Adrian Florido has the story of Robb Elementary's role in the fight for Mexican-American equality.
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How A New Federal Prison Became One Of The Country's Deadliest Jun 01, 2022

NPR and The Marshall Project have uncovered violence, abuse and a string of inmate deaths at a new penitentiary in Thomson, Ill.
The reporting in this episode comes from NPR Investigative Correspondent Joseph Shapiro and reporter Christie Thompson of The Marshall Project. Find more from their story here.
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Q & A: What An Abortion Ban Would Mean For Patients Who Need One May 31, 2022

What happens if a medical condition threatens the life of a pregnant patient? What about a fetus with a lethal anomaly? Will treatment for miscarriage change? This episode we're answering those questions and others from listeners about what would happen if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade — with help from NPR health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin and Dr. Kristyn Brandi, an OB-GYN and family planning doctor who's also the board chair for Physicians for Reproductive Health.
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Looking Back At A Life In Limbo May 30, 2022

Some immigrants never look back. Some spend their lives look back. All Things Considered Senior Producer Miguel Macias has done both.
For the last decade, Macias has documented his life as an immigrant from Spain. His story of migration, of being in limbo is, in some ways, unique, but also similar to that of many immigrants. Over the years, he has wondered time and time again about his decision to leave his country, and whether to return one day.
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Can We Stop Mass Shootings Before They Start? May 28, 2022

In the past two weeks the nation has borne witness to the tragedy of two mass shootings. In Uvalde, Texas, a gunman killed 19 students and their two teachers inside a fourth grade classroom at Robb Elementary School. At least 17 were wounded.
In Buffalo, New York, a man is accused of shooting and killing 10 members of the Black community who were shopping at Tops supermarket. In a long internet screed, he wrote about how online racist ideology and white supremacist conspiracy theories fueled his violence. Witnessing the aftermath of these horrific acts leaves us wondering, once again, what can be done to identify the warning signs of those who plan to commit mass violence—before it's too late?
We speak with Joanna Schroeder about ways to protect young people from being indoctrinated into violent white supremacist groups. Schroeder chronicles her sons' exposure to content from online racist hate groups and how she intervened.
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Taking Stock of What George Floyd's Murder – And Life – Have Changed, Two Years Later May 27, 2022

This week marks two years since George Floyd's murder at the hands of a white police officer and the subsequent racial justice protests and calls for police reform that spread from Minneapolis across the country. President Joe Biden has signed a new executive order meant to change how police use force among other measures, which experts say is a small — but important — step in preventing more tragedies like Floyd's death.
But as Minnesota Public Radio's Matt Sepic reports, some Minneapolis residents say they're still waiting on the reform that leaders promised.
Also in this episode, Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa of The Washington Post discuss their new biography, His Name Is George Floyd, and how those who knew Floyd best want to make sure his legacy covers more than his murder.
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Why Americans Feel The Toll Of High Inflation Beyond Gas Pumps & Grocery Stores May 26, 2022

This is a fragile moment for the U.S. economy. Many people are feeling the steep rise of the cost of gas and groceries, and some are having to decide whether to buy food or fill up their tanks. Food banks and local non-profits are seeing more people than ever. And experts worry that the Federal Reserve's efforts to combat inflation by raising interest rates could tip the economy into recession.
NPR's Scott Horsley covers the big-picture economy, Chris Arnold covers housing and Brittany Cronin covers energy. They explain what sectors are feeling the most impact and how it's playing out for different people.
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Not Much Changed After Sandy Hook. Will Federal Laws Change After Uvalde? May 25, 2022

At least 19 children were shot and killed by a man who investigators say was armed with assault rifles legally purchased after his 18th birthday. It was the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut nearly 10 years ago. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy tells NPR that lawmakers in Washington — including himself — bear responsibility for inaction on gun violence over the last decade.
Also in this episode, gun control activist Sandy Phillips, who spoke to NPR's Steve Inskeep on Morning Edition; and Uvalde City Manager Vince DiPiazza, who spoke to NPR's Leila Fadel on Morning Edition.
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What Could A Post-Roe Future Look Like? Poland Offers A Glimpse May 24, 2022

Dozens of states could soon take steps to ban or restrict abortion. But there are a lot of unanswered questions about how those laws would be enforced if they vary from state to state, Kim Mutcherson tells NPR. That patchwork of laws is the most likely outcome if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, leaving the U.S. without a federally-protected right to abortion.
That's the reality in Poland, where abortion is almost entirely illegal. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports on an underground network of reproductive rights activists who risk prison time to help abortion patients.
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Georgia's GOP Primaries, Where Trump's 'Big Lie' Is On The Ballot May 23, 2022

It's 2022, but the 2020 election is on the ballot in Georgia, where several Trump-backed candidates are running in Republican primary races.
WABE's Rahul Bali explains how the former President looms over Tuesday's elections, and WABE's Sam Gringlas looks at a race between two Democratic incumbents, forced to face off after their districts were redrawn by Republicans.
For more political coverage from member station WABE, listen to Georgia Votes.
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Investigating The Tragic History Of Federal Indian Boarding Schools May 21, 2022

Last year the remains of 215 children were found in unmarked graves on the site of a former residential school for Indigenous children in British Columbia. The news was shocking, but among Indigenous people of Canada and survivors of the country's boarding school system, it was not a surprise. For generations there had been stories of children taken away from their parents never to be heard from again. Those who did return told of neglect, abuse, and forced assimilation.
It's a brutal history that the United States and Canada share.
Shortly after the unmarked graves were found in Canada, US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland called for an investigation into US boarding schools. Her first report, released last week, identified more than 400 institutions operated or supported by the US government. At 53 of these schools, there are marked and unmarked burial sites with the remains of children who died there.
We hear stories from some of the survivors of the boarding schools and speak with Secretary Haaland about the ongoing investigation and a year-long listening tour to bear witness to survivors and facilitate healing.
This episode contains discussions of child abuse that some listeners may find disturbing.
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How A Possible NATO Expansion Shows Russia's Plans are Backfiring May 20, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin has used possible NATO expansion to justify invading Ukraine. Now, that invasion might expand the alliance. Finland and Sweden, both formerly neutral Russian neighbors, are applying for membership.
NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Finland's ambassador to the U.S., Mikko Hautala, about the stakes of his country's bid to join.
NPR's Emily Feng also talks to historian Mary Elise Sarotte about how we reached this impasse between NATO and Russia.
You can also hear — and see — more on how war games and Russia's invasion of Ukraine are impacting life in Norway from NPR's Quil Lawrence here.
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They Fled The Most Traumatized Parts of Ukraine. Classrooms Are Offering Them Hope May 19, 2022

A Polish school in Warsaw has taken in Ukrainian refugee students and teachers. The school provides safety and a place of hope as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.
Poland's minister of education says the country has absorbed more than 75,000 Ukrainian students into Polish schools.
NPR's Ari Shapiro visited schools in Poland and spoke to teachers and students about what their life is like right now.
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A Formula Shortage Shows How Policy, Societal Pressure Impact Babies & Parents May 18, 2022

This week, the FDA announced new steps to ease a nationwide baby formula shortage prompted, in part, by a temporary shutdown of a facility that makes formula back in February.
As millions of families who rely on formula wait for supplies to become more available, many are also looking for answers on the circumstances that gave rise to the shortage.
NPR Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley breaks down the tangle of supply chain issues and federal policies that are playing into the formula crisis.
And Dr. Alison Stuebe of UNC Health — who also shares this resource for those looking for guidance on how to find or offer help with breastmilk supplies during the formula shortage — explains the systemic inequities that hinder the ability of many parents to feed their babies.
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How Many Of America's One Million COVID Deaths Were Preventable? May 17, 2022

As the U.S. marks one million people dead from COVID-19, scientists suggest that nearly one third of those deaths could have been prevented if more people had chosen to be vaccinated. NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports.
And even though the unvaccinated continue to make up a majority of COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations, the number of Americans who say they won't get a COVID shot hasn't budged in a year. NPR's John Burnett spoke to a few of them.
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Buffalo Shooting Victims Are Likely Targets Of Racist 'Replacement' Violence May 16, 2022

A man accused of killing 10 people in Buffalo, New York was allegedly motivated by a racist doctrine known as 'replacement theory.' It's just a new name for an old set of racial hatreds, Kathleen Belew told NPR. Belew is an assistant professor of history at the University of Chicago and the author of Bring The War Home: The White Power Movement And Paramilitary America.
NPR's Quil Lawrence reports from Buffalo on the aftermath of the shooting, and NPR's Adrian Florido takes a closer look at the supermarket where it took place.

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The Children's Mental Health Crisis Didn't Start With The Pandemic May 14, 2022

The United States is experiencing an adolescent mental health crisis. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Surgeon General are stressing the urgent need to address the mental health needs of children and teens.
The pandemic focused attention on this issue as young people dealt with isolation, the uncertainty of lockdown and grief over the death of loved ones. But while the pandemic exacerbated the problem, it has been building for years.
We speak with Judith Warner, a journalist and author, to find out how we got to this point, and what can be done to help kids now. Warner's most recent piece, "We Have Essentially Turned a Blind Eye to Our Own Children for Decades," appears in The Washington Post Magazine.
This episode deals with suicide. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Text Line by texting "HOME" to 741741.
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Genetic Testing: Is It Better Not To Know? May 13, 2022

Sasa Woodruff loves food—she's been accused of having far too many cookbooks. But in 2019, a phone call from an unknown caller changed her relationship to eating.
A genetic counselor called to tell her that she had a rare genetic mutation which could lead to a lethal form of stomach cancer.
The only way to prevent that cancer was to get her stomach surgically removed.
While she's now grateful for the information that genetic testing gave her, Woodruff's story raises questions about what kind of information patients should have and how they can use it.
Professor of law and philosophy at Duke University, Nita Farahany and professor of law and biosciences at Stanford University, Hank Greely discuss the implications of growing access to genetic testing and how to weigh health decisions.
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Inflation Is Still High. Why That Hits Low-Income Americans Hardest. May 12, 2022

Inflation dipped slightly in April, but it's still at a historically-high 8.3 percent. Research suggests lower-income families suffer the most when prices rise.
NPR's Scott Horsley explains how people around the country are coping with inflation, and what the Federal Reserve is doing to try to bring it under control.
This episode also includes reporting from NPR's Jennifer Ludden, on eviction rates rising in the face of increased rent and the end of pandemic rent aid in some places.
And it features reporting from NPR's Brittany Cronin, on what's driving rising fuel prices.
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How Abortion Laws Around The World Compare To The U.S. May 11, 2022

Some countries in Latin America are expanding abortion rights. Other countries, like Poland, have all but outlawed the procedure. Meanwhile, health officials in Canada have signaled Americans would be welcome to seek abortion services across the border if they cannot access care at home.
All of that speaks to the reality that America's abortion debate is not happening in vacuum, and is being watched closely around the world.
Mary Louise Kelly spoke about how abortion laws around the world compare to those in the U.S., with NPR correspondents Mara Liasson in Washington D.C., Philip Reeves in Brazil, and Rob Schmitz in Germany.
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Why White Nationalists Identify With A Russian Church — And Vladimir Putin May 10, 2022

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia is gaining followers in the U.S. — not Russian immigrants, but American converts drawn to its emphasis on "traditional values."
NPR's Odette Yousef reports some new converts are using the religion to spread white nationalist views. More from her story here.
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Roe's Legal Fate Is Unclear. But Studies Already Show Who'd Likely Be Hit Hardest May 09, 2022

Debates about the status of Roe v. Wade continue after the Supreme Court's draft opinion was leaked last week. This week, the Senate is planning to vote on legislation that would codify abortion rights into a federal law, but it's likely to fail given the 50-50 split between Democrats and Republicans. That means abortion access will be left up to states — and some already have restrictive abortion laws.
Reproductive justice advocates are concerned about the disproportionate impact those laws will have on Black and Brown communities if Roe is overturned.
NPR's Sandhya Dirks spoke to some advocates about how women of color are situated in this abortion access debate. And NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin explains how restricting abortion access means restricting health care for people across all demographic backgrounds.
You can also hear more from Dr. Diana Green Foster, who spoke to NPR's science podcast Shortwave, which examined what happened when people had access to abortion and what happened when they were denied.
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The Road To Overturning Roe v. Wade May 07, 2022

Earlier this week, a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court suggested that after nearly 50 years, the court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Almost as soon as abortions became legal, opponents began organizing efforts to repeal the law. Eighteen states now have so-called "trigger laws" that will ban abortions the moment that Roe v. Wade is overturned or pre-"Roe" era bans that remain on the books, ready once again, to fall into place.
We'll look back at the longstanding efforts by legal, political and religious groups - on both sides of the debate - that have led to this moment. And we'll discuss what comes next.
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As COVID-19 Cases Surge Again, Public Health Leaders See A Turning Point May 06, 2022

For a few months, it looked like COVID-19 was retreating in the United States. But cases are rising across the country again. Still, public health leaders are signaling that the U.S. is turning another corner in this pandemic, and that continued COVID surges might just be part of the new normal.
NPR Science correspondent Michaeleen Doucleff reports on what the new Omicron variant could have in store for the U.S. in coming weeks and months, and what scientists know about Americans' COVID immunity.
Andy Slavitt, former senior advisor to President Joe Biden on COVID, explains what the "endemic phase" could look like.
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The Harrowing Journey To Get Premature American Twins From Kyiv To The U.S. May 05, 2022

Twin babies Lenny and Moishe were born via surrogate in Ukraine, just as Russia invaded the country. Their parents live in Chicago and had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new sons.
Rescuers exfiltrated the babies, dodging Russian artillery fire and driving through a snowstorm before finally arriving at a Polish hospital, where new father Alex "Sasha" Spektor met the boys for the first time. But a more difficult journey for the family was just beginning.
NPR's Ari Shapiro followed up with Spektor and his partner, Irma Nuñez, as they navigated the complicated bureaucratic process of getting their twins from Poland to the United States.
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Republicans In Michigan Have Replaced Election Officials Who Certified Biden's Win May 04, 2022

Bipartisan members who serve on state and county boards of canvassers in Michigan have an important job: certifying the results of elections, making them official.
In 2020, Former President Trump and his allies urged them not to certify as part of his campaign to undermine and overturn the presidential election, even though Joe Biden won Michigan by more than 154,000 votes.
Since then, local GOP leaders have replaced many of the Republican canvassers who upheld their oaths and voted to certify the results for Biden.
Michelle Voorheis, a Republican canvasser in Genessee County until last year, is one of them. She says she wasn't re-nominated because she pushed back against false allegations of election fraud.
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The Potential Impact Of The Decision To Overturn Roe v. Wade May 03, 2022

The right to an abortion in the United States appears closer than ever to being eliminated, after a draft of a majority opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked. Should it stand, the court's ruling wouldn't ban abortion nationwide, but would leave the decision up to individual states. Many Republican-led states are ready to enact their own bans, should Roe v. Wade be overturned, which could leave tens of millions of people without access to abortions.
NPR congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and national correspondent Sarah McCammon explain the far-reaching effects this draft could have on abortion-rights advocates, as well as its potential impact on the midterm elections later this year.
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Voices From Lockdown In Shanghai As The City Battles A Surge Of COVID Cases May 02, 2022

Cases of COVID-19 have been surging throughout China. The country has implemented a stringent "zero-COVID" strategy that includes mass testing, limited travel and large-scale lockdowns. In Shanghai, many residents haven't been able to leave their homes. It's an eerie reminder of the lockdowns in Wuhan during the first year of the pandemic.
NPR's international correspondent Rob Schmitz spoke with two residents of a housing complex in Shanghai about their experiences with the city's lockdown.
There are some people who are leaving their homes – mainly to enforce China's "zero-COVID" plan. China has hired tens of thousands of temporary workers to test, isolate and lock down entire cities.
Beijing correspondent Emily Feng spoke to a few of those workers, many of whom are poorly treated and underpaid.
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Understanding The Link Between Racial Justice And The Fight Against Climate Change Apr 30, 2022

Communities of color are the most harshly affected by climate change in the United States. While the importance of environmental justice is becoming more mainstream, too often people in this movement who are Black, Indigenous and people of color are overlooked and left out of conversations about how to solve the crisis.
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist, policy expert and writer, wants the broader environmental movement to understand the crucial link between the fight to save the planet and the fight for racial justice.
And we'll hear how the Donors of Color Network is working to increase philanthropic funding for environmental initiatives led by people of color.
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How One Night In LA Illustrates The Growing Tension Between Police And The Press Apr 29, 2022

Over the past two years, about 200 journalists across the country have been detained or arrested while on the job. Many were covering the social and racial justice protests that began after the murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis.
NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and NPR producer Marc Rivers look at the growing tension between police and the press through the lens of one March 2021 night at Echo Park Lake, when police detained at least 16 journalists.
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The 1944 Law That Gave The CDC Its Powers, Explained Apr 28, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mask mandate on planes, trains and buses ended earlier this month, and it came down, in part, to a judge's interpretation of the word "sanitation." U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle voided the mask requirement, citing a 1944 law that gives the CDC power to stop the spread of communicable diseases through measures like inspection, fumigation, disinfection and sanitation.
Lawrence Gostin is a professor of public health law at Georgetown University. He explains what the 1944 Public Health Service Act did and why he thinks the judge's interpretation could have an impact on the United States' ability to respond to future health crises. Additional reporting by NPR's Pien Huang also appeared in this episode.
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Following The Journey of One Palestinian Seeking Medical Care In Gaza Apr 27, 2022

One Palestinian man's struggle to get life-saving medical care while living in the Gaza Strip highlights many lesser-seen victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Since the militant group Hamas took over Gaza 15 years ago, Israel's travel restrictions have resulted in many barriers for Palestinians seeking critical health care.
Palestinians can try to get medical treatment both in and outside of Gaza, but need a travel permit to choose the latter. And while Israel grants thousands of travel permits a year, the timeline for securing one can be long. Some doctors have also fled Gaza. All of these factors can pose dangerous delays for vital treatment.
NPR Jerusalem Correspondent Daniel Estrin followed one patient's difficult journey to get heart surgery.
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How COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Led To A Family Matriarch's Preventable Death Apr 26, 2022

Stephanie is one of nearly one million Americans who have died of COVID-19. Her family says Stephanie's death was avoidable, but in recent years, she had been drawn into conspiracy theories.
She believed that the coronavirus was a hoax and refused to get vaccinated. When she got COVID-19 last winter, Stephanie refused treatments and eventually died just a few days after Christmas.
While there is no way to know exactly how many people like Stephanie have died because they believed conspiracy theories, the Kaiser Family Foundation recently found that more than 200,000 Americans would be alive today, had they had been vaccinated.
NPR's Geoff Brumfiel reports.
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How One Republic Went From Resisting Russia to Supporting Its Attacks In Ukraine Apr 25, 2022

Between the 1990s and late 2000s, people in Chechnya described Russia's wars there as a nightmare. Its former leader, Akhmad Kadyrov, resisted Russian forces.
But today, the Muslim-majority Chechen Republic is ruled by Kadyrov's son, Ramzan. He's a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is accused of numerous human rights abuses and is also leading his own forces against Ukraine to aid the Kremlin.
Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia Division, explains Ramzan Kadyrov's stake in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
NPR National Security Correspondent Greg Myre, who reported from Chechnya during the wars, also breaks down the republic's evolution over the last 25 years.
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Finding Power In Reclaiming One's Name Apr 23, 2022

You introduce yourself and then someone mispronounces your name. At that point you have to decide if you correct them or let it slide.
For many people from immigrant communities, this has been a lifelong experience. And sometimes, it's about more than mispronunciation, it can signal exclusion and disrespect. Some people even change their names in order to fit in more easily and not be "othered."
For years, LA Times columnist, Jean Guerrero, let people say her name without rolling their r's, the way it would be said in Spanish. But after becoming the target of MAGA trolls online, she decided to reclaim the proper Spanish pronunciation.
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A Special Ed Teacher Shortage Is Getting Worse — But One Fix Is Catching On Apr 22, 2022

For years, most states have reported a shortage of special education teachers. Now, according to federal data, nearly every state is struggling to hire qualified educators. And when schools can't find a licensed teacher, they hire people who are willing to do the job, but lack the training.
From member station WFYI in Indianapolis, Lee Gaines reports on what that means for students, and Dylan Peers McCoy reports on one approach — in Hawaii — that's helped to fill shortages.
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California Is A Step Closer To Reparations. Not All Black Residents Will Qualify Apr 21, 2022

California's Reparations Task Force is preparing to release its first report on the impact of racism on African Americans in June. It's the next step for the Task Force, following a narrow vote late last month to exclude some Black residents from being eligible if and when a reparations plan becomes law.
Under the current proposal, only those who can trace their lineage to enslaved or freed Black people before the end of the 19th century will qualify for reparations from the state.
Some Black Californians are fine with that for now. State residents Derika Denell Gibson, Taiwo Kujichagulia-Seitu, and Kaelyn Sabal-Wilson discuss what reparations would mean to them.
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How The War In Ukraine Is Deepening The World's Hunger Crisis Apr 20, 2022

The pains of every war ripple out beyond the borders of the conflict zone. And as the war between Russia and Ukraine drags on, the disruptions in the global food supply chain are beginning to deepen the already dire hunger crisis around the world.
Ukraine and Russia combined export 30% of the world's wheat, in addition to other food supplies. Now, because of the ongoing war, the price of food worldwide is skyrocketing and 38 countries are facing acute food insecurity, meaning they are just one step from famine.
NPR global health and development correspondent Nurith Aizenman reports on how the war is driving up prices.
David Beasley, executive director of the UN World Food Programme, talks about how food insecurity looks inside of Ukraine, and what is to come for the rest of the world.
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What The End Of The Mask Mandate Means For The Pandemic — And High-Risk Travelers Apr 19, 2022

A federal judge struck down the CDC's mask mandate for public transportation on Monday, clearing the way for airlines and ride hailing companies to eliminate mask requirements for passengers. What might the change mean for travelers — especially those most vulnerable to infection or too young to be vaccinated?
NPR science correspondents Selena Simmons-Duffin and Maria Godoy explain.
NPR's Tamara Keith outlines the political implications for the Biden administration.
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What Elon Musk's Twitter Bid Says About 'Extreme Capitalism' Apr 18, 2022

Elon Musk wants to buy Twitter. His vision of the future may not pan out for the platform, but that vision represents what historian Jill Lepore calls 'extreme capitalism.'
Lepore, a Harvard professor and New Yorker writer, is host of the podcast The Evening Rocket, where she examines what she calls Musk's extravagant, "extreme" capitalism — where stock prices are driven by earnings, and also by fantasies.
NPR's Bobby Allyn also explains Twitter's effort to prevent Musk from gaining control of the company.
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Ukrainian Teacher Plans For A Future In Romania Apr 16, 2022

More than 4.5 million Ukrainians have left their country since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. While many hope to return to Ukraine, they don't know when it will be safe to do so. As the war shows no sign of stopping, some refugees are beginning to integrate into life in their adoptive countries.
One of those people is Anastasiia Konovalova. She used to be the head teacher at a primary school in Odesa, Ukraine, but fled to Bucharest, Romania after the war began. In a matter of weeks, she's managed to get a school for Ukrainian refugees up and running. With more than 600 Ukrainian children on a waitlist to attend, Konovalova is now thinking about what a future in Romania could look like for these refugee children.
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What a Rare Holiday Overlap Means In a Time That Seems 'Catastrophic' Apr 15, 2022

This weekend, followers of three major religions are observing some of their most sacred holidays. Many will do so together, in person, for the first time in years.
Easter, Passover, and Ramadan all have their own symbolism and themes. And it's not a stretch to tie any of those themes to world events; from the COVID-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine.
We invited three faith leaders to tell us about the messages they're bringing to their congregations during a difficult time – and a holy time: Reverend Marshall Hatch of the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Senior Rabbi Ruth Zlotnick of Temple Beth Am in Seattle, and Imam Mohamed Herbert from The Islamic Society of Tulsa.
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Tensions Are Rising Among Jan. 6 Defendants In A D.C. Jail Apr 14, 2022

A U.S. House investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol is entering its final phase before lawmakers' findings become public later this spring.
As that probe continues, prosecutions are running on a parallel track. Dozens of defendants are now awaiting trial and being held in together in a single unit at a Washington, D.C. jail.
While corrections officials have said the accused insurrectionists are being kept from the jail's general population "for their own safety and security," that decision has come with some unintended consequences, including a bitter divide among the defendants.
Tom Dreisbach of NPR's Investigations team spoke to some of the defendants.
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As Russians Shift East, Here's What They Left Behind In One Ukrainian Town Apr 13, 2022

This past week, the world's attention has been focused on the death and destruction that's been discovered in Ukranian towns north of Kyiv after Russian forces withdrew. One of those towns — vistied by NPR — is Borodyanka. The carnage left behind by Russians is also a sign of what may be to come in the country's east, where a new offensive looms.
NPR's Scott Detrow reported from Boyodyanka with producers Noah Caldwell and Kat Lonsdorf.
Additional reporting this episode from correspondents Nathan Rott and Greg Myre.
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Inflation Keeps Getting Worse. Is A Recession Next? Apr 12, 2022

Prices are up on everything from groceries, to rent, to gas, and consumer price inflation hit a new 40-year high in March: Up 8.5% over a year ago.
This increase impacts everyone across the economic spectrum, but inflation poses a particular hardship for low-income families. And while the Biden administration has announced new steps to bring down gas prices and other visible signs of inflation, there's mounting political pressure to do more during this midterm election year.
NPR Congressional Correspondent Kelsey Snell and Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley break down the stakes for those hit hardest by inflation and for the government.
Scott Horsley also speaks to economists who explain why they believe the U.S. might be in another recession soon.
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Eight Months Later, A Look At The Taliban's Broken Promises Apr 11, 2022

After taking control of Afghanistan last summer, the Taliban made promises for more inclusive and less repressive leadership in Afghanistan. Many of those promises involved maintaining women's rights.
But now, education for girls has become more limited, and other restrictions have been placed on women. NPR's Diaa Hadid reports on what the uneven implementation of those policies suggests about Taliban leadership.
And Kathy Gannon of The Associated Pressreports on how the Taliban backtracking on some of its promises bodes for Afghanistan's future.
Additional reporting in this episode also comes from NPR's Fatma Tanis.
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Refugee Assistance From One Of Europe's Poorest Countries Apr 09, 2022

More than 400,000 Ukrainian refugees have poured across the border into the small country of Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe. Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova is a little bigger than Maryland, but it has received the most refugees per capita of any country in this crisis. Now Moldova is providing assistance and support to those who are choosing to stay in the country.
Even as they open their doors to Ukrainian refugees, many in the small country fear they may be next in line for invasion by Russian forces. Moldova declared independence from the Soviet Union shortly after its fall in 1991, but since then there have been Russian troops stationed in a separatist region of the country called Transnistria. Moldova fears it would not be able to fend off a Russian offensive.
NPR's Frank Langfitt explains why Moldova is in such a perilous position, and we talk to aid workers about how they are supporting Ukranians fleeing war.
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Michelle Yeoh is a subversive superhero in 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Apr 08, 2022

Michelle Yeoh has been a star for decades. American audiences will know her as a warrior in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or an icy matriarch in Crazy Rich Asians. Now, in Everything Everywhere All At Once, she's playing Chinese immigrant Evelyn Wang who is both a failure and possibly the key to saving the multiverse from a great chaos-spreading evil.
Michelle Yeoh talks with NPR's Ailsa Chang about her journey through the multiverse, with all its wackiness, wonder and wisdom.
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War Crimes Seem Evident In Ukraine, But Accountability Is Challenging Apr 07, 2022

Reports of civilians being tortured and killed — and the accompanying images that have surfaced this week in the city of Bucha — have raised questions about potential war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. The Biden administration is assisting international investigators in looking into potential war crimes. And some experts say the evidence of such crimes is clear in this highly-documented conflict.
But history shows that drawing a straight line between war crimes and heads of state is challenging.
NPR's Scott Detrow spoke with senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, Yulia Gorbunova, about her reporting of alleged human rights violations in Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine.
NPR's Julie McCarthy examines what constitutes war crimes and the prospects of Russian President Vladimir Putin being held to account.
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Another Booster? Omicron Shot? What's Next For COVID Vaccines Apr 06, 2022

Many Americans haven't gotten an initial COVID-19 booster. A second one is authorized for some. Others are waiting to see if they can get one soon. Will everyone need them eventually? An FDA advisory committee met Wednesday to discuss what's next in America's booster strategy.
Dr. Anthony Fauci tells NPR the path forward is paved with uncertainties — about whether more variants will arise, how long booster protection lasts, and what kind of funding will be available for research. Fauci spoke to NPR's Rob Stein, who explains what's likely for booster guidance later this fall.
Whatever the future of the pandemic holds, public health officials are hoping to get early glimpses of it by monitoring waste water treatment plants. John Daley reports.
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What Florida's Parental Rights in Education Law Means for Teachers Apr 05, 2022

Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, which prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade, was signed into law at the end of March by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Critics have dubbed this it the 'Don't Say Gay' law.
A lawsuit has been filed against Gov. DeSantis by several LGBTQ rights advocates in an effort to block the law.
NPR's Melissa Block spoke with a number of teachers across the state of Florida who are worried about the chilling effect this law may have on not just what they teach and speak about in the classroom, but how it affects their students' well-being.
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How The Wealthiest Corporations Are Dodging Lawsuits Through Bankruptcy Apr 04, 2022

Thousands of people who claim Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused them to develop cancer cannot sue the company, which used a controversial legal maneuver in bankruptcy court to freeze lawsuits against it.
NPR's Brian Mann explains. More from his reporting here.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Scott Horsley.
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BONUS: The Blind Spot Apr 03, 2022

Roger Latimer says he was beaten by guards in a security camera blind spot at Western Illinois Correctional Center. He complained at the prison. He complained to local officials. He asked medical staff to take pictures. Nothing happened. Then another prisoner, Larry Earvin, died after an altercation with guards in the same blind spot.
In this episode of WBEZ Chicago's Motive podcast, host Shannon Heffernan tracks the pattern of beatings in that blind spot, surfacing nine additional cases, sometimes involving the same guards, using very similar behavior in the same location. We ask the question of why this pattern persisted, even as prisoners like Latimer tried to stop it.
Season 4 of Motive investigates the hidden world of big prisons in small towns. Places where everyone knows each other and difficult truths get buried.
Listen to Motive onApple podcasts and Spotify.
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Oligarch Assets Parked in the US Are Hidden in a Web of Financial Secrecy Apr 02, 2022

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, there has been intense focus on Russian oligarchs - elites with enormous wealth and close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The United States and international allies have imposed travel bans and economic sanctions on the billionaires, freezing accounts and impounding yachts and private jets. The goal is to disrupt the covert money funneled to Putin and his regime and to make the oligarch's lives difficult enough that they might pressure Putin to loosen his grip on Ukraine.
Now President Biden's KleptoCapture task force faces the difficult and time consuming task of tracking down assets hidden in intricate webs of financial secrecy - many created by US regulations - that allow the oligarchy to hide their money and maintain power.
We speak with Paul Massaro, a congressional foreign policy adviser who specializes in sanctions and illicit finance.
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'The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical' Creators Nominated For Their First Ever Grammy Apr 01, 2022

Binge watching a show you love is enjoyable, but not always productive. But artists Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear turned their binge into a Grammy nomination.
They were inspired by Season 1 of Netflix's series Bridgerton, and used that inspiration to write a full musical theater album. They didn't intend to write a full album, but as they workshopped the songs on social media, fans everywhere watched as Barlow & Bear wrote the songs live — offering followers a front row seat to the music making process.
This weekend at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow will be in the audience waiting to hear if their album, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, wins in the category of Best Musical Theater Album.
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The Growing Overlap Between The Far-Right And Environmentalism Mar 31, 2022

Researchers say the intersection between far-right movements and environmentalism is bigger than many people realize — and it's growing. Blair Taylor, researcher at the Institute for Social Ecology, explains.
Alex Amend, who researches eco-fascism, says climate change will only fuel the link between the far-right and environmentalism. Dorceta Taylor of Yale University traces the rise of the American conversation movement, which was partly motivated by a backlash against the racial mixing of American cities. Hop Hopkins of the Sierra Club opens up about racism in the organization's past.
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Legal Experts Say Justice Thomas Should Recuse Himself From Jan. 6th Cases Mar 30, 2022

Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is a longtime conservative activist who has been public about her views and support of former President Donald Trump. And text messages that surfaced last week showed that she went as far as peddling falsehoods about the 2020 election directly to former White House staff and urging them to overturn President Joe Biden's victory.
Earlier this year, Clarence Thomas was the sole dissenter as the Supreme Court ruled to give a House select committee investigating the January 6th attack access to White House communications during that period.
NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on why this possible conflict of interest is a true dilemma for the court and spoke with legal experts about what should happen next.
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New Variants. New Boosters. But So Far, No New COVID Spending From Congress Mar 29, 2022

An omicron subvariant known as BA.2 could soon become the dominant form of the coronavirus in the United States. It's not more deadly, but it is more transmissible. At the same time, the Biden administration has authorized a second booster shot for people over 50 and other people vulnerable to infection.
But against that backdrop, Congress has so far refused to authorize more COVID spending measures, which would fund the stockpiling of more vaccine doses and public health surveillance for emerging variants.
NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports on the funding debate. NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff looks at another variant whose creation gives scientists insight into how COVID-19 variants change, and why.
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Why Some Russians Are Fleeing To A Country Their Government Already Invaded Mar 28, 2022

In 2008, Russia invaded another former Soviet republic: Georgia, a small country on the southeast edge of Europe. Today, Georgia is seeing an influx of Russians who are fleeing their home country in opposition to its invasion of Ukraine. Mary Louise Kelly traveled to Georgia to hear how people who live with Russian troops on their doorsteps are feeling as they watch the war in Ukraine play out.
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Why Talking About Ye - the Artist Formerly Known as Kanye West - Is Complicated Mar 26, 2022

Even if you're not a fan of celebrity gossip, you've probably heard that there's something going on with the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. He's exhibited increasingly erratic behavior, including relentless online harassment of his ex-wife, reality TV queen Kim Kardashian and her current boyfriend, comedian Pete Davidson. Now he's been banned from performing at the Grammys, and was recently suspended from Instagram for a day.
For years Ye's behavior has been puzzling to observe - ranging from announcing plans to run for President, to moving into a windowless basement room inside of a stadium to complete his last album, to high profile feuds with everyone from Jay Z to Jimmy Kimmel. He has admitted that he struggles with bipolar disorder and that instead of medical treatment he uses his art as therapy
.Fans, critics and those who write and talk seriously about the arts are just not sure how to talk about the situation.
Aisha Harris of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour joins us to unpack some of the complexities. And we speak with mental health advocate Bassey Ikpi who offers a personal perspective on Ye's behavior.
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The Film 'Flee' Reveals The Truth About A Man's Untold Refugee Story Mar 25, 2022

The film Flee has already made Oscars history: it's the first to be nominated for best documentary, animated feature and international film.
Flee tells the story of a boy whose family left Afghanistan in the 1990s.
Now an adult and identified by an alias to protect him and his family, Amin Nawabi reveals a painful secret about his childhood journey to Denmark—a secret he has told almost no one.
The film opens with the question: "What does the word 'home' mean to you?"
Nawabi gives NPR his first interview with a news outlet, along with the director of "Flee," Jonas Poher Rasmussen.
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High Gas Prices: Why There's No Quick Fix Mar 24, 2022

This week, the average price for a gallon of gas in L.A. County crested six dollars — the highest in the country. The national average is up around 70 cents in the last month.
The are a lot of complicated reasons why gas is more expensive — and a lot of ideas for how to make this easier on consumers. But none of them are quick or easy.
NPR's Scott Horsley explains why drivers who are newly interested in purchasing an electric vehicle might not have a lot of options.
NPR's Brittany Cronin reports on calls for more domestic oil production in the U.S. — and why it may take some time for that to happen.
Here's more on why gas prices are so high from NPR's Chris Arnold.
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How Name, Image, and Likeness Contracts Are Transforming College Sports Mar 23, 2022

The NCAA's March Madness Tournament is upon us, and after over two years of pandemic restrictions at sporting events, stands are packed to full capacity with fans.
Transformative changes are happening off of the court too: for the first time in March Madness history, college athletes can cash in on endorsement deals because of changes to the NCAA's Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policies, which are a result of a Supreme Court ruling last summer.
While the new arena in college sports has been lucrative for athletes, with contracts reaching 7 figures, NIL advocates are concerned about the lack of legal and financial protections for students.
We speak with Stewart Mandel, Editor-In-Chief of college football at The Athletic, about how the current nature of NIL deals may risk exploiting student-athletes.
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Ketanji Brown Jackson Is Poised To Make History Mar 22, 2022

Tuesday was the second day of Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearings. She would be the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice, and the first Democratic nominee to be confirmed since Elena Kagan in 2010. A vote on her nomination could come in weeks, and Democrats have the votes to confirm her without Republican support.
NPR political correspondent Juana Summers spoke to black women working to support Jackson's historic nomination.
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How Becoming A Refugee Changes You Mar 21, 2022

Inside Ukraine, millions of people have been displaced, with millions more living in increasingly dire conditions. In the city of Maruipol, hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped — with dwindling supplies of food and water and no electricity. Mariupol has been bombarded by the Russians for weeks now. Petro Andrushchenko, an adviser to Mariupol's mayor, told NPR civilians in bomb shelters are running out of food. Millions of others have fled Ukraine without knowing if or when they'll be able to return home. Amid that uncertainty, they must start a new life elsewhere. It's an experience only people who've been refugees can truly understand. Mary Louise Kelly talks with refugees from Vietnam, Syria, and Afghanistan about their experiences, how fleeing their home country has affected their life and what life is like now. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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Why Do So Few Public Defenders Become Judges? Mar 19, 2022

Senate confirmation hearings begin next week for Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. If she is confirmed she will be the first Black woman on the high court and the first public defender. Judge Jackson served as a federal public defender between 2005 and 2007. She defended several Guantanamo detainees and others accused of crimes, a fact that her critics use to suggest that she works to free terrorists and put criminals back on the street.
The 6th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees every criminal defendant the right to an attorney. The right to have effective counsel, along with presumption of innocence are the basic principles of fairness in our legal system. But too often, having worked as a defense attorney is a stop sign on the road to the bench.
We speak with Martin Sabelli, president of the board of directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He explains why our legal system needs more judges with a background in criminal defense.
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A Look At Anti-Asian Violence One Year After The Atlanta Shootings Mar 18, 2022

It's been one year since a white man opened fire at three spas in the Atlanta area killing eight people — six of whom were Asian women.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there has been an alarming rise in hate crimes against Asian people in America, and a majority of the victims are women.
Harmful stereotypes of Asian Women play a huge role here — often portrayed in pop culture as demure, exotic, hyper sexualized, or carriers of disease.
CNN journalist Amara Walker discusses what it feels like to live with these stereotypes and the threat of violence as an Asian American woman.
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Can Diplomacy Prevail In Ukraine? Mar 17, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants America to help impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine. The U.S. favors other avenues of support, providing weapons and equipment. Now there are signs the Russian advance is stalling. Could there be a diplomatic endgame in sight?
Marie Yovanovitch is skeptical. The former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine tells NPR a no-fly zone should be kept on the table, citing the unpredictability and ruthlessness of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Yovanovitch has written a new memoir, Lessons From The Edge. More from her conversation with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly here.
Former Naval Intelligence Officer Steven Horrell says there's an emerging possibility of a so-called 'frozen conflict' in Ukraine, with Russian forces failing to advance but also refusing to leave.
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Some Who Rushed To Buy Homes During The Pandemic Now Regret It Mar 16, 2022

The pandemic created a spike in demand for housing that sent real estate prices through the roof. Which means a lot of Americans could no longer afford to buy, while many of those who could are now experiencing buyer's remorse.
NPR heard from many new homeowners who made compromises as they rushed to buy. Some even waived inspections or moved sight-unseen.
Hyojung Lee, a professor at Virginia Tech, explains how low interest rates, lockdowns and a desire to stop renting created the real estate scramble.
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A Third Pandemic Spring: How This One Will Be Different Mar 15, 2022

In the U.S., with key COVID metrics trending rapidly downward, the pandemic's third spring is already looking very different. But concerns remain about future variants as China and Hong Kong battle new outbreaks.
NPR's Tovia Smith reports on workers heading back to the office — where employers are figuring out how to give them new flexibility.
NPR's Will Stone reports on a recent change to the way the CDC talks about COVID risk. More on that story here.
NPR's Allison Aubrey has more on the battle over new COVID spending in Congress.
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How Russia's Past Military Campaigns Can Help Us Understand What's Next In Ukraine Mar 14, 2022

The scenes of devastation in Mariupol, a southeastern port city in Ukraine, are increasingly reflected in cities across the country as Russian forces advance. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the port city since the start of Russia's invasion. A humanitarian crisis is deepening, as residents say they can't find drinking water or food, and the International Committee of the Red Cross says they cannot get emergency supplies in.
Journalists Maura Reynolds and David Filipov both reported on Russia's military campaigns in Chechnya. Olga Oliker of International Crisis Group is an expert on Russian military strategy. They talk about the lessons learned from past Russian actions in Chechnya, and later in Georgia and Syria, to help explain what could come next in Ukraine.
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Amid Crackdown On Free Speech, Russians And Russian Americans Speak Out Against War Mar 12, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that could impose fifteen years in prison on anyone who publishes or broadcasts what the Russian government considers "false information" about the invasion of Ukraine. The law makes it illegal to use the word "war" or "invasion," a move aimed at shutting down the last remaining independent Russian media outlets.
Even as news is being censored and social media platforms are being shut down, some people in Russia are determined to be heard. The Russian independent human rights group OVD-Info reports that more than 13,000 protesters in 147 cities have been detained since the war began just over two weeks ago.
Yulia Zhivtsova is one of those protesters. She was detained in Moscow for taking part in protests the day after Russia invaded Ukraine. She's one of the thousands of protesters across the country who are defying the threat of violence and prison to express their opposition to the war in Ukraine.
And we'll hear how Russian immigrants and Russian Americans are showing support for Ukraine as attitudes among some in their community shift from acceptance of Putin to outrage.
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The Political Benefit Of Book Bans Mar 11, 2022

The movement to ban books from public school reading lists is not new, but lately it's been gaining momentum throughout the country. In part, because fights over children and schools is a tried and true political tool.
Revida Rahman, with One WillCo, discusses efforts to ban books in her children's school district in Williamson County, Tennessee and how this just the newest iteration of parental outrage on display.
And Elizabeth Bruenig, staff writer for The Atlantic, explains the political benefit of arguments over masks, critical race theory and book bans at schools. Especially as the U.S. nears midterm elections.
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Parents of Transgender Youth Fear Texas' New Anti-Trans Orders Mar 10, 2022

Governor Greg Abbot has directed the state's Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate certain gender-affirming care as possible child abuse, leaving parents of transgender youth feeling caught between two choices: support their children or face a possible CPS investigation.
Annaliese and Rachel are mothers living in Texas, both have transgender children. They speak to NPR about the emotional and mental toll this order has had on their families. And Chase Strangio, Deputy Director for Transgender Justice with the American Civil Liberties Union, explains the status of other anti-LGBTQ bills in other states.
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A Mission To Evacuate Premature Twin Babies From Ukraine Mar 09, 2022

More than two million people have fled Ukraine since Russia attacked two weeks ago - at least half of them children. It's a dangerous journey for anyone, let alone premature babies who were already fighting for their lives.
This is the harrowing story of some of the youngest evacuees - babies less than two weeks old who were born prematurely. Each day, they've been growing stronger as Kyiv grows weaker.
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COVID-19 Inmate Deaths in Prisons Mar 08, 2022

Throughout the pandemic, the The Federal Bureau of Prisons has maintained that they have a plan to keep the pandemic under control. But federal prison records tell a different story.
NPR's Meg Anderson dug into those those records. Many high risk inmates applied for compassionate release, or Home Confinement, where they could live at home while being monitored by the prison.
But since the beginning of the pandemic nearly 300 prisoners have died from COVID-19, and almost all of them were elderly or had pre-existing conditions. What went wrong?
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More Than 1.5 Million Ukrainians Have Fled Their Country Mar 07, 2022

In what the U.N. refugee agency calls the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, more than a million Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia invaded less than two weeks ago. The bulk of them have traveled through Poland and many are staying there.
That's where Ari Shapiro spoke with acting United States ambassador to Ukraine Kristina Kvien. She and her staff relocated to Poland soon after the fighting started, and she discusses the strain this new humanitarian crisis is putting on the bordering countries.
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BONUS: The Great Wager Mar 06, 2022

President Richard Nixon has a plan: He wants to go to China. The only problem? The U.S. and China have had zero contact since the Communist Party took over China two decades before.
In this episode of The Great Wager from NPR and WBUR's Here & Now, host Jane Perlez digs into the beginning of Nixon's improbable diplomatic mission.
Listen to the rest of The Great Wager here.
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Facing History At The National Memorial For Peace And Justice Mar 05, 2022

There's a battle raging over the telling and teaching of Black history in the United States. Much of that fight has been playing out in schools. School board meetings erupt into fights as critics attack the teaching of what they call critical race theory or charge that teaching about racism is too upsetting to white children or casts students either as oppressors or the oppressed.
At the heart of these arguments is a much larger issue - whether or not the country can face the truth about its painful legacy of systemic racism.
In Montgomery, Alabama the National Memorial for Peace and Justice is dedicated to acknowledging America's history of racial terrorism factually, honestly, and completely. Civil rights attorney and memorial founder, Bryan Stevenson, believes that embracing this truth is the only path to healing.
We tour the memorial with Stevenson, hear some of the stories immortalized there and discuss the ongoing battle over how students should be taught about race.
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Five Years After Trump's "Muslim Ban" Mar 04, 2022

Just one week into his presidency, Donald Trump announced an executive order banning people from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S., the so-called "Muslim Ban".
This ban shut out travelers who were already on their way to the U.S. Visas were canceled, people were detained and sent back home, and protests ensued. Lawsuits were filed, but the Supreme Court upheld the policy.
On his first day in office, President Biden reversed the ban. But five years later, hundreds of families that were separated by it are still waiting to be united.
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The Man Leading Ukraine Mar 03, 2022

It's been exactly one week since Russia invaded Ukraine, which means one week since Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, became a wartime president. So far, he has mastered his message and has garnered praised from around the world, but there's a lot more to winning a war than videos and viral tweets.
Emily Harding with the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains why Zelenskyy has been such an effective communicator and what challenges lie ahead.
And Angela Stent of the Brookings Institution discusses what the world is learning about the other leader in this war, Russia's president Vladimir Putin.
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The New Texas Abortion Law Is Putting Some Patients In Danger Mar 02, 2022

Doctors in Texas have been warning that the state's abortion law known as SB 8 would make it harder for them to treat medical crises and would endanger their patients. Six months in, those predictions appear to be coming true.
NPR correspondent Sarah McCammon reports from central Texas where some women have faced medical issues made more dangerous by SB 8.
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As Masks Come Off, Immunocompromised Americans Feel Left Behind Mar 01, 2022

The latest CDC guidance puts nearly 70% of the U.S. population in low or medium risk areas, and residents are no longer expected to wear a mask. In response, the vast majority of states in the U.S. have lifted or plan to lift mask mandates.
While many Americans welcome the loosening of pandemic-era safety rules, people who are higher risk feel forgotten and left behind. Johnnie Jae is an Indigenous journalist and public speaker; Charis Hill is a disability activist; and Cass Condray is a university student. The three explain what it's like to be immunocompromised and chronically ill during the pandemic, and what can be done to allow them to better live their lives.
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Russia Meets A Strong Resistance Feb 28, 2022

Russia's war against Ukraine rages on, but for now Russian troops appear to have been met with a level of resistance they were not prepared for. While the U.S. and its allies have pulled together in an attempt to cripple Russia's economy.
NPR's Chief Economic Correspondent Scott Horsley reports on sanctions have led to Russia's currency falling, which will mean higher prices for Russians.
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What To Do About America's Child Care Crisis Feb 26, 2022

America's child care system is in crisis. Experts say it's a failed business model. Parents can't afford it, and yet, daycare providers are some of the lowest paid workers in the country. The problem is an old one - but there's new energy in the debate over solutions. In part, because of the proposed funding for childcare outlined in President Biden's signature Build Back Better legislation, currently facing roadblocks. But also because the pandemic highlighted how broken the system is.
Brenda Hawkins operates a small home-based daycare in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She's been taking care of kids for 24 years, but the pandemic brought new uncertainty and stress. She was able to keep her doors open, but works longer hours, without increased pay, to keep her kids healthy and safe. She has never considered leaving the business, but understands why child care workers are quitting in droves.
Elliot Haspel, author of Crawling Behind: America's Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It, outlines how the system broke down these past few years and the ways the US could fix it.
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Ketanji Brown Jackson Is The First Black Woman Nominated To The Supreme Court Feb 25, 2022

Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court fulfills a promise President Biden made while running for office: to nominate the first Black woman for the highest court. Critics said he was prioritizing identity over qualifications, but many have praised Jackson for being well equipped for what could be a historic appointment.
Tomiko Brown-Nagin, dean of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, wrote a book about the first Black woman to ever become a federal judge, Constance Baker Motley. She explains how that, and much more, paved the way for this nomination.
And NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg reports on Jackson's career and her path to the president's top pick.
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Ukrainians Wake Up To War Feb 24, 2022

Russia has launched an all-out, unprovoked invasion into Ukraine, the largest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II. There have been missile strikes throughout the country, including in the capital city, Kyiv. President Biden said this escalation means even more economic sanctions against Russia, but reiterated that U.S. forces won't fight the battle in Ukraine.
NPR Correspondent Eleanor Beardsley is covering the invasion from within Ukraine. And Democratic Senator from Virginia and Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Mark Warner tells NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about what the the U.S. and its allies might do next.
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Entering A Cautiously Relaxed Phase Of The Pandemic Feb 23, 2022

As winter begins to fade, COVID-19 maps are changing colors from those ominous dark shades to a more hopeful outlook. Infections are down dramatically in the past few weeks and death and hospitalization rates are dropping too. But there's also reason for caution.
NPR correspondent Rob Stein reports on a new version of the Omicron variant referred to as BA.2. It's been the dominant strain in some countries and it's showing up in the U.S. too.
And NPR correspondent Michaeleen Doucleff discusses whether a fourth booster dose of vaccine may be in our future.
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Russia Makes Moves Against Ukraine Feb 22, 2022

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing two breakaway republics in Eastern Ukraine and sent troops to the region. On Tuesday, President Biden called the move "the beginning of a Russian invasion" and announced a new set of sanctions.
While Russia's actions reverberate throughout the world, no area has more at stake than Eastern Ukraine. That's where NPR correspondent Eleanor Beardsley has been reporting.
And despite the escalation this week, U.S. diplomats are hoping to keep Russia at the bargaining table. But as Yale history professor Timothy Snyder explains, a sarcastic tone from Russian officials makes talks difficult.
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Red Zip Codes Are Getting Redder, Blue Zip Codes Are Getting Bluer Feb 21, 2022

The U.S. is becoming more geographically polarized. Red zip codes are getting redder and blue zip codes are getting bluer. And this is because people are purposefully moving to places that reflect their views. Which is a trend that comes with consequences.
NPR correspondent John Burnett spoke with some Texan transplants about how their politics impacted their choice of community.
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Cryptocurrency: The Future Of Investing Or A Scam? Feb 19, 2022

During the Super Bowl, clever ads from cryptocurrency companies urged a mainstream audience of 101 million viewers to buy now or regret it later. But besides high-minded rhetoric, what exactly were these ads selling? And why are some critics warning against investing?
To understand the arguments for and against investing in cryptocurrency, you have to get a bit technical. YouTuber, Dan Olson helps us understand these digital currencies, how they function, what you can buy with them and the ideology behind the tech.
We'll hear why Chinese dissident artist, Badiucao, thinks NFT's – non-fungible tokens – are the new frontier for political art. And critics explain why the crypto craze may be a market bubble and a scam.
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The Canadian Trucker Protest Against Vaccines Has Evolved Into Something Much Bigger Feb 18, 2022

Three weeks ago, semi trucks flooded the streets of Canada's capital city. Drivers were protesting a vaccine mandate at the U.S. border. But since then, the demonstration in Ottawa has evolved to be about much more and is spreading to other cities throughout the world.
NPR correspondents Shannon Bond and Odette Youseff have been following this story and explain how the movement began and what has kept it going.
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American-Born Athletes Competing For China Experience Extra Scrutiny Feb 17, 2022

Just under three dozen of China's athletes competing at the Olympics this year were born in other countries. Most famously, ski prodigy Eileen Gu, who has dozens of brand sponsorships and is praised on Chinese social media. That's in contrast to skater Zhu Yi, who has been called a "disgrace" after she fell during her short program. And the rhetoric appears on both sides. Some U.S. commentators have criticized Gu for her decision to compete for China.
Jules Boykoff is a political science professor at Pacific University and studies the politics of sports. He explains how politics play out in the Olympics. Amy Qin is a China correspondent for the New York Times. Her article on the subject is "The Olympians Caught Up in the U.S.-China Rivalry."
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Russia May Be Able To Attack Ukraine From The Inside Feb 16, 2022

Despite reports that Russia may have withdrawn some troops from the Ukraine border, NATO says there's no evidence of de-escalation and forces remain ready to attack. But it's not just the border that is at risk.
NPR correspondent Frank Langfitt reports on hybrid war tactics like cyberattacks that Russia can, and may already be using to spark unrest in Ukraine.
And Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner about how the crisis feels in his country.
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Are States Ending Their Mask Mandates Too Soon? Feb 15, 2022

More and more states are loosening their mask mandates as COVID-19 cases fall throughout the country. But the CDC says there isn't enough of a drop with deaths and hospitalizations to warrant this change. This muddled messaging can make it difficult to navigate this current phase of the pandemic.
NPR correspondent Mara Liasson explains that while politics have played a role in public health decision making from the beginning of the pandemic, the divide between Republic and Democratic states is starting to close.
And NPR science correspondent Rob Stein offers guidance on how to make sense of the ever evolving risk factors for daily life.
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When Your Team Loses, Disappointment Can Lead To Genuine Grief Feb 14, 2022

Fans of the Cincinnati Bengals may be licking their wounds after Sunday's Super Bowl loss, but every sports fan can relate to the pain that follows a big game not going their way. And while it's normal to be upset, those feelings of disappointment can occasionally turn into grief and even depression.
Dr. Eric Zillmer, a professor of Neuropsychology at Drexel University, explains how the pandemic and brief pause on professional sports helped him understand just how strongly we rely on those games.
And Greg Miller, a licensed therapist, discusses ways to deal with grief from your team's loss in a healthy way. A lesson he's learned first hand.
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Love In The Time Of COVID: How We Date Is Changing Feb 12, 2022

We're still learning how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting us emotionally and socially. Experts believe we will be seeing and analyzing its effects for years to come. But, thanks to popular online platforms, we do have some data on single people, their dating preferences and how those preferences changed during the pandemic.
Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and chief science advisor for the online dating company Match, shares the latest trends from the 11th annual Singles In America study.
Then, Logan Ury, Director of Relationship Science at the dating app Hinge and author of the book How To Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love, lays out some tips and tricks for how to get better at dating.
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How Three Fashion Icons Shaped The Industry 'Beyond The Dress Or The Belt' Feb 11, 2022

The fashion world has recently lost three of its greats - Andre Leon Talley, Thierry Mugler and Virgil Abloh. Each man was a pioneer in his own way: Mugler and Abloh pushed boundaries as designers, Talley was a Black editor at a time when they were few and far between.
Robin Givhan, the Washington Post's senior critic-at-large, reflects on each man's influence and impact on the industry, and what these losses across the fashion industry mean.
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In Supreme Court Nomination Debate, Echoes of Past Judicial Breakthrough Feb 10, 2022

When President Biden announced that he would nominate a Black woman—the Supreme Court's first—to the seat that will be vacated by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, criticism from some on the right began almost immediately.
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said it was "racist" to consider only Black women for the post, and Biden's decision was "insulting to African-American women."
The conversation about identity and qualifications echoes some of the questions that arose when another breakthrough appointment was announced more than 50 years ago.
In 1966, Constance Baker Motley became the first Black woman to serve on the federal bench. Her identity and lived experience as a civil rights attorney loomed large in the debate about her fitness to serve.
Tomiko Brown-Nagin, dean of Harvard Radcliffe Institute, and author of Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle For Equality, discusses Motley's nomination and her career. She says Motley supported the appointment of women and people of color to the federal judiciary as a way to strengthen the institution.
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In Bosnia, Fear Mounts Over Rising Ethnic Tensions Feb 09, 2022

As the standoff over Ukraine continues, tensions are rising around another old conflict in Europe.
Brutal ethnic fighting left at least 100,000 dead in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s. The U.S. brokered peace there, but the fragile, multi-ethnic state is once again in crisis, as NPR's Frank Langfitt saw on a recent trip.
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Can The U.S. And Its Allies Stop Russia? Feb 08, 2022

Russia never wanted NATO to spread east through the former soviet republics. But it especially didn't want it to reach Ukraine. A compromise in 2008 put Ukraine on the path to membership, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is now effectively holding the country hostage in effort to keep that from happening.
NPR's Becky Sullivan reports on the history of NATO and how a disagreement over a past proposal is fueling Putin's frustration. Read more about that here.
And NPR's European correspondents describe how U.S. allies France, Germany and the U.K. are attempting to work together to stop Russia from crossing the Ukraine border.
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What's Next For ISIS After The Death Of Their Leader Feb 07, 2022

Last Thursday morning, before dawn, U.S. special troops arrived at a house in Syria to capture the ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi alive. Two hours later, he was dead after detonating an explosive that also killed the lives of at least 13 others.
The U.S. opted for a ground attack in an effort to protect civilians but the mission didn't go as planned. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby explains some of the complications.
And Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, explains what might happen now that the leader of ISIS is dead.
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BONUS: Brian Flores On Taking A Stand Against The NFL Feb 06, 2022

It was an abrupt move that not many could have foreseen. Despite an impressive three-year showing with the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores was fired from his position as head coach last month in a surprising end to a contract that was supposed to last for two more years.
What's followed could be described as a "reckoning" for the NFL: Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the league citing racial discrimination, a move that's prompted a closer look at the NFL's hiring practices and the racial makeup of those in power.
Flores sat down with NPR's Jay Williams, host of The Limits with Jay Williams, to talk about his experience.
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Treating Gun Violence As A 'Serious Public Health Threat' Feb 05, 2022

Firearm-related injuries are among the 5 leading causes of death for people ages 1-64 in the United States, according to the CDC. In 2019, there were 39,707 firearm-related deaths in the United States. That's an average of 109 deaths per day. Firearm-related injuries are harder to quantify, but the Gun Violence Archive reports that there were over 40,000 last year.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has called gun violence a "serious public health threat." She's the first CDC Director to make strong public statements about gun violence since 1999. For decades, gun violence research received no federal funding. That's in large part because of pressure from the NRA.
Once again, the United States is investing in a public health approach to stemming gun violence. Dr. Mark Rosenberg, founding director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, explains what this means.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Eric Westervelt.
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TikTok Is Creating Music Stars – And The Music Industry Is Watching Feb 04, 2022

User-generated content specific to TikTok has propelled songs old and new to viral success. Whether it's someone lip-syncing to a song, or participating in a dance or trend using that song, it's made music discovery more participatory.
Success on the app can lead to success on the charts, and record labels are looking to TikTok for their next stars.
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Two Uyghur Children Describe What Life Was Like In A Chinese Boarding School Feb 03, 2022

China has been detaining and arresting ethnic Uyghurs in the region of Xinjiang en masse while their children are often sent to state boarding schools.
China closely guards information about Xinjiang, including about these forced family separations. But NPR's Beijing correspondent Emily Feng managed to talk to two children who made it out of one such school and are sharing their story for the first time.
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The Cost of COVID Safety Precautions Can Be A Big Burden For Some Families Feb 02, 2022

Masks and at-home COVID-19 test kits have become staples of pandemic life. The Biden Administration announced in January that it would distribute 400 million free N95 respirators to pharmacies and grocery stores around the country. The U.S. Postal Service has begun taking orders for free at-home test kits. Supply remains limited, so many are still purchasing masks and tests on their own, and the costs can easily add up.
Wendy Edelberg is a Senior Fellow of Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution who studies household spending and saving habits. She explains how time is one of the hidden costs associated with obtaining high-quality masks.
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Along The Russian Border, Some Ukrainians Already Live With War Feb 01, 2022

The world is watching as Russia continues it's threat of invasion with troops at the border of Ukraine. But close to that border, in the Donbas region, people look at you a little funny if you ask whether they're worried about war with Russia, because they are already living through it.
Areas of Eastern Ukraine have been at war since 2014 when Russia-backed separatists moved in and declared breakaway republics. And that's where NPR's Mary Louise Kelly has been, talking with residents about what this new threat might mean for them.
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Old Tactics Are Being Used To Find New Extremists Jan 31, 2022

Before he took office, President Joe Biden said stopping domestic extremism would be a priority for him. His administration has now created the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships to stop radicalization before it starts. But critics say it's a repackaging of failed strategies and inadequate.
NPR correspondent Odette Yousef has been reporting on the efforts of this new program built on old strategies.
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Reframing The Minimalist Lifestyle Jan 29, 2022

Minimalist lifestyles are in vogue. From books to blogs, to Instagram to YouTube, Marie Kondo and other influencers have popularized living with less.
But many of the dominant voices ignore the ways history and culture influence how and why we consume.
Enter Christine Platt, The Afrominimalist.
Platt is a lifestyle strategist and author of The Afrominimalist's Guide To Living With Less. She examines how a history of oppression shapes a community's views on ownership and consumption.
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The Omicron Wave Is Receding. What Happens Now? Jan 28, 2022

Cases rates are dropping, but the number of people dying each day is not. Many hospitals are still overwhelmed. NPR's Will Stone reports.
Deaths are a lagging indicator — meaning they, too, will soon fall as the omicron wave continues to recede. What does the next phase of the pandemic look like? NPR's Allison Aubrey explains why some public health experts think the coronavirus may not disappear — but become easier to live with.
In the meantime, workplaces are still reeling from the surge as employees call out sick or must quarantine. NPR's Andrea Hsu says it's even worse than last winter's pre-vaccine surge.
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What It's Like In Ukraine, Under Threat Of A Russian Invasion Jan 27, 2022

Tensions are not abating as the U.S. and NATO continue efforts to avoid armed conflict with Russia. This week President Biden said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would "change the world."
State Department spokesperson Ned Price tells NPR what leverage the U.S. has to prevent that from happening.
Mary Louise Kelly reports from Kyiv, where some people are preparing for an invasion, even as the Ukraine government urges calm.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Michele Kelemen and Daniel Estrin.
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What Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer's Retirement Means Jan 26, 2022

After 27 years on the Supreme Court, liberal justice Stephen Breyer is retiring. His departure won't change the balance of the court, but it will give President Biden a chance to put his stamp on it — and cement a new, younger justice in place for decades.
NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg explains who might replace Breyer, and NPR political editor Domenico Montanaro outlines how the process will unfold.
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Rethinking Joss Whedon's Legacy Amidst Bullying Allegations Jan 25, 2022

Writer-Director Joss Whedon has responded to his former colleagues' accusations of bullying on set. NY Magazine reporter Lila Shapiro interviewed Whedon, and his accusers, for a profile in Vulture called "The Undoing of Joss Whedon."
Motherboard's Gita Jackson considers Whedon's influence on his fans and, more broadly, pop culture, and freelance tv critic Robyn Bahr talks about the reasons why she doesn't think she'll ever rewatch Buffy the Vampire Slayer again.
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Experts Call The Pandemic A Collective Trauma. Why Don't We Talk About It That Way? Jan 24, 2022

When we talk about the pandemic, we talk about stress. Burnout. Uncertainty. Isolation. We don't talk as much about trauma. But a growing number of mental health professionals say that's what people are experiencing as the pandemic drags on — and we may need a new way to talk about what they're going through. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports.
Psychiatrist, neurologist and author Bessel van der Kolk explains how the brain processes and recovers from trauma. His 2004 book The Body Keeps the Scoresurged to the top of bestseller lists during the pandemic.
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BONUS: The Beauty, Style, And Life Of André Leon Talley Jan 23, 2022

A towering figure of the fashion world, André Leon Talley was impossible to ignore. His influence extended well beyond the runway — during his time at Vogue, he was a rare Black editor in a largely white industry, and also a major figure in the LGBTQ+ community.
In this episode of It's Been A Minute, host Sam Sanders discusses Talley's influence and legacy with Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford.
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Amid Covid Surge, Students And Teachers Want To Be Heard Jan 22, 2022

In Florida and Virginia, Governors Ron DeSantis and Glenn Youngkin are bolstering the right of parents to defy school mask mandates. While some parents are celebrating, others are filing lawsuits opposing the policies that make mask-wearing in schools optional.
There are a lot of opinions about how schools should be run during the pandemic, but some key voices are often missing from the conversation – students and teachers.
Over the last few weeks, amid a nationwide surge of coronavirus cases, students across the country have staged walkouts to emphasize various COVID mitigation measures they would like to see implemented. We'll hear from some of those students.
And we'll speak to a teacher in Arizona who understands how difficult it is, as a parent, community member and school staffer, to find the right balance between physical health, mental health and educational priorities.
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The Fate Of That Unwanted Air Fryer After You Return It Jan 21, 2022

The pandemic has led to a huge rise in online shopping. And record spending from last year means record returns. But what happens to the items we send back is often a mystery.
NPR correspondent Alina Selyukh reports on the like hood of an unwanted holiday gift making it into another customers hands.
And Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi of NPR's Planet Money podcast visits a bargain bin store in North Carolina where dogged resellers rifle through mounds of unwanted items to find something they can turn for a profit.
Listen to the full Planet Money episode here.
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One Year In, Tracking Biden's Progress And Shortfalls Jan 20, 2022

Today marks one year since President Joe Biden took office. His most immediate challenge was the pandemic, but he also promised action on climate, racial equity, and infrastructure.
One year later, NPR correspondents Kelsey Snell and Tamara Keith take stock of Biden's accomplishments and shortfalls.
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Addiction Is Deadlier Than Ever. But New Research Shows Most Americans Can Heal Jan 19, 2022

Federal data released last week showed more than 101,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in a one-year period. This was partly due to the pandemic and disruptions to treatment, as well as a surge in methamphetamine and fentanyl use.
But there is some positive news. A recent study on recovery success, co-authored by Dr. David Eddie, shows that three out of four people who experience addiction eventually recover, if they get the care they need.
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Why Trump Still Looms Large In Many Evangelical Congregations Jan 18, 2022

During his time in office, former President Donald Trump embraced a Christian nationalist stance; the idea that the U.S. is a Christian country and should enforce those beliefs. Now, despite being out of office for nearly a year, those beliefs continue to spread.
NPR correspondent John Burnett reports on the growing movement of Christian nationalism, and the the other Christian congregations that are pushing against it.
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More Vaxxed People Are Acting As If They're 'Done' With The Pandemic. Should They? Jan 17, 2022

More people are hospitalized with COVID than at any point in the pandemic. But the omicron variant is also causing more Americans to tune out the pandemic and turn away from public health measures right when they're needed most. NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports.
Even some vaccinated and boosted Americans are ready to move on from COVID, writes Derek Thompson in The Atlantic — a group he's dubbed 'vaxxed and done.' Thompson spoke to Jane Clayson on Here & Now, a production of NPR and WBUR Boston.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff, who reported on why the omicron variant appears to be less deadly; and from NPR's Will Stone, who reported on hospitals struggling to manage the omicron surge.
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How To Fix Declining Trust In Elections And The News Media Jan 15, 2022

Americans' trust in both their government and in each other is declining. That's according to the Pew Research Center, who have been collecting this data for decades.
Researchers Bradley Jones and Katerina Eva Matsa discuss how and why Americans are losing trust in two critical institutions: elections and news media.
Then, Eric Liu, the co-founder and CEO of Citizen University, and Tony Marcano, managing editor of member station KPCC and the LAist, share the steps they are taking to help citizens engage in civic life and re-establish trust in our country's election systems and news media.
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Is Russia About To Invade Ukraine? NATO, U.S. Promise 'Massive Consequences' Jan 14, 2022

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. is planning "things that we have not done in the past" if Russia invades Ukraine. His comments follow days of diplomatic talks and a deadlock on resolving the crisis brewing along the Ukraine-Russia border, where Russia has massed 100,000 troops with tanks and artillery.
Blinken speaks to NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about the current tensions and this week's diplomatic efforts.
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A Texas Prison's Radio Station Helps Incarcerated Men Build Community Jan 13, 2022

The men on death row in Allan B. Polunsky Unit, a maximum security prison in southeastern Texas, spend most of their time in solitary confinement, isolated from each other. Now, a prison radio station is giving them a sense of community and a way to be heard.
Keri Blakinger talks about how it started and the impact it's had. Read her piece "The Prisoner-Run Radio Station That's Reaching Men on Death Row" at The Marshall Project.
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Why COVID Tests Are Still So Scarce And Expensive — And When That Could Change Jan 12, 2022

Many public spaces across the country now require negative COVID-19 tests for entry. But the cost of testing can vary widely, and some say they have had to spend hundreds of dollars to purchase tests.
Adam Tanner explains some of the reasons for the drastic difference in at-home test prices. Read his piece 'How Much Should It Cost to Get Tested for COVID-19' on Consumer Reports.
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Senator Raphael Warnock Wants You To See Voting Rights As A Moral Issue Jan 11, 2022

As Democrats are making a push for voting rights legislation in Congress, more faith leaders want Americans to approach it as a moral – even spiritual – issue, including pastor and Democrat, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia.
Warnock explains why he thinks ending the legislative filibuster in the Senate may be a necessary step, a move that President Joe Biden also endorsed while speaking in Warnock's home state on Tuesday.
And Warnock describes his spiritual motivation for this voting rights push. He says democracy is the "political enactment of a spiritual idea."
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Omicron Has Schools And Parents Scrambling. How Are They Coping? Jan 10, 2022

A surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant has meant many school districts across the country have considered or committed to returning to remote learning for the time being.
WBEZ reporter Sarah Karp spoke with parents in Chicago where a standoff between the teachers union and mayor has resulted in no teaching happening in person or virtually for the last few days.
And we hear from three mothers who share how they've been coping with the stress and unpredictability of a very confusing return to school.
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BONUS: Maverick Carter On Building The LeBron James Empire Jan 09, 2022

Before they built one of the biggest athlete-driven business empires in the world, LeBron James and Maverick Carter were just two kids from Akron, Ohio.
On this episode of NPR's newest podcast, The Limits With Jay Williams, Carter explains how he and James succeeded — on their own terms. Carter is CEO of the SpringHill Company.
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How To Build Public Trust When Fighting A Pandemic Jan 08, 2022

If you're confused about the new CDC Coronavirus guidelines, you're not alone.
In fact, this week, the American Medical Association released a statement saying, "The new recommendations on quarantine and isolation are not only confusing, but are risking further spread of the virus."
Adherence to public health guidelines is built on trust, and over the last few weeks, trust in the CDC seems to be eroding.
Jessica Malaty Rivera, a Senior Advisor at the Pandemic Prevention Institute and a science communicator, explains how we got to this point...and what steps need to be taken to ensure public trust in the CDC.
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Countries Accused Of Human Rights Abuses Are Pouring Money Into Soccer Jan 07, 2022

A new owner can change everything for a professional sports team. And in the world of professional soccer, more and more of those new owners are countries accused of human rights abuses.
Former Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha describes what it was like when a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family took charge of his club.
Plus, New York Times reporter Tariq Panja explains why complaints about where money is coming from does little to change this growing trend, as evidenced by the recent purchase of Newcastle United by a Saudi-led investment group.
And in case you missed it on our All Things Considered radio broadcast, co-host of the show and of this podcast Audie Cornish is considering a new adventure and leaving NPR. You can hear the show's tribute to Audie here.
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'The Big Lie' Lives On, And May Lead Some To Oversee The Next Election Jan 06, 2022

A year since the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, the belief in 'the big lie' is now mainstream. And in states around the country, that belief is driving people to run for public office, where they would oversee elections this year. NPR's Miles Parks reports. Here's his complete report on where election-denying candidates are running to control voting.
And NPR's Tovia Smith reports on why 'the big lie' is still so hard to dispel.
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Kids Under 5 Still Can't Get Vaccinated. What The Omicron Surge Means For Them Jan 05, 2022

New daily cases are at an all-time high. The good news: vaccines and boosters have never been more widely available — but not for everyone. Children five and under still do not have a vaccine available as the omicron surge stretches health care workers thin.
For advice on navigating the pandemic in this moment, we turn to Dr. Ibukun Kalu, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Duke University.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Allison Aubrey.
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The 'Big Lie' Continues To Threaten Democracy Jan 04, 2022

A year ago, insurrectionists stormed the Capitol building in hopes of overturning the election results - fueled by the "Big Lie" that Donald Trump actually won. He did not.
As NPR Special Correspondent Melissa Block reports, this lie has become entrenched in the Republican party. And Republican state legislators across the country have used it to justify passing new laws restricting voting access.
We look at those changes, and what all this might mean for elections in 2022 and 2024.
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Revisiting January 6th One Year Later Jan 03, 2022

This week marks a year since the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and in this episode we're returning to the events of the day, which have become much clearer over the past year.
And Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, who was there on January 6th, describes what it's like returning to work in the building where he says he was almost certain he would die.
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Was That This Year? Dec 31, 2021

We take a look back on the year in news and pop culture... in quotes. Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro join Sam Sanders for a special episode of NPR's It's Been a Minute to play a deluxe version of their favorite game, Who Said That.
Listen to It's Been A Minute on NPR One, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Ai Weiwei On His Father's Exile — And Hopes For His Own Son Dec 30, 2021

In 2011, influential Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei was secretly detained by Chinese authorities.
While in detention, he thought often about his father – who had also been punished by the Chinese government – and how incomplete his understanding of his father was.
Ai spoke to Ailsa Chang about his new book, which explores his time in detention, his relationship with his father, and his attempt to avoid a similar disconnect with his own son.
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We're Halfway Through Another Intense Year For Teachers Dec 29, 2021

We're halfway through another intense pandemic school year. As many teachers are taking a well-deserved holiday break, we'll hear why these past few months in the classroom have gotten harder – and what that could mean for students and parents.
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CDC Guidelines Change As Omicron Cases Cause Disruptions Dec 28, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that people who test positive for COVID-19 but remain asymptotic can cut their quarantine time in half, from ten days to five. This shift comes in part due to major disruptions causes by rising Omicron cases, with hospitals and airlines in particular struggling to stay fully staffed.
This moment in the pandemic feels a little like living in a contradiction. Cases are rising, yet guidance on certain restrictions is loosening. Hospitals are filling up, yet many infections are mild.
Prof. Gaurav Suri, computational neuroscientist at San Francisco State, and Dr. Leana Wen, emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University, discuss how to live with the threat of Omicron right now.
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NPR Investigates: How States Charge Poor Parents For Their Own Kids' Foster Care Dec 27, 2021

An NPR investigation digs into the practice of billing parents for their children's foster care — something that happens in every state in the country.
It's a bill many cannot afford to pay, which in turn makes it even more difficult for parents to get their lives back on track and reunite with their children. On top of that, research shows government actually loses money when it tries to collect on foster care bills.
NPR investigative correspondent Joseph Shapiro reports, in collaboration with Teresa Wiltz of POLITICO.
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The Holiday Dishes That Are Never Missing From Your Table Dec 24, 2021

After everything that has happened this year, it can feel difficult to find things to celebrate. So we're using this episode to spread a little joy, through something everyone can relate to: food.
We asked all of you what holiday dish is never missing from your table, and you answered – from seafood gumbo in Louisiana to Hungarian Beigli to traditional New Mexican cookies called Biscochitos and more. Be careful listening on an empty stomach.
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Manchin's Holiday Gift To Fellow Dems: A Lump Of Coal On Climate Change Dec 23, 2021

This week, Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said he cannot support the Build Back Better Act, which contains more than half a trillion dollars in climate investments. The White House has been negotiating with Manchin for months, hoping he would cast a key vote for the plan in the Senate, where their party's majority is razor thin.
Without Manchin's support, the Biden administration's most ambitious action on climate may be dead, and the U.S. could fall short of key goals to prevent the worst effects of climate change.
Reporters from NPR's climate change team — Jeff Brady, Lauren Sommer, and Dan Charles — take stock of where things go from here.
NPR's Jennifer Ludden also contributed to this episode. Read her piece Manchin says Build Back Better's climate measures are risky. That's not true.
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The Women Of 'Succession' And Reflections On Navigating Corporate Sexism Dec 22, 2021

The HBO show Succession is compelling in part because it portrays a world most of us will never see: the backroom deals between cutthroat billionaires and their fraught family relationships. But the show's dark comedy also gives us insight into the world we all inhabit, and how that world treats women across a spectrum of relationships.
From entrenched sexism to performative feminism, writer Flannery Dean explains the different forms of misogyny on display in Succession.
(Note: Spoilers ahead for those not caught up on the latest season!)
Then, actor J. Smith-Cameron – who plays the character Gerri Kellman – discusses navigating through the toxic machismo of Succession's world, and how she made the role her own.
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How To Get Through The Holidays As Omicron Looms Dec 21, 2021

This holiday season we all deserve a little peace and quiet with the people we love, but the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 threatens to complicate things for everyone.
As tests appear to be in short supply in places like New York City, the White House announced plans to send 500 million at-home tests to Americans who want them and new federal testing sites to meet the demand in the coming weeks.
But despite the rising cases and concern, Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, says this is not March 2020 all over again. And he offers some guidance to help us through the next few weeks.
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School's In, But The Kids Are Out: Why Enrollment Continues To Drop Dec 20, 2021

Public school enrollment dropped three percent nationwide during the 2020-2021 school year.
NPR's education team continued to track enrollment this school year and found that while districts have gained students, a significant majority are still not back to where they were prior to the pandemic.
A similar story has unfolded in Los Angeles, Chicago and at more public schools across the nation.
NPR education reporter Cory Turner looked into why students are still not coming back to school and what schools are trying to do about it.
Meanwhile, some of the students not enrolled in public school have started being homeschooled during the pandemic. WBHM education reporter Kyra Miles spoke to Black families in Alabama who are choosing that option in increasing numbers.
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BONUS: 12 Favorite Moments Of 2021 Dec 19, 2021

NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast has a tradition to look back on some of their favorite things from the last 12 months of television, movies and music. In this episode they're revisiting the pop culture that thrilled them, moved them and kept them company during another challenging year.
Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour on NPR One, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Fox Hosts' Texts To White House Official Contradict Coverage Of Jan. 6 Capitol Siege Dec 17, 2021

On Jan. 6, three Fox News hosts desperately urged former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to get the president to tell supporters to stop attacking the Capitol building.
The texts, which were made public this week as the House of Representatives voted to hold Meadows in contempt, reveal a starkly different message than the one those same Fox hosts delivered to their audiences about the insurrection.
NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and investigative correspondent Tom Dreisbach discuss the gap between Fox's messaging behind closed doors and in front of the camera.
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The Story Behind the Summit: Leading A Global Climate Change Fight Into 2022 Dec 16, 2021

The COP26 Summit, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last month brought together people from all over the world. And everyone had stories of how climate change is already affecting their lives. But, did the conference accomplish what it set out to do?
Alok Sharma, president of COP26, gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what the conference felt like from the inside, why he apologized for the process, and what it was like trying to get delegates from nearly 200 countries on the same page.
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Deadly Tornadoes Bring Heartbreak And Questions on Resiliency and Climate Change Dec 15, 2021

Five days after tornadoes first touched down in the Midwest and South of the U.S., survivors are coming to grips with what they have lost.
Of the several states that the storms tore through last weekend, Kentucky was the hardest hit. At least 74 people have been confirmed dead there. Many more are unaccounted for.
As survivors, volunteers, and officials sort through and pick up what's left, how might they think about shoring up homes, businesses and buildings for the future? NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with University of Florida civil engineering professor David Prevatt about how to prepare buildings for tornadoes and hurricanes.
The severity and timing of these storms have also raised the question of whether climate change has anything to do with tornadoes. NPR correspondent Dan Charles reports.
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How A Pact Made In Prison May Have Saved An American's Life Dec 14, 2021

Kevin Dawes, an American from California, traveled to Syria in 2012 with hopes of a launching a career as a foreign correspondent. But shortly after crossing the border he was arrested and jailed for three-and-a-half years. And he hasn't shared his story publicly until now.
NPR correspondent Deborah Amos interviewed Dawes about his nightmarish experience in a Syrian prison, how he's seeking to bring the government to court, and how he hopes to help do the same for the family of a British doctor he met in the cell next to his.
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Hunting A Rapid COVID Test For The Holidays? Good Luck With That Dec 13, 2021

Almost two years into the pandemic, at-home rapid tests can still be difficult to find in the U.S. If you do find them, they're often expensive. Other countries are faring better, like the U.K. and South Korea, which provide free tests each day to anyone who wants them.
Why is the U.S. different? NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports.
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What We Learned When Elizabeth Holmes Took The Stand In Her Fraud Trial Dec 10, 2021

After seven days of testimony directly from Elizabeth Holmes, her defense announced it had rested its case this week in a federal fraud trail that began in September.
Holmes, a former Silicon Valley luminary, was CEO of the blood-testing startup Theranos. She told jurors she was not responsible, as prosecutors allege, for fleecing investors of millions of dollars and delivering flawed results to patients.
And as NPR tech reporter Bobby Allyn explains, Holmes detailed a story of abuse that could sway the outcome of the trial.
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Why 'Abortion Or Adoption' Is Not An Equal Choice Dec 09, 2021

During oral arguments last week in a major Supreme Court case, Justice Amy Coney Barrett brought up the idea of adoption as an alternative to abortion. But many people who choose not to have a child do not consider adoption and abortion equal and opposite choices, sociologist Gretchen Sisson tells NPR.
Plus, one woman shares her experience of relinquishing her rights as a parent.
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US Political Divide Reflected in Attitudes And Deaths Related to COVID Dec 08, 2021

At least six conservative broadcasters who spread misinformation about COVID-19 and questioned coronavirus vaccines have now died from just this year.
Their deaths may mirror a wider trend in the United States: Americans who live in pro-Trump parts of the country are less likely to be vaccinated and more likely to die from COVID-related complications.
NPR's Geoff Brumfiel reports on new analysis from NPR showing that counties that voted for Donald Trump had almost three times the death rate of the counties that voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
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A Real-Life Pearl Harbor Love Story Dec 07, 2021

In October of 1941, a young soldier was on leave in southern California when he met the woman he was sure he would marry. Then, two months later while stationed in Hawaii, Art "Bud" Montagne witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor firsthand, and was swept up in the conflict that followed.
NPR special correspondent Renee Montagne tells the story of what her father witnessed on that day 80 years ago, and how a cinematic love story — put on pause by war — turned out for him.
Read more about Art Montagne's experiences at Pearl Harbor.
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Women's Tennis Stands Up To China Dec 06, 2021

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai made an assault allegation in November, then disappeared from the public eye. She has since re-emerged, but in protest of her treatment, the Women's Tennis Association's has now suspended all tournaments in China.
That decision by the WTA could cost the organization and its players hundreds of millions of dollars, maybe more, in revenue. And it's the threat of losing that kind of money that usually keeps most professional sports organizations — like the NBA — treading lightly in response to China.
NPR correspondent Tom Goldman has been following the story and looks at how the WTA's unflinching support for Peng may inspire a wider outcry over China's actions.
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Bonus: Banned Books Dec 05, 2021

Banning books from classrooms and school libraries is nothing new, but it's recently become a topic of considerable political debate. How should parents react to this news, and to the books their children are reading?
In this episode of NPR's It's Been A Minute senior editor Barrie Hardymon and Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, joined guest host Ayesha Rascoe to talk about banned book lists.The three talk about why it's important for kids to discover books freely, even if that means starting a hard conversation with them. They also discuss their favorite — and least favorite — books that often show up on banned book lists.
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Omicron Is Here. What That Means For The Winter Dec 03, 2021

It was only a matter of time before cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant started popping up in the U.S., and now, it's here. Although it's too early to tell how this virus strain will spread, the threat it poses has already lit a fire under public health messaging.
President Biden announced a new strategy to avoid a winter surge of cases that involves free at-home testing, a vaccine booster messaging campaign and heightened international travel safeguards.
Meanwhile, the race is on to detect how omicron is already spreading in this country. NPR reporter Will Stone gives us a look into what's happening in labs right now across the country.
And Saad Omer, director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, discusses what we know about how effective travel bans are scenarios like this.
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Why Americans Love To Shop And What It's Doing To The Planet Dec 02, 2021

Buying stuff is a part of this country's DNA. It's a tradition that really took off near the end of World War II, when the American economy was thriving and the market exploded with products Americans didn't even know they wanted. And even in an economy rocked by a pandemic, buying is on track to exceed 2020 levels this holiday season.
The result of all that spending means consumption drives 70% of our country's GDP, but it's also the leading driver of nearly every environmental issue our planet faces.
Journalist J.B. MacKinnon, who also wrote "The Day the World Stops Shopping, How Ending Consumerism Saves the Environment and Ourselves," discusses how curbing consumption could positively affect a warming planet.
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A Supreme Court Case That Could Upend Roe v. Wade Dec 01, 2021

Getting an abortion in Mississippi has never been easy, but it hasn't been impossible. Now, a case before the Supreme Court that centers on a clinic in Mississippi could upend abortion rights for pregnant people across the country.
Today, the conservative-leaning court heard arguments in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The clinic, which is the only abortion provider remaining in Mississippi, is challenging a 2018 state law that bans termination after 15 weeks of pregnancy. If the court upholds the law, it would reverse its own precedent by allowing states to interfere with the right to abortion at that stage of pregnancy.
NPR Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg, SCOTUS Blog's Tom Goldstein, and Florida State University Law Professor Mary Ziegler parse the arguments and weigh in on the possibilities on how the justices could rule.
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The Infrastructure Package Was Signed By The President. Now What? Nov 30, 2021

After years of jokes about unsuccessful Infrastructure Weeks, months of deliberation, and bouts of gridlock on the political left, a $1.2 trillion package made its way through Congress at long last. The president signed it into law earlier this month. Now, the challenge of actually getting the money where it needs to be remains.
NPR's White House Correspondent Franco Ordonez followed President Biden around the country earlier this month to report on the changes to come, now that the bill is law.
And NPR's National Desk Correspondent Nathan Rott reports on the portions of the infrastructure package that address resilience and protecting communities historically hit hardest by climate change.
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What We Know (And Don't Know) About The Omicron Variant Nov 29, 2021

The World Health Organization is warning that the omicron variant of the coronavirus, which was first detected in South Africa, has a "very high" global risk because of the possibility that it spreads more easily and might resist vaccines and immunity in people who were infected with previous strains.
On Monday, President Joe Biden said this this variant is a "cause for concern, not a cause for panic." He urged Americans to get fully vaccinated and get a booster dose if they qualify.
WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris explains what more there is to learn about the severity and transmission of this new variant.
And Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) discusses why vaccine hesitation on a global scale could make this next phase of the pandemic more dangerous.
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Constance Hauman 'Plays It Forward': A Musical Gratitude Project Nov 26, 2021

This Thanksgiving week, we're sharing a segment from our special series Play It Forward, in which artists tell us about their own music and the musicians who inspire them.
This episode, opera singer and funk keyboardist Constance Hauman speaks to Ari Shapiro about her new album, Tropical Thunderstorm, her experiences as a multi-genre musician and an artist she's grateful for: Daf player Asal Malekzadeh.
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George Clinton 'Plays It Forward': A Musical Gratitude Project Nov 25, 2021

For Thanksgiving Day, we're sharing a segment from our special series Play It Forward, in which artists tell us about their own music and the musicians who inspire them.
In this episode, funk legend George Clinton speaks to Ari Shapiro about the longevity and enduring influence of his band, Parliament-Funkadelic, being a hype man for other musicians, and an artist he's grateful for: opera singer and funk keyboardist Constance Hauman.
On tomorrow's episode: Constance Hauman plays it forward.
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The Indigenous Stories Glossed Over In The Typical 'First Thanksgiving' Story Nov 24, 2021

The commonly-told version of the first Thanksgiving story leaves out a lot: The indigenous Wampanoag people who lived in a complex society long before the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock; Squanto escaping bondage in Spain before becoming an emissary to the Pilgrims; and the long legacy of violent displacement that followed.
Paula Peters, a writer and a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, still lives near where the Pilgrims made landfall on her ancestral homeland. She talks about how the 1621 feast fits into history.
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NPR Investigates: CTE, Desperate Patients, And The Hope For A Cure (Pt 2) Nov 23, 2021

CTE — chronic traumatic encephalopathy — is a degenerative brain disease found in many former professional football and hockey players, for whom blows to the head have long been part of the job.
But those injuries also occur outside the world of pro sports. And as awareness of CTE has grown, so has a thriving market of dubious remedies marketed to everyday people who believe they are suffering from CTE — a disease that can't even be diagnosed until after death, through an autopsy of the brain.
In the second of two episodes, Sacha Pfeiffer of NPR's Investigative Team reports on some of those desperate patients and their hope for a cure.
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NPR Investigates: CTE, Desperate Patients, And The Hope For A Cure (Pt 1) Nov 22, 2021

CTE — chronic traumatic encephalopathy — is a degenerative brain disease found in many former professional football and hockey players, for whom blows to the head have long been part of the job.
But those injuries also occur outside the world of pro sports. And as awareness of CTE has grown, so has a thriving market of dubious remedies marketed to everyday people who believe they are suffering from CTE — a disease that can't even be diagnosed until after death, through an autopsy of the brain.
In the first of two episodes, Sacha Pfeiffer of NPR's Investigative Team reports on some of those desperate patients and their hope for a cure.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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Living with Long COVID Nov 19, 2021

For those living with long COVID, daily activities like going for a walk, washing the dishes, or being on a Zoom call can be incredibly draining.
These long-term effects of a COVID infection - called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, PASC, or more simply long COVID - have been a reality for many patients since the start of the pandemic.
While it is not known exactly how common long COVID is, it isn't rare. One study found that some 30% of participants across multiple age ranges reported persistent symptoms. For some, symptoms fade after a few months, while for others, long COVID feels like their new reality.
NPR's Mallory Yu has been reporting on long COVID and gathered the stories of patients who are desperate for answers.
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How A Dictator Engineered A Migration Crisis At The Belarus-Poland Border Nov 18, 2021

Migrants from faraway countries are stuck in Belarus, just across its border with Poland. They've traveled there to seek asylum in the EU. But Poland has refused to accept them.
How did they get there? They were invited — and in some cases, their travel facilitated — by the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. EU leaders say Lukashenko and his backers in Russia are 'weaponizing' migration in retaliation for sanctions placed on Belarus last year. Those sanctions came after the EU accused Lukashenko of rigging his most recent election.
Now, many hundreds of migrants are stuck on the Belarus side of the border. There have been at least nine recorded deaths, but observers think there have been many more. Migrants were reportedly moved from makeshift camps outdoors to a government-run shelter on Thursday, though it's unclear what Belarus plans to do with them next.
NPR international correspondent Rob Schmitz has seen the crisis up close. This episode is a collection of his reporting. Find more of it here, and see photos from the border on NPR's Picture Show.
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Half Of Afghanistan's Population Faces Acute Food Insecurity. Here's Why. Nov 17, 2021

Afghanistan is facing its worst drought in decades, but that's not the only reason it is on the verge of a hunger crisis. After the Taliban took over, much of the country's international development aid was suspended, and the United States froze $9.5 billion in Afghan government assets. The economy has plummeted.
Richard Trenchard, country director for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Afghanistan, explains what he's heard from farmers and herders.
PBS NewsHour special correspondent Jane Ferguson recently returned from a reporting trip in the country, where she saw hospital wards filling up with malnourished babies and toddlers.
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China Poses A National Security Threat Unlike Any The U.S. Has Seen Before Nov 16, 2021

This week's virtual summit between President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping may have restored a tone of respect between the world's two largest powers, but U.S. intelligence is telling a different story.
NPR's Greg Myre reports on a national security conference held in Georgia last month where former and current U.S. intelligence officers were surprisingly candid about what they see as the biggest growing threat: China.
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Yeah, The Supply Chain Situation Isn't Looking Great For The Holidays Nov 15, 2021

The holiday shopping season is basically here. But a lot of things that Americans want to buy are not. Now the race is on to get goods off ships and into stores and warehouses — before it's too late.
NPRs Scott Horsley reports some retailers are already feeling the pinch from less inventory and higher shipping costs.
Even if goods do make it into the U.S., many are sitting in warehouses, which are bursting at the seams. NPR's Alina Selyukh explains why.
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Young Activists At U.N. Climate Summit: 'We Are Not Drowning. We Are Fighting' Nov 12, 2021

Thousands of youth activists from all over the world gathered in Scotland this week for the COP26 UN climate summit. They say climate change is already transforming their countries — and that their generation has the most to lose if greater action isn't taken.
This episode contains reporting from Ari Shapiro in Glasgow, with production and editing by Mia Venkat, Noah Caldwell, and Ashley Brown.
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What Went Wrong At Astroworld? The Deadly Dynamics Of Crowd Surge Nov 11, 2021

Who is to blame for the deaths of nine people at the Astroworld Festival last Friday? Houston police have opened a criminal investigation and concertgoers have already filed more than 20 lawsuits against the event organizers and rapper Travis Scott, who continued to perform for more than half an hour after officials declared a mass casualty event.
Crowd safety expert Keith Still explains the science behind how a concert crowd can transform into an uncontrollable mass that threatens human life.
Houston Chronicle music critic Joey Guerra, who attended the festival, grapples with how music fans are processing the tragedy.
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Secret Tapes Of NRA Leadership Reveal Debate Of Post-Columbine Strategy Nov 10, 2021

Following the Columbine shooting in April of 1999, top leaders of the National Rifle Association huddled in private to discuss their public response to the tragedy.
Secret tapes of those deliberations were obtained by NPR investigative correspondent Tim Mak. He explains what's revealed in the tapes: that the group considered a much different stance than the one it ultimately took — a stance that would help set the stage for decades of debate about gun violence in America.
Tim Mak is also author of the book Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA.
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Is The Future Of The Internet In The Metaverse? Nov 09, 2021

Mark Zuckerberg says the metaverse is not just the next chapter of his company: it's the next chapter of the internet. There are a lot of questions about what role Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, should play in building that future.
Meta's Vice President of metaverse, Vishal Shah, argues that the company has learned from its struggle to moderate content on Facebook, and will build safety and privacy into the metaverse.
Jason Moore — Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College teaching television and virtual reality — explains how he uses the metaverse today.
And Benedict Evans, an independent technology analyst, argues that the metaverse may never emerge as one cohesive movement. Read his essay about Facebook's rebrand: Metabrand.
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Education In Virginia's Election: It Wasn't Just About Critical Race Theory Nov 08, 2021

Now that the hot takes have cooled after Virginia's gubernatorial election, NPR correspondents Anya Kamenetz and Tamara Keith dissect the role of education in the race — and why it was about way more than critical race theory.
Read more from Anya here.
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BONUS: How To Wake Up Early Nov 07, 2021

Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early, or you'd like to become more of a morning lark, here are a few habits that can help you set yourself up for success at that first alarm.
In this episode of NPR's Life Kit, host Kavitha George speaks with early risers who have tips to help adjust one's biological clock.
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How Sudan's Military Coup Is Threatening Its Long March Toward Democracy Nov 05, 2021

In recent years, Sudan has been home to one of the most successful pro-democracy movements on the African continent. Now, a military coup threatens that movement's progress.
NPR's Eyder Peralta, who has been reporting in the region, explains how it all unfolded — and what could happen next.
Read more on the events in Sudan from NPR's Becky Sullivan: The coup in Sudan could threaten U.S. influence in a strategically important region.

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Young Kids Are Now Vaccine-Eligible. Why Doctors Say Parents Shouldn't Wait Nov 04, 2021

The CDC made it official on Tuesday: kids 5 - 11 are now eligible to receive Pfizer's COVID-19 pediatric vaccine. Within hours, some of the first shots were administered in Hartford, Connecticut.
Jenny Brundin of Colorado Public Radio spoke to parents and kids in Denver about getting a shot. While some are eager, others want to 'wait and see.'
NPR's Allison Aubrey and Selena Simmons-Duffin wrote about why pediatricians say it's better not to wait. Read their piece: Some parents want to wait to vaccinate their kids. Here's why doctors say do it now.
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Will The Supreme Court Rule Against The Texas Abortion Law? Nov 03, 2021

Any ruling is months away, but this week's oral arguments provided some clues. NPR's Nina Totenberg watched them unfold. Hear more from Nina's coverage on the NPR Politics Podcast via Apple, Google, or Spotify.
Also in this episode: Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, an OB-GYN in Texas, who told NPR pregnant people in Texas have been travelling to Oklahoma for abortions.
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'Striketober' And The Power Of Workers Nov 02, 2021

In what some have called "Striketober," workers in factories as well as the health care and food industries have either started or authorized strikes in the past month.
Thousands of workers across the U.S. are on strike, demanding better wages, better working conditions and more benefits.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Joseph McCartin, professor of history at Georgetown, about what this moment means for the future of labor in America and how long the momentum may last.
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As Climate Summit Moves Ahead, The World's Biggest Polluters Are Behind Nov 01, 2021

A U.N. climate summit is underway this week in Glasgow, Scotland. Many of the world's top carbon emitting-countries will be represented there. Scientists say they need to do more to curb greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change.
The U.S, along with the China, are the world's top greenhouse gas emitters. India is third. And Brazil plays a crucial role in global climate, because it is home to vast rainforests that feed on carbon. But those rainforests are disappearing faster until the current government.
Ahead of the summit, NPR international correspondents in China, India, and Brazil gathered to discuss what climate action those countries are taking: Emily Feng in Beijing, Lauren Frayer in Mumbai, and Philip Reeves in Rio de Janeiro.
NPR's Lauren Sommer outlined the stakes at the Glasgow summit here.
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BONUS: Embedded — 'The Capitol Gazette' Oct 31, 2021

In this episode of NPR's investigative podcast Embedded, Chris Benderev reports on the trial of a man who shot and killed five people in the office of an Annapolis newspaper in 2018.
Embedded's series of episodes on the Capitol Gazette began in February of 2021. Listen via Apple, Spotify, or Google.
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Author Grady Hendrix Explores What Happens To 'Final Girls' After The Credits Roll Oct 29, 2021

A final girl in the horror genre is the woman who is left to deal with the aftermath of surviving a terrifying killer. From The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, to Friday the 13th, to Halloween.
The term 'Final Girl' was first coined by writer Carol J. Clover in her book Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film.
Society knows this trope well. But after the credits roll, audiences typically don't know much about what actually happens to that final girl. Or whether she can live a normal life after being hunted down by a masker killer.
Author Grady Hendrix unpacks that in his latest novel, The Final Girl Support Group.
"The ultimate faceless killer they can't escape is the forces of market capitalism. There's always a sequel. So even if you survive Part I and II, they're going to get you in Part III. And there's something terrible about that to me, that you never get to let your guard down," Hendrix said.
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Why Iraq's Protest Movement Led To An Election That Millions Sat Out Oct 28, 2021

Two years ago, a massive protest movement swept through Iraq. People were angry about corruption and a lack of basic services like electricity and health care in a country that brings in billions of dollars in oil revenue each year. That protest movement culminated in a parliamentary election, held earlier this month.
NPR international correspondent Ruth Sherlock reported on the election closely from inside Iraq. Through her reporting, and in conversation with host Ari Shapiro, Ruth explains why Iraq's election failed to deliver on hopes for reform — and what it revealed about America's long and costly investment in the country's democracy.
This episode contains excerpts from multiple stories Ruth Sherlock reported over the course of weeks inside Iraq. You can find more of her work here.
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Barack Obama And Bruce Springsteen On Their Belief In A Unifying Story For America Oct 27, 2021

Last summer, when former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen sat down to tape their podcast, the country was facing a pandemic, joblessness and a contentious election.
And their conversations, they say, were an effort to offer some perspective and an attempt to try and find a unifying story for the country. The two talked about their dads, race, and the future of the country.
Those conversations have now become a book, titled Renegades: Born in the U.S.A. — and they spoke to Audie Cornish about it's publication.
You can watch a video of this interview and see images from the book here.
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Booster Guidance For All 3 Vaccines; Shots For Kids Weeks Away Oct 26, 2021

The CDC has now released booster guidance for all three vaccines available in the U.S. — making tens of millions of people eligible for another shot. And on Tuesday, an FDA panel met to review data from Pfizer on their vaccine for children ages 5 - 11.
NPR's Alison Aubrey explains what those data say about the vaccine — and how it might be rolled out.
Pediatrician Dr. Reah Boyd tells NPR how she's talking to parents about vaccinating their young children.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Pien Huang, Rob Stein, and Selena Simmons-Duffin.
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School Boards: A New Front Line In The Culture Wars Oct 25, 2021

School board members across the country are being intimidated and threatened. Now the National School Boards Association wants the federal government to step in. The group said in a recent letter to President Biden that acts of school board harassment and confrontations seem to be coordinated.
The online newsletter Popular Information has written about national groups targeting school boards.
NPR Ed correspondent Anya Kamenetz travelled to Gwinnett County, Georgia, where school board members have been targeted with threats. Read more in her story, What it's like to be on the front lines of the school board culture war.
NPR White House Correspondent Tamara Keith has also reported on why school board elections will be an early test of what issues motivate voters.
Anya and Tamara recently discussed their reporting on school boards on the NPR Politics Podcast. Listen via Apple, Spotify, or Google.
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BONUS: Wisdom From The Top Oct 24, 2021

This episode is from our friends at Wisdom From The Top.
From the creator of How I Built This, host Guy Raz invites you to listen in as he talks to leadership experts and the visionary leaders of some of the world's biggest brands. Along the way, you'll hear accounts of crisis, failure, turnaround, and triumph, as the leaders reveal their secrets on their way to the top. These are stories that didn't make it into their company bios, and valuable lessons for anyone trying to make it in business.
In this episode: As a child growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria, Dara Treseder was often told to get her head out of the clouds. But her mother encouraged her to dream big and to follow her ambition if it would lead her to contentment. For Treseder, that meant moving across the world to attend both Harvard and Stanford, and chasing a deeply-held desire to make a positive impact on the world. Her career in marketing began with stints at Apple and Goldman Sachs, then, in 2020, she became SVP, Head of Global Marketing and Communications at Peloton. Today, she is one of the most influential marketing leaders of her generation.
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The Great Resignation: Why People Are Leaving Their Jobs In Growing Numbers Oct 22, 2021

A record 4.3 million workers in America quit their jobs in August.
Anthony Klotz coined this ongoing phenomenon "The Great Resignation."
Klotz is an organizational psychologist at Texas A&M University.
In part, he says, the pandemic has made workers reevaluate what they are actually getting out of their jobs.
"During the pandemic, because there was a lot of death and illness and lockdowns, we really had the time and the motivation to sit back and say, do I like the trajectory of my life? Am I pursuing a life that brings me well-being?" Klotz said.
Employers are also having to rethink what their employees really need.
NPR's Audie Cornish spoke with Laszlo Bock, co-founder and CEO of the human resources company Humu, about the basic human need for respect.
"You know, in the pandemic, people have talked a lot about essential workers, but we actually treat them as essential jobs," said Bock. "We treat the workers as quite replaceable."
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Why The Global Supply Chain Is Still Clogged — And How To Fix It Oct 21, 2021

Last week the White House announced a plan to help move the port of Los Angeles into 24/7 operating status. But that will only "open the gates" of the clogged global supply chain, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told NPR on the NPR Politics Podcast.
Another crucial supply chain link is the trucking industry, which is short tens of thousands of drivers. Bruce Basada, President of the Diesel Driving Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, explains why.
The clogged supply chain is leading to delays and shortage on all kinds of products. NPR coverage in this episode includes excerpts from Scott Horsley's report on a shortage of glass bottles, Petra Mayer's story on the slowdown in book production, and Alina Selyukh's look at shipping delays for children's toys. Special thanks to Scott, Petra, and Alina for editing help on this episode.
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Havana Syndrome: Over 200 Cases Documented Yet Cause Remains A Mystery Oct 20, 2021

Since 2016, a number of U.S. diplomats and federal employees have reported symptoms of a mysterious illness, the so-called Havana Syndrome.
The list of symptoms include hearing loud sounds, nausea fatigue, and dizzying migraines, among others.
The cause of this mystery illness is a source of curiosity, but it remains unknown.
Last year the State Department commissioned a study by the National Academies of Sciences for researchers to investigate Havana Syndrome.
NPR's Sarah McCammon spoke to Dr. David Relman, a Stanford professor who headed the investigation.
One possible cause their group came to was a form of microwave radiation that occurs in a pulsed or intermittent form.
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Colin Powell's Complicated Legacy Oct 19, 2021

Colin Powell's life was marked by public service, first as a soldier in Vietnam and then eventually as President George W. Bush's secretary of state. By that time he had already held many prominent positions in government, including national security adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the first African American to hold each of these roles.
But Powell's story will always be entwined with the Iraq War. Although he argued against the invasion in private White House meetings, he did see it through. And he famously defended the strategy on a national stage before the United Nations.
NPR National Correspondent Don Gonyea reports on Powell's enormous and complicated legacy.
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The Trial For The Killing Of Ahmaud Arbery Oct 18, 2021

One of the killings that sparked racial justice protests last year is again in the national spotlight, with a trial that begins this week in Brunswick, Ga. Three white men are accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man shot and killed as he was jogging down a residential street.
NPR correspondent Debbie Elliott reports on the defendants' expected arguments and the evidence stacked against them in a trial that serves as yet another test case for racial justice.
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BONUS: 'Nina' And 'Just Us' Offer Ways To Start A Conversation On Race Oct 17, 2021

After the protests last year, we heard the phrase "racial reckoning" a lot, as some groups of people struggled to catch up with what's just been reality for many others. On this episode of NPR's new Book of the Day podcast, we've got two books that might help you reckon with that reckoning, in two different ways: Traci Todd and illustrator Christian Robinson's bright and powerful picture book biography Nina: A Story of Nina Simone and poet Claudia Rankine's Just Us: An American Conversation, in which she puts together poetry, essays and images to bring readers into an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about race.
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Desperate Times, Desperate Measures As Water Runs Short In The West Oct 15, 2021

Large parts of the West have been hot and dry for so long that reservoirs are running low and some communities are mandating conservation. California is talking about a statewide mandate, too. Meanwhile, farmers are preparing to flood their fields to replenish aquifers, while ranchers are selling off parts of their herds and worried about feeding the rest.
NPR's Dan Charles reports from California and NPR's Kirk Siegler reports from North Dakota.
Also in this episode: water rights lawyer Christine Klein, who originally spoke to NPR's daily economics podcast The Indicator from Planet Money, in one of a series of episodes on the drought and the economy. Listen to more of The Indicator via Apple, Spotify, or Google.
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Remembering an Abortion Rights Activist Who Spurned the Spotlight Oct 14, 2021

Patricia Maginnis, who was 93 when she died on August 30, may have been the first person to publicly call for abortion to be completely decriminalized in America. Despite her insistence on direct action on abortion-rights at a time when many were uncomfortable even saying the word "abortion," Maginnis is not a bold letter name of the movement. That may be because she didn't seek the limelight and she cared more for action then self-presentation.
Guests include Lili Loofborow, who profiled Maginnis for Slate; Professor Leslie J. Regan, who wrote the book When Abortion Was a Crime; and the artist Andrea Bowers whose video piece, Letters to An Army of Three recreated the messages people would send Maginnis when they were desperate to access abortion services.
Special thanks to the Schlesinger Library, where the 1975 oral history of Pat Maginnis is housed.
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Social Media Misinformation Stokes A Worsening Civil War In Ethiopia Oct 13, 2021

Hate and division on Facebook are not just a problem in the U.S. That's one of the messages whistleblower Frances Haugen took to Congress last week, where she accused Facebook's algorithms of quote, "literally fanning ethnic violence in Ethiopia," a country that's endured nearly a year of civil war.
Freelance reporter Zecharias Zelalem has been keeping track of how inflammatory posts on Facebook have led to attacks in the real world.
And NPR's East Africa Correspondent Eyder Peralta describes what Ethiopia looks like from the ground as he moves closer toward the conflict.

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Is China A Threat Or An Opportunity? Oct 12, 2021

In many parts of the U.S., China remains a huge business opportunity despite recent friction. That's the country where Apple makes its phones and Nike stitches its shoes. Yet inside the Washington Beltway, China is a security threat. Full stop. It's one of the few things Democrats, Republicans and most everyone else in the capital agree on.
NPR correspondents Greg Myre and John Ruwitch report on this gap between how China is viewed in Washington policy circles and how many outside the proverbial beltway think about the country.
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Native Americans Take Over The Writers' Room and Tell Their Own Stories Oct 11, 2021

After decades of Indigenous stories told by non-Natives, two shows from this past year signal a change.
Reservation Dogs from FX on Hulu was created by and stars Native people. It follows four Indigenous teenagers growing up on a reservation in rural Oklahoma, with dreams of adventuring to California. Vincent Schilling, a Native journalist and critic for Rotten Tomatoes, calls Reservation Dogs 'a show about Native American resilience.'
Rutherford Falls is a sitcom on NBC's streaming platform, Peacock, which follows a conflict over a historical statue in a small town. When the show was co-created by Sierra Teller Ornelas, she became the first Native American showrunner of television comedy. Teller Ornelas told Audie Cornish this year: "There are five Native writers on staff. We had a Native director for four of the episodes, and this is really a reflection of our shared experience as Native people from nations all over the country."
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BONUS: Janet Jackson Once Had 'Control' of the Charts Oct 10, 2021

Thirty-five years ago, Janet Jackson released an album that changed the course of her career, and of pop music. Control took over radio, reinvented the playbook for Black artists crossing over into pop and ushered in a whole new sound for R&B.
But after the wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, Janet's reputation took a hit, and she's yet to receive the flowers she deserves.
In this episode of NPR's It's Been A Minute, host Sam Sanders wants to set the record straight.
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R. Kelly, Britney Spears, And The Rise Of 'Consequence Culture' Oct 08, 2021

Last month, R&B singer R. Kelly was found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. Days later, a judge suspended Jamie Spears as the conservator of his daughter Britney Spears' estate. While these cases are completely unrelated, they do have one crucial thing in common: a massive online following, and an ecosystem of think pieces and documentaries that fuel conversation online.
NPR's TV critic Eric Deggans discusses the role documentary series have played in cases like R. Kelly's and Britney Spears. He says it's part of a larger movement that some are calling "consequence culture."
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For Facebook, A Week Of Upheaval Unlike Any Other Oct 07, 2021

One day after a worldwide outage on multiple of its platforms, Facebook was accused by a whistleblower of hiding concerns about its products from the public and its shareholders. Both crises reveal the same thing: just how powerful Facebook is on a global scale.
Ayman El Tarabishy of George Washington University explains what Monday's outage meant to small businesses around the world.
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America's Other Drug Crisis: New Efforts To Fight A Surge In Meth Oct 06, 2021

Meth-related overdoses have tripled in recent years. In the west, 70 percent of police departments identify meth as their biggest problem. Now one state — California — is on the brink of implementing a major new treatment program that would pay drug users to stay clean. KQED's April Dembosky reports.
The meth surge has hit some Black and Native American communities the hardest. NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann has this look at what kind of help people in those communities say they need.
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Kids Born Today Could Face Up To 7 Times More Climate Disasters Oct 05, 2021

Children being born now will experience extreme climate events at a rate that is two to seven times higher than people born in 1960, according to a new study in the journal Science. The researchers compared a person born in 1960 with a child who was six years old in 2020. That six-year-old will experience twice as many cyclones and wildfires, three times as many river floods, four times as many crop failures and five times as many droughts. Read more about the study here. These extreme changes not only endanger the environment, they take a toll on our mental health. KNAU reporter Melissa Sevigny spoke with residents in Flagstaff, Arizona who are reeling from a summer rife with fires and floods. And NPR's Michel Martin spoke with two climate activists of different generations — Jasmine Butler and Denis Hayes — about their outlook on the planet's future amid new climate change reports. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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The U.S. Has Passed Its Delta Peak — With More Vaccine Rules Coming Oct 04, 2021

Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are all on the decline in the U.S. — with September marking a turning point in the delta surge.
Vaccination rates continue to tick up and will be helped along by more workplace vaccine rules, including one from the Department of Labor. That rule, which has yet to be released, will be enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports on the small agency with a big task.
Vaccine rules have been implemented successfully at big companies like United Airlines and Novant Health, where the vast majority of employees have gotten their shots. But in smaller workplaces, vaccine rules present a different challenge. Katia Riddle reports from Malheur County, Oregon.
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BONUS: Goodbye, Climate Jargon. Hello, Simplicity! Oct 03, 2021

People are likely to be confused by climate change terms like "mitigation" and "carbon neutral," according to a recent study. Yet, these terms are ubiquitous in climate research and reports that are meant to be accessible to a general audience.
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The Best Song Japanese Breakfast Says She's Written Is For A Video Game Oct 01, 2021

Michelle Zauner is best known as the frontwoman of indie rock band Japanese Breakfast and like most musicians, she's trying to tell a personal story through her music. But she's spent the last couple of years composing music that has nothing to do with her — for a video game soundtrack.
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Redistricting: What Happens When The Party With Power Gives Themselves More Sep 30, 2021

Like lawmakers across the country, the Republican majority in Texas is getting ready to redraw the lines that define state and congressional voting districts. Those lines cement the shape of political power in the state for the next decade — and it's perfectly legal for the party in power to draw them to its own advantage.
Texas Tribune reporter James Barragán and Michael Li of the Brennan Center discuss redistricting in Texas, and around the country.
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Why A Growing Number Of Haitian Migrants Are Headed To The U.S. Sep 29, 2021

Thousands of Haitian migrants who had gathered on the southern border were deported back to their home country last week, even though some of them haven't lived there for a decade. They'd been living in Chile. But increasingly, Haitians in that country are fleeing, in response to a pandemic-battered economy, rising anti-immigrant sentiment, and new government policies.
All those factors are not disappearing any time soon — and neither is the flow of migrants out of the country, says Chilean journalist Ignacio Gallegos. NPR's John Otis reports on one part of their perilous journey north.
Additional reporting in this episode from Stephania Corpi. Special thanks to Texas Public Radio news director Dan Katz.
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The Global Supply Chain Is Still A Mess. When Will It Get Better? Sep 28, 2021

Retail experts are already warning of delays, shortages, and price hikes this holiday shopping season as the pandemic continues to disrupt global supply chains.
NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the interconnected nature of those chains — and what happens when a single part delays manufacturing by months at a time.
University of Michigan economist Betsey Stevenson explains why labor-related delays and shortages are not going away any time soon.
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Religious Exemptions To Vaccines: Who Wants Them And What's Legal Sep 27, 2021

Some city and state workers around the country have already begun to resist workplace vaccination rules on religious grounds. Soon those rules will be the norm in the private sector too, with the Biden administration's announcement this month that businesses with 100 or more employees must require those employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
NPR correspondents Andrea Hsu and Shannon Bond explain what the law says about religious exemptions to vaccine rules in the workplace.
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BONUS: A Friendly Ghost Story Sep 26, 2021

It's one of the most common and perplexing friend mysteries out there - when friends ghost friends. In this episode of NPR's Invisibilia, they examine a contemporary real-life ghost story to see why we're so haunted. Also, a listener attempts to find the friend who got away. And finally, we offer a new way to think about friendship endings.
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Lil Nas X Is Not Trying To Comfort Anyone Sep 24, 2021

Every generation has its musical "boogeyman." The Rolling Stones, N.W.A., Madonna. And the latest musician to be inducted into this notorious list is Lil Nas X. Not only has he broken Billboard records, he's breaking barriers.
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Border Crisis: Thousands Of Haitians Flown to Haiti Against Their Will Sep 23, 2021

Thousands of Haitan migrants who were camping out under a bridge in a Texas border town seeking to cross the Rio Grande and find refuge in the US are now being forced back to their home country.
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Lessons Learned From Flint Sep 22, 2021

The infrastructure bill moving through Congress includes billions to replace lead pipes. In Flint, Mich., NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with residents on how governments can tackle a water crisis equitably.
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Boosters Won't Make It To Everyone For Now, But Vaccines For Young Children Are Coming Sep 21, 2021

The FDA Advisory Committee decided not to approve boosters for people sixteen and up. Instead, they made a recommendation for those 65 and up, or younger people at high risk to get a booster shot right now from Pfizer-Biontech.
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Germany Is Holding Syrian Officials Accountable For Alleged War Crimes Sep 20, 2021

10 years ago, when the Syrian regime sent tanks and warplanes to stop a an uprising, it sparked a bloody civil war that is still ongoing.
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BONUS: The Lost Summer Sep 19, 2021

Twenty years ago, during the dog days of summer, a fledgling journalist named Shereen Marisol Meraji — maybe you've heard of her? — headed to Durban, South Africa. Her mission: to report on the meeting of thousands of organizers and ambassadors at the United Nations Conference Against Racism.
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To The Stage: After A Year Away, Broadway Is Back Sep 17, 2021

After a year away, Broadway's lights are back on. Some of the biggest productions have returned for vaccinated and masked audiences. From "Wicked" to "Chicago" to "Hamilton," theaters in New York are open at 100 percent capacity.
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Heatwaves Are The Deadliest Weather Events, But They're Rarely Treated That Way Sep 16, 2021

Heatwaves don't have names or categories like hurricanes and wildfires, but they kill more people each year than any other weather event, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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One Month After The Fall Of Kabul Thousands Still Wait For Escape Sep 15, 2021

It has been exactly one month since Kabul fell and the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. With U.S. troops gone from the region and the collapse of the Afghan Armed forces, thousands have been fleeing the country for safety.
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India's 'Love Jihad' Laws Make Marriage Difficult For Interfaith Couples Sep 14, 2021

In India, where arranged marriages are the norm, people typically marry within their religion or caste. But occasionally, some find love on their own and end up with a partner of a different faith.
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Will A Federal Mandate Make The Difference For Unvaccinated Americans? Sep 13, 2021

Last week President Biden announced a six-pronged strategy to combat the newly surging pandemic — including a federal rule that all businesses with 100 or more employees must ensure their workers are vaccinated for COVID-19, or submit to weekly testing for the virus.
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StoryCorps Presents: The Lasting Toll Of 9/11 Sep 10, 2021

This weekend the nation marks 20 years since 9/11 — a day we are reminded to never forget. But for so many people, 9/11 also changed every day after.
In this episode, a special collaboration between NPR and StoryCorps, we hear stories about the lasting toll of 9/11, recorded by StoryCorps in partnership with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. You can learn more about that initiative and find out how you can record your reflections on the life of a loved one at storycorps.org/september11.
Also in this episode: the story of how an Afghan translator's life was shaped by 20 years of conflict in his home country, culminating in a desperate attempt to help his family escape. Said Noor's story first aired on Morning Edition and was originally produced by Steve Inskeep, Arezou Rezvani, and Danny Hajek. More here.
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In A New Afghanistan, Some Women Fear For Their Rights — But Others Are Hopeful Sep 09, 2021

This week, women protested in Kabul after the Taliban announced an all-male interim government. One woman who helped organized the protests told NPR "the world should feel" what Afghan women are facing. That woman — and another who was desperately trying to leave the country — spoke to Rachel Martin on Morning Edition. More from their interviews here.
While some women fear the rights they've gained in the last 20 years will disappear, other women — particularly in rural areas — are hopeful for a future with less violence and military conflict. Anand Gopal wrote about them for The New Yorker in a piece called "The Other Afghan Women." He spoke to Mary Louise Kelly.
Special thanks to NPR's Michele Keleman for production help on this episode.
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Delta Surge Slows Recovery As Parts Of Pandemic Safety Net Disappear Sep 08, 2021

Last week's jobs report for the month of August show signs the delta surge is slowing the economic recovery, just as some pandemic safety net programs disappear. The Supreme Court recently struck down a federal eviction moratorium, and supplemental pandemic unemployment benefits expired on Monday.
NPR's chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley explains what that could mean for the pace of the recovery.
With a federal eviction ban no longer in effect, renters could tap into billions of dollars in federal rental assistance authorized by Congress. But there's a problem: states have been slow to get that money into programs that can distribute it to tenants and landlords. NPR's Laurel Wamsley reports on one effort to speed things up in Tennessee.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Chris Arnold, who's been covering evictions during the pandemic.
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As A Destructive Fire Season Rages On, What Might Prevent The Next One? Sep 07, 2021

The good news is that firefighters in California have regained control of the Caldor Fire near Lake Tahoe and tens of thousands of evacuated residents can now return to their homes. The bad news is the Caldor Fire is the second wildfire this season to burn through the Sierra Nevada Mountains from one side to the other. Something that never happened before this year.
The other fire to do it is the Dixie Fire further north, which is on pace to be the largest California wildfire on record. And while thousands have been impacted with evacuations, millions of people in western states have been living with the smoke for weeks.
The general guidance when living with hazy and polluted air is to stay indoors. But NPR's Nathan Rott reports on new research that shows the air behind closed doors may not be much better.
And NPR's Lauren Sommer reports on a region of the country that is leading the way with fire prevention that may surprise you.
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What Kids Feel Entering A Third COVID School Year (And How To Help Them Through It) Sep 06, 2021

Most kids are now in their third year of school during the pandemic. It's been a time of ups and downs; adjustments and re-adjustments. Some have flourished in online school and want to stay home — others have floundered and are excited to go back.
NPR spoke to a group of kids ages 6 and up about what the pandemic has been like, and how they're feeling about the new school year.
Two experts in childhood education and development explain how the pandemic has challenged kids and what we can do to help them: Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Education; and Katie McLaughlin, a psychologist at Harvard University.
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Did The Supreme Court Just Overturn Roe v. Wade? Sep 03, 2021

The Supreme Court's conservative majority allowed a Texas law banning most abortions to go into effect. Almost immediately, abortion providers had to begin turning people away.
NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on the court's interpretation of the Texas law and its controversial enforcement provision, which allows any private citizen to sue someone who helps a person get an abortion — with the plaintiff due $10,000 in damages and court costs.
Kathryn Kolbert, co-founder of the Center for Reproductive Rights, explains how abortion rights activists are responding.
Additional reporting in this episode came from stories by NPR's Wade Goodwyn and Ashley Lopez of member station KUT.
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The Delta Surge Keeps Getting Worse. What Happens When Hospitals Fill Up Sep 02, 2021

Some states in the south are have more people in the hospital than at any point during the pandemic — fueled by the highly transmissible delta variant and low vaccination rates.
Dr. David Kimberlin, co-division director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, tells NPR the hospital system is Alabama is on the verge of collapse. He spoke to reporter Pien Huang.
So what happens — for patients and the people who treat them — when hospitals are full? NPR put that question to two people in charge of hospitals: Dr. Aharon Sareli, Chief of Critical Medicine with the Memorial Healthcare System near Miami; and Dr. Adriano Goffi, a medical director at Altus Lumberton Hospital east of Houston.
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Scenes From The Aftermath Of The U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan Sep 01, 2021

The U.S. military's mission in Afghanistan is over. For many still living in the country, a new struggle has begun: how to move forward after they were not able to make it before the U.S. withdrawal.
Mark Schmitz is also grappling with how to move forward. His 20-year-old son, Jared, was one of 13 U.S. service members killed in an attack on the Kabul airport. Schmitz spoke to NPR's Rachel Martin — his interview was produced and edited by the staff of NPR's Morning Edition, where it originally aired. More from the interview here.
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How Climate Change Is Making Storms Like Ida Even Worse Aug 31, 2021

Hurricane Ida's winds intensified rapidly as the storm approached coastal Louisiana over the weekend — making landfall at its most powerful. NPR's Rebecca Hersher explains how Ida was supercharged by climate change.
Now the hurricane's remnants are moving north and east, where millions are bracing for flooding and tornado threats. Janey Camp with Vanderbilt University tells NPR why climate change means flooding will become more common in areas where people haven't been accustomed to it in the past.
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How A Bankruptcy Deal Could Offer Clean Slate For Opioid Billionaires Aug 30, 2021

A federal bankruptcy judge says he'll rule Wednesday in the case of Purdue Pharma, makers of OxyContin. The company is owned by the Sackler family, who are at the center of a national reckoning over the deadly opioid epidemic.
NPR addiction correspondent Brian Mann has been covering the story of Purdue Pharma for years, and explains how the Sacklers may emerge from Purdue's bankruptcy proceedings with their personal fortunes in tact. Find more of Brian's reporting here or follow him on Twitter @BrianMannADK.
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BONUS: Venezuela's Rise and Fall Aug 29, 2021

Venezuela is facing an economic and humanitarian crisis as extreme poverty and violence have forced many to flee the country in recent years. How did a country once wealthy with oil resources fall into such turmoil?
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Taliban Vs ISIS-K: An Emerging And Deadly Conflict In Afghanistan Aug 27, 2021

For Afghans like Fawad Nazami, life under the Taliban would be a fate 'worse than death.' Nazami is a political counselor at the Afghan embassy in Washington D.C. He told NPR this week he would never return to an Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Now, that same Afghanistan confronts a deadly new reality: the emergence of ISIS-K, which claimed responsibility for this week's attack that killed 13 Americans and dozens of Afghan civilians. Seth Jones with the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains how the group fits into the complex picture of Afghanistan, where the Taliban is still trying to gain international recognition. Mina Al-Lami, a BBC expert on extremist messaging, has been following their efforts.
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12 U.S. Service Members Killed In Kabul: What We Know About The Attack Aug 26, 2021

12 U.S. service members were killed in an attack at the Kabul airport on Thursday. They were among some 5,000 U.S. troops evacuating American citizens, Afghans allies, and others from Kabul. At least 60 Afghans were also killed.
New York Times journalist Matthieu Aikens describes the scene at the airport moments after the attack. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports on reaction from the Pentagon.
For more coverage of unfolding events in Afghanistan, listen to NPR's morning news podcast, Up First, via Apple, Spotify, Google, or Pocket Casts.
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Pfizer's Fully-Approved Shot Opens The Door To More Mandates Aug 25, 2021

New York City, New Jersey, Goldman Sachs, and the Pentagon all imposed new vaccine requirements in the days following the FDA's full approval of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. Public health officials — and the President — hope more mandates will follow.
But some businesses are trying a different approach to encourage vaccination. NPR's Andrea Hsu visited one offering $1,000 bonuses to vaccinated employees.
Meanwhile, Delta airlines announced unvaccinated employees would face a monthly surcharge. And some are arguing that airline passengers should be subject to vaccine requirements, too. Juliette Kayyem spoke about that with NPR's Noel King — originally aired on Morning Edition.
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Time Is Running Short For The U.S. Evacuation Effort In Afghanistan Aug 24, 2021

The Biden administration said Tuesday that the U.S. was on pace to meet an August 31 deadline to fully withdraw from Afghanistan, but that "contingency plans" are being developed in case they do not complete evacuations in time.
Some Afghan evacuees will wind up in America, where one of their main destinations is the Seattle area. NPR's Martin Kaste reports on the resettlement effort ramping up there.
President Biden made the decision not to extend evacuations despite calls to do so from some members of his own party. NPR's Asma Khalid examines what Biden's decisions on Afghanistan reveal about his view of America's role in the world.
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Why Are Millions Of U.S. Workers Still On The Sidelines? Aug 23, 2021

School districts can't find bus drivers. The TSA is short on security screeners. Ports can't find enough workers to load and unload shipping containers. Across many different sectors, the unavailability of workers is holding the economy back, and sending prices even higher. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.
Fuel truckers are another critical job that employers can't fill fast enough, explains NPR's Camila Domonoske.
Also in this episode: reporting from NPR's Andrea Hsu on why millions of older workers have decided to retire early during the pandemic.
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On Our Watch: The Brady Rule Aug 22, 2021

Antioch police officials suspected one of their veteran detectives of leaking operational details as far back as 2010. But they didn't fire Santiago Castillo for another seven years. During that time, he investigated hundreds of cases including several homicides, and his testimony helped put dozens of people behind bars.
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Teachers Are Stressed, Burnt Out — Yet Hopeful As School Begins Aug 20, 2021

Across the country, it looks like this time, last year. Schools — some days or weeks into the start of the new year — are forced to close temporarily over COVID outbreaks. In many cases, the closures are necessary because too many teachers and staff members are sick or quarantined.
Audie Cornish talks to three teachers about their fear, exhaustion, and hope at the start of a new school year.
For more coverage from NPR as kids head back to school around the country, follow NPR Ed's Back to School liveblog.
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The Desperate Effort To Get Afghan Allies To Safety Aug 19, 2021

As many as 100,000 Afghans — those who worked with the U.S. military over the years, and their families — are trying to get out of the country. But access to the Kabul airport is controlled by the Taliban, and the American military says evacuating American citizens is its 'first priority.'
Among the Afghans trying to flee are those who've applied for or been granted a Special Immigrant VISA. James Miervaldis, chairman of No One Left Behind — which helps Afghan and Iraqi interpreters resettle in the U.S. — tells NPR the process has been frustratingly slow.
For Afghans and the families who do make it out, those who wind up in the United States will be offered help from organizations like the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, the group's president and CEO, tells NPR how the resettlement process unfolds.
This episode also features stories from family members of Afghan refugees already living in the U.S., which which first aired on NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, with production from Hiba Ahmad and Ed McNulty. Correspondent Eleanor Beardsley in Paris reported on Afghan refugees in France.
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How Haiti Is Weathering Two Natural Disasters At Once Aug 18, 2021

Just weeks after the shock of a presidential assassination, Haiti was hit by a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Saturday. The death toll is nearing 2,000 — and still rising — while thousands more are injured and homeless.
Haiti's last major earthquake was in 2010. It killed an estimated 200,000 people and injured 300,000 more. This week's quake struck farther from major population centers, but that's made search and rescue efforts challenging.
NPR's Jason Beaubien reports from Haiti where Tropical Storm Grace has made matters even worse.
And Haiti's ambassador to the U.S. Bocchit Edmond tells NPR's Ailsa Chang what the country needs now.
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Booster Shots Coming Soon As Delta Overwhelms Some Hospitals Aug 17, 2021

Hospitals like the University of Mississippi Medical Center are overwhelmed. Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor of the Jackson hospital, told NPR they are nearly out of beds — and treating patients in hallways.
Meanwhile, Biden administration health officials are coalescing around a plan that would advise most Americans to get a COVID-19 booster shot eight months after their last dose. A booster is already recommended for immunocompromised people. Here are six things to know if you're immunocompromised and are considering a third shot.
If a booster is recommended for most Americans, that means millions of people may soon receive a third shot, while many others have yet to receive a single one. But there are still additional public health measures that could work to help stem the delta surge. NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports.
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Chaos And Collapse In Afghanistan: How Did The U.S. Not See It Coming? Aug 16, 2021

The Taliban now control Afghanistan. How did the country's government fall so quickly — and why didn't the U.S. see it coming? NPR put those questions to the former commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus.
Afghanistan's future remains unclear, especially for its women and girls. One of them is Freshta Karim, a Kabul resident and founder of a mobile library project called Charmaghz, who spoke to Audie Cornish. Karim is one of many Afghans who NPR reached in Kabul during the final hours before its collapse into Taliban control. Those interviews aired on Morning Edition, and on special coverage produced by the staffs of Weekend Edition and All Things Considered.
For more Afghanistan coverage listen to Up First via Apple, Spotify, or Google; or the NPR Politics Podcast via Apple, Spotify, or Google.
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On Our Watch: Neglect of Duty Aug 15, 2021

In the agricultural town of Salinas, Calif., Police Officer William Yetter repeatedly makes mistakes. First there's a stolen bike he doesn't investigate. Then, his bosses discover he's not filing police reports on time.
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Taliban Gains, U.S. Evacuates: What's The Endgame In Afghanistan? Aug 13, 2021

In the last week, the Taliban have gained control of large sections of Afghanistan faster than most people expected. The Pentagon is dispatching troops to assist in evacuating staff from the American embassy in Kabul, where refugee camps are growing more crowded. The U.N. says the country may be on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price told Audie Cornish the 300,000-member Afghan military needs "the willpower" to stand up to the Taliban.
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After Dire U.N. Warning On Climate, Will Anything Change? Aug 12, 2021

What struck John Kerry the most about this week's landmark U.N. report on climate change?
"The irreversibility" of some of the most catastrophic effects of global warming, he tells Audie Cornish. Kerry, the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate, tells NPR the U.N. report underscored the need for the world to respond more forcefully to climate change — and he's called an upcoming U.N. climate summit in Scotland the "last best hope" for global action.
At the same time, the Biden administration faces an uphill battle to take major action on climate at home. Hear more on that from the NPR Politics Podcast via Apple, Spotify, or Google.
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Uncharted Territory: Back To School Meets The Delta Surge Aug 11, 2021

In the next few weeks, millions of children will head back to school. Many of them are too young to be vaccinated. At the same time, children are being hospitalized with COVID-19 in small but growing numbers — and approaching rates higher than the winter surge.
Dr. Marcos Mestre with Niklaus Children's Foundation Hospital in Miami told NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday many of the children his hospital is treating come from families with unvaccinated parents or caretakers.
Unlike last year, many schools will have no remote learning option this fall. While some may have mask mandates, a handful of Republican governors — including Florida's Ron DeSantis — have issued executive orders banning those mandates. NPR's Pien Huang surveyed experts about how to keep children safe during the delta surge. Read more coverage from the NPR science desk here.
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Ethiopia's Civil War Is Becoming A Humanitarian Crisis Aug 10, 2021

The Tigray region in northern Ethiopia is at the center of a civil war that broke out last November, after rebels there attacked a military base. Since then, the political fight has become an ethnic one, with troops no longer distinguishing civilians from rebel fighters.
NPR's Eyder Peralta visited the war-torn region in May and spoke with the people at the center of the conflict.
The United Nations says more than 400,000 people are now living in famine conditions in Ethiopia, putting them at risk of starvation if the country's civil war doesn't let up.
The United States is the country's largest foreign aid donor. And the person who controls that funding currently is Samantha Power, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). She spoke with Ari Shapiro about she learned from her recent trip the area.
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'A Code Red For Humanity:' Climate Change Is Getting Worse — Faster Than We Thought Aug 09, 2021

A landmark new report from the United Nations warns that the world is running out of time to avoid the catastrophic effects of global warming.
Those effects are already becoming clear as extreme weather, drought, and fire become more common. One of the latest examples: wildfires are raging amid a record heat wave in Turkey, Lebanon, Italy and Greece. Durrie Bouscaren reports for NPR from Istanbul.
And, as NPR's Jeff Brady reports, climate change is also changing lives in subtler ways.
Other reporting heard in this episode came from NPR's Rebecca Hersher, who's been covering the new U.N. report on climate change.
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On Our Watch: Perceived Threat Aug 08, 2021

Episode four of On Our Watch from NPR and KQED investigates the case of a plainclothes Stockton police officer who grabbed a Black 16-year-old, took him to the ground and punched him, knocking the teen's two front teeth onto a convenience store floor.
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Biden Admin Sees Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill As A Win Aug 06, 2021

After months of bipartisan negotiation, the Senate may finally vote this weekend on a 2,700 page infrastructure bill that includes $1 trillion in spending on things like roads, bridges, public transit, and broadband.
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A Resistant Gov. Cuomo Could Face Impeachment Aug 05, 2021

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is refusing to resign after this week's explosive report from the state's attorney general. It detailed multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Cuomo.
Cuomo has categorically denied harassment and groping allegations. And he said that people have "sought to unfairly characterize and weaponize everyday interactions."
Multiple high profile politicians have called for Cuomo to step down, including President Biden. Meanwhile, NPR's Brian Mann discusses how Democratic leaders in New York state legislature plan to move forward with impeachment proceedings.
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Beirut's Deadly Port Explosion, One Year Later Aug 04, 2021

It's been exactly one year since a massive explosion in Beirut's port killed over 200 people, injured thousands and caused billions of dollars in damage.
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Eviction Protection Extended, But Millions Of Renters Still Face Uncertainty Aug 03, 2021

At the stroke of midnight last Saturday, a federal moratorium that had been in place for nearly eleven months expired.
After the Supreme Court ruled that the CDC could not extend that moratorium, the Biden administration asked Congress to take action. But Congress failed to maintain protections for renters before the House went into August recess.
Now, many renters fear eviction could coming knocking at their doors.
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., told NPR that she is urging local governments to institute any protections possible to prevent a wave of mass evictions across the country.
The Virginia Poverty Law Center's Christine Marra explains where the national situation leaves renters in her state and across the country.
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New Phase Of Pandemic Met With Confusion And Exhaustion Aug 02, 2021

The United States has reached yet another turning point in this pandemic—one that may feel particularly unrelenting and confusing.
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On Our Watch: 20-20 Hindsight Aug 01, 2021

In episode three of On Our Watch, we examine the records that were unsealed by this transparency law to piece together what exactly happened on September 14, 2014 when Pedie Perez was shot and killed outside a liquor store by a police officer, Wallace Jensen.
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Vaccine Mandates Are Spreading Alongside Dangerous Delta Variant Jul 30, 2021

The Delta variant is more dangerous and contagious than many experts initially realized. In response to the uptick in cases and hospitalizations countrywide, some government leaders are implementing mask mandates.
President Biden announced on Thursday that federal government employees will be asked to attest to their vaccination status. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients explains what the new requirement will look like.
And NPR Correspondent Brian Naylor reports on how federal employees are feeling about this change.
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Black Olympians Often Have 'The Weight Of The World' On Their Shoulders Jul 29, 2021

When Simone Biles dropped out of her Olympic competitions this week, the whole world took notice. At 24 years old Biles is the most decorated gymnast ever, she's won 36 medals—27 of those are gold. And she said via Instagram that it can feel like she "has the weight of the world," on her shoulders at times.
When an athlete performs on a stage as hallowed and renowned as the Olympics, it's not surprising to see that this can have a negative psychological effect. University of Denver professor Mark Aoyagi explains that in many ways, elite competitions are inherently unhealthy.
The stress can be even more acute for Black athletes like Biles. Sociologist Harry Edwards wrote about this over 50 years ago and says these young Olympians are forced to deal with both the aspiration and fear of "Black excellence."
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Justice Department Struggles To Bring Jan. 6th Cases To Trial Jul 28, 2021

Four police officers offered harrowing testimony of their experiences protecting the U.S. Capitol on January 6th during the first hearing for a new Democrat-led House Select Committee investigating the attacks.
The committee was proposed as a bi-partisan effort by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi but after she rejected two nominees from Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the hearings have begun without support from Republican leaders.
Since January 6th the Justice Department has arrested hundreds of people who were at the Capitol. NPR Investigations Correspondent Dina Temple-Raston reports that while those cases initially seemed like they'd be a slam dunk, the process of bringing them to trial has proved more difficult than anyone could have imagined.
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Who Pays When Sea Levels Rise? Jul 27, 2021

Rising seas are threatening coastal communities around the world, which will need billions of dollars to protect themselves. It's clear the water is coming. What's not clear is who pays.
This tension is playing out on the shoreline of San Francisco Bay, where the wealthiest companies in the world have built their headquarters next to low-income communities of color. Both need protection, but as cities there plan massive levee projects, they're struggling to figure out what's fair. Will the cost fall on taxpayers or private landowners who benefit the most?
NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer reports from San Francisco.
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Food Service Workers Are Quitting At Record Rates. Why? Because They Can Jul 26, 2021

Food service workers in America have newfound bargaining power, and they're using it — quitting jobs for better ones at record rates.
NPR's Alina Selyukh reports on why some are leaving the restaurant industry for good.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Andrea Hsu, who examined the pros and cons of one-time hiring bonuses for workers.
Follow more coverage from NPR's special series, Where Are The Workers?
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On Our Watch: Conduct Unbecoming Jul 25, 2021

One officer in Los Angeles used car inspections to hit on women. Three hundred miles away in the San Francisco Bay Area, another woman says an officer used police resources to harass and stalk her.
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Rodrigo Amarante Throws a Musical Tantrum in Latest Album, 'Drama' Jul 23, 2021

Starting over can be scary. But not for Rodrigo Amarante. After an established musical career in Brazil, he made the jump to the U.S., where his relative anonymity was a source of creative energy — and an opportunity to reinvent himself.
Amarante's second solo album, Drama, is about rejecting traditional forms of masculinity and embracing imperfections — then releasing them as a beautiful symphony of chaos and, well, drama.
Hear Rodrigo Amarante's live performance of the song "Tara" from his new album.
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Haiti's Unraveling: How A Mysterious Assassination Fanned Violent Unrest Jul 22, 2021

It's still unclear who is responsible for planning and funding the assassination of Haiti's president Jovenel Moïse earlier this month. But violence and unrest in the country has been ramping up for months.
The United Nations says that over the last six weeks nearly 15,000 people have been forced from their homes in Port-au-Prince. NPR's Jason Beaubien reported the story of one family who fled in early June.
Moïse's death left a power vacuum that's been filled by Interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry, a 71-year-old neurosurgeon. NPR International Correspondent Carrie Kahn has been tracking his attempt to rebuild the Haitian government.
And Jean Eddy Saint Paul, a professor at Brooklyn College, explains why the turmoil in Haiti has been decades in the making.
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Will Delta Surge Sway Unvaccinated? Plus: The Truth About 'Breakthrough' Infections Jul 21, 2021

The delta variant now makes up an estimated 83% of coronavirus cases in the U.S., a sharp increase over recent weeks. Cases are rising more rapidly in places with low rates of vaccination. Arkansas is one of those places. The state's Republican governor, Asa Hutchinson, tells NPR what he's doing to try to convince more people to get a shot.
Amid those localized surges and reports of breakthrough infections, NPR's Allison Aubrey explains how to think about your own risk.
Find more NPR coverage of breakthrough infections here.
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The New Child Tax Credit Is Here. Will Millions Get Cash Permanently? Jul 20, 2021

Tens of millions of American families are beginning to receive direct cash payments as part of the expanded child tax credit, which was part of the COVID relief bill passed back in March.
Those payments top out at $3,600 a year per child — an amount experts say could lift tens of millions of children out of poverty. But the expanded credit is only scheduled to last one year. The question now is: will Democrats succeed in making it permanent?
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know from NPR's Andrea Hsu.
This episode contains excerpts from NPR's daily economics podcast The Indicator. Listen and subscribe via Apple, Spotify, Google, or Pocket Casts.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Cory Turner and Mara Liasson.
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How The Pandemic Shaped Medical Education And, Ultimately, Your HealthCare Jul 19, 2021

Medical education must always keep up with the times. But the pandemic forcing medical students to learn virtually revealed new fault lines and opportunities to rethink the way medical professionals should learn. The medical field is grappling with which of those changes should become permanent and which ones could jeopardize the quality of healthcare.
To get a better understanding of how technology has enabled new ways of approaching medical education, NPR's Jonaki Mehta visits Kaiser Permanente's Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, a school that was uniquely positioned to adapt to the conditions imposed by the pandemic since it opened during quarantine.
Elisabeth Rosenthal, editor-in-chief of Kaiser Health News and a non-practicing physician, shares her concerns about the medical field leaning more heavily on telemedicine as a result of the pandemic.
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On Our Watch: In Good Faith Jul 18, 2021

From police officer misconduct to deadly shootings, internal affairs investigations are how law enforcement agencies investigate their own and promise to hold themselves accountable. In California, those investigations were secret — that is, until a new police transparency law unsealed thousands of files.
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Cross-Cultural Casting: Noteworthy For Hollywood, But Not Exactly New Jul 16, 2021

Jodie Turner-Smith in Anne Boleyn. Mindy Kaling in Scooby Doo. Dev Patel in The Green Knight, and last year's David Copperfield.
It seems like Hollywood gatekeepers are opening up more traditionally white parts to other performers. But as NPR film critic Bob Mondello explains, cross-cultural casting isn't new — and it's always raised eyebrows.
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How Cuba's Government Is Attempting To Silence Unprecedented Protests Jul 15, 2021

The protests that erupted in Cuba over the weekend are the biggest the country has seen in decades. Cubans are suffering through a summer of shortages, from food and electricity to medicine. All of which have been made worse by the pandemic. Officials in the authoritarian government are tying to stamp out the unrest quickly.
These demonstrations present a political opportunity for President Biden. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports on how the White House's response could change future Florida votes.
NPR international correspondent Carrie Kahn looks into internet blackouts enacted by the Cuban government in an attempt to stop organizing happening on social media platforms.
And Miami-Herald editorial writer Luisa Yanez explains why a younger generation of Cubans may not buckle under pressure.
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Democrats Assail 'Jim Crow' Assault On Voting Rights. So What's Their Plan? Jul 14, 2021

In a speech this week, President Biden said Democrats must 'vigorously challenge' what he described as the '21st Century Jim Crow assault' on voting rights, attacking Republican-led state efforts to pass new voting restrictions.
Democrats, Vice President Kamala Harris told NPR, must respond on multiple levels: "It will be litigation, legislation, it will be activating the people."
Harris spoke to NPR political correspondent Asma Khalid. Hear more on the NPR Politics Podcast via Apple, Google, or Spotify.
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The U.S. Almost Out Of Afghanistan. What Happens There Next? Jul 13, 2021

The U.S. military will be fully out of the country by August 31. The Taliban already control more than half of it. A U.S. intelligence assessment reportedly says the Afghan government could collapse in as little as six months.
Some members of the Afghan military feel "abandoned and alone," Commanding General of the Afghan Army Sami Sadat tells NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Diaa Hadid.
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Latest On Boosters; 'Trusted Messengers' Lead Vaccine Outreach Jul 12, 2021

The Biden administration is emphasizing vaccine outreach by 'trusted messengers' — community volunteers, faith leaders, and primary care providers — who are best-positioned to convince people to get vaccinated.
NPR's Maria Godoy reports on that kind of outreach in Maryland, one of just a handful of states where at least half of the Latino population is vaccinated.
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Co-Opted And Weaponized, 'Cancel Culture' Is Just Today's 'Politically Correct' Jul 09, 2021

'Cancelling' is a term that originated in young and progressive circles, where it was used to mean 'boycott,' University of Pennsylvania linguist Nicole Holliday tells NPR. Now the term 'cancel' has been co-opted and weaponized by some conservative media and politicians.
Something similar happened in the 1990s with the term 'politically correct.' John K. Wilson wrote about that time in a book called The Myth Of Political Correctness.
And — just like 'politically correct' — 'cancelling' and 'cancel culture' have been co-opted and weaponized to attack the left today. Social media has made that easier, says Jon Ronson, author of So You've Been Publicly Shamed.
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Why Wildfire Is Not Just A Western Problem Jul 08, 2021

All over the east coast and Midwest, forests are getting hotter and drier. Many are also overgrown and overdue for wildfire. And increasingly, Americans are moving to areas where these forests and their homes tangle close together.
The fastest such growth is in the Southeast, where few consider wildfire much of a threat. Molly Samuel with member station WABE reports from Tate City, Georgia.
Additional reporting in this episode from Annie Ropeik of New Hampshire Public Radio and from NPR's Nathan Rott, who reported on fire risk in Wisconsin, home to the deadliest fire in American history.
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NPR Traces California Yoga Teacher's Alleged Path To The Capitol Riot Jul 07, 2021

NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports on the story of Alan Hostetter, a former police chief and yoga instructor from California who's now facing conspiracy charges for his alleged role in the U.S. Capitol riot.
Hostetter is one of more than 500 people facing charges related to January 6th. Hear more about how prosecutors are proceeding from NPR's Ryan Lucas and the NPR Politics Podcast. Listen via Apple, Google, Spotify, or Pocket Casts.
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How Critical Race Theory Went From Harvard Law To Fox News Jul 06, 2021

Critical race theory is a legal framework developed decades ago at Harvard Law School. It posits that racism is not just the product of individual bias, but is embedded in legal systems and policies. Today, it's become the subject of heated debate on Fox News and in local school board meetings across the country.
Adam Harris, staff writer at The Atlantic, explains why. Harris has traced the debate over critical race theory back decades.
Gloria Ladson-Billings spoke to NPR about watching that debate morph in recent years. She's president of the National Academy of Education and one of the first academics to bring critical race theory to education research.
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Questlove Unearths The Long-Forgotten 'Summer Of Soul' Jul 05, 2021

In 1969, during the same summer as Woodstock, another music festival took place 100 miles away. The Harlem Cultural Festival featured black musicians like Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder — stars who we might not have glimpsed at this point in their careers.
Footage of the festival had been locked in a basement for 50 years, because TV and film companies were not interested in it at the time.
Questlove and his fellow filmmakers speak to Audie Cornish about bringing the concert festival to the big screen in their movie, Summer Of Soul, which is also out on Hulu.
NPR's Eric Deggans also reviewed the film. Some descriptions of the film from his review are heard in this episode.
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BONUS: American Anthem Jul 04, 2021

The Star-Spangled Banner is the official anthem for the United States, but there are plenty of songs that have become informal American anthems for millions of people.
On this episode of NPR's Throughline, we share three stories from NPR Music's American Anthem series, which explored the origins of songs that have become ingrained in American culture.
Throughline is NPR's history podcast. Listen via Apple, Spotify, Google, or Pocket Casts.
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How The Delta Variant Is Changing The Pandemic On A Global Scale Jul 02, 2021

Cases are surging in countries around the world as the more transmissible delta variant spreads rapidly. Also growing: pressure on vaccine-rich countries to help people in countries where vaccines are still scarce.
NPR's Will Stone reports on the waiting game. And Harvard's Junaid Habi argues vaccine hesitancy in America is a peculiar privilege.
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What Donald Rumsfeld Left Behind Jul 01, 2021

The former Secretary of Defense was a chief architect of the conflict that came to be known as America's 'forever war.' After his death this week at age 88, that conflict has now officially outlived him.
NPR's Steve Inskeep reports on one group of people still living with the consequences: thousands of Afghans who worked with the U.S. military over the past 20 years. More from that story, which aired on Morning Edition, is here.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Greg Myre.
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A 'Pandemic Of Unvaccinated People' As Delta Variant Spreads Rapidly Jun 30, 2021

Los Angeles County — America's most populous county — recently recommended mask wearing even for vaccinated people, just two weeks after the state relaxed most COVID restrictions. County officials say masks will help protect unvaccinated people from the more transmissible delta variant, which is spreading rapidly across the country.
CDC director Rochelle Walensky tells NPR the federal government may "encourage" states to return to more mitigation measures in places where vaccination is low and the delta variant is driving cases up.
That describes the situation in Missouri. Rebecca Smith with member station KBIA reports from Columbia.
Shalina Chatlani of the Gulf States Newsroom looks at the challenge of getting more people vaccinated in southern states.
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What The Pentagon's UFO Report Reveals About Aliens — And Ourselves Jun 29, 2021

Late last year the Senate passed a bill that required U.S. intelligence agencies to share what they know about "unidentified aerial phenomena," the technical term for UFOs. That report was released last week. Spoiler alert — it doesn't confirm the existence of alien spacecraft. But it doesn't rule them out either.
Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich recounts her first-hand encounter with a UFO off the coast of Southern California. It's one of 144 sightings mentioned in the new unclassified report.
Historian and University of Pennsylvania professor Kate Dorsch explains some of the possible reasons why Americans report more UFO sightings than any other county in the world.
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What We've Learned In The First 100 Hours Since The Surfside Condo Collapse Jun 28, 2021

Susana Alvarez, a survivor of the condo collapse in Surfside, Florida, explained to NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Weekend Edition Sunday that residents were told in a late 2018 meeting that the building was safe — despite evidence it wasn't.
NPR confirmed Alvarez's account.
An engineering report issued five weeks before that meeting warned of "major structural damage" to the building that would require "extremely expensive" repairs.
Jenny Staletovich with member station WLRN reports on efforts by rescuers, which include Miami's own world-renowned search and rescue team.
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BONUS: Battle Rattle Jun 27, 2021

Alicia Argelia met Army veteran Matt Lammers when he rolled into the store where she worked. Matt had lost both legs and one arm during a deployment to Iraq. Strangers often approached him to awkwardly thank him for his service or ask him what happened; his physical injuries made him a living reminder of the cost of war. But Alicia was different. She offered friendship without pity, and he was charmed by her from the start.
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What Hollywood Could Learn From The 20-Year Success Of 'Fast & Furious' Jun 25, 2021

What's behind the 20-year success of the Fast & Furious franchise? Casting, storytelling and reinvention. NPR's Linda Holmes — who wrote an owner's manual to the franchise — explains.
Linda is one of the hosts of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour. Find their episode about F9 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Pocket Casts.
F9 premiered overseas last month while waiting for pandemic-shuttered cinemas to open in the U.S., where it's supposed to restart the Hollywood blockbuster. NPR's Bob Mondello has more in his review of the film.
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Not Just Wildfire: The Growing Ripple Effects Of More Extreme Heat And Drought Jun 24, 2021

For the second weekend in a row, parts of the American West will be gripped by historic heat, coming in the second decade of megadrought that has gripped the region for 22 years.
Wildfire is an obvious threat — but there are other consequences of extreme heat and drought, as smaller snowmelts and lower reservoirs lead to water cutbacks and more expensive electricity. And climate change is making it all worse.
Colorado Public Radio's Michael Elizabeth Sakas reports on another consequence: what happens when there isn't enough water to build new homes.
Kristina Dahl, senior climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, explains how extreme heat can affect the human body,
Additional reporting in this episode:
• Jordan Kern spoke to NPR's Scott Detrow about hydropower in the West.
• Michael Elizabeth Sakas reported on western snowmelt.
• NPR's Kirk Siegler reported on record high temperatures.
• NPR's Lauren Sommer reported on dwindling water supplies.
• NPR's Nathan Rott, Luke Runyon of KUNC in Colorado and Annie Ropeik of New Hampshire Public Radio discussed the growing consequences of heat and drought.
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Millions Of Americans Could Be Facing Eviction Jun 23, 2021

Back in March, Congress approved nearly $50 billion in aid for people who need rental assistance to avoid eviction. At the same time a federal moratorium on evictions is expected to be extended till the end of the July.
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The Unproven Lab Leak Theory Puts Pressure On China — But It May Backfire Jun 22, 2021

From the beginning of the pandemic, the debate about the origins of the coronavirus was immediately politicized by former President Donald Trump. But now international efforts to investigate and find answers have stalled. NPR's Will Stone explains why.
Despite a new focus on the lab leak theory, many scientists still believe the virus emerged naturally, reports NPR's Geoff Brumfiel.
NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik has also reported on the media's coverage of the lab leak theory.
Listen to Fresh Air's interview with Vanity Fair's Katherine Eban on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Pocket Casts. Read Eban's article about the lab leak theory here: The Lab-Leak Theory: Inside the Fight to Uncover COVID-19's Origins.
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50 Years Later, Is America's War On Drugs At A Turning Point? Jun 21, 2021

In June 1971, then-President Richard Nixon said the U.S. had a new public enemy number one: addiction. It was the beginning of America's long war on drugs.
Fifty years later, during months of interviews, NPR found a growing consensus across the political spectrum — including among some in law enforcement — that the drug war simply didn't work.
The stories in this episode are from NPR's Brian Mann and Eric Westervelt as part of a special series: The War On Drugs: 50 Years Later.
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BONUS: Tom Hanks, Fox News, And A Debate About Whiteness In Hollywood Jun 20, 2021

This all started with a guest essay by Tom Hanks for The New York Times called "You Should Learn the Truth About the Tulsa Race Massacre," in which Hanks made the case for a more widespread teaching of American history involving Black Americans, especially of events like the Tulsa Race Massacre. He wrote: "History was mostly written by white people about white people like me, while the history of Black people — including the horrors of Tulsa — was too often left out. Until relatively recently, the entertainment industry, which helps shape what is history and what is forgotten, did the same. That includes projects of mine."
NPR TV and film critic Eric Deggans appreciated those words, but wrote in a column of his own that Hanks could do more from his powerful perch in Hollywood.
Eric speaks to host Audie Cornish about the reaction to his column, and how Hollywood reckons with its own power. (And no, he is not trying to cancel Tom Hanks.)
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Reparation Discussions Are Gaining Traction But Not Widespread Support Jun 18, 2021

Juneteenth, the celebration to commemorate the end of chattel slavery in the United States, is the newest federal holiday after President Biden signed it into law on Thursday. It's another example of how the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd has been reshaping the way Americans think and talk about race. That shift is also evident in reparation programs for Black descendants of slaves that are being enacted by groups around the country.
The Virginia Theological Seminary, for example, has started cutting checks to descendants of the forced labor the campus long relied on. The city of Evanston, Ill., has started to offer housing grants to its Black residents, and other progressive local governments are considering similar approaches.
Despite increasing interest in reparations, there is not yet widespread acceptance among Americans. A recent poll from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that two-thirds of the U.S. does not agree with cash reparations on a federal scale.
Professor Tatishe Nteta ran the poll. He explains what the findings say about the political future of reparations in the U.S.
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Will The U.S. Meet Its July 4 Vaccination Goal? Your State May Already Have Jun 17, 2021

Last month, President Biden laid out an ambitious goal: to get 70% of adults in the U.S. at least one vaccine dose by July 4. With less than three weeks to go, that goal may too ambitious, Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage tells NPR, and some states may see localized outbreaks this year.
Still — nearly two dozen states have already exceeded the 70% threshold. Many are clustered in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, while states with the lowest rates are largely in the South and Southwest. But there is one exception: New Mexico — where some counties report vaccination rates as high as 90%. NPR's Kirk Siegler explains why.
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Parents Want Schools To Make Up The Special Education Their Kids Lost In The Pandemic Jun 16, 2021

Remote learning simply didn't work for many children with disabilities. Without the usual access to educators, therapists and in-person aides, the families of these children, and many like them, say they watched their children slide backward, losing academic, social and physical skills.
Now they're demanding help, arguing to judges, state departments of education and even to the U.S. Department of Education that schools are legally required to do better by their students with disabilities.
NPR education correspondent Cory Turner and reporter Rebecca Klein have spent months reporting on complaints filed across the country from families who say schools need to act now to make up for the vital services kids missed.
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What's At Stake As President Biden Enters Negotiations With Vladimir Putin Jun 15, 2021

Wednesday will be President Biden's first meeting with one of America's greatest adversaries. Drawing a contrast with his predecessor is the least of what the commander-in-chief hopes to accomplish when he sits down with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly is covering the summit in Geneva, where she spoke to former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul about what the U.S. could expect to gain from negotiations.
For more coverage of the negotiations, follow Mary Louise Kelly on Twitter and tune into NPR's Up First on Wednesday morning. Listen via Apple, Spotify or Pocket Casts.
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Why Everything Is More Expensive Right Now Jun 14, 2021

From computer chips to rental cars to chicken breasts, a complex global supply chain is straining under pent-up post-vaccine demand. NPR's Scott Horsley explains what's going on — and why Biden administration officials think price hikes will eventually level out.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Camila Domonoske — who reported on computer chips in car manufacturing — and NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, which reported on slowdowns in food processing and manufacturing.
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BONUS: A World Where The NRA Is Soft On Guns Jun 13, 2021

About two months after the coronavirus began spreading in the United States, groups of Americans began to protest the quarantine lockdown measures in their states. At some of these anti-lockdown rallies reporters Lisa Hagen of WABE and Chris Haxel of KCUR discovered they weren't the spontaneous grassroots uprisings they purported to be. Rather, they were being organized by a group of three brothers: Aaron, Ben and Chris Dorr.
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ProPublica's 'Secret IRS Files' Unveil How Richest Americans Avoid Income Tax Jun 11, 2021

The story made waves in Washington, D.C., this week: The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax. ProPublica obtained private tax data from America's 25 wealthiest individuals, which revealed exactly how those people manage, through legal means, to pay far less income tax than most Americans — and sometimes, none at all.
ProPublica senior editor and reporter Jesse Eisinger explains how it works to NPR's Rachel Martin.
After the story's publication, some lawmakers reacted with concern about the fairness of the tax code. Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, explains a proposal to make it more equitable. He spoke to NPR's Ailsa Chang.
Additional reporting on the history of the income tax from NPR's daily economics podcast The Indicator and Steven Weisman's 2010 appearance on All Things Considered.
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Back To The Office: Not Everyone Is Welcoming The Return Jun 10, 2021

For Americans who were able to work from home at the start of the pandemic, what felt like an extended snow day at first has now turned into 15 months and counting of Zoom calls and logging onto work in sweatpants. But now that about half of Americans are fully vaccinated, some are trickling back into the office.
We asked you to tell us how your work has been for the last year and how you feel about returning to the office. The responses were mixed.
Susan Lund, a partner at McKinsey & Company, says that after the pandemic it's unlikely that people will go back to the same pattern of working.
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Listener Q&A: Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy On Variants, Boosters And Vax Mandates Jun 09, 2021

More than half of U.S. adults have been fully vaccinated, and case rates are at their lowest point since the pandemic began. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the future of the pandemic. Questions about variants, vaccine booster shots and the idea of vaccine mandates in schools or publicly-funded universities.
We had a chance to put some of the questions — including ones from you — to the nation's top doctor, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, in an interview conducted on Twitter Spaces, a new platform for live audio conversations on Twitter. To participate in future Twitter Spaces conversations, follow us on Twitter @nprAudie and @npratc. You can find our episodes on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #NPRConsiderThis.
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Democrats' Path To Big Legislation Runs Through West Virginia. Is It A Dead End? Jun 08, 2021

Democratic proposals for immigration reform, gun control, infrastructure and voting rights are stalled in Congress. Standing in between Democrats and much of their progressive wish list is one of their own, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who has signaled his opposition to eliminating the filibuster or passing an infrastructure plan without Republican support.
He's not the only West Virginian with an outsized influence in Washington right now. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is representing Senate Republicans in negotiations with the White House over infrastructure. Despite meeting with President Biden repeatedly in recent days, the two sides appear to be far apart.
For more on the two Senators' role in national politics and what their mandate is from voters back home, congressional correspondent Sue Davis and Dave Mistich of West Virginia Public Broadcasting speak to NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.

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How The Biden Administration Is Confronting A Surge In Cyberattacks Jun 07, 2021

Cyberattackers have recently targeted a crucial fuel pipeline, a global meat distributor and a water treatment plant. The Biden administration likens the surge in cyberattacks to terrorism — and says they plan to treat it like a national security threat. NPR National Security Correspondent Greg Myre details the administration's plans.
When businesses are targeted by ransomware, someone like Bill Siegel steps in to help companies figure out if they have any options but to pay up. Siegel runs Coveware, a company that responds to ransomware attacks and often negotiates with hackers. He spoke to NPR's Rachel Martin.

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BONUS: A Looping Revolt Jun 06, 2021

Stockton, Calif., may represent the future of American news.
The city's longtime newspaper, The Record, has lost reporters, subscribers and, therefore, power. Meanwhile a non-traditional news source, a controversial online outlet called 209 Times, has quickly become one of the most popular sources of news in town. It proudly doesn't follow most journalistic norms and brags about tanking the previous mayor's campaign. Critics say the 209 Times is filling Stockton with misinformation.
Yowei Shaw, host of NPR's Invisibilia, investigates.
Find all three parts of "The Chaos Machine," Invisibilia's series about 209 Times here.
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The U.S. Can't Agree On The Truth. Is It The Media's Job To Fix That? Jun 04, 2021

Freedom of the press is enshrined in the Constitution as crucial to a functioning democracy. But what role does the press serve when it feels like the country can't agree on basic facts? NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with a handful of journalists to hear how they're navigating this divide.
This episode feature's CBS's Leslie Stahl, CNN's Jake Tapper, NPR's Ayesha Rascoe, Dawn Rhodes of Block Club Chicago and Sherry Liang of the University of Georgia's Red & Black newspaper.
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Companies Made Racial Justice Promises Last Summer. Did They Keep Them? Jun 03, 2021

Corporations had a lot to say about racial justice last summer. They made statements. They donated millions to civil rights organizations. They promised to address their own problems with diversity and representation.
A year later, NPR's David Gura reports on Wall Street's mixed progress.
Kim Tran tells NPR's Sam Sanders that the diversity, equity and inclusion industry has lost its way.
And DEI consultant Lily Zheng talks about their front row seat to corporations varied efforts to change culture and practices.
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Pressure On The World's Biggest Polluters Is Increasing. But Can It Force Change? Jun 02, 2021

The Atlantic hurricane season began Tuesday and another "above average" number of storms is expected. And it's not just hurricanes — overall, scientists are predicting more extreme weather events amplified by climate change this summer.
While there's little to do in the short term to change this trajectory, recent actions by a Dutch court, the Biden administration and an activist hedge fund all suggest new pressure on large oil and gas companies could help in the long term. Pressure from these outside forces could signal a shift in how the companies operate.
Nell Minow, an Exxon shareholder, explains the direction she wants to see the company move in.
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Americans Are Feeling Optimistic And Uncertain As Second Pandemic Summer Begins Jun 01, 2021

From dating apps, to airline travel, to in-person high school classes, the U.S. is seeing evidence of a return to close-to-normal life.
KUOW's Clare McGrane reports on how that transition has been especially complicated for a choir in Washington state. Members were at the center of one of the earliest super-spreader events in the U.S. last year.
Saskia Popescu, infectious disease expert and assistant professor at George Mason University, says for as much progress as the U.S. has made against the coronavirus, many countries are still dealing with outbreaks and struggling to get vaccines.
Listen to GBH reporter Tori Bedford's story on easing back into socializing here.
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Does America Have Its Own 'Civil Religion?' May 31, 2021

Much is said about how divided the U.S. is these days. But perhaps there is still something that unites Americans. Longtime NPR correspondent Tom Gjelten reports on what he calls the country's "civil religion" — a collection of beliefs, based on freedom, that should apply to every American equally.
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BONUS: Barack Obama Talks About What It Means To Be A Man May 30, 2021

Former President Barack Obama is thinking a lot about our values as Americans. These days, in a divided America, he's particularly thinking about what it means to be a man.
Is a man thoughtful, caring? Are men held back by what society traditionally expects a man to be?
These are questions that Aarti Shahani recently asked Obama on a recent episode of her podcast, Art of Power, from member station WBEZ in Chicago.
Listen to Art of Power on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Threats To Democracy Are Growing Around the World — And The U.S. May Be One Of Them May 28, 2021

All over the world, democratic institutions are under threat. The United States isn't just part of that trend — it may also be one of the causes. Former Obama administration foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes examines why in a new book called After the Fall: Being American in the World We've Made.
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How Anti-Trans Bills Evoke The Culture Wars Of The 90s May 27, 2021

Proponents of trans female athlete bans struggle to cite examples of trans women or girls gaining an unfair advantage in sports competitions. But amid a lot of debate about fairness, there's been less attention on science. NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman spoke to a pioneering trans researcher who explains why — in most sports — trans women can compete fairly against cisgender women.
Behind a recent spate of anti-trans state laws, LGBTQ communities see a new chapter in a familiar story: the culture wars that broke out in America in the 1990s. A new episode of the FX documentary miniseries Pride examines that era. It was directed by Academy-Award nominee Yance Ford, who tells NPR why the culture wars of the 90s are so relevant today.
Additional reporting on the legal debate over Idaho's ban on trans female athletes from our colleague Melissa Block.
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Fortnite Trial Tests Apple's 'Good Guy' Reputation May 26, 2021

Apple has always wanted to be one of the good guys in tech. But now a high-stakes lawsuit with Epic Games, the creator of the hit video game Fortnite, isn't just challenging Apple's reputation. It's raising questions about whether the most valuable company in the world has grown into an illegal monopoly.
NPR's Bobby Allyn reports on the federal trial that led to Apple CEO Tim Cook taking the stand last week to defend his company.
And Sally Hubbard, who researches monopolies, explains how Apple's control over its app store reminds her of past antitrust violations from Microsoft and AT&T.
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What's Changed — And What Hasn't — In The Year Since George Floyd Was Killed May 25, 2021

After his death on May 25, 2020, George Floyd became the face of a movement against police violence. But attorney Andrea Ritchie says, in some ways, the prosecution and conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin created a false sense of progress in that movement. Ritchie focuses on police misconduct and is the author of the book, Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women And Women Of Color.
Bowling Green State University criminologist Phillip Stinson explains why so few police officers are prosecuted and convicted for murder. Stinson maintains the Henry A. Wallace Police Crime Database.
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We're working on a future episode about people who got involved in activism in the past year. We want to know why — and whether you've stayed involved. If this sounds like you, please respond to our callout here.
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What's Behind The Progressive Push To Rethink America's Relationship With Israel May 24, 2021

For decades, Israel had solid bipartisan support for Israel from Capitol Hill. But progressive congressional Democrats have started to question support for the policies of the Israeli government. Palestinian rights activists also feel tied to the growing power of racial justice movements in the United States. NPR political correspondent Asma Khalid explains.
Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, says more Americans are hearing Palestinian voices in the media, and some Democrats can now criticize Israel without fear of losing their next election.
Additional reporting in this episode comes from NPR's Connor Donevan and Eli Newman with member station WDET.
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NPR Analysis Finds Growing Vaccine Divide Between Urban And Rural America May 21, 2021

We know that Americans in blue states are getting vaccinated at higher rates than those in red ones. But that gap obscures another growing divide in America's vaccine campaign — the divide within states between rural and urban areas. An NPR analysis of county-level data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that divide exists across age groups in almost every state. NPR's Austin Fast explains why.
The Biden administration says it's making progress on closing the gap. Their focus is on getting as many people vaccinated as possible. But public health officials tell NPR's Geoff Brumfiel that the U.S. may never reach 'herd immunity.'
Additional reporting in this episode from Veronica Zaragovia of member station WLRN in Miami.
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The CDC's Mask Guidance Created Confusion. Could It Also Boost Vaccinations? May 20, 2021

A week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance that vaccinated people can safely return to most activities without wearing a mask. But the announcement caught many local officials and business leaders off guard. One of them was Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
NPR's Andrea Hsu reports on the confusion among businesses, which now have to decide what to do on their own.
NPR's Yuki Noguchi interviewed behavioral scientists about whether the new guidance may encourage more people to get vaccinated.
Additional reporting in this episode came from NPR's Allison Aubrey and Pien Huang.
Read more about what the new CDC guidance means for unvaccinated kids — and their parents.
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The Latest On Biden's Infrastructure Plan, With A Vision For A New 'Climate Corps' May 19, 2021

The White House is courting influential Democratic senators and making a public relations push for President Biden's infrastructure proposal, while Republicans draw a red line around corporate tax increases.
Biden also spent part of this week test-driving Ford's new electric F-150 Lightning. But for all the talk of energy innovation and electric cars, one part of Biden's infrastructure plan is based on a pretty old idea — one from another era when millions of Americans were out of work. NPR's Scott Detrow and Nathan Rott report on Biden's proposal to revamp the nearly 100-year-old Civilian Conservation Corps — with a new focus on climate change. Read more from their reporting here.
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Long Before QAnon Conspiracies, The U.S. Was Swept By 'Satanic Panic' May 18, 2021

Over the past year, QAnon conspiracies have migrated from obscure corners of the internet into national headlines. The false belief that left-wing Satanists are controlling the government helped fuel the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6.
These theories didn't come from nowhere. Back in the 1980s a similar "satanic panic" swept through the country and led to lawsuits that alleged preschool teachers were performing evil rituals with children. These claims were debunked but the accusations themselves had staying power.
NPR's Ari Shapiro reports on what factors contributed to the original "satanic panic" and what it can teach us about the conspiracy theories that attract followers today.
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The Conflict Between Israel And Hamas Is Getting Worse, Raising Humanitarian Alarms May 17, 2021

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has gone from bad to worse. The Biden administration says it's engaging in "quiet, intensive diplomacy" to broker an end to the violence.
Leni Stenseth of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency tells NPR that the humanitarian situation in the region is "extremely alarming."
NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro explains how the recent outbreak of violence began — and the historical seeds of the region's conflict.
What is the diplomatic path toward some sort of peace? Israeli political analyst and journalist Akiva Eldar, a contributor to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, and Mkhaimar Abusada, a professor of political science at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, discuss what life on the ground is like for each of them, and the role of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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BONUS: How One Family Is Learning To Support Their Non-Binary Child May 16, 2021

Nine-year-old Hallel is the oldest of three children. They also identify as a "boy-girl," which was a revelation to their parents Shira and Ari when Hallel made the announcement to them.
Through a series of family recordings and interviews with WBUR's Martha Bebinger, the family shared the story of how this realization unfolded, and what they're learning.
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How To 'Human' Again: Advice For The Long Transition To Post-Pandemic Life May 14, 2021

The promise of post-pandemic life is exciting, but that doesn't mean it won't get awkward at times. We asked for your questions about how to navigate this new normal and we have some answers.
Dr. Lucy McBride, a primary care physician, and public theologian Ekemini Uwan have both written about this transitional moment Americans are living in and have some advice.
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The Debate Is Over: Donald Trump Owns The Republican Party May 13, 2021

This week, House Republicans voted to expel Rep. Liz Cheney from party leadership after the Wyoming congresswoman repeatedly called out former President Trump's false claims about the 2020 election.
Republican Congressman John Curtis of Utah told NPR the party's decision had nothing to do with her opposition to the former President.
The fracture reminds Wall Street Journal Executive Washington Editor Gerald Seib of another era when Republican leadership tried to capture and control a growing political force: the tea party. Seib is the author of We Should Have Seen It Coming: From Reagan to Trump — A Front-Row Seat to a Political Revolution.
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Why Are So Many Businesses Struggling To Find Workers? May 12, 2021

Republicans say enhanced pandemic unemployment benefits are what's keeping people out of the workforce. That could be playing a role, but the complete picture is far more complicated.
NPR chief economic correspondent Scott Horsley lays out the evidence for what's really behind the struggle to find workers.
Stacey Vanek Smith, host of NPR's daily economics podcast The Indicator, explains why the problem may be specific to a certain subset of the economy. More from the Indicator on that topic here. Find more episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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'It's Top-Down': Three Generations Of Black Officers On Racism And Police Brutality May 11, 2021

Three officers, each from a different generation, weigh in on Derek Chauvin's murder conviction and other recent acts of police violence.
Isaiah McKinnon became a police officer for the city of Detroit in the 1960s, and eventually became chief of police. He also served two years as the city's deputy mayor starting in 2014.
Cheryl Dorsey is a retired Los Angeles Police Department sergeant who first joined the force in the 1980s.
Vincent Montague is president of the Black Shield Police Association, which supports officers serving in the Greater Cleveland area. He's been in law enforcement for 13 years.
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How One LA Neighborhood Reveals The Racist Architecture Of American Homeownership May 10, 2021

Property ownership eludes Black Americans more than any other racial group. NPR's Ailsa Chang and Jonaki Mehta examine why. They tell the story of LA's Sugar Hill neighborhood, a once-vibrant black community that was demolished to make way for the Santa Monica Freeway.
Their story is part of NPR's special series We Hold These Truths.
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BONUS: We Buy A Superhero May 09, 2021

Comic book publishers like Marvel and DC sit on a treasure trove: thousands and thousands of comic book characters. Pieces of intellectual property. You know the big ones--Superman, Ironman, Captain America. They each make millions off of movies and merchandise. But for every marquee character, there are hundreds of others sitting unused.
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NPR Turns 50 Amid Reckoning In Journalism Over Who Tells Stories — And How May 07, 2021

Now 50 years old, NPR has grown up alongside American journalism. We take stock of some lessons learned along the way.
In this episode: Linda Wertheimer, Robert Siegel, Brooke Gladstone, Ira Glass, Michele Norris, and Andy Carvin.
Hear more from NPR's very first broadcast of All Things Considered.
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Supply Scarce Abroad, Demand Down At Home: Vaccine Access Is Starkly Unequal May 06, 2021

Vaccine demand is beginning to slide in the U.S., but in other parts of the world, the pandemic is devastating countries where vaccines are more scarce. India is one of those countries. There only 2% of the population is fully immunized.
There's an argument that waiving intellectual property rights could boost global vaccine production, and this week the Biden administration came out in support of that idea. Mustaqeem de Gama, South Africa's counsellor at the World Trade Organization, tells NPR that U.S. support is a "game changer."
Meanwhile, in some parts of the U.S., it's getting harder to find enough arms for vaccine doses. Katia Riddle reports from Oregon.
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Scotland May Try To Break Away From The United Kingdom — Again May 05, 2021

On Thursday, Scots vote in Regional Parliamentary elections. That's not usually an international story, but the ruling Scottish National Party is running on a platform to hold another independence referendum. Another vote on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland and Wales could follow their lead.
Scotland voted to stay in the U.K. during the last independence referendum in 2014. But then the Brexit vote happened. Scots heavily voted against leaving the European Union but were outnumbered by the British. Ultimately, the U.K. voted to leave the E.U.
NPR's London correspondent Frank Langfitt has been driving across Scotland over the past few days, asking people how they feel about another referendum and the reviews are mixed.
Ailsa Henderson, a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, describes what might happen after this week's vote and what, if anything, is still keeping the U.K. together.
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Is The Biden Rescue Plan Working? 'American Indicators' Weigh In On The Recovery May 04, 2021

The pandemic economy has left different people in vastly different situations. Today, we follow up with four American indicators — people whose paths will help us understand the arc of the recovery. You first heard their stories back in February. Now, we're talking to them again to ask how the American Rescue Plan has affected their lives — or not.
Brooke Neubauer in Nevada, founder of The Just One Project; Lisa Winton of the Winton Machine Company in Georgia; Lee Camp with Arch City Defenders in Missouri; and New Jersey-based hotel owner Bhavesh Patel.
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How Brazen Smugglers Are Fueling Record Numbers At The Southern Border May 03, 2021

A record 172,000 migrants were apprehended at the southern border in March. Those numbers are fueled, in part, by smuggling organizations that exploit desperate migrants, most of them from central America. NPR's John Burnett and KTEP's Angela Kocherga report on their tactics.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tells NPR about a new multi-agency effort to crack down on smugglers.
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How India's COVID-19 Outbreak Got So Bad, And Why It May Be Even Worse Than We Know Apr 30, 2021

Things have gone from bad to worse in the pandemic's global epicenter. India reported nearly 400,000 new COVID-19 cases on Friday — and the death count is likely higher than current estimates. Lauren Frayer, NPR's correspondent in Mumbai, explains why. Follow more of her work here or on Twitter @lfrayer.
The surge in India may be due, in part, to new coronavirus variants circulating in the country. NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff reports on one that's been referred to as a "double mutant."
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What Makes President Biden's Massive Spending Pitch So Historic Apr 29, 2021

Any one of President Biden's multi-trillion-dollar spending packages would be among the largest ever enacted by Congress. He has passed one — the American Recuse Plan — and proposed two others in his first 100 days.
NPR Congressional correspondent Susan Davis explains his latest proposal — the American Families Plan.
Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin tells NPR that in times of crisis, past Presidents have had success enacting ambitious agendas.
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The CDC's New Mask Guidance, Explained, And A Look At How Long Vaccines Protect Us Apr 28, 2021

Fully vaccinated people can ditch the mask outdoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week — unless they're at a crowded event. Dr. Anthony Fauci explains the new guidance to NPR and weighs in on how soon children under 16 might be eligible for vaccines.
NPR's Joe Palca reports on the scientific effort to learn more about how long vaccines protect us.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Allison Aubrey.
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New Census Numbers Mean A Political Power Shift For Some States Apr 27, 2021

The first set of results from the 2020 census are in, and according to the count, the official population of the United States is 331,449,281.
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How Faith Leaders In Israel And The U.K. Are Fighting Vaccine Hesitancy Apr 26, 2021

Israel and the United Kingdom are among the most-vaccinated countries in the world. Their success is due in part to public health campaigns designed to fight vaccine disinformation in faith and minority communities.
As part of NPR's series on fighting disinformation, London correspondent Frank Langfitt visited a mosque-turned-vaccination center on the frontline of that battle. In Israel, NPR's Daniel Estrin followed the man who helped lead the public health campaign for vaccines.
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BONUS: Policing In America Apr 25, 2021

Black Americans being victimized and killed by the police is an epidemic. As the trial of Derek Chauvin plays out, it's a truth and a trauma many people in the US and around the world are again witnessing first hand. But this tension between African American communities and the police has existed for centuries. This week, the origins of policing in the United States and how those origins put violent control of Black Americans at the heart of the system.
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The Story Behind The SolarWinds Cyberattack Apr 23, 2021

Last year, hackers believed to be directed by the Russian intelligence service, the SVR, slipped a malicious code into a routine software update from a Texas- based company called SolarWinds. They then used it as a vehicle for a massive cyberattack against America and successfully infiltrated Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and other companies, and federal agencies including the Treasury Department, Justice Department, Energy Department and the Pentagon.
The Biden administration recently announced a roster of tough sanctions against Russia as part of what it characterized as the "seen and unseen" response to the SolarWinds breach.
NPR investigative correspondent Dina Temple-Raston has spent months examining the landmark attack that — based on interviews with dozens of players — reveals a hack unlike any other.
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How To Navigate Life When You're Vaccinated And Others Aren't (Or Vice Versa) Apr 22, 2021

A little more than half of adults in the U.S. have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. That means a growing number of Americans are figuring out how to navigate life in a hybrid society where some people are vaccinated and some are not.
Two experts offer advice on how to do that: Dr. Leana Wen with George Washington University, and Dr. Monica Gandhi with the University Of California San Francisco.
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Will Justice For George Floyd Lead To Lasting Change? Apr 21, 2021

As crowds gathered Tuesday evening after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder in the death of George Floyd, two themes emerged. Many expressed joy and relief for the verdict delivered by the 12-person jury. But they also said the work isn't over, and the national debate over police violence and accountability can't end with a single criminal trial.
That message was also shared by the White House and Vice President Harris. On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the Justice Department is opening an investigation into possible patterns of discrimination and excessive force within the Minneapolis Police Department. And lawmakers in Congress are renewing a push for a police reform act that bears George Floyd's name.
For the last eleven months, one of the loudest voices demanding justice for George Floyd — insisting that the country and the world not forget him — has been his brother, Philonise Floyd. Philonise and Benjamin Crump, the Floyd family attorney, share what lasting change will look like to them now that a verdict has been delivered.
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Jury Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty On All Counts In Killing Of George Floyd Apr 20, 2021

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted on three counts in the trial over George Floyd's killing. The jury announced their verdict on Tuesday and found Chauvin guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
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With All U.S. Adults Eligible, How Can More Be Convinced To Get Vaccinated? Apr 19, 2021

Starting Monday, every person in America 16 and older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 40% already have. Now public health officials will begin to focus more on those who have not.
WHYY's Nina Feldman reports on the effort in Philadelphia, which is focused on racial equity.
Two groups of people who are most likely to say they won't get a shot are Republicans and white evangelical Christians. Blake Farmer of member station WPLN in Nashville reports on outreach to those groups.
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BONUS: Workin' 9 To 5 Apr 18, 2021

Flexible hours for working parents, daycare centers at the office, equal pay. Between the 1960s and 1980s, there was a real sense that big workplace changes were just beyond the horizon.At the time a very common job for women was clerical work. And in 1973, a group of secretaries in Boston formed a women's labor organization. They called themselves the "9to5."Actress Jane Fonda then decided to turn the real life struggles of working women into a hit Hollywood movie. Starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and country singer Dolly Parton (who also wrote the famous theme song), 9 to 5 was one of the first movies focused on the lives of women in the workplace.Today on the show, we meet the women behind the movement that inspired the movie. And a look at how far we have — or haven't — come since then.
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What Amazon's Defeat Of Union Effort Means For The Future Of American Labor Apr 16, 2021

A movement to unionize workers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., was seen as a potential turning point for the American labor movement. But the effort failed resoundingly. Stephan Bisaha of member station WBHM in Birmingham examines why.
Mohamed Younis, editor-in-chief of Gallup, tells NPR that public opinion of labor unions is generally lower in the South.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Alina Selyukh.
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'I Wish There Was An Easy Ending:' Afghanistan's Murky Future After Longest U.S. War Apr 15, 2021

President Biden announced this week that all U.S. troops if Afghanistan will be withdrawn by Sept. 11, marking the end of America's 20-year war there.
Former U.S. Army Col. Christopher Kolenda tells NPR there is "no easy ending" to American involvement in Afghanistan.
Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan's ambassador to the U.S., tells NPR Afghan civilians will continue to face daily threats of violence.
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Minneapolis Lives In 'A State Of Continuous Trauma' After Another Police Killing Apr 14, 2021

There have been nightly protests in Brooklyn Center, Minn., following Sunday's killing of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, who was shot by former police officer Kim Potter.
Police officials have said Wright's death resulted from an "accidental discharge," saying Potter mistook her handgun for her Taser.
State Rep. Esther Agbaje tells NPR the city has been living in "a continuous state of trauma."
NPR's Adrian Florido has been covering the trial of former Minneapolis police Derek Chauvin, which is taking place just miles from where Wright was killed. Wednesday was the second day for the defense to call witnesses in Chauvin's trial.
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The J & J Pause, Explained — And What It Means For The U.S. Vaccination Effort Apr 13, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration announced a recommended pause in use of Johnson & Johnson's single-use COVID-19 vaccine, while the agencies investigate reports of a rare but serious blood clot in six people.
The pause comes at a time when public health officials face the growing challenge of vaccine hesitancy, as NPR's Geoff Brumfiel reports.
NPR's Tamara Keith and Pien Huang explain the science behind the pause, and how it's occurring at a challenging moment for the Biden administration.
Additional reporting in this episode comes from NPR's Allison Aubrey.
The NPR Politics Podcast is also covering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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The Biden Administration's Women-Led Push For Investment In 'Care Infrastructure' Apr 12, 2021

President Biden wants to make a massive investment in infrastructure, and not just in roads and bridges. His administration is proposing big investments in "care infrastructure" — investments designed to help women succeed in the workforce.
Three women leading the administration's effort speak to NPR: Janelle Jones, the chief economist at the Department of Labor; Heather Boushey, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers; and Jennifer Klein, co-chair of the White House Gender Policy Council.
Additional reporting this episode on women and the workforce from NPR's Scott Horsley and Melissa Block. Hannah Rosin spoke to NPR's Michel Martin.
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BONUS: 'We Already Belong' Apr 11, 2021

"To Asian women, not for—there's no speaking for us, splendidly vast and manifold as our people are." So writes Korean-American novelist R.O. Kwon in an essay in Vanity Fair. The essay explores the reasons that R.O. was unable to talk openly with her own mother about rising anti-Asian rhetoric and violence in the past year, and how she finally broke that silence. In this episode, Rough Translation producer Justine Yan talks with R.O. about what the essay meant to her, and how to break familiar silences surrounding Asian American communities.
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As Anti-Trans Bills Advance, Trans Journalists Weigh In On 'Privilege' Of Reporting Apr 09, 2021

This week Arkansas became the first state to outlaw gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, as the state legislature overrode a veto by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson tells NPR why he opposed the bill, which will become law later this summer.
Dr. Joshua Safer, the executive director at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, explains why gender-affirming therapies — such as puberty blockers or hormone treatment — are safe and healthy for trans youth.
Misconceptions about trans people can be shaped by who tells their stories. Three trans journalists weigh in on how that should be done:
Imara Jones is the creator of TransLash Media.
Kate Sosin is a reporter at The 19th.
Orion Rummler is a reporter at Axios.
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Within Biden's Infrastructure Plan Lies An Agenda To Address Climate Change Apr 08, 2021

The details in President Biden's proposed $2 trillion infrastructure plan have a lot to do with protecting the environment. There's a new clean electricity standard and a focus on low-income communities hit hardest by climate change. But will it be enough?
NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports on how some progressives in congress wished Biden's plan was more ambitious. While many republicans, like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, see it as an overreach and have vowed to fight it.
Dr. Leah Stokes, a professor in the department of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, says that she'd favor a quicker timeline but still thinks Biden's plan will go a long way for curbing the effects of climate change.
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Amid Record Pandemic Travel, What's Safe? And The Debate Over Vaccine Passports Apr 07, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mixed messaging on travel reveals the uncertain future of the pandemic, Dr. Monica Gandhi tells NPR. Gandhi is an infectious disease expert at the University of California San Francisco.
In the future, some travelers may be required to verify their vaccine status to enter a stadium or attend a wedding. Dr. Zeke Emanuel, a professor of medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania and former member of President Biden's Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, tells NPR so-called vaccine "passports" can be made secure and private.
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The Housing Market Is Wild Right Now — And It's Making Inequality Worse Apr 06, 2021

Home prices are soaring around the U.S. Amid low inventory and historically low interest rates, some buyers are hitting the market to find they can't compete with all-cash offers, or bidding wars that escalate well out of their price range.
Sean Hawksford in Bozeman, Mont., is one of those buyers. He told his story to NPR's daily economic podcast, The Indicator.
NPR's Chris Arnold explains why the market is so wild right now.
And while homebuying is a big financial decision, it's also an emotional one. Those emotions are on full display in a new Netflix show called Marriage or Mortgage. Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post explores what the show reveals about the homebuying process, and why — in more ways than one — it's not for everyone. Here's her recent column about the show.
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How The Pandemic Has Changed Worship In America And The Debate Over Religious Freedom Apr 05, 2021

Two Easters have now come and gone since the pandemic began, and the need for restrictions has not gone away. It has faith communities wondering when things will get back to normal. NPR's Lee Hale reports on how faith leaders have approached worship differently since the pandemic began.
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'It Hurts People': How Trans Youth Are Being Targeted By State Legislation Apr 02, 2021

Bills under consideration in dozens of states target trans youth by focusing on two things: health care and sports. Some bills have already become law in states including South Dakota, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama.
One of the harshest measures is an Alabama, where a bill would make it a felony to provide gender-affirming therapy to anyone under the age of 19. NPR's Melissa Block reports on what that would mean for one trans teenager and his family.
University of Pittsburgh professor Jules Gill-Peterson explains what she's uncovered about the history of trans youth in America. She is the author of Histories of the Transgender Child.
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High School Seniors Ask, 'What Will College Look Like Next Fall?' Apr 01, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is giving us all hope that we'll be back to some sense of normal soon, but the pandemic will likely still play a role in what college life looks like next fall.
We asked some high school seniors what questions they have about deciding where to go to school and what college life is like during a pandemic.
To help with answering those questions and sharing some advice, we hear from two current college freshmen, Ayiana Davis Polen at Spelman College in Atlanta and Adam Ahmad at the University of California, Berkeley, and NPR reporter Elissa Nadworny.
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Race To Immunize Tightens As Cases Rise; Promising Vaccine News Released Mar 31, 2021

Scientists are growing concerned the U.S. may be headed for a fourth wave. COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly, mirroring an increase in many countries around the world.
Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage tells NPR he's worried another surge in the U.S. will fuel the spread of the variant known as B.1.1.7.
In the meantime, there's new evidence that vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are effective at preventing viral spread — and that they produce "robust" antibody response in children ages 12-15. NPR's Joe Palca has more.
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Inside The Opening Days Of The Derek Chauvin Trial — And The Trauma It's Resurfacing Mar 30, 2021

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's trial began this week. He's accused of murdering Minneapolis resident George Floyd in May of 2020, when Chauvin was recorded kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes.
NPR's Adrian Florido has been covering the trial and reports from Minneapolis.
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4 Countries Dominate Doses As Pressure Grows For Global Vaccine Solutions Mar 29, 2021

More than half of worldwide vaccine doses have been administered in just four countries — India, China, the U.K. and the U.S. That kind of inequity will "extend the pandemic, globally," says Tom Bollyky, director of the Global Health program at the Council on Foreign Relations.
NPR's Tamara Keith reports on the growing pressure for the Biden administration to step up its vaccine diplomacy.
NPR's Lauren Frayer tours the largest vaccine factory in the world's top vaccine producing-country, India — a country poised for an even bigger role in global vaccine distribution. You can see photos and more from her report on the Serum Institute of India here.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Jason Beaubien.
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First-In-The-Nation Effort Advances Debate Over What Form Reparations Should Take Mar 26, 2021

The city of Evanston, Ill., authorized spending on a reparation program this week — believed to be the first of its kind in the country. Here's the report on Evanston's racial history we mention in this episode.
Alderwoman Cecily Fleming — an African American resident of Evanston — tells NPR why she voted against the plan.
And Dreisen Heath, researcher at the Human Rights Watch, argues that reparations can take many forms.
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One's Antifa. One's In A Militia. How An Ancestry Match Led To An Unlikely Bond Mar 25, 2021

Two distant cousins connect online, only to learn that one is a militant leftist and the other is in a right-wing militia. Their story shows the complexities of a timely question: Who's an extremist?
NPR's Hannah Allam followed both men for weeks, charting the growth of their relationship and revealing the moment they met in-person for the first time. NPR is withholding their last name, which the two men share, for security reasons.
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Colorado Shooting Reveals Limits Of State Gun Control — And Steels Activists For More Mar 24, 2021

Colorado has universal background checks, a red flag law and the city of Boulder recently passed an assault weapons ban. None of it was enough to stop a man from shooting and killing 10 people at a Boulder grocery store this week.
State Rep. Tom Sullivan, whose son was killed in the 2012 Aurora movie theatre shooting, reacts to the events of this week — and tells NPR why he still believes incremental action at the state level can help prevent gun violence.
Additional editing help in this episode from Bente Birkeland of Colorado Public Radio.
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President Biden's Next Big-Ticket Item: A Transformational Infrastructure Plan Mar 23, 2021

America's infrastructure GPA is a C-minus, according to the American Society Of Civil Engineers, which this month called for massive investment in the nation's roads, bridges and transit system.
The Biden administration is preparing to propose that kind of investment — along with green energy policies and progressive programs that would total more than $3 trillion. NPR's Mara Liasson reports on the plan, which Biden has signaled he wants to pass with Republican support.
That's just one political balancing act Biden will have to negotiate. Another is with a key part of his political coalition: labor unions. NPR's Don Gonyea explains.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's David Schaper.
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Coronavirus Cases Are Surging In Europe. Why The U.S. Is In Better Shape — For Now Mar 22, 2021

In Europe, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been slow. The U.S. is doing better — vaccinating as many as 3 million people per day this past weekend.
Some of those people were vaccinated by Chichi Ilonzo Momah, who runs Springfield Pharmacy in Springfield, Pa. Momah says local independent pharmacists are trying to make sure no one falls through the cracks.
The rollout is also progressing thanks in part to military personnel stationed at vaccine sites around the country that are run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. WUSF's Stephanie Colombini visited one site in Tampa.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Allison Aubrey.
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BONUS: Sohla El-Waylly on Race, Food and 'Bon Appétit' Mar 21, 2021

Sohla El-Waylly was one of the most vocal critics of her previous employer, Bon Appétit, and eventually resigned after the magazine's racial reckoning.She's now a columnist at Food52 and star of the YouTube series Off-Script with Sohla. She and Sam talk about racism in the food media industry (and everywhere else), The Cheesecake Factory, and certain kinds of mushrooms.
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Are We Ready For The Next One? The Striking Pandemic Warnings That Were Ignored Mar 19, 2021

Dante Disparte, founder and chairman of Risk Cooperative and member of FEMA's National Advisory Council, explains how lessons from last year can help us in the next pandemic — and why warnings from former Presidents Bush and Obama were not enough to prepare the U.S. for the coronavirus.
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Georgia Shooting: The Latest In A Year Of Trauma And Terror For Asian Americans Mar 18, 2021

Reports of hate incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islanders have skyrocketed in the past year, coinciding with former President Trump's racist rhetoric.
The pattern is clear: Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are being terrorized by harassment and violence. State representative Bee Nguyen tells NPR the shootings in Atlanta this week have rattled the Asian-American community in Georgia.
New York Congresswoman Grace Meng outlines a bill she's introduced to help address the issue.
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Pregnant In A Pandemic: 'COVID Couldn't Rob Us Of Everything' Mar 17, 2021

Three women come together to talk about the isolation and sacrifice that comes with being pregnant during the pandemic.
Those women: Irène Mathieu, a pediatrician in Charlottesville, Virginia; Elizabeth Baron, a mental health counselor in New York City; and Ashley Falcon, a fashion stylist who moved from Florida to New York in the early stages of the pandemic.
Economist Hannes Schwandt predicts the pandemic will coincide with a drop in birth rates.
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What's Behind The Increase In Migrant Children At The Southern Border Mar 16, 2021

Thousands of unaccompanied migrant children have shown up at the southern border in recent weeks, overwhelming the government's ability to process and transfer them into the custody of sponsors or family members.
Melissa Lopez, director of Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services Inc, tells NPR what the situations looks like from her vantage point in El Paso.
Mark Greenberg, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, explains why COVID-19 protocols are making it even harder for the government to handle the increase in migrants at the border.
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Young And Radicalized Online: A Familiar Pattern In Capitol Siege Suspects Mar 15, 2021

People who stormed the Capitol were radicalized by what they consumed online and in social media. That should sound familiar: Ten years ago, ISIS used a similar strategy to lure Americans to Syria.
Dina Temple-Raston reports on the pattern of radicalization. Tom Dreisbach explores familiar warning signs in the past of one Capitol siege suspect — including hateful speech and violent rhetoric.
More reporting from the NPR Investigations team is here.
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BONUS: Rapper Mac Phipps, After 20 Years In Prison, Is One Step Closer To Freedom Mar 15, 2021

In this episode from NPR's Louder Than A Riot, New Orleans rapper Mac Phipps speaks exclusively to NPR about the power dynamics at play throughout his clemency hearing, and hosts Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael examine how his hip-hop career continues to affect his image in the eyes of the law.
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Breonna Taylor Was Killed By Police 1 Year Ago. What's Changed Since Then? Mar 12, 2021

It's been one year since Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by police in her own apartment. In that year, Taylor's namehas become a national symbol in the fight against racial injustice and police violence. But beyond the symbolism, many feel that actual progress has been disappointing.
In Louisville, Taylor's death has made other young Black women reflect on their own safety. Reporter Jess Clark of member station WFPL spoke to Black high school students who say Taylor's death changed the way they look at police.
Amid the national protests against police brutality and systemic racism, Kentucky State Rep. Attica Scott marched with her daughter. A year later and Scott has introduced legislation in Taylor's name that would ban no-knock search warrants, among other things. Scott spoke with NPR about what change she has seen in the last year.
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The Pandemic Is Still Global. Here's How Vaccination Is Going In Other Countries Mar 11, 2021

Less than 4% of Brazil's population has been vaccinated, and now a dangerous new variant has overwhelmed parts of the country's health care system.
Duke University's Miguel Nicolelis tells NPR what it's like in Sao Paulo, where hospitals are turning patients away.
Other countries are also struggling to contain the coronavirus, combat disinformation, and distribute vaccines. NPR international correspondents survey the obstacles: Diaa Hadid in Islamabad, Ruth Sherlock in Beirut and Julie McCarthy, who covers the Philippines.
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The Day Everything Changed: Fauci, Collins Reflect On 1 Year Of The Pandemic Mar 10, 2021

March 11 will mark one year since the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic — when schools, businesses and workplaces began shutting down.
To mark the moment, two of the nation's top public health officials who have helped lead the U.S. response to the pandemic — Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Francis Collins — spoke to NPR about what they've learned, what they regret and why they're hopeful about the year ahead. Hear their full interview with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.
Collins is the Director of the National Institutes of Health and Fauci is the chief medical adviser to President Biden.
And NPR's Brianna Scott reports on how some Americans remember March 11.
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George Floyd Case: Trial Of Former Police Officer Derek Chauvin Underway Mar 09, 2021

Jury selection in the highly anticipated trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin began Tuesday after being delayed amid an effort to gain clarity on the potential of a third-degree murder charge. Chauvin faces charges in the killing of George Floyd last Memorial Day.
Jamiles Lartey, who reports on criminal justice and policing for The Marshall Project, explains the delay.
NPR's Leila Fadel and Adrian Florido have been covering the trial in Minneapolis.
Benjamin Crump, the attorney representing the family of George Floyd, argues that civil suits could deter police violence — even if settlements aren't accompanied by a criminal conviction.
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COVID-19 Relief And Cash Payments Near; CDC Says Vaccinated Can Gather Without Masks Mar 08, 2021

Over the weekend, the Senate approved a version of President Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, setting up a vote in the House that could send the package to Biden's desk as early as Tuesday.
The package contains direct cash payments for many Americans, extended unemployment benefits, billions of dollars for vaccine distribution and a significant change to the child tax credit that could lift millions of American children out of poverty. Indi Dutta-Gupta of the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality explains how the credit would work.
And there's new guidance for Americans who've been fully vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say vaccinated people can feel safe enjoying a few pre-pandemic freedoms. NPR's Allison Aubrey has details. Here's more information on the new CDC recommendations.
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BONUS: 'It's OK That We're Alive' Mar 07, 2021

What do you do after you've survived a mass shooting? In this episode of NPR's Embedded podcast, we hear the staff at the Capital Gazette newspaper return to work after losing five of their colleagues.
Trauma reveals itself in unexpected ways, coworkers struggle to figure out how they fit together as a team, and the staff grapples with the question: Is the newspaper that existed before the shooting the same one that exists after?
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Colombia Welcomes Venezuelan Refugees With Open Arms: Will The U.S. Do The Same? Mar 05, 2021

Colombian President Iván Duque won praise from the United Nations, Pope Francis and the Biden administration with his recent announcement that Colombia would welcome Venezuelan refugees with open arms — providing protected status, work permits and legal residency for up to 10 years.
President Duque tells NPR why he's hopeful the move will spur the U.S. toward more aggressive support of Venezuelan migrants, some of whom are currently protected by a deferred deportation order signed by President Trump on his final day in office.
Reporter John Otis explains what Colombia's new policy means to Venezuelans already living there.
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Pandemic Inflection Point: Drop In Cases Stalls, States Loosen Public Health Measures Mar 04, 2021

In the U.S., the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is improving every day, but hundreds of millions of people are still vulnerable. And now, with some states relaxing or eliminating public health measures altogether, many people live in places where the virus will be freer to spread unchecked.
KUT reporter Ashley Lopez reports on how business owners and employees are reacting to the rollback of COVID-19 restrictions in Texas.
And Rochelle Walensky, the new director for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, tells NPR this could be a turning point in the pandemic — as more states face crucial decisions about whether to relax public health measures. Here's more from Walensky's interview with NPR's Ari Shapiro.
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Stacey Abrams On The Continuing Fight For Voter Access Mar 03, 2021

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week about voting laws in Arizona that would make ballot access harder for people living in rural areas like the Navajo Nation. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the conservative court isn't likely to strike down the laws which could pave the way for more legislation that cuts into future election turnout.
The push for legislation that would restrict voter access comes primarily from Republican lawmakers in state houses across the country. This is despite the fact that many GOP candidates benefited from record turnout last November.
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with voting activist Stacey Abrams about her role in turning Georgia blue during the last election and the challenges that new legislation may pose for the future.
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The Growing Threat Of Disinformation And How To 'Deprogram' People Who Believe It Mar 02, 2021

Disinformation isn't new. But in the last decade, the growth of social media has made it easier than ever to spread. That coincided with the political rise of Donald Trump, who rose to power on a wave of disinformation and exited the White House in similar fashion.
NPR's Tovia Smith reports on the growing threat of disinformation — and how expert deprogrammers work with people who believe it.
Other reporting on disinformation in this episode comes from NPR correspondents Joel Rose and Sarah McCammon.
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Post-Trump, New U.S. Intel Chief Seeks To Rebuild Trust — And Fight Domestic Terror Mar 01, 2021

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines has taken over after a turbulent time. Former President Donald Trump was frequently at odds with the American intelligence community, including some of his hand-picked intel chiefs.
In her first interview after a month on the job, Haines tells NPR's Mary Louise Kelly "it has been a challenging time" for the U.S. intel community.
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BONUS: The Man Behind the March on Washington Feb 28, 2021

Bayard Rustin, the man behind the March on Washington, was one of the most consequential architects of the civil rights movement you may never have heard of. Rustin imagined how nonviolent civil resistance could be used to dismantle segregation in the United States. He organized around the idea for years and eventually introduced it to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But his identity as a gay man made him a target, obscured his rightful status and made him feel forced to choose, again and again, which aspect of his identity was most important.
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America's Next Generation Of Legal Marijuana: New State Laws Focus On Racial Equity Feb 26, 2021

It's been almost a decade since Washington and Colorado became the first states in America to legalize recreational marijuana. Now a new generation of states are wrestling with how to do it with a focus on racial equity that was missing from early legalization efforts.
WBEZ reporter Mariah Woelfel reports from Chicago on why legalization plans in Illinois are still leaving Black businesses behind.
VPM reporters Ben Paviour and Whittney Evans explain how lawmakers in Virginia are designing new marijuana legislation with equity in mind.
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The Challenge To Stop The Next Outbreak Of Homegrown, Extremist Violence In The U.S. Feb 25, 2021

Just because the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is done, it doesn't mean the story of what happened on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol is over.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to set up a commission, similar to the one created after the Sept. 11 attacks, to investigate what happened that day and what measures might prevent a future attack. That's not so easy in this moment, when Congress is often gridlocked over the most basic things. And when lawmakers themselves are also witnesses to the attack — and make partisan arguments about what motivated the Trump extremists who were involved.
NPR national security correspondent Hannah Allam was at the Capitol the day it was attacked. She shares how her beat and coverage of domestic extremism has changed over the years, from when she was a teenager living in Oklahoma City during the 1995 bombing to present day. You can follow more of her work here.
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America's Energy Future: How Gas Companies Are Fighting To Block Climate Rules Feb 24, 2021

Natural gas utilities face a bleak future in a world increasingly concerned about climate change. An NPR investigation shows how they work to block local climate action and protect their business.
More from NPR's Jeff Brady and Dan Charles: As Cities Grapple With Climate Change, Gas Utilities Fight To Stay In Business. Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Nathan Rott.
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Optimism About Case Rates, Vaccines, And Future Of The Pandemic Feb 23, 2021

After more than 500,000 deaths and nearly a full year, experts say there are a growing number of reasons to be optimistic about the direction of the pandemic. Cases, hospitalizations and deaths have all fallen dramatically in recent weeks.
Among those falling numbers, a vaccine from Johnson & Johnson that may be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration this week. Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University explains why the shot is just as desirable as already-authorized vaccines from Pzifer and Moderna.
Here's NPR's tool for how to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccination in your state.
The Biden administration has promised to ramp up vaccination efforts even more as soon as Congress authorizes more money to do so. NPR congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell has an update on the $1.9 trillion rescue package speeding through the House.
Additional reporting on the drop in COVID-19 case rates in this episode came from NPR's Allison Aubrey and Will Stone.
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Update On A Movement: How 'Defunding Police' Is Playing Out In Austin, Texas Feb 22, 2021

Last summer, the city of Austin, Texas, slashed the budget for its police department. More recently, the city council voted on a new way to spend some of that money. KUT reporter Audrey McGlinchy explains what other changes have taken place in Austin.
A powerful new player is joining calls for reparations for Black Americans: the American Civil Liberties Union. Civil rights attorney Deborah Archer — the ACLU's newly elected board president and the first Black person to assume that role — explains the organization's new stance.
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BONUS: Why 500,000 COVID-19 Deaths May Not Feel Any Different Feb 21, 2021

Why is it so hard to feel the difference between 400,000 and 500,000 COVID-19 deaths — and how might that impact our decision making during the pandemic?
In this bonus episode from NPR's daily science podcast Short Wave, psychologist Paul Slovic explains the concept of psychic numbing and how humans can often use emotion, rather than statistics to make decisions about risk.
To hear more about new discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines, listen to Short Wave via Apple or Spotify.
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Memorializing The Deaths Of More Than 500,000 Americans Lost To COVID-19 Feb 19, 2021

The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 is on track to pass a number next week that once seemed unthinkable: Half a million people in this country dead from the coronavirus.
And while the pandemic isn't over yet, and the death toll keeps climbing, artists in every medium have already been thinking about how our country will pay tribute to those we lost.
Poets, muralists, and architects all have visions of what a COVID-19 memorial could be. Many of these ideas are about more than just honoring those we've lost to the pandemic. Artists are also thinking about the conditions in society that brought us here.
Tracy K. Smith, a former U.S. poet laureate, has already written one poem honoring transit workers in New York who died of the disease. Smith says she wants to see a COVID-19 memorial that has a broader mission, that it needs to invite people in to bridge a divide.
Paul Farber runs Monument Lab, an organization that works with cities and states that want to build new monuments. He says he wants to see a COVID-19 monument that is collective experience and evolves over time. He also wants it to serve as a bridge to understanding.
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Texas Is Defined By Energy. How Did The State's Power Grid Fail So Massively? Feb 18, 2021

Millions of people in Texas have gone three or more days without power, water or both. Texas has had winter weather before, so what went so wrong this time?
Reporter Mose Buchele of NPR member station KUT in Austin explains why the state's power grid buckled under demand in the storm. And Marshall Shepherd, director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at the University of Georgia, explains the link between more extreme winter weather and climate change.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Camila Domonoske, who reported on the Texas power grid, Ashley Lopez of KUT, Laura Isensee of Houston Public Media, and Dominic Anthony Walsh of Texas Public Radio.
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Impeachment Fallout At Home And Abroad: GOP Fractured, America 'Tarnished' Feb 17, 2021

After the Senate vote failed to convict former President Donald Trump, a clearer picture of the political consequences is emerging — both for the Republican party and for the United States on the world stage.
NPR's Don Gonyea reports on Republican infighting the national, state and local level.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken tells NPR that the events of Jan. 6 have came up in conversations he's had with diplomatic counterparts around the world. Read more of Blinken's wide-ranging interview with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly here.
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The Intensifying Race Between Coronavirus Variants And Vaccines Feb 16, 2021

There's evidence of at least seven U.S. variants of the coronavirus, while another that emerged from the U.K. is poised to become the dominant strain here by the end of March. One adviser from the Food and Drug Administration tells NPR there's a tipping point to watch for: when a fully vaccinated person winds up hospitalized with a coronavirus variant.
NPR science correspondent Richard Harris reports on concerns that COVID-19 vaccines themselves could cause the virus to mutate.
NPR science reporter Michaeleen Doucleff explains why the story of one COVID-19 patient may hold clues to how variants develop in the first place. For a deeper dive on variants, listen to Michaeleen's recent episode of NPR's Short Wave on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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Asylum-Seekers Are Being Unlawfully Shut Out During The Pandemic Feb 15, 2021

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, says more than 60 countries around the world are using COVID-19 as an excuse to skirt international law by closing borders and ports to asylum-seekers. That has contributed to an increase in delayed rescues and unlawful expulsions of refugees to dangerous places.
NPR's Joanna Kakissis tells the story of one teenage survivor.
And NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports on a doomed journey of Lebanese refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean sea — where over 1,000 migrants died in 2020.
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Q & A: Expert Advice On Love, Dating, And Pandemic Relationships Feb 12, 2021

We asked for your questions on navigating love and dating during the pandemic. Therapist and sexologist Lexx Brown-James has answers. She's joined by Sam Sanders, host of NPR's news and pop culture show, It's Been A Minute. Listen via Apple or Spotify.
And University of Georgia social scientist Dr. Richard Slatcher shares some findings from his global research project, Love In The Time Of COVID.
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Scenes From A Pandemic Economy: 4 American Indicators Feb 11, 2021

The pandemic economy has left different people in vastly different situations. Today, we introduce four American indicators — people whose paths will help us understand the arc of the recovery. Hear their stories now, and we'll follow up with them in a few months:
Brooke Neubauer in Nevada, founder of The Just One Project; Lisa Winton of the Winton Machine Company in Georgia; Lee Camp with Arch City Defenders in Missouri; and New Jersey-based hotel owner Bhavish Patel.
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Public School Teachers Weigh In On Vaccines, Masks And Returning To The Classroom Feb 10, 2021

The Biden administration has set a goal: a majority of public schools open "at least one day a week" by the 100th day of his presidency. But it's possible the country is already there — and decisions about when to reopen largely fall to cities and school districts, where administrators and teachers sometimes don't see eye-to-eye.
Students are losing a lot of academic ground the longer their schooling is disrupted. Maine Public Radio's Robbie Feinberg reports on how one rural district is trying to reach students who haven't been showing up for online classes.
This week, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to release new guidelines about how schools can reopen safely, three public school teachers weigh in: Mike Reinholdt of Davenport, Iowa; Maxie Hollingsworth of Houston, Texas; and Pam Gaddy of Baltimore, Md.
For more education coverage, follow NPR's Anya Kamentez on Twitter, and check out her recent story "Keep Schools Open All Summer, And Other Bold Ideas To Help Kids Catch Up."
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What Donald Trump's Impeachment Means The 2nd Time Around Feb 09, 2021

In the weeks after Jan. 6. insurrection, even top Republicans like Mitch McConnell said Donald Trump provoked the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, leaving five people dead.
But it appears unlikely enough Republican Senators will find that he bears enough responsibility to warrant conviction in his second impeachment trial — which could prevent him from ever holding office again.
Charlie Sykes, founder and editor at large of the conservative site The Bulwark, argues that Republicans are failing to hold themselves accountable.
NPR's Melissa Block reports on the future of Trump's "big lie" about the results of the 2020 election.
For more impeachment coverage, listen to the NPR Politics Podcast via Apple or Spotify.
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Who's Getting Vaccinated And Who Isn't: NPR Analysis Finds Stark Racial Divide Feb 08, 2021

Using data from several states that have published their own maps and lists of where vaccination sites are located, NPR identified disparities in the locations of COVID-19 vaccination sites in major cities across the Southern U.S. — with most sites placed in whiter neighborhoods.
KUT's Ashley Lopez, Shalina Chatlani of NPR's Gulf States Newsroom, and NPR's Sean McMinn explain their findings. Read more here.
Also in this episode: how one county in Washington state is trying to make vaccine distribution more equitable. Will Stone reports.
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BONUS: Biden Promises To Grapple With Environmental Racism Feb 07, 2021

People of color experience more air and water pollution than white people and suffer the health impacts. The federal government helped create the problem, and has largely failed to fix it.
In this episode of Short Wave, NPR climate reporter Rebecca Hersher talks about the history of environmental racism in the United States, and what Biden's administration can do to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Read Rebecca's reporting on how Biden hopes to address the environmental impacts of systemic racism.
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BONUS: The Lasting Power Of Whitney Houston's National Anthem Feb 06, 2021

Why does Whitney Houston's 1991 Super Bowl national anthem still resonate 30 years later? In this episode of NPR's It's Been A Minute, host Sam Sanders chats with author Danyel Smith about that moment of Black history and what it says about race, patriotism and pop culture.
Smith wrote about the significance of that national anthem performance back in 2016 for ESPN.
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Live Performance, The Pandemic And The Domino Effect Of Dark Stages Feb 05, 2021

The pandemic leveled live performance, and the industry is last in line for a return to normal.
Musician Zoe Keating and production designer Terry Morgan describe how their work has changed with live venues nationwide shuttered for nearly a year.
Venue owner Danya Frank of First Avenue and Jim Ritts of the Paramount Theatre explain why the gears of the performing arts economy are not designed for a slow return to normalcy.
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Life On Minimum Wage: Why The Federal Debate Continues Feb 04, 2021

Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour is one of President Biden's priorities with the newest COVID-19 relief package. But Republicans say it will hurt small businesses too much and some swing voting Democrats are hesitant too.
The history of the minimum wage in the U.S. is tied closely to civil rights. Ellora Derenoncourt, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, says one theme of the 1963 March on Washington was a call for a higher minimum wage.
Many states have a higher minimum wage than the federally mandated $7.25. Arindrajit Dube from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst discusses how those states have fared.
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Third Vaccine On The Way, Fauci Hails 'Spectacular Results' Feb 03, 2021

A third COVID-19 vaccine could receive emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration this month. The vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson is 66% effective in preventing moderate to severe disease, according to a global study.
Combined with the two vaccines currently in circulation, the U.S. could have three vaccines that are all highly effective at preventing death or hospitalization due to COVID-19.
Despite that promising news, NPR's Richard Harris reports on why the journey to herd immunity still won't be easy.
And Rae Ellen Bichelle goes inside a Colorado long-term care facility that has vaccinated nearly all of its residents. They say the initial steps to a return to normalcy feel great.
Additional reporting in this episode on the spread of coronavirus variants from NPR's Allison Aubrey.
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Myanmar Explained: How A Coup Followed Unproven Allegations Of Voter Fraud Feb 02, 2021

For months, Myanmar's military party has claimed — without evidence — that its poor performance in the country's November parliamentary elections was the result of voter fraud. This week, when the new Parliament was scheduled to convene, the military launched a coup, detaining top civilian officials including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
Michael Sullivan reports from Thailand on the uncertainty over what happens next. Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria explains why the coup represents a test for the Biden administration. Zakaria is the author of Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World.

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After Biden's First Actions On Climate Change, How Much More Can He Do Alone? Feb 01, 2021

This past week, President Biden signed executive orders that represent his administration's first actions in the fight against climate change. Some changes will take longer than others — and many more will not be possible without help from Congress.
Correspondent Lauren Sommer of NPR's climate team explains the likelihood of that happening — and what Biden could do if it doesn't.
NPR's Kirk Siegler reports from Wyoming on Biden's ban on federal oil and gas leasing. Most of the oil and gas drilled in Wyoming comes from federal land and communities there are bracing for job losses and school funding cuts.
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BONUS: Can't Stop GameStop Jan 30, 2021

In 2019, GameStop seemed to be just another failing brick-and-mortar business. But a couple of internet dwellers at Wall Street Bets, in a strange corner of the giant forum, reddit, thought the hedge funds were making a mistake.
On this episode of NPR's Planet Money: how a standoff between big market movers and an irreverent community of anonymous traders erupted into an epic showdown that is changing the way people think about power on Wall Street.
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What Lessons Should News Organizations Learn From Trump's Presidency? Jan 29, 2021

There's is a reckoning happening across the media. Major news organizations are reconsidering what they cover and how. The Trump presidency is one big reason for the self-examination. But this new scrutiny goes beyond politics — beyond Washington, D.C.
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How Trumpism Led To An Ideological War Over Voice Of America Jan 28, 2021

In its very first broadcast, the U.S.-government-run service called Voice of America pledged honesty.
"The news may be good and it may be bad. We shall tell you the truth."
The idea was to model a free press, especially for audiences in places that might not have one. Places where political parties and governments might pressure or intimidate journalists.
But over the past seven months, Voice of America and its federal parent organization, U.S. Agency for Global Media, have been caught in an ideological war. Employees say agency CEO Michael Pack, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, obsessed over staff loyalty and embraced conspiracy theories.
NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik talked to more than 60 current and former staffers. He's put together a comprehensive picture of Pack's radical tenure.
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Biden Administration: 'It Will Be Months' Before Widespread Vaccine Availability Jan 27, 2021

President Biden said Tuesday that the federal government's vaccine distribution program is "in worse shape than we anticipated." His administration's coronavirus response team held its first public briefing on Wednesday where officials detailed plans to increase vaccine supply and capacity, but also said it will be months before anyone who wants a vaccine can get one.
The lack of supply has led to different challenges in different areas of the country. NPR gathered three reporters to learn more: Blake Farmer with Nashville Public Radio, Amelia Templeton with Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Veronica Zaragovia with WLRN in Miami.
Additional reporting this episode from Georgia Public Broadcasting's Grant Blankenskip, who reported on efforts by Georgia residents to get a vaccine.
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Deplatforming: Not A First Amendment Issue, But Still A Tough Call For Big Tech Jan 26, 2021

Removing disinformation — and users who spread it — can come at a cost for web hosts and social media platforms. But studies indicate "deplatforming" does stem the flow of disinformation.
Kate Starbird with the University of Washington explains why it's easier to see the effects of deplatforming in the short-term. And NPR's Shannon Bond looks at how one growing social media site is dealing with new attention and new challenges.
Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Bobby Allyn, who's reported on the removal of Parler by Amazon Web Services.
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'We Have To Stop Rewarding Obstruction:' Will Democrats Nuke The Filibuster? Jan 25, 2021

Adam Jentleson knows firsthand how powerful a tool the filibuster can be — and what's possible without it. He was deputy chief of staff to former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who was majority leader in 2013 when Democrats exercised "the nuclear option," eliminating the filibuster for presidential appointees.
Now, Jentleson and a growing number of Democrats argue Senate leaders should eliminate the filibuster for legislation, which would enable Democrats to pass major legislation with a simple Senate majority, instead of the current 60-vote threshold. Jentleson lays out his argument in a recent book, Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy.
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BONUS: Breathe Jan 24, 2021

Breathing is essential to life. And lately, the safety of the air we inhale, or the need to pause and take a deep breath, is on our minds a lot. In this episode of NPR's TED Radio Hour, we explore the power of breath.
Guests include former world champion freediver Tanya Streeter, journalist Beth Gardiner, activist Yvette Arellano, paleontologist Emma Schachner, scent historian Caro Verbeek and mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe.
Listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts, including NPR One, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts and Spotify.
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'Battlefield Medicine' In Los Angeles ICU As Biden Launches 'Wartime Effort' Jan 22, 2021

More than 400,000 Americans have been killed by the coronavirus. That's more Americans than were killed in all of World War II, President Biden pointed out this week. He calls his new plan to fight the pandemic a "wartime effort."
That effort begins with taking charge of a bottlenecked vaccine rollout. NPR pharmaceutical correspondent Sydney Lupkin reports on several factors that are slowing the process down. And NPR's Yuki Noguchi explores why it may take some time for pharmacies to become major vaccine distribution sites.
The need for more vaccine is a national story, but the wait is especially excruciating in Los Angeles. NPR's Leila Fadel visited one hospital pushed to the brink, where doctors compare their work to "battlefield medicine."
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How President Biden's Immigration Plan Would Undo Trump's Signature Policies Jan 21, 2021

President Biden followed through on a day-one promise to send a massive immigration reform bill to Congress. Now the hard part: passing that bill into law.
Muzaffar Chishti of New York University's Migration Policy Institute explains the president's plans — and the signal they send to other countries around the world.

Biden is also pursuing big changes in how the U.S. admits refugees. Corine Dehabey, an Ohio-based director of the refugee settlement organization Us Together, says families who've been separated for years are looking forward to reuniting.
Follow more of NPR's immigration coverage from Southwest correspondent John Burnett.
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President Biden Hails 'Democracy's Day' In Unprecedented Transfer Of Power Jan 20, 2021

"Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew," President Biden said in his inaugural address on Wednesday. "And America has risen to the challenge."
Outgoing Vice President Pence was present for the inauguration of the 46th president. President Trump was not. He left the White House in the morning after an overnight issuance of commutations and pardons — including for Steve Bannon, his former adviser who was arrested on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
NPR's Franco Ordonez reports on what President Biden did during his first day in office.
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The 46th President: How Tragedy And Resilience Prepared Joe Biden To Meet A Moment Jan 19, 2021

When Joe Biden takes the oath of office at noon ET on Wednesday, he will become the oldest president to ever hold the office. His journey to the White House spans nearly half a century in public life.
New Yorker writer Evan Osnos has written a book about that journey called Joe Biden: The Life, The Run, And What Matters Now. He explains how Biden's deep "acquaintance with suffering" prepared him to meet the country at a moment of grief and loss.
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1 Year, 400,000 Dead: What Could Change This Week About America's Pandemic Response Jan 18, 2021

President-elect Joe Biden has outlined a plan to administer 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in his administration's first 100 days. But before that he'll have to convince Congress to pay for it.
NPR White House correspondent Scott Detrow spoke to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris about that, and her reaction to the siege at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Listen to more of their interview on the NPR Politics Podcast on Apple or Spotify.
It's been almost a full year since the first case of coronavirus was detected on Jan. 20, 2019 in Washington state. NPR science correspondent Allison Aubrey looks back at what lessons the U.S. has learned — and what lessons we're still learning.
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BONUS: Inside The Capitol Siege Jan 16, 2021

In this episode from the team at NPR's Embedded, hear the stories of two NPR teams that spent January 6th on the grounds of the Capitol — and stories from a lawmaker, photographer, and police officer who were inside the building.
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Their Family Members Are QAnon Followers — And They're At A Loss What To Do About It Jan 15, 2021

The QAnon conspiracy theory originated in 2017, when an anonymous online figure, "Q" started posting on right-wing message boards. Q claims to have top secret government clearance. Q's stories range from false notions about COVID-19 to a cabal running the U.S. government to the claim there's a secret world of satanic pedophiles. This culminates in the belief that President Trump is a kind of savior figure.
Today, U.S. authorities are increasingly regarding QAnon as a domestic terror threat — especially following last week's insurrection at the Capitol. But the people in the best position to address that threat are the families of Q followers — and they're at a loss about how to do it.
Some of those family members spoke with us about how their family members started following QAnon and how that has affected their relationships.
Travis View researches right-wing conspiracies and hosts the podcast QAnon Anonymous. He explains how the QAnon story is not all that different from digital marketing tactics, and how followers become detached from reality.
Dannagal Young is an associate professor of communications at the University of Delaware and studies why people latch onto political conspiracy theories. She share some ways to help family members who are seemingly lost down one of these conspiracy rabbit holes.
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House Votes To Impeach, All Eyes On McConnell Amid Concerns About More Violence Jan 13, 2021

House Democrats — joined by 10 Republicans — voted to impeach President Trump on Wednesday. Now the process moves to the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he hasn't made a final decision — and that he'll listen to the legal arguments presented in the Senate. GOP strategist Scott Jennings, who is familiar with McConnell's thinking, spoke to NPR about why that might be.
No matter what McConnell does, Trump will not be president by this time next week. But between now and then, there are growing concerns about more violence in Washington, D.C., and in cities around the country, as NPR's Greg Allen has reported.
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Extremists Face Charges As House Moves Toward Impeachment Jan 12, 2021

California Rep. Adam Schiff, who led House Democrats in their first effort to impeach President Trump, tells NPR what they are hoping to achieve in doing it a second time. He spoke to NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.
And while a debate about the consequences for Trump plays out on Capitol Hill, his supporters are facing consequences of their own in federal court.
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America's Vaccine Plan: What's Working — And What Isn't Jan 11, 2021

More than 25 million vaccines have been distributed by the federal government, but only slightly more than one-third of those have made it into peoples' arms. Vaccine mega-sites are opening in major cities around the country as local officials try to speed up vaccination.
There's also been pressure to expand the groups of people who are eligible for the vaccines. From Nashville, WPLN's Blake Farmer reports on how that pressure is often forcing those who administer the shots will to take people's word for it on whether they qualify.
One state is doing better than every other when it comes to giving shots: West Virginia. NPR's Yuki Noguchi explains why.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin, who's looked into how to improve America's vaccine rollout.
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Race And The Capitol Riot: An American Story We've Heard Before Jan 08, 2021

In 1898, white supremacists in Wilmington, N.C., led what is known as the only successful coup ever to take place on American soil. They overthrew the government because Black leaders there had recently been elected by Black voters, explains Vann Newkirk, who wrote about that day for The Atlantic.
In some important ways, the attack on the U.S. Capitol this week was also about race.
NPR's Audie Cornish speaks to Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, professor of African American studies at Princeton. Vann Newkirk spoke to producer Brianna Scott.
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GOP Faces Trump Reckoning: 'If You Play With Matches, You Will Get Burned' Jan 07, 2021

On Wednesday, in the nation's capital, a mob was incited to violence by the president of the United States. In the years that led up to that moment, many Republicans supported Trump. Now, where does their party go from here?
NPR's Ailsa Chang puts that question to two Capitol Hill veterans: Michael Steel, a longtime aid to former Republican House Speaker John Boehner; and Antonia Ferrier, a former longtime staffer to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
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Trump Supporters Storm U.S. Capitol, Halting Final Count Of Biden Votes Jan 06, 2021

A joint session of Congress to formally affirm the results of the 2020 presidential election was just getting started on Wednesday when a group of Republicans from the House and the Senate went on record objecting to election results in swing states.
The first objection triggered a debate period with each chamber having hours to deliberate. But those sessions were halted as a mob of Pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol grounds and sent the entire complex into a lockdown.
For more on what happened in Washington, D.C., NPR's congressional correspondent Sue Davis, spoke to All Things Considered hosts Ailsa Chang and Mary Louise Kelly.
The bottom line: Joe Biden will be inaugurated in 14 days. And it looks like he'll take office with a Democratic-controlled Senate.
Rev. Raphael Warnock spoke with NPR's Noel King after defeating Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in one of Georgia's runoff elections, according to the Associated Press. Democrat Jon Ossoff defeated Republican Sen. David Perdue in the second Georgia Senate runoff, according to an AP race call.
It looks like what helped put the Democrats over the top was Black voter turnout. LaTosha Brown is co-founder of Black Voters Matter, a Georgia group that helped lead get-out-the-vote efforts there. She spoke with NPR about where the fight goes next.
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Why U.S. Vaccinations Started Slow And What We Know About The New Coronavirus Variant Jan 05, 2021

Initially, U.S. officials predicted that as many as 20 million Americans would be fully vaccinated before the end of 2020. And while that many vaccine doses were distributed, only a fraction of them have been administered.
The federal government has given states control over distribution plans which has led to different systems with differing levels of success. In one Florida county, Julie Glenn of member station WGCU reports on the haphazard vaccine rollout that has led elderly residents to camp out in tents to get their first shot.
As vaccinations lag behind schedule, a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus is spreading in many countries, including the U.S. The new variant isn't thought to be more deadly, and scientists believe the vaccines currently being administered will work against it. Additional good news is that masks and social distancing will still slow the spread of the new variant.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Allison Aubrey, who's reported on the slow start to vaccinations, and from NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff, who's reported on the new coronavirus variant. Reporting on the vaccine rollout at the state level came from Will Stone in Seattle, Nashville Public Radio's Blake Farmer, and WBUR's Martha Bebinger.
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All Eyes On Georgia: Senate Hangs In The Balance As Trump Tries To Steal Votes Jan 04, 2021

Georgia was already going to be the center of the political universe this week. Now, leaked audio of a phone call between President Trump and Georgia election officials raises new questions about how far he's willing to go to overturn an election he lost.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports on how it's all playing out in Georgia, where control of the U.S. Senate hangs in the balance. She speaks to Fulton County elections director Rick Barron and Emma Hurt of member station WABE.
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Advice For Making (And Succeeding At) Your New Year's Resolution Jan 01, 2021

Back in November, comedian Robyn Schall found an old list of her goals for 2020. She shared the list in a video that went viral — because it turned out a lot of people could relate to a year that didn't go as planned.
Gretchen Rubin and R. Eric Thomas have some advice on how to make 2021 a little better.
Rubin writes books about happiness and habits — her latest is Outer Order, Inner Calm — and she hosts the podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Thomas dispenses opinions and wisdom as a senior staff writer at elle.com. He's the author of the memoir Here For It.
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The Long Awaited Brexit Deal Is Finally Here Dec 31, 2020

After four and a half tumultuous years in British politics, Brexit is now becoming a reality.
NPR's London correspondent Frank Langfitt reports on mixed views about the new deal from a highway outside the Port of Dover along the English Channel, where truckers are trying to cross the border before rules change in the new year.
Anand Menon, director of the think tank UK In A Changing Europe, sees the new deal as a win, and says it help avoid further economic disruption.
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Congress Is Sending Relief But Many Cities And States Didn't Get What They Wanted Dec 30, 2020

While it took time for congress and President Trump to agree on the $900 billion pandemic relief bill, one thing has been certain for a while. Many mayors and governors did not get the money they requested.
Tracy Gordon, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, explains that while states will get funding for things like public education and vaccine distribution, what mayors and governors really want are unrestricted funds to spend how they'd like.
NPR's Ailsa Chang reports on how public transit has been hit especially hard during the pandemic. And scaled-back services, while saving some money, hurt passengers who rely on them.
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Contact Tracers Struggle to Keep Up As Coronavirus Cases Surge From Holiday Travel Dec 29, 2020

One in every thousand people has died of COVID-19 in the U.S. And California just passed 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases. This surge, likely from Thanksgiving travel, is making contact tracing efforts difficult across the country.
Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, says hospitals are being forced to treat COVID-19 patients in conference rooms and gift shops as beds fill up.
To help contain the spread, Brett Dahlberg reports that some health officials in Michigan are asking people to do their own contact tracing.
In New York City, WNYC's Fred Mogul found a contact tracer who is making home visits in an effort to alert people in at-risk categories.
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'Where Are We Going?' Inside The Deadly Decision to Evacuate An Entire Nursing Home Dec 28, 2020

On a crisp morning in late March, health care workers in yellow hazmat suits arrived at St. Joseph's Senior Home in Woodbridge, New Jersey.
They were responding to an outbreak of COVID-19 at the facility. But that response would make St. Joe's different than every other long-term facility in the state: it was the only such facility in New Jersey to be completely evacuated.
NPR Investigations correspondent Dina Temple-Raston has been digging into why that happened — and whether some residents of St. Joe's might still be alive if it hadn't. More from her reporting is here.
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BONUS: 12 Memorable Pop Culture Moments From 2020 Dec 27, 2020

At the end of every year, the hosts of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour like to look back on some of their favorite things from the last 12 months. In this episode, they revisit some of the TV, film and music that helped us make it through 2020.
Here's the full list:
1. Moira's wedding officiant outfit in the series finale of Schitt's Creek
2. Ted Lasso and the year in escapism
3. Uncle Clifford and Lil Murda in the season 1 finale of P-Valley
4. Michael Jordan watching interviews about him on an iPad in The Last Dance
5. Parasite winning best picture at this year's Oscars, portending the further rise of non-English-language powerhouses
6. The first 10 minutes of The Invisible Man
7. Kentucky Route Zero
8. "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)" from David Byrne's American Utopia
9. Fiona Apple chirping like a dolphin on "I Want You To Love Me"
10. Cassidy Diamond (played by Shalita Grant) in the third season of Search Party
11. "Uncle Naseem" (Season 2, Episode 9) of Ramy
12. The Good Place series finale
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How The Pandemic Is Reshaping Our Holiday Traditions Dec 25, 2020

Nothing could stop Christmas from coming. Not even a pandemic. But this year many of our holiday traditions look a bit different.
NPR business correspondent Alina Selyuk reports on how hand sanitizer and face masks have become popular stocking stuffers this year.
And we asked you to send in stories about how you're rethinking your celebrations as previous plans have been put on hold.
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Our Favorite Reads Of 2020 (And Hundreds More) Dec 24, 2020

Every Fall NPR asks our critics and staff to pick their favorite books from the past year. Those nominations - there's hundreds of them - are then sorted down to a semi-manageable number. This year is our largest list yet with 383 titles.
Click here to visit NPR's Book Concierge for 2020.
The hosts of Consider This all submitted their picks to the list. Here are some of their favorites:
Ari Shapiro recommends Susanna Clarke's novel Piranesi. A mythic story about a man who is disoriented and trapped in a mysterious sort of house.
Mary Louise Kelly has a suggestion great for a book club. Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnetexplores the connection between what was arguably William Shakespeare's greatest play, Hamlet, and the death of his only son four years before.
Ailsa Chang's pick is a good read for ages 10 and up. Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri takes you on a journey through myth, youth and cultural clash as a young boy and his family flee Iran and end up in Oklahoma.
Audie Cornish chose to share Just Us by poet Claudia Rankine. It's a collection of essays, photos, poems and conversations that Rankine has been having with friends and strangers about race.
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U.S. Secures More Vaccine Doses As Distribution Continues For Essential Workers Dec 23, 2020

Americans got some good news on Wednesday morning when the White House announced that it had secured another 100 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar released a statement afterward saying the U.S. will now have enough supply "to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021."
Even with these announcements questions remain on how exactly everyone will get vaccinated. States are having varying levels of success with the vaccine rollout process. Dr. Jose Romero, Arkansas health secretary and chair of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immunization advisory committee, discusses the success Arkansas has had with vaccine distribution and the lessons learned in the process.
In Seattle, NPR's Will Stone has been following vaccine distribution, including to health care workers who have been caring for COVID-19 patients for nearly a year.
One of the questions that remains as more people get vaccinated is should volunteers who got a placebo during the vaccine trials now be offered the real thing? NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Dr. Steven Goodman of Stanford School of Medicine who is advising the Food and Drug Administration about this.
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Congress Passes Relief Bill, But For Many Americans It Comes Too Late Dec 22, 2020

After seven months since the last coronavirus relief bill, Congress finally passed a new one on Monday. Neither Democrats or Republicans are completely happy with the $900 billion package, but it does provide some relief.
Included in the newest bill are extended unemployment benefits and $600 direct deposit payments to most Americans. But for many people who previously lost their jobs and livelihoods, this relief comes too late. NPR's Lauren Hodges reports on the millions of people who are have been in financial limbo since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
And the financial impacts of the pandemic have not been felt evenly. Women and communities of color are bearing the greatest burden. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly spoke with associate professor of economics Michelle Holder of John Jay college at City University of New York, about how industries like retail and hospitality have been disproportionately gutted and when they might return to pre-pandemic levels.
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The Election Was Secure, But Russia Found Other Ways To Interfere In The U.S. Dec 21, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged who was behind the cyber attack on Friday, saying Russia used third-party software to get inside the systems of multiple U.S. government agencies.
But the attack didn't happen last week. It started in March. To help make sense of how an attack of this magnitude went undiscovered for months, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly spoke with Fiona Hill, who served as President Trump's most senior Russia adviser on the National Security Council until last year.
Now that it's clear who was behind the attack, how do deal with Russia will be a big question for the incoming Biden administration.NPR's Russia correspondent Lucian Kim explains how the U.S.-Russia relationship may change as Biden takes office in January.
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BONUS: We Buy A Lot Of Christmas Trees Dec 20, 2020

Every year, Americans buy tens of millions of Christmas trees. But decorative evergreens don't just magically show up on corner lots, waiting to find a home in your living room. There are a bunch of fascinating steps that determine exactly how many Christmas trees get sold, and how expensive they are.
On this episode of Planet Money, NPR's Nick Fountain and Robert Smith visit the world's largest auction of Christmas trees — and then see how much green New Yorkers are willing to throw down for some greenery.
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Vaccinating Inmates Is Good For Public Health. Why Aren't More States Doing It? Dec 18, 2020

Prisons and jails are hotbeds for COVID-19. Public health experts say they should be given early access to a coronavirus vaccine. But only six states have prioritized vaccination for people who are incarcerated.
Sharon Dolovich, director of UCLA's Prison Law & Policy Program, tells NPR why the debate over vaccinating inmates is a particularly American one.
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With 100,000 Restaurants Already Closed, Owners Left Wondering If Help Is Coming Dec 17, 2020

An emerging coronavirus relief package may not do enough to help restaurants hobbled by the pandemic, many of which have struggled to make ends meet all year — with 100,000 restaurants closed on a permanent or long-term basis, according to a survey from the National Restaurant Association.
Andrew Genung, the writer behind the restaurant industry newsletter Family Meal, explains why so many restaurants did not get enough help in the first round of relief passed by Congress early in the pandemic.
Nya Marshall, owner of Ivy Kitchen and Cocktails in Detroit, describes the adjustments necessary to run her restaurant this year.
And at least one restaurant-adjacent business is doing well: Auction Factory, which repairs and sells liquidated restaurant equipment. Cleveland-based owner Russell Cross tells NPR his warehouse is full of equipment from shuttered restaurants.
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When Hospitals Decide Who Deserves Treatment: NPR Investigates 'Denial Of Care' Dec 16, 2020

In an Oregon hospital, a disabled woman fought for her life as her friends and advocates pleaded for proper care. Her case raises the question: Are disabled lives equally valued during a pandemic?
NPR investigations correspondent Joseph Shapiro reports on what happened to Sarah McSweeney.
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Electors Seal Biden's Win, Sanders Pushes For Direct Cash Payments Dec 15, 2020

Electors in every state officially sealed Joe Biden's presidential victory this week, and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., congratulated the president-elect on Tuesday.
Biden is now 36 days away from inauguration, waiting to face a public health and economic crisis that is growing by the day.
NPR political correspondent Asma Khalid reports on the economic experts close to Biden's team who are advising the next president on how he can offer economic relief to Americans without Congress.
And Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., tells NPR why he's urging Democrats to reject an emerging pandemic relief package if it does not include direct cash payments to individual Americans. Sanders spoke to NPR's Ailsa Chang.
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Your Questions Answered: How To Navigate Changing Relationships In The Pandemic Dec 14, 2020

The U.S. officially began vaccinating people against COVID-19 on Monday, starting with Sandra Lindsay, a critical care nurse in New York City. The first vaccination came the same day that the country hit another grim milestone of 300,000 dead from the disease.
Though vaccinations have begun, the pandemic is still raging and affecting people in all kinds of ways, including their relationships with partners, family and friends.
We asked you to share your questions with us on how to navigate those changing relationships. To help answer those questions, we're joined by Dr. Lexx Brown-James, a marriage and family therapist and sexologist based in St. Louis, and NPR's Cory Turner, who covers parenting and education.
To hear more about how parents can help their kids feel less anxious right now, check out this episode of NPR's Life Kit podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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BONUS: How Effective Are Antibody Treatments For COVID-19? Dec 13, 2020

The Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorizations for two monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 – one produced by Eli Lilly and another by Regeneron. But emergency use authorization doesn't assure the drugs are effective.
In this episode of Short Wave, NPR's daily science podcast, science correspondent Richard Harris explains how the new treatments work — and whether they could really make a difference for patients with COVID-19.
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White House Reporters Reflect On 4 Years As 'Enemies Of The People' Dec 11, 2020

President Trump once told veteran CBS journalist Lesley Stahl why he attacks the press.
"I do it to discredit you all and demean you all," he admitted to her in 2017, "so when you write negative stories about me, no one will believe you."
Trump made attacks on the press a central fixture of his campaign for president, and of his four years in the White House. As his term comes to a close, three members of the White House Press Corps reflect on what it's been like to cover the 45th president since the beginning.
NPR's Tamara Keith, Jeff Mason of Reuters, and Yamiche Alcindor of the PBS NewsHour spoke to NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.
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John Kerry: Restoring American Credibility On Climate Change 'Not So Simple' Dec 10, 2020

In his first round of interviews since President-elect Joe Biden announced John Kerry would be his special envoy for climate, the former Secretary of State tells NPR why restoring American credibility on climate issues will be a key challenge for the Biden administration. Kerry spoke to NPR's Steve Inskeep.
NPR's Nathan Rott reports on another climate ambition for the incoming administration: conserving 30% of America's land and water by 2030.
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Vaccine Approval Looks Imminent, But Distrust, Misinformation Have Experts Worried Dec 09, 2020

The Food and Drug Administration could vote as soon as Thursday to approve a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer for emergency use authorization in the United States.
Speaking to NPR this week, FDA head Dr. Stephen Hahn reiterated the government's commitment to vaccine safety. But public opinion polls suggest many Americans are still skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines, and misinformation about them has been spreading online.
Renee DiResta of the Stanford Internet Observatory tells NPR why misinformation often takes hold where people are not necessarily looking for it.
NPR's Adrian Florido reports public health experts are worried that Latinos and African Americans — communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 — may be less likely to get vaccinated.
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Life After ISIS: A Portrait Of Human Resilience In The Middle East Dec 08, 2020

2020 has been a year of resilience in the face of tragedy. But for much longer, resilience in the face of tragedy has been a defining story of the Middle East.
In her final conversation for NPR, international correspondent Jane Arraf reflects on what it's been like to watch that story unfold.
Arraf is departing NPR to take on the role as Baghdad bureau chief for The New York Times. Follow her on Twitter here.
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COVID Is Straining Rural Hospitals, Where There's No Plan B Dec 07, 2020

Health care facilities in rural areas hard-hit by the coronavirus are running out of ways to provide safe care to patients. Unlike earlier in the pandemic, it's more difficult to find hospitals with capacity to spare.
A travel nurse shares an audio diary recorded for NPR in Fargo, N.D., and two health care workers from North Dakota and Utah describe the unique challenges they're facing.
WPLN's Blake Farmer and NPR's Carrie Feibel have reported on the staffing challenges hospitals are facing.
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BONUS: Life In The Time Of Coronavirus Dec 06, 2020

"What has this pandemic been like for you?"
NPR host Sam Sanders and his team at It's Been A Minuteput that question to their listeners and heard from people all over the world with ages ranging from 0 to 99.
Their stories will stay with you.
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In Many States, 2020 Election Winners Hold All The Redistricting Power Dec 04, 2020

Every 10 years after the U.S. Census, lawmakers in most states have the power to redraw congressional and state legislative districts. It's called redistricting. The party in power can do it in a way that benefits them politically — and it's perfectly legal. That's called gerrymandering.
Now that the 2020 election season is nearly over, a picture is emerging of how redistricting and gerrymandering will unfold in states across the country.
NPR's Ari Shapiro spoke to reporters in three state capitals: Ashley Lopez with member station KUT in Austin, Texas; Dirk VanderHart from Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland; and Steve Harrison of member station WFAE in Charlotte, N.C.
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Trump's Election Denialism Could Hurt His Own Party, And Its Media Allies Dec 03, 2020

President Trump and his allies have spent nearly a month promoting an alternate reality of rigged elections and stolen votes.
Now, there's concern in Georgia that some of the president's supporters may sit out a crucial runoff election on January 5, which will determine the balance of power in the Senate, as Lisa Hagen with NPR member station WABE reported.
Turnout isn't the only concern for some Republicans in the state. Election officials like Gabriel Sterling have been the target of death threats. Sterling spoke to NPR's Ari Shapiro.
Trump's conspiratorial denials of his own defeat have been bolstered by allies from some relatively new media sources — including the right-wing network Newsmax. NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik reported on the network and its efforts to outfox Fox News.
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Fauci Predicts Widespread Vaccine Availability By April. Are Americans Ready? Dec 02, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci said this week that it's likely that any healthy American who wants a coronavirus vaccine will be able to walk into a drugstore and get one by April. The challenge will be convincing enough people not to put it off.
While the vaccine is months away for most, health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities will be able to receive the first doses when they become available, a committee from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended this week. NPR's Pien Huang has reported on that decision and others by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.
NPR's Andrea Hsu reports on the debate over mandatory vaccines in the workplace.
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Millions In Crisis As Coronavirus Relief Set To Expire At Years' End Dec 01, 2020

Lawmakers have been deadlocked for months on another coronavirus relief package. Now millions of Americans who have relied on emergency spending programs during the pandemic are about to see their benefits expire at the end of the year — unless Congress and the White House can agree to a spending deal before the holidays.
NPR correspondents Scott Horsley and Chris Arnold explain what could happen weeks from now if American workers, homeowners, renters and student loan borrowers lose key economic lifelines.
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Why Our Brains Struggle To Make Sense Of COVID-19 Risks Nov 30, 2020

Millions of Americans traveled for Thanksgiving despite pleas not to do so from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House Coronavirus Task Force says if you're one of them, assume you're infected, get tested and do not go near your friends or family members without a mask on.
Because COVID-19 is a largely invisible threat, our brains struggle to comprehend it as dangerous. Dr. Gaurav Suri, a neuroscientist at San Francisco State University, explains how habits can help make the risks of the virus less abstract.
Emergency room doctor Leana Wen discusses why it's tempting to make unsafe tradeoffs in day-to-day activities and how to better "budget" our risks.
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BONUS: The Badder, The Better Nov 29, 2020

Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda blew up in 2014 off of his song "Hot N****" and the instantly viral Shmoney Dance. But just months after his breakout hit, Bobby and about a dozen of his friends were arrested and slapped with conspiracy charges in connection with a murder and several other shootings.
In this episode of NPR's new podcast Louder Than A Riot, hosts Rodney Carmichael and Sidney Madden head to Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York to meet Bobby for an exclusive in-person interview, tour his neighborhood with his crew, grab a bite at his mom's seafood joint and learn new details of the studio raid that changed Bobby's life.
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Student Debt Is Weighing Americans Down. Here's How Biden May Address It Nov 27, 2020

Student loans can crush an individual. And when a lot of people have more debt than they can handle, the effects ripple into the larger economy.
Judith Scott-Clayton, an associate professor at Columbia University, discusses the economic impact of the $1.6 trillion Americans collectively owe in student debt.
President-elect Joe Biden and some members of Congress have proposed different ways to erase some amount of student debt across the board. NPR's Anya Kamenetz explains the likelihood of those proposals actually working out.
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Play It Forward: A Musical Chain Of Gratitude Nov 26, 2020

What began as a Thanksgiving tradition five years ago for NPR host Ari Shapiro is now a recurring segment on All Things Considered. Play It Forward is a musical chain of gratitude.
Shapiro starts the chain with an artist he's thankful for, and then that musician chooses someone they're thankful for, and it continues onward with each artist choosing the next link in the chain.
This episode features interviews with John Mayer, Leikeli47, Indigo Girls and Kae Tempest.
Listen to all the Play It Forward interviews here.
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A Feast For A Few: Rethinking The Traditional Thanksgiving Meal Nov 25, 2020

Thanksgiving is going to look different for many Americans this year. As the coronavirus pandemic rages, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning against traveling to see friends or family, or even gathering with people who do not live with you.
But that isn't a reason to forego a delicious, sit-down meal.
Three chefs share their scaled-down Thanksgiving recipes. These dishes — Anita Lo's turkey roulade, Aarón Sánchez's brussels sprouts with roasted jalapeño vinaigrette and Sohla El-Waylly's apple (hand) pies — are meant to serve up to four people.
Find all three recipes here.
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As Biden Transition Picks Up Pace, Trump Lays Government Speedbumps Nov 24, 2020

After an unusually dramatic meeting of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, the state voted to certify its election results, slamming the door on yet another effort by President Trump to overturn the results of the election.
Hours later, Emily Murphy of the General Services Administration officially authorized the use of federal transition funds by President-elect Biden.
But while the Biden transition picks up speed, Trump is using his remaining time in office to push through last-minute policy changes and staffing appointments that may complicate things once the President-elect takes office.
NPR has a team of reporters following that story: health policy reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin, chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley, and Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman.
NPR political correspondent Asma Khalid reported on what role President-elect Biden may play in negotiations over a coronavirus relief package.
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Stunned By Congressional Losses, Democrats Debate The Future Nov 23, 2020

Democrats went into the election expecting to gain seats in the House. Instead, they lost at least eight of them.
Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger speculated about why in a Nov. 5 conference call, audio of which was obtained by The Washington Post.
NPR's Juana Summers reports that the young, activist coalition that voted for Joe Biden plans to pressure his administration to deliver on bold, progressive policies.
Outgoing Democratic Sen. Doug Jones tells NPR that bold action in Washington won't be possible without appealing to a broad swath of voters.
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BONUS: Biden And McConnell Nov 22, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President-elect Joe Biden have a long working relationship. And if republicans retain a majority in the senate, McConnell could be a thorn in the side of the Biden administration's agenda.
In this episode of NPR's Embedded, host Kelly McEvers talks to Janet Hook and Jackie Calmes, both currently at the Los Angeles Times, about the relationship between these men who will shape the country for the months and years to come.|
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The Growing Backlash Against Trump's Efforts To Subvert The Election Nov 20, 2020

Election experts say there is no realistic legal path for President Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 election. But his determination to proceed anyway is doing real damage to the idea of American democracy. A growing number of current and former government officials are speaking out against his efforts.
Sue Gordon, former deputy director of national intelligence, tells NPR if this were happening in another country, "we would say democracy was teetering on the edge."
And Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, tells NPR he was pressured by Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to reject certain absentee ballots.
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Vials, Cold Storage, Staggered Doses: The Challenges Of Vaccine Distribution Nov 19, 2020

Distribution of the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine could be mere months away. But how that distribution will work remains a massive logistical puzzle that is still coming together piece by piece.
NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports on how drug companies and the federal government are planning to ship and store vaccines that must remain frozen, some at temperatures that require special freezers.
NPR's Dina Temple-Raston outlines the federal government's $590 million plan to avoid shortages of crucial vials and syringes.
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America's Other Epidemic: The Opioid Crisis Is Worse Than 4 Years Ago Nov 18, 2020

During President Trump's first year in office, 42,000 Americans died of drug overdoses linked to heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids. After a minor decrease in 2018, deaths rose to a record 50,042 in 2019. That number will likely be even worse for 2020.
NPR's Brian Mann reports on the surge of synthetic fentanyl, especially in the western U.S.
And NPR's Emily Feng unveils a web of Chinese sellers exporting individual chemical components to produce fentanyl.
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Vaccine Trials Point To December Doses, 'Light At The End Of The Tunnel' Nov 17, 2020

Data from two leading COVID-19 vaccine trials indicate they may be between 90 and 95% effective. Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientist in charge of the U.S. government's vaccine development program, Operation Warp Speed, tells NPR he's optimistic there is "a light at the end of the tunnel."
Dr. Anthony Fauci told NPR the results are worth celebrating — but that they should not be seen as a signal to pull back on public health measures. He also said the first vaccine doses may be available next month.
But it will still be months longer before any vaccine is widely available. Two former government health officials — Scott Gottlieb and Andy Slavitt — tell NPR that in the meantime, the pandemic is could kill 200,000 more Americans.
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Barack Obama On Trump's Defeat And Cooperation In A Divided America Nov 16, 2020

Former President Barack Obama talks with NPR's Michel Martin about his time in office, President Trump's pandemic response, the 2020 election and what he thinks President-elect Joe Biden says about the United States right now.
In Obama's new memoir, A Promised Land, he writes about his first term in the White House.
Read NPR's full interview with Obama here.
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Pandemic Fatigue Q & A: Mental Health, Processing The News, And Staying Occupied Nov 15, 2020

The U.S. is entering the worst of the pandemic. For many, pandemic fatigue set in months ago. Others are struggling anew with cases spiking dramatically almost everywhere in the country.
Psychotherapist Gina Moffa and NPR's Linda Holmes answer listener questions about mental health, processing the news, and keeping ourselves occupied.
Linda hosts NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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'There's No Transition': Trump's Non-Existent National Security Handoff Nov 13, 2020

President Trump's refusal to engage in any meaningful national security transition is dangerous, say two former national security officials.
Kori Schake with the American Enterprise Institute served on George W. Bush's National Security Council and in senior posts at the Pentagon and the State Department. Harvard's Nicholas Burns served at the State Department and on the National Security Council in every administration from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush.
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Hospitals Pushed To The Brink, Governors Warn Of Health Care Shortages Nov 12, 2020

The governors of North Dakota, Ohio and Utah all delivered the same message this week: hospital resources normally used for patients with heart attacks, strokes or emergency trauma will soon be overrun by patients with COVID-19.
KCUR's Alex Smith reports on rural hospitals that are already at capacity, forcing them to transfer patients to city hospitals.
Lydia Mobley, a traveling nurse working in central Michigan, says she sees multiple patients every shift who say they regret not taking the coronavirus more seriously.
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The Consequences Of Election Denialism Nov 11, 2020

We know President Trump lost the election. What we don't know is what will happen between now and Inauguration Day if he refuses to accept the results.
In the short term, the Biden transition team cannot access certain government funds, use office space or receive classified intelligence briefings without official recognition of Biden's victory from a government agency called the General Services Administration. NPR's Brian Naylor has reported on the delay.
At the Department of Justice, the top prosecutor in charge of election crimes, Richard Pilger, resigned from his position this week. A former DOJ colleague of Pilger's, Justin Levitt, tells NPR that the department is enabling the president's baseless claims of widespread election fraud.
And Washington Post columnist David Ignatius explains what might be happening at the Department of Defense, where Trump's election denialism has coincided with a number of high-level firings and a debate over the release of classified information.
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As Senate Hinges On Georgia, GOP Mostly Silent On Biden's Victory Nov 10, 2020

President Trump may be on his way out, but Republicans will have to rely on his voters to hold power in the Senate. If Democrats win two runoff elections in Georgia on January 5, they will win a narrow Senate majority.
Stephen Fowler of Georgia Public Broadcasting explains how Republicans in Georgia are attacking the state's election process.
LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, explains how Democrats in Georgia turned out voters in the presidential race.
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Joe Biden Could Take Office During The Worst Of The Pandemic. What's His Plan? Nov 09, 2020

In 2008, then President-elect Obama and President Bush set up a join task force to help the incoming administration deal with the financial crisis they were about to inherit. Brown University's Ashish Jha tells NPR a similar effort is needed now to deal with the coronavirus. But so far, there's no sign of any cooperation from the Trump administration.
President-elect Biden has established his own task force of scientists and physicians to work on his administration's response to the pandemic. Task force member Dr. Nicole Lurie tells NPR one goal of their effort will be to convince Americans the virus is the enemy — not each other.
The Biden administration will also inherit Operation Warp Speed, the government's vaccine development program. Gus Perna is the Army general in charge. He explains how vaccine distribution might work.
The pandemic won't be the only public health challenge facing the Biden administration if millions of people lose their health care coverage. That's what could happen if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act, explains Erin Fuse Brown with Georgia State University's College of Law.
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What We're Learning About The Electorate That Made 2020 So Close Nov 05, 2020

Early on election night, when it seemed clear that Joe Biden was underperforming with a specific group of Latino voters in the Miami-Dade County, a narrative began to take hold: the Democratic Party had failed to energize the Latino vote.
But as more results came in from across Florida, they told a different story. Biden would have lost the state even if he had performed better in Miami-Dade, because of President Trump's popularity with white voters.
NPR's Leila Fadel reports on Democratic head-scratching about the Latino vote, and Gene Demby of NPR's Code Switch podcast talks about the enduring power of the white vote in the American electorate.
Listen to more election coverage from NPR:
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The NPR Politics Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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Historic Turnout Leans Biden With Votes Still Being Counted Nov 04, 2020

Early data suggests 160 million people voted this year — which would be the highest turnout rate since 1900. With an unprecedented number of those votes cast by mail, knowing the results of the presidential election on Tuesday was never a guarantee.
We know a little more about the results of congressional elections — and they are not great for Democrats. NPR congressional correspondent Susan Davis explains.
One thing we do know is that voters in 32 states decided on dozens of ballot measures, from legalizing marijuana to raising the minimum wage. Josh Altic with the website Ballotpedia has been tracking those measures.
Listen to more election coverage from NPR:
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The Electoral College: Why Do We Do It This Way? Nov 03, 2020

The electoral college is a system unlike any other in American democracy. Why does it exist? Ramtin Arablouei and Rund Abdelfatah explored that question on a recent episode of NPR's history podcast, Throughline. Find them on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
NPR senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving explains why more Republicans now support the electoral college — and whether that's likely to change.
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An Unprecedented Election Season Ends The Way It Began: With Voters Locked In Nov 02, 2020

NPR political correspondents Tamara Keith and Asma Khalid reflect on an election season shaped by unprecedented events: a global pandemic, President Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis, and the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — none of which seemed to dramatically change the shape of the race.
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Bonus: The Latinx Vote Comes Of Age Nov 01, 2020

Today, a bonus episode from NPR's Code Switch.
For the first time in election history, Latinos are projected to be the second-largest voting demographic in the country. The reason? Gen Z Latinx voters, many of whom are casting a ballot for the first time in 2020. So we asked a bunch of them: Who do you plan to vote for? What issues do you care about? And what do you want the rest of the country to know about you?
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What To Expect On Election Day — And In The Days After Oct 30, 2020

There is no reason to expect we will know the result of the Presidential election on Tuesday night. Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center and David Scott, deputy managing editor with the Associated Press, explain why.
Part of the reason: a few key states will have millions of mail-in ballots to count after in-person voting has concluded. The Supreme Court ruled this week to allow that counting to proceed in two key states, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Election lawyer Ben Ginsberg has been following those cases.
NPR's Joel Rose reports watchdog groups who normally monitor elections abroad for violence and unrest are turning their sights toward the U.S.
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Expectations Vs. Reality: Trump Supporters, Opponents On The Last 4 Years Oct 29, 2020

Four years after Donald Trump won, he turned out to be a better president than many of his supporters hoped — and worse one than many of his opponents feared.
That's what NPR's Ari Shapiro found as he re-connected with voters who first spoke to NPR in early 2017, just before Trump was inaugurated.
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Early Voting Points To Possible Record Turnout, With New States In Play Oct 28, 2020

More than 74 million people have already voted. Michael McDonald of the Florida Elections Project tells NPR that could indicate the U.S. is headed for record turnout in a modern election.
Maya King of POLITICO has been following the early vote in Georgia, where black voters came close to electing the nation's first black female governor in 2018.
NPR's Miles Parks and Pam Fessler explain why it may be too late to vote by mail — and how legal challenges are still complicating the rules around early voting in some states.
Additional reporting this episode from NPR's Greg Allen and Barbara Sprunt; Stephen Fowler with Georgia Public Broadcasting and Jen Rice with Houston Public Media.
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Coronavirus Cases Are Surging Past The Summer Peak — And Not Just In The U.S. Oct 27, 2020

The U.S. looks poised to exceed its summer peak, when the country averaged as many as 65,000 cases a day for a 10-day stretch in late July. The seven-day average of cases is now more than 69,000, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
The situation is similar in Europe, which just logged more new cases than any week so far.
Cases are rising in North Dakota faster than any other state. Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney recently imposed a mask mandate there.
NPR's Will Stone reports on the growing outbreak in the Midwest, where some hospitals may not be able to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients.
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As COVID-19 Cases Climb, How Safe Is It To Go Home For The Holidays? Oct 26, 2020

On Friday, the U.S. hit its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the pandemic began. Holiday travel could lead to even more drastic and deadly spikes.

As cases surge throughout the country, many people are wondering how to plan for the holidays. Is it safe for kids to see their grandparents? Should people be gathering as usual for big Thanksgiving dinners? How should people travel — to drive or to fly?
You sent us your questions — and we put them to NPR's Allison Aubrey and David Schaper, who reported out some answers ahead of a usually busy season for gathering and travel.
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How Much Do You Really Know About Your Flood Or Wildfire Risk? Oct 23, 2020

Every year, millions of American renters and homebuyers make decisions about where to live. They have a lot of information to help them make a decision — about everything from schools to public transit to lead paint.
But what many never learn, until it's too late, is that their homes are in areas that are increasingly prone to flooding or wildfires.
This episode contains elements from a special reporting project by NPR's Rebecca Hersher and Lauren Sommer. You can read an overview of their reporting here. They also have advice for questions to ask about your property when it comes to wildfire and flood risk in a changing climate.
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Why More White Voters Aren't Supporting President Trump In 2020 Oct 22, 2020

Polls show that Joe Biden has strong support among white voters with a college degree, especially white women, young voters, and those who live in cities and suburbs.
That support adds up to record support with white voters for a Democratic presidential candidate. Nearly half of white voters, overall, support Joe Biden.
NPR's Sam Gringlas spoke with a few of them in battleground states. And NPR's Domenico Montanaro explains why this shift fits a longer pattern of the Republican party losing college-educated whites.
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From Air Travel to Hospital Treatment, We're Still Learning About The Virus Oct 21, 2020

Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told NPR this week that he's "guardedly optimistic" about the prospects of a coronavirus vaccine being approved by the end of the year.
In the meantime, scientists are still learning new things about the coronavirus.
NPR's Geoff Brumfiel reports on improvements in medical treatment for COVID-19 patients, and NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff explains new research on air travel.
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Election FAQs: Postmark Deadlines, Ballot Security And How To Track Your Vote Oct 20, 2020

With two weeks until election day and more than 35 million votes already cast, NPR's Miles Parks and Pam Fessler answer your questions about voting, ballots and election security.
For more information on voting this year, NPR's Life Kit has a guide to help you out. Read at npr.org or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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The Economy Is Driving Women Out Of The Workforce And Some May Not Return Oct 19, 2020

Women are dropping out of the workforce in much higher numbers than men. Valerie Wilson of the Economic Policy Institute explains that women are overrepresented in jobs that have been hit hardest by the pandemic and child care has gotten harder to come by.
The situation is especially dire for Latina women, as NPR's Brianna Scott reports. Last month, out of 865,000 women who left the workforce, more than 300,000 were Latina.
Victoria de Francesco Soto of The University of Texas at Austin explains why it's not just the pandemic economy hurting women. Some may be left out of the recovery, too.
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The Pandemic Bounceback Abroad: Concerts And Movies In Other Countries Oct 16, 2020

While U.S. movie theaters continue to struggle, the picture is better for the international box office. NPR's Bob Mondello, who's reported on how domestic theaters are getting by, explains why things look more promising abroad.
A recent outbreak of the coronavirus in the Chinese city of Qingdao says a lot about how aggressively the country has adopted public health measures. Those measures have led to a return of some music festivals, as NPR's Emily Feng reports.
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Pandemic 'Halftime': U.S. Looks At Lessons Learned As Fall & Holidays Near Oct 15, 2020

As cases spike around the country, Utah is one state changing the way it's approaching the coronavirus. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert has a "new game plan" to beat back record-high cases that threaten to overwhelm the state's hospital system.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says "halftime adjustments" like that are necessary for states to slow the spread of the virus this fall, as more Americans prepare to spend more time indoors. An exclusive NPR survey of contact tracing efforts reveals many states are not prepared to handle the coming surge in cases. NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin explains.
And Dr. Anthony Fauci warns Thanksgiving gatherings may accelerate spread even more.
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The Politics At Play In Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Confirmation Hearings Oct 14, 2020

With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, Republicans have the votes to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Her confirmation hearing is now much about the politics of the election.
Democrats, including Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, are focused on issues like the future of the Affordable Care Act. While Republicans, as NPR's Melissa Block reports, are emphasizing Barrett's motherhood in an effort to appeal to white suburban voters.
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The U.S. Pandemic Is Stuck In A Cycle Of Endless Ups And Downs Oct 13, 2020

Coronavirus cases fall, so people let their guard down. Cases rise, so they get more vigilant. That's the cycle the U.S. is stuck in.
In most states across the country, the number of new coronavirus cases each day is up. That's the situation in Wisconsin, where cases are surging. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael Landrum spoke with NPR about what he's been seeing the last several weeks.
As a whole, the U.S. is seeing around 50,000 new cases each day. That's an increase from 35,000 a month ago. NPR's Will Stone charts the course of the pandemic's ups and downs over the last nine months, from early cases in Washington state to the current spread of the virus into rural America. And the predictions for winter are grim, as people are likely to spend more time indoors.
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An NPR Investigation Into Lethal Injection: Why It Could Amount To Torture Oct 12, 2020

Lethal injection is commonly thought of as the most painless method of execution. But now many lawyers and doctors are looking inside the bodies of executed inmates and making the case that lethal injection could amount to torture.
To take a closer look at this claim, NPR producer Noah Caldwell and a team at All Things Considered obtained more than 300 inmate autopsies through Freedom of Information Act requests. It's the largest collection of lethal injection autopsies in the U.S. They found that more than 80% of the inmates may have experienced the sensation of drowning.
Read and listen to the entire investigation here.
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The Michigan Kidnapping Plot And What's Fueling Right-Wing Extremism Oct 09, 2020

The FBI announced Thursday that it had thwarted a plan by far-right militia members to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and charged six men in relation to the plot.
The plot began as talk on social media sites, with a group of men gathering on Facebook to share anti-government reaction to Whitmer's coronavirus restrictions and shutdowns.
Experts say the pandemic, protests, and the words of the president have combined to fuel a rise in right-wing extremism. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a professor at American University who tracks right-wing extremism, spoke to NPR about how right-wing recruiters are taking advantage of President Trump's hesitancy to condemn white supremacy and militia groups.
And while these men have been referred to as members of a "militia," that term has also resurfaced a debate about whether groups like this should actually be referred to as domestic terrorist groups, says Kathleen Belew, an assistant professor of history at the University of Chicago who studies paramilitary and white power groups.
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Pandemic 'Profiteers': Why Billionaires Are Getting Richer During An Economic Crisis Oct 08, 2020

"Excess" profits during wartime have been subject to tax at several points in American history. Writer Anand Giridharadas argues we are at similar point today as billionaire wealth has continued to grow in spite of the pandemic. He is the author of Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World.
Chuck Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies notes U.S. billionaires rebounded quickly from the economic collapse earlier this year.
Alan Murray, CEO of Fortune Media, argues that business leaders today are more conscious of social injustice and inequality than the billionaires of the past.
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Millions Of Americans Can't Afford Enough To Eat As Pandemic Relief Stalls In D.C. Oct 07, 2020

Two years ago, about 12% of American households reported they didn't have enough food. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, that number has nearly doubled. It's even more severe for Black and Hispanic families.
Texas Public Radio's Paul Flahive reports on a giant food bank in San Antonio that can barely keep up with the growing demand.
Experts say the problem of food insecurity in America needs bigger, longer-term solutions. Erthain Cousin, former U.S. Ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, tells NPR's Michel Martin the country needs to think bigger than food banks and start investing in businesses that can improve nutrition in low-income communities.
And Jim Carnes of Alabama Arise, an organization working to end poverty in Alabama, explains that food insecurity goes hand in hand with poverty. And the main factor driving poverty in the U.S.? Medical expenses.
Listen to a special episode of All Things Considered all about food insecurity during the pandemic.
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President Trump's COVID-19 Treatment Reveals Unequal Burden Of The Disease Oct 06, 2020

President Trump told the country Tuesday: "Don't be afraid of COVID. Don't let it dominate your life." This was in a video published after the president's return to the White House from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. During his nearly 72-hour stay, Trump received care from top doctors and experimental treatments that are not readily available to the millions of Americans who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Marshall Hatch, a pastor of New Mount Pilgrim Church in Chicago, lost his sister to COVID-19 and says the president's message feels like an insult for families grieving in the wake of this disease.
While the vast majority of Americans don't have access to the kind of care that the president received, it's not the only example of how the pandemic is having disproportionate effects on certain groups. California Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly explains a new state rule that will tie re-opening plans to improvements in its hardest-hit communities.
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The White House COVID-19 Crisis Oct 05, 2020

The president, first lady, and a growing list of White House staffers have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Ever since President Trump left the White House for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, administration officials — including the president's physician — have been reluctant to share clear and complete information about his health.
Zeynep Tufecki, professor at the University of North Carolina, explains how the White House cluster may have developed.
The president's niece, psychologist Mary Trump, tells NPR that her family has a hard time confronting the hard reality of disease. Trump is the author of Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man.
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The President Has Coronavirus. What Happens If He Gets Sicker Oct 02, 2020

News broke overnight that President Trump and the first lady tested positive for the coronavirus. The White House says they have mild symptoms.
Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health, calls the diagnosis "a nightmare."
NPR's Rob Schmitz reports on reaction abroad.
John Fortier spoke to NPR about what could happen if the president gets sicker. Fortier is the former executive director of the Continuity of Government Commission, a group set up in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.
For more on this story, follow our NPR politics team on their podcast and listen to Up First Saturday morning for the latest.
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As Social Media Giants Plan For Disinformation, Critics Say It's Not Enough Oct 01, 2020

Facebook and Twitter have plans for an election season rife with disinformation on their platforms.
Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg explains what lessons the company learned from 2016 and what they're doing differently this time. She spoke to NPR's Audie Cornish about that, and about the burden of work falling on women during the pandemic. Hear more of their conversation here.
Critics say the social media giants are too large to realistically enforce their own policies.
NPR's Life Kit has a guide to voting by mail or in-person this election season.
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Trump's Baseless Attacks On Election Integrity Bolstered By Disinformation Online Sep 30, 2020

President Trump used Tuesday night's debate to attack the integrity of the upcoming election with false claims about voter fraud and mail-in ballots. National security officials say claims like those are being amplified on social media by foreign countries — including Russia — and by bad actors in the U.S.
NPR's Shannon Bond and Greg Myre report on how government officials and tech companies are handling that disinformation.
And NPR's Pam Fessler explains why the President's false claims about voter fraud have election experts worried about conflicts at the polls.
NPR's Life Kit has a guide to voting by mail or in-person this election season.
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With 1 Million Dead Worldwide, The Latest On A Coronavirus Vaccine Sep 29, 2020

With 10 vaccine candidates now in phase three trials, one expert predicts another million people worldwide could die within three to six months.
One of those vaccine candidates is produced by Novavax. Dr. Gregory Glenn, head of research and development for Novavax, tells NPR he's not concerned about politics tainting the vaccine approval process.
While the world waits for a vaccine, NPR science reporter Michaeleen Doucleff reports on a small but growing number of scientists asking: what if we already have a vaccine that could slow the spread of the virus?
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Ahead Of First Presidential Debate, Almost 1,000,000 Americans Have Already Voted Sep 28, 2020

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will meet Tuesday night in Cleveland for the first of three presidential debates. Michael McDonald, who runs the U.S. Elections Project at the University of Florida, says almost 1,000,000 people have already voted in this year's election.
NPR national political correspondent Mara Liasson previews the debate, and political correspondent Scott Detrow looks at what to expect from Joe Biden based on his performance in past debates.
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What's Next For Breonna Taylor's Family, And The Movement That Followed Her Death Sep 25, 2020

The Kentucky attorney general said this week that police were "justified" in the shooting that killed Breonna Taylor during a botched narcotics raid, and no charges were brought against any officers in her death. The only charges brought were against one officer whose shots went into another apartment. That announcement touched off more protests in Louisville and around the country.
Jamiles Lartey of The Marshall Project explains the legal rationale behind the decision. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear explains why he supports the release of grand jury testimony in the case. And Ibram X. Kendi of Boston University's Center for Antiracist Research discusses where the movement for racial justice goes from here.
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How Countries Around The World Are Coping With New Surge In Coronavirus Cases Sep 24, 2020

India is poised to overtake the U.S. as the country with the most COVID-19 cases. This week the Taj Mahal reopened to tourists for the first time in more than six months. NPR correspondent Lauren Frayer reports on how that's not an indication that the pandemic there has subsided.
Across Europe, countries are also seeing cases surge. NPR correspondents Frank Langfitt, Eleanor Beardsley, and Rob Schmitz discuss the rise in cases, new restrictions and how people are coping in the U.K., France and Germany.
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What The SCOTUS Vacancy Means for Abortion — And The 2020 Election Sep 23, 2020

This week Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. She'll be the first woman in history to do so.
Ginsburg's death sparked record political donations from Democrats, explains Jessica Taylor of Cook Political Report. Those donations may help Democrats in an uphill battle to retake the Senate.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans appear to have the numbers to fill Ginsburg's seat with a conservative nominee, which would shift the balance of power on the court. Professor Mary Ziegler of Florida State University explains why that could change the outcome of several cases concerning abortion restrictions that could land before the Supreme Court.
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White Support For BLM Falls, And A Key Police Reform Effort Is Coming Up Short Sep 22, 2020

Daniel Prude died of asphyxia a week after his brother called 911 on March 23. His death was ruled a homicide. Joe Prude told NPR his brother was having a mental health crisis.
Calls like that make up an estimated 20% of police calls. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports that efforts to reform how police respond — with crisis intervention teams — have fallen short.
And as protests for racial justice have continued, public support for the Black Lives Matter movement has fallen — especially among white Americans. NPR's Brian Mann and Elizabeth Baker explain why activists say they need more support from white protesters.
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With Nearly 200,000 Dead, Health Care Workers Struggle To Endure Sep 21, 2020

The coronavirus has killed nearly 200,000 people in America — far more than in any other country, according to Johns Hopkins University. And experts are predicting a new spike of cases this fall.
It's not clear exactly how many of the dead are health care workers, who remain especially vulnerable to the virus. Dr. Claire Rezba has been tracking and documenting their deaths on Twitter.
Christopher Friese with the University of Michigan School of Nursing explains how we all feel the effects of a health care system whose workers are stretched to the brink.
NPR science correspondent Richard Harris reports on a crucial advancements health care workers have made that mean ICU patients are more likely to survive now than they were at the outset of the pandemic.
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Costs Of Climate Change Continue To Rise As Storms Become More Destructive Sep 18, 2020

There have been so many tropical storms this year that the National Hurricane Center has already made it through the alphabet to name the storms. The last storm name started with "W" (there are no X, Y or Z names). Now, storms will be named using the Greek alphabet.
In the last five years, the United States has lost $500 billion because of climate driven weather disasters, including storms and fires. That estimate by the federal government doesn't even include the storms that have hit the Southern coasts in 2020.
Hurricanes and wildfires are getting more destructive. And with a world that's getting hotter, NPR's Rebecca Hersher and Nathan Rott report that the costs of these disasters will continue to go up.
The change to energy sources with smaller carbon footprints comes with its own risks, too. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf went to Japan to visit the Fukushima region — the site of a nuclear disaster in 2011. Now, people there are working to make the region completely powered by renewables by 2040.
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This Election Season Is Shaping Up To Be The Most Litigated Ever Sep 17, 2020

During the 2000 Presidential election season, it took 36 days and a Supreme Court decision before George W. Bush became the 43rd president of the United States.
Before that final Supreme Court decision, there was a five-week battle over the ballots, the rules, the laws and the courts. The amount of litigation and lawyers involved has been called "unprecedented." But what was unprecedented two decades ago looks quaint in 2020.
This year campaigns and political parties have staffed up their legal war rooms, making this election season one of the most litigated ever. A lot of the on-going lawsuits are due to coronavirus-related election issues, with at least 248 nationwide.
Three of the lawyers preparing for this election season take us from where they were on election night in 2000 to the work they're doing now.
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Who Was Breonna Taylor Before She Became The Face Of A Movement? Sep 16, 2020

Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by police in March. Her killing in Louisville, Ky., was part of the fuel for the nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism this spring and summer.
On Tuesday, an announcement came that the city of Louisville had reached a $12 million settlement in a civil lawsuit brought against it.
But Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, says this is only the beginning when it comes to getting full justice. There are on-going state and federal investigations, but still no criminal charges against any of the officers involved.
Before she became the face of a movement, Taylor was a daughter, a niece and a treasured friend. Ahead of what would have been Taylor's 27th birthday, NPR's Ari Shapiro went to Louisville to speak with her family and friends about how they remember Taylor.
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Special thanks to Becky Sullivan, Sam Gringlas, Sarah Handel, Jason Fuller and Ari Shapiro for the reporting featured in this episode.
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Conspiracies Add Fuel To An Already Challenging Wildfire Season Sep 15, 2020

Wildfires in Western states aren't slowing down and conspiracy theories about who started them are only making things harder for responders.
Conrad Wilson from Oregon Public Broadcasting reports on how claims of Antifa arsonists have clogged up the phone lines for 911 dispatchers in some Oregon towns.
And NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Nick Clegg, Facebook's Vice President of Global Affairs and Communication, about the company's decision to remove some misinformation about the fires — and their broader attempts to stop the spread of misinformation online.
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Journalist Bob Woodward Says Trump Is 'The Wrong Man For The Job' Sep 14, 2020

If President Trump knew how contagious and potentially deadly the coronavirus was back in February, why didn't he express that to the American public?
That's the question Trump has been facing since last week, when a recording of him expressing a desire to "play down" the virus went public. The audio came from interviews with Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward that he conducted for his latest book, Rage.
In an interview with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, Woodward comes to the conclusion that the president failed to protect the country from the virus and is "the wrong man for the job."
Listen to more of the Bob Woodward interview.

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Wildfires Have Gone From Bad To Worse — And More Are Inevitable Sep 11, 2020

More than 3 million acres have burned in California this wildfire season. The previous record in a single season was 1.7 million, two years ago.
Towns are being decimated across California, Oregon and Washington — and firefighting resources are maxed out, as NPR's Kirk Siegler reports from Boise, Idaho.
In California, NPR's Lauren Sommer reports on an effort to fight fire with fire — something some Native American tribes have been doing for a long time.
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Why Are So Many Americans Hesitant To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? Sep 10, 2020

As trials continue for a coronavirus vaccine, some of the world's biggest drug companies have come together in an unusual way. This week, nine drugmakers released a joint statement pledging tonot submit a coronavirus vaccine to the Food and Drug Administration unless it's shown to be safe and effective in large clinical trials.
NPR's Sydney Lupkin reports that the statement comes as a commitment to science, at a time when some Americans have expressed concern that the trials are being rushed.
Part of this concern comes from those who feel politics are influencing the processes vaccines must go through. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have told states a potential vaccine may be ready for distribution as soon as late October — right before Election Day. But when speaking with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chief scientific adviser to Operation Warp Speed, said there is a "very low chance" a vaccine will be ready by then.
While some Americans are skeptical about a coronavirus vaccine, it doesn't seem like many of those people work on Wall Street. Each time a new vaccine trial phase is announced or a new scientific hurdle is cleared, drug company stock goes up. NPR's Tom Dreisbach reported that executives at one company took advantage of those rising stock prices.
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Gen Z Is Getting Ready To Vote. Are Political Parties Speaking To Them? Sep 09, 2020

Youth voter turnout exceeded expectations in 2018 and may do so again in 2020. Generation Z — those born after 1996 — is the most pro-government and anti-Trump generation, according to the Pew Research Center. But Democrats can't count on those voters to be automatic allies.
Gen Z voters in the LA area spoke with NPR host Ailsa Chang ahead of November's election. They discussed today's Democratic party, and why they will — and won't — be voting for Joe Biden.
While Gen Z Democrats are split on Biden, young Republicans are deciding whether they will support President Trump. NPR political reporter Juana Summers spoke to young Republicans about their choices and the future of the GOP.
Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, told NPR that young voters are more concerned with issues and values than with identity and branding.
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School Is Off To A Slow Start, And It's Going To Be A Long Year Sep 08, 2020

With Labor Day weekend gone, summer is unofficially over — and millions of children head back to school this week, many virtually.
Two teachers — Rosie Reid in California and Lynette Stant in Arizona — share how things are going in their schools so far.
Many states have decided to allow high school football to go forward, even if kids are not in school. NPR's Tom Goldman reports that one coach in Alabama is demanding a coronavirus testing program for his players.
Students who are not in school are not just missing out on in-person education. Many are missing free or reduced-cost meals. NPR's Cory Turner reports on how some school districts are trying to feed students when they're not in school.
And for many parents who can't work at home, no school means a need for child care. But a recent study suggests millions of child care centers may not reopen after the pandemic, as Kavitha Cardoza with member station WAMU reports.
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What's Driving California's Biggest-Ever Wildfire Season Sep 07, 2020

California set a new record high this week for the most acres burned in a single wildfire season.
In an average season, 300,000 acres burn. This year more than 2 million acres have been scorched — and the season isn't over yet.
Some communities have taken actions to prevent fires from spreading, but as NPR's Nathan Rott and Lauren Sommer report, those efforts may not be enough.
Fire itself isn't the only threat to people. NPR's daily science podcast Short Wave looked into the science of wildfire smoke and how far-reaching it can be. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
Reporter Erika Mahoney from member station KAZU has more on dual threats facing farmworkers: wildfire smoke and COVID-19.
As these fires have been burning, other regions across the country have also faced extreme weather. Hurricane forecasters are watching multiple storm systems in the Atlantic that could develop into tropical storms in what has already been an extremely busy hurricane season. NPR's Rebecca Hersher, Nathan Rott, and Lauren Sommer on the growing threat of extreme weather due to climate change.
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Banning Evictions Should Help The Economy. But Can The CDC Do That? Sep 04, 2020

Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, told NPR today that keeping people in their houses and 'connected to the economy' will cost money now, but pay dividends later.
But the White House and Congress have been unable to agree on a deal for additional economic relief, millions of people are still unemployed, and many states now have no eviction protection. The Trump administration issued an eviction ban through the CDC this week.
NPR's Chris Arnold and Selena Simmons-Duffin reported on the CDC's temporary halt on evictions and the legal issues that will likely follow.
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The President's New Advisor Is A Fan Of 'Herd Immunity' — And Scientists Are Worried Sep 03, 2020

As the Northern Hemisphere prepares for a flu season with COVID-19, there are lessons to be learned from the south. Countries like Australia and Argentina made it through the middle of winter with very few cases of the flu. That could be thanks to social distancing measures in place to fight the coronavirus.
NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce reported on flu in the southern hemisphere and the possibility that it could mix with the coronavirus.
NPR's Tamara Keith and Geoff Brumfiel take a look at President Trump's new health advisor, Dr. Scott Atlas. He has no background in infectious diseases and his ideas are worrying scientists who do.
Mary Louise Kelly spoke with Moncef Slaoui, chief adviser for the coronavirus vaccine development program, Operation Warp Speed, about the status of vaccines in the U.S.
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President 'Heaping Fuel On The Fire' Of Unrest, Ex-Trump DHS Official Says Sep 02, 2020

President Trump has stoked tensions and repeatedly failed to condemn acts of violence from racially — and ethnically — motivated attackers, says Elizabeth Neumann, former assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security.
Neumann left her job in April and is now speaking publicly about her experience in the administration. She told NPR's Steve Inskeep why she no longer supports the president — and how his rhetoric has fueled unrest in Kenosha, Wis., and elsewhere across the country.
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Getting Back To School Isn't Easy For Anyone — But It's A Lot Harder For Some Sep 01, 2020

It's September and millions of kids are going back to school this month. Millions more already have. And while some students are beginning the new year in physical classrooms, many are still learning in online classrooms that schools transitioned to when the pandemic began in March.
Remote learning isn't easy for anyone, but it's especially challenging for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other learning disabilities. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on the challenges facing these students and their parents, who are often required to become educators to make it work.
Not all parents have the privilege of being able to help their children with remote learning though. Many students also face the challenge of logging on for school without reliable Internet. NPR's Anya Kamenetz and WWNO's Aubri Juhasz report on "learning hubs" that offer free child care and additional learning resources — but only for a lucky few.
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Race, Hollywood, And The Rise Of Chadwick Boseman Aug 31, 2020

Chadwick Boseman had raw talent, world-class training and the will to defy Hollywood gatekeepers. As a college student at Howard University, he had a helping hand from Denzel Washington. Boseman often spoke about the impact of that contribution and how it helped him chart his own path.
Boseman died on Friday after battling colon cancer for four years. He was 43. Today, we look at what his success reveals about race in America — and in Hollywood.
Jamil Smith, a senior writer at Rolling Stone, profiled Boseman for Time Magazine in 2018. Smith says even before the premiere of Black Panther, Boseman seemed to know what the film would mean for pop culture and how its success could reshape Hollywood.
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Scientists Fear The Trump Administration Is Putting Politics Before Public Health Aug 28, 2020

From therapeutics to testing to vaccine development, public health experts are increasingly worried the Trump administration is letting politics guide public health decisions.
NPR's Richard Harris reports on a quiet change to testing guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week.
NPR's Joe Palca explains what protections exist to insulate the vaccine development process from political influence.
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The Reaction To Kenosha, From Pro Sports To Washington, D.C. Aug 27, 2020

Professional athletes from several leagues said they would not play scheduled games Wednesday night in response to events in Kenosha, Wis.
Basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer players announced in the last 24 hours that they would not play scheduled games. These decisions come after Jacob Blake, a Black father was shot by police in Kenosha on Sunday.
NPR spoke to the lawyer representing Blake's family, who said earlier this week that Blake is paralyzed from the waist down.
Ahead of the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington, NPR's Cheryl Corley reports on an upcoming march for racial justice.
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2016 On Loop: GOP Targets White Voters Amid Police Shootings, Protests Aug 26, 2020

Donald Trump told the Republican National Convention: "The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon — and I mean very soon — come to an end." That was in 2016.
Today the president and his party are reprising a similar pitch to voters, as police shootings and the protests that follow them continue. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe reports on how the president's 'law and order' message has changed over time.
And Evan Osnos of The New Yorker explains why some white voters are still sticking with the GOP. He wrote about that in his recent piece, "How Greenwich Republicans Learned To Love Trump."
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Believers Of Internet Hoax 'QAnon' Could Be Headed To Congress Aug 25, 2020

The FBI has called it a potential domestic terror threat. The President says he doesn't know much. Now, congressional candidates who've signaled support for the internet hoax 'QAnon' are on the ballot this November.
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Postmaster General Says 'No, I Will Not' Put Mail Sorting Machines Back Aug 24, 2020

Louis DeJoy testified in front of the House Oversight Committee today. He denied ordering the removal of mail sorting machines, but also said he would not put them back into operation.
NPR's Kirk Siegler reports on how the recent slowdown in mail service is hurting Americans in rural areas — people who helped elect President Trump.
NPR's Planet Money tells the story of how the USPS got so strapped for cash in the first place. Listen to their full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Voters React To A Virtual Convention Unlike Any Before Aug 21, 2020

For the first time in modern history, a major political party convention was not about the optics, the crowds, or arena-sized production value. The Democratic National Convention, held virtually, was less about the medium and more about the message. NPR spoke to three Democratic voters to hear what they thought.
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What Would A Biden-Harris Administration Look Like? Aug 20, 2020

Former President Barack Obama reportedly changed the speaking order during Wednesday night's Democratic National Convention so that he would speak before Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris, symbolizing a passing of the torch from one political generation to another. So what would a Biden-Harris administration look like?
NPR's Susan Davis explains that while Biden would inherit new problems caused by the pandemic, he'll also face long-standing issues with Congress.
And NPR's Carrie Johnson explores what Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have said about the possibility of a Biden administration Department of Justice prosecuting President Trump — if he's voted out of office.
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Chaos And Confusion: The President, The Postal Service, And Voting By Mail Aug 19, 2020

For months President Trump has tried to suggest voting by mail is not reliable, while 'absentee' voting is. There's no difference.
NPR's Pam Fessler reports some states are trying to make the process easier by tweaking the deadline by which ballots must be postmarked.
And reporter Frank Morris explains what's happening to hundreds of mail sorting machines that have been taken out of service at postal locations around the country.
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Can College And COVID Co-Exist? Aug 18, 2020

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill welcomed students back to campus, only to cancel all in-person classes a week later. Can any college campus really open while the virus is still so widespread?
NPR's Elissa Nadworny reports on what it looks like to try, from The University Of Georgia.
And NPR's Sequoia Carrillo reports on how U.S. military academies are making it work.
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Why Are Testing Rates Going Down? Aug 17, 2020

Testing is down 40% in two of the hardest-hit states — Texas and Florida. Ashish Jha of Harvard's Global Health Institute explains what might be going on.
NPR's Alison Aubrey describes a new COVID-19 test developed by Yale University that works with saliva.
And NPR's Kirk Sielger reports on a school district in Idaho that's preparing to reopen — and possibly close right back down again.
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The 2020 Census Could Be The Least Accurate Ever — And It's Ending A Month Early Aug 14, 2020

The Census Bureau has said it needs more time to complete their count of every person living in the country. But the Trump administration is ending the effort a month earlier than planned. Census experts worry it could lead to an undercount of historically under-represented groups.
Find more coverage of the census from NPR's Hansi Lo Wang, or follow him on Twitter.
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Congress Is Stuck On Coronavirus Aid. What's President Trump Doing? Aug 13, 2020

Democrats and Republicans have been unable to agree on a new coronavirus aid package. The president has his own plan — a handful of executive orders that would delay the federal payroll tax and provide a smaller amount of federal unemployment benefits than existed before. But those efforts would not help millions of Americans who've been out of work for months.
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Former 'Top Cop' Kamala Harris And America's Reckoning With Police Aug 12, 2020

No major political party has ever put a woman of color on a presidential ticket. Until now, when Senator Kamala Harris — a former district attorney and state attorney general — is meeting a moment of national reckoning with the role of law enforcement in American life.
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What's Changing At The Postal Service, And What It Could Mean For 2020 Aug 11, 2020

More Americans are expected to vote by mail this year than ever before. But President Trump has called the U.S. Postal Service "a joke," and now a major GOP donor runs the organization.
A USPS employee tells NPR's Noel King that changes from the new Postmaster General are making her job harder.
And NPR's Pam Fessler reports that secure drop boxes for ballots could help some states rely less on the mail.
If you want to hear NPR's latest coverage on Joe Biden's pick for Vice President, Senator Kamala Harris, the NPR Politics Podcast will have a new episode on Tuesday evening — listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
NPR's Up First will have more Wednesday morning — also on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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5,000,000 Cases And Counting: The U.S. Is Still Failing To Contain The Virus Aug 10, 2020

A school district in Georgia learned firsthand last week that the virus is almost impossible to contain — especially without masks and social distancing.
A new effort in New York City encourages travelers to self-isolate when they get into town.
And public health workers in Texas and California explain that the size of the outbreak makes contact tracing a huge challenge.
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President Trump Wants To Ban TikTok. Is It Really A National Security Threat? Aug 07, 2020

The app doesn't seem to collect any more data than other social media platforms. But the Trump administration argues that data could fall into the hands of the Chinese government.
NPR's Bobby Allyn reported on TikTok's role in the racial justice movement.
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From Online Conventions To Teen Poll Workers, The Virus Is Transforming Election 2020 Aug 06, 2020

States are scrambling to replace older poll workers with younger ones. The two major political parties will hold their conventions mostly online. And in one big battleground state, the pandemic is shifting the political geography.
NPR's latest battleground state map is here.
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The Patchwork Pandemic Continues As New States Approach A 'Danger Point' Aug 05, 2020

First New York, then the Sun Belt. Now, new states like Illinois and Mississippi are urging residents to wear masks and take the virus more seriously.
Bars remain one of the most dangerous places to be during the pandemic. Reporter Will Stone explains why, from Seattle.
While Michigan and New York saw similar spikes in cases near the beginning of the pandemic, New York has flattened the curve. Michigan hasn't. Reporters Kate Wells and Fred Mogul discuss what lessons can be learned from the disparity.
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Americans Want To Go Back To Normal, But 'Normal' Is What Got Us Here Aug 04, 2020

After rising for weeks, the rate of daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has started to level off. But now, just as we saw in the spring, the country is facing a spike in deaths.
In the new issue of The Atlantic, two stories share the cover. One, by Ed Yong, is about the pandemic. The other, by Ibram Kendi, is about racism in America. Both ask the same question: how did it come to this?
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The Virus Is Out Of Control, And Kids Are Headed Back To School Anyway Aug 03, 2020

Millions of students are getting ready to head back to school. Some already have. NPR's Anya Kamentez reports on what happens when positive cases crop up — as they inevitably will.
School nurses understand the challenges of returning to school safely better than just about anyone. But NPR's Clare Lombardo reports somenurses have no input in the process.
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Slow Mail, Misinformation, And The Pandemic: What Could Go Wrong On Election Day 2020 Jul 31, 2020

Rosa Brooks, law professor at Georgetown University, recently helped organize an experiment to game out what might happen if the winner on election night isn't immediately clear. She explains what she found.
And NPR's Sally Herships reports on cuts at the postal service — and concerns they're politically motivated.
Garrett Graff wrote about how election day could go off the rails for Politico Magazine.
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The U.S. Has Lost Control Of The Coronavirus. What Now? Jul 30, 2020

The spread of the virus exceeds our capacity to test, contact trace, and isolate those who test positive. Some public health experts say the only option that remains is a second shutdown. NPR's Rob Stein reports on what that would look like.
Derek Thompson, writer and editor at The Atlantic, says there's another part of our virus strategy we may need to rethink. He calls it 'hygiene theater.'
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In The Pandemic, Big Tech Is Bigger Than Ever. Should Consumers Be Worried? Jul 29, 2020

The CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google faced questions today from a House subcommittee. Some lawmakers believe those companies have too much economic and political power. Former Facebook policy executive Dipayan Ghosh agrees.
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John Lewis Fought For Voting Rights His Entire Life. Why His Work Is Still Unfinished Jul 28, 2020

John Lewis, the civil rights icon and late congressman from Georgia who represented Atlanta for more than three decades, spent his life fighting for equal voting rights in America.
Myrna Perez, Director of the Voting Rights and Elections Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, explains why his work remains unfinished.
Lewis spoke to 'Fresh Air' in 2009. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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First Phase III Vaccine Trial Underway, Government Seeks Thousands Of Volunteers Jul 27, 2020

This morning in Savannah, Georgia, the first volunteer was injected in a phase-three vaccine trial administered by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. Dr Anthony Fauci hopes that up to 15,000 volunteers will be in place by the end of the week. (Tens of thousands more will be needed for additional vaccine trials.)
It will take months to learn if the vaccine produces an effective immune response. Scientists who've studied antibody reactions in coronavirus patients have reason to be optimistic, at least in the short-term.
And Dr Elke Webber, psychology professor at Princeton University, explains why the pandemic may be getting too big to wrap our heads around.
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Expanded Unemployment Set To Expire; Americans Face 'Utterly Preventable' Evictions Jul 24, 2020

More than 25 million Americans have been receiving expanded federal unemployment benefits — $600 a week. Those benefits disappear in days.
Congress is unlikely to agree on new package before the end of next week. And temporary moratoriums on evictions are coming to an end in many places around the country.
NPR's Noel King spoke with Matt Desmond, founder of Princeton University's Eviction Lab, about what could happen if Congress doesn't provide more help, and why so many American families were already in trouble before the pandemic.
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The Fight Over Confederate Statues, And How They Could Tell Another Story Jul 23, 2020

Monument Avenue is a large, tree-lined street in Richmond, Virginia that used to have several confederate statues and monuments. In the wake of protests against racism and police brutality, the city has removed most of them. But a monument of Robert E. Lee still stands — for now.
Even before the statues started coming down, WVTF's Mallory Noe-Payne reports that Richmond residents began reclaiming the space where it stands.
And historian Julian Hayter tells NPR's Scott Simon there's a way for confederate statues to tell a different story.
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Voting By Mail Will Increase Dramatically This Year — And It Could Get Messy Jul 22, 2020

Up to 70% of vote this November could be cast by mail. But not all states will allow it.
And a recent NPR survey found that 65,000 absentee or mail-in ballots have been rejected this year for being late.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly visited a county in Pennsylvania to see what challenges lay ahead for election night in a critical swing state.
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Masks May Protect Those Wearing Them; Vaccines To Enter Large-Scale Trials Jul 21, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci tells NPR he's glad the President is promoting masks, and hopes more frequent White House briefings will be a source of clear and concise public health messaging.
Experimental coronavirus vaccines are headed for large-scale tests on tens of thousands of people. Multiple companies are preparing to begin those tests, a major hurdle in vaccine development.
We know masks keep us from infecting others with the virus. Now, scientists believe they can also help protect the people wearing them.
And NPR's Nurith Aizenmann reports that face coverings are one of the surest ways for cities and states to avoid returning to full lockdown measures and could potentially save 40,000 American lives.
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Federal Officers Could Expand Beyond Portland; Trump Searches For Campaign Strategy Jul 20, 2020

In Portland, Oregon, federal agents have been using violent force against protesters. Some protesters have been arrested by officers in unmarked vehicles.
Governor Kate Brown has asked the Department of Homeland Security to step aside, while President Trump threatened to dispatch federal officers to more cities.
NPR's Mara Liasson reports Trump was hoping to campaign on a thriving economy and a swift end to the pandemic. Surging cases have forced him to change his message — and given Joe Biden an opening.
Ongoing coverage of the Portland protests and police response from our colleagues at Oregon Public Broadcasting.
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Money Is Flowing For Big Banks. For Unemployed Americans, It's About To Be Cut Off Jul 17, 2020

The United States had 71,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Back in June, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he wouldn't be surprised to see 100,00 cases per day. That grim prediction is getting closer to reality.
While the economy is in a recession and tens of millions of people have lost jobs, some big banks are enjoying huge profits.
Three unemployed workers from different parts of the country share what options they have once the federal CARES Act benefits expire at the end of July.
Indivar Dutta-Gupta, co-executive director of Georgetown University's Center on Poverty and Inequality, told NPR that the expiration of CARES Act benefits will not only hurt those workers relying on them — but the economy as a whole.
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Trump Administration Push To 'Consolidate' CDC Data Worries Public Health Experts Jul 16, 2020

Until now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has collected important information about COVID-19 hospitalizations and equipment from around the country. The Trump Administration now says hospitals must stop reporting that data to the CDC and instead send information to a different federal database.
Meanwhile, four states have agreed to share driver's license records to help the Trump administration produce citizenship data. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports this data could be used for redrawing voting districts.
And some imported surgical masks are turning out to be defective. Sellers of the masks are touting FDA certificates but those certificates are useless.
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There's No Untangling The Pandemic From The Economy Jul 15, 2020

A lot of Americans are having trouble getting a coronavirus test. If they do get one, they may have to wait more than a week for results.
On Tuesday, some of the country's biggest banks announced their second quarter results. The bottom line? The pandemic and the economy can't be separated.
Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, announced they will require customers to wear masks beginning next week. Small businesses around the country are already dealing with fallout when customers refuse.
And in a surprise move, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced they will rescind regulations barring international students from staying in the U.S. if their colleges don't offer in-person classes this fall.
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Can Schools Open Safely? What Other Countries Have Decided Jul 14, 2020

Admiral Brett Giroir of the White House coronavirus task force tells NPR that the United States is still growing testing capacity. Positivity rates in parts of the South suggest there is a long way to go.
Teachers, parents and public health officials around the country are trying to figure out what do to in the fall. The Trump administration says schools should re-open, but individual school districts will ultimately decide. Some already have: Los Angeles and San Diego announced this week school will resume remote-only.
And while Disneyland in Hong Kong shut down after dozens of new cases there, Walt Disney World in Florida reopened after 15,000 were reported on a single day over the weekend.
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Florida ICU Could Hit Capacity 'In Days' As Health Care Workers Face Burnout Jul 13, 2020

Governors in Southern states like Louisiana are starting to come around to mask mandates, but not all residents are following suit.
On Sunday, Florida reported more than 15,000 positive coronavirus cases. At Jackson Memorial Hospital in South Florida, director of medical ICU Dr. David J. De La Zerda says beds are running and low — and so are nurses to staff them.
And the NFL's Washington, D.C.-based team is officially changing its name and logo. Activist Crystal Echo Hawk says she cried when she heard the news.
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Consider This: Make Sense Of The Day Jul 12, 2020

Every weekday afternoon, Kelly McEvers and the hosts of NPR's All Things Considered — Ailsa Chang, Audie Cornish, Mary Louise Kelly and Ari Shapiro — help you consider the major stories of the day in less than 15 minutes, featuring the reporting and storytelling resources of NPR.
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The GOP Operatives Toying With Trump, Hoping For A President Biden Jul 10, 2020

The President traveled to Florida today. It's one of three states that just set records for new daily deaths from the coronavirus. Trump's trip there included a stop at a fundraiser for his re-election campaign.
Several Republican-run groups including The Lincoln Project are opposing that campaign, running slick political ads aimed at an audience of one. Ari Shaprio explains.
And Asma Khalid reports GOP opposition to the President draws a lot of attention, but it's unclear whether voters are moved by the messaging.
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Testing Labs Falling Behind; SCOTUS Rules On Trump Taxes Jul 09, 2020

With so many new coronavirus cases, testing labs are falling behind and people are waiting days for results.
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Trump was not immune from a grand jury subpoena for his financial records. But Americans are not likely to see the president's taxes before Election Day.
There were nearly 2.4 million new applications for state and federal unemployment benefits last week, according to the Labor Department. After four straight months of people applying for unemployment by the millions, NPR's Scott Horsley reports there are growing signs it won't be getting better anytime soon.
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3 Million Cases And Counting, U.S. Faces Same Problems From Beginning Of Pandemic Jul 08, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court has made it more difficult for women to get access to birth control. The opinion upheld a Trump administration rule that allows employers to use religious or moral reasons to deny birth control coverage.
The United States has more than 3 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and is still facing the same problems from the early days of the pandemic, including a lack of PPE, slow testing and not enough contact tracing.
Doctors are using a new antigen test that is a faster way to spot people infected with the coronavirus. NPR's Rob Stein reports it's cheaper and simpler but may be less reliable.
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Ideas For Reopening Schools; Evidence Of Airborne Spread Jul 07, 2020

The Australian state of Victoria, which includes Melbourne, just started a new six-week lockdown. The state just recorded a record number of new daily cases: 191.
Education and public health experts agree it's important that kids get back to school in the fall. The question is how to do it safely. NPR's Anya Kamenetz reports on some radical ideas for reopening.
Some experts say there's increasing evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through particles that travel through the air when we breathe. The World Health Organization has been cautious about confirming that idea.
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Lawsuit Forces Release of Government Data On Racial Inequity Of Coronavirus Jul 06, 2020

For the first time in the states history, Arizona has activated "crisis of care standards," a set of protocols health care workers can use to make decisions about how to allocate resources.
The mayor of Houston says ICU beds are starting to fill up and the city has two weeks to get things under control.
The New York Times sued the federal government to obtain data collected by the CDC that reveals more information about how the virus has affected people of color in the United States. The numbers revealed Latinx and Black people are three times as likely to become infected as white people.
The virus is spreading fast in Florida. To reach the hardest hit communities, public health workers in Miami are going door to door in Latinx neighborhoods with supplies and information.
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America Relied On 'Individual Decisions' To Slow The Virus. It Didn't Work Jul 03, 2020

It can feel a bit like headline deja vu: New cases on the rise; bars and restaurants closing back down. More than 130,000 people have died in the United States. Hotspots cropping up across the country.
How — after four months — are we here?
We examine the emphasis on individual decision making, and science journalist Ed Yong explains how individual actions led to a "patchwork pandemic."
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Fauci Admits Government Fault On Masks; Celebrating July 4 Safely Jul 02, 2020

Employers added 4.8 million jobs last month but the U.S. is still down 15 million jobs since February. And those new figures are from a survey before the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
Coronavirus cases in the U.S. rose in part due to Memorial Day weekend celebrations, when people went out to beaches and restaurants. From a report by NPR's Allison Aubrey, experts share tips on how to safely celebrate the Fourth of July
There's been a lot of mixed messaging on masks. Dr. Anthony Fauci tells NPR the government could have done a better job early on. And NPR's Maria Godoy reports on how to choose the best mask for you.
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The Mask Debate Is Over; Fauci On Mandates, Vaccine Skepticism Jul 01, 2020

As Arizona hits new records of coronavirus cases and deaths, the state announced they will pause their reopening plans.
More and more Republicans are speaking up in support of face masks. Even Vice President Mike Pence has been wearing one in public lately.
Dr. Anthony Fauci tells NPR the coronavirus surges we're seeing now are partly the result of too few people wearing masks. Fauci said it's especially hard to explain the risk to young people, because the virus has such a broad range of severity.
Plus, a group of scientists who wanted to make it easier to track the virus in your community created an online risk assessment map. NPR's Allison Aubrey and Carmel Wroth reported on the new tool.
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Gaps In The Russian Bounties Story; Fauci Warns Of 100k Cases A Day Jun 30, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci told members of Congress Tuesday that although he can't predict the ultimate number of coronavirus cases in the United States, he "would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does not turn around."
The New York Times reported that Russian military intelligence offered money to the the Taliban in exchange for killing American troops in Afghanistan. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly spoke with Aaron O'Connell, a Marine Corp veteran who served on the National Security Council, about Russia's possible motives.
Coronavirus testing in the U.S. is up, but not up enough. Public health researchers say only a handful of states are testing at the level needed to suppress the virus.
To see how your state is doing with testing, go to NPR's tracker.
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After SCOTUS Decision, The Future Of Abortion Rights; Mask Mandates Jun 29, 2020

On Monday, the Supreme Court issued a major decision on access to abortion. The court struck down a Louisiana law that required doctors who perform abortions at clinics to also have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. NPR's Sarah McCammon reported from the clinic at the center of the case last year.
With coronavirus cases surging in North Carolina, officials issued a statewide mandate for face coverings, and are hiring bilingual contact tracers to work with the state's Latinx community.
Warehouses are a big source of temporary jobs in New Jersey, especially for undocumented immigrants. Workers often have to travel in crowded vans, despite guidelines to social distance. Now, WNYC's Karen Yi reports, some of them are getting sick.
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Welcome to Consider This Jun 27, 2020

The hosts of NPR's All Things Considered help you make sense of a major news story and what it means for you, in 15 minutes. New episodes six days a week, Sunday through Friday.
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White House Task Force Briefing Is Back; Texas Emergency Rooms Are Filling Up Jun 26, 2020

COVID-19 cases are at an all-time high in the U.S. And for the first time in almost two months, The White House Coronavirus Task Force had a televised briefing.
In Texas on Thursday, 6,000 new cases of the coronavirus were reported. An ER doctor in Houston says beds are filling up and they are running out of places to send patients.
Some states are closing down bars and restaurants, again, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. But NPR's Scott Horsley explains that customer traffic has already been dropping for days.

Even now, it can still be tough to get a coronavirus test especially, as NPR's Kirk Siegler reports, in tribal communities.
Plus, with many movie theatres closed, the films topping the box office are a bit ... retro.
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Mask Debate Heats Up; Creating A Vaccine For A Mutating Virus Jun 25, 2020

Just two months ago, the Northeast was the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. On Wednesday, there were just 581 new reported cases of the coronavirus in New York and now visitors from other states are expected to quarantine after they arrive.
More Governors across the country are touting the benefits of masks but not all are willing to make wearing them a state policy.
NPR's Jon Hamilton reports that scientists are closely tracking mutations in the coronavirus to ensure the changes don't complicate a future vaccine.
Plus, COVID-19 has presented particular challenges for women and reproductive health. Many say that the pandemic is causing them to rethink their plans to have children.
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The Pandemic Isn't Over: Nearly 10 Million Coronavirus Cases Worldwide Jun 24, 2020

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, started Wednesday's coronavirus briefing on a somber note: By next week there will be a total of 10 million cases globally. A reminder, says Ghebreyesus, that the pandemic isn't over, despite places around the world reopening.
There's been a lot of news about coronavirus spikes in states like Texas and Florida. But not in Georgia. Why? Georgia Public Broadcasting reporter Grant Blankenship has more.
And we talk to a public health official in Washington State scrambling to identify hotspots in her community.
America can't fully get back to work without childcare, and many children are suffering without social opportunities. But how to reopen schools, camps and daycares safely? NPR's Anya Kamenetz talks to childcare centers that have stayed open on how they've been trying to keep kids and staff safe.
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Fauci Fact-Checks Trump On Testing Jun 23, 2020

Wearing a face mask, with hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes close at hand, Dr. Anthony Fauci testified before the House Tuesday, to explain why the U.S. still struggles to get a handle on the coronavirus.
On Saturday, the U.S. reported 32,411 new cases in just that one day.
Fauci also countered President Trump's claim that more testing is "a double-edged sword" to blame for the rise in coronavirus cases across the country. Instead, Fauci says testing is essential if we want to get control of the virus.
And NPR's Lauren Frayer takes us to India, where the health care system is collapsing under the heavy demand caused by COVID-19.
Plus — for the past three months, just about everyone who can work from home has. And for the most part, things seem to be working. So, as NPR's Uri Berliner reports, more and more employers are looking to make the move permanent.
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Florida Passes 100,000 Cases; More Young People Are Testing Positive Jun 22, 2020

Florida passed a grim milestone: 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The latest numbers include a lot of people in their 20s and 30s. Some officials are putting a pause on reopening.
The Trump administration has started shipping out supplies needed to ensure sufficient testing. But those supplies haven't always been very helpful and in some cases they've been hazardous. NPR's Rob Stein has the details.
Iowa is home to some 10,000 refugees from Myanmar. The coronavirus has been especially hard on them, with estimates saying as many as 70% have contracted the virus. As Iowa Public Radio's Kate Payne reports, many in the Burmese community work at local meatpacking plants, where social distancing is a constant challenge.
Preparing to visit family in long-term care facilities? NPR's Allison Aubrey has some tips to keep everyone safe.
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The President's Indoor Rally; Rise In Cases Not Explained By More Testing Jun 19, 2020

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in some states — and more testing isn't the only explanation.
Find out how cases are in your community.
Today is Juneteenth. On this day in 1865, U.S. Army troops landed in Galveston, Texas to tell some of the last enslaved Americans they were free. More American businesses are recognizing the holiday this year.

President Trump was planning on holding a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma today. Instead, thousands will be gathering to see the President tomorrow — indoors. And as NPR's Tamera Keith reports, public health officials aren't thrilled.
Plus, Germany has been able to slow the spread of the coronavirus with the help of an army of contact tracers working around the clock. NPR's Rob Schmitz has more.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court upheld Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA). NPR's Code Switch spoke with one of the plaintiffs in the case about how she's processing the news.You can find Code Switch on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and NPR One.
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Restaurants Are Closing. Again. Jun 18, 2020

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration's plan to end DACA — Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals — was "arbitrary and capricious." The ruling is welcome news for recipients of the program, some of whom are essential workers on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
As areas reopen, officials are working to ensure businesses are adopting safety precautions to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Officials in Los Angeles found that half of the restaurants they surveyed violated rules and safety standards.
Plus, NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin with an update on which communities across the country have sufficient staff in place for contact tracing. Check out the state-by-state breakdown here.
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Which Masks Are Better; The Rich Aren't Spending (And That's Hurting The Economy) Jun 17, 2020

While President Trump wants to celebrate an uptick in retail sales as states reopen, there's still a long way to go before the economy is back on track. Part of the problem is that the wealthiest Americans are saving their cash rather than spending it.
More and more people are leaving their home without a face covering, but experts tell NPR's Maria Godoy they really do help — some more than others.
There has been growing support of the Black Lives Matter movement among white Americans. But why now? Police brutality isn't new. Gene Demby of NPR's Code Switch podcast explains what the pandemic might have to do with it.
Listen to "Why Now, White People?" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or NPR One.

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Isolation Causes Loneliness. What Else Can It Do To Our Bodies? Jun 16, 2020

There's a cost to staying home, too. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a neuroscientist and social psychologist at Brigham Young University, explains the toll that social isolation can take.
It's been exactly three months since President Trump issued the first national guidelines for social distancing, including pausing nursing home visitors.
NPR's Ashley Westerman recently checked in on her 100-year-old grandfather. Paul Westerman's wife of 76 years is in hospice care. He's alone, except for the nurses in his veteran's home.
Plus NPR's Chris Arnold checks in on a Boston hair stylist going back to work.
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There Is No 'Second Wave.' The U.S. Is Still Stuck In The First One Jun 15, 2020

Nationwide, numbers were never trending downward in any big way. Now in some states that are reopening, they are going up. Oregon and Arizona are two of those places. Each state is taking a different approach.
Testing is more available than ever before. Some cities are urging people who don't feel sick to get a test, just as a precaution. But WPLN's Blake Farmer reports some insurance companies won't pay for the cost of a test unless it's "medically necessary."
Due to the pandemic, a lot of states are making it easier to vote by mail. NPR's Miles Parks says this new process could mean waiting a lot longer for elections results come November.
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What We Don't Know About Potential Vaccines; Protest Safety Jun 12, 2020

All week we've been hearing about rising cases in states around the country. The stock market reacted on Thursday, in part after Federal Reserve officials predicted the unemployment rate will still be above 9% at the end of the year.
There's a lot we don't know about the White House's public-private partnership to develop a vaccine, Operation Warp Speed. NPR's Sydney Lupkin reports on a winnowing field of vaccine candidates.
And during a pandemic, the most vulnerable newborns require even more protection.
Plus, NPR's Maria Godoy shares tips to minimize the risks of COVID-19 for yourself and others if you've been out protesting.
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Masks Are Even More Important Than We Thought Jun 11, 2020

Many states that reopened a few weeks ago are seeing spikes in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. In Arizona, officials say if cases continue to rise, they may have to be more aggressive about enforcing reopening protocols for businesses.
In major cities across Texas there are disparities in access to COVID-19 testing, resulting in less testing in black neighborhoods than white neighborhoods.
Dr. Atul Gawande spoke with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about why face masks remain essential in dealing with the coronavirus and the efficacy of different masks.
To help with shortages of PPE, one volunteer group has used 3D printers at home to make nearly 40,000 NIH-approved face shields for health care workers and first responders.
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Numbers Steady, Hundreds More Dead Each Day; The Cost Of Opening Schools Jun 10, 2020

The numbers aren't really changing. 20,000 new cases a day, and more than 800 dead. Experts warn that by fall, in America, the death count could rise to 200,000.
Some members of the National Guard who were sent to Washington D.C. during the protests over the death of George Floyd have tested positive for the coronavirus. Dr. Anthony Fauci is concerned — but not surprised.
Many nursing homes banned all visitors and nonessential workers from their facilities to stop the spread of COVID-19. Some advocates and families say they want that ban to end.
A big unanswered question is whether it will be safe for public K-12 schools to reopen safely in the fall. The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing on the topic Wednesday.
Plus, the Mall of America reopened after nearly three months.
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Kids And COVID-19; Mixed Messages On Asymptomatic Spread Jun 09, 2020

George Floyd's killing by police sparked protests around the world. Because of the coronavirus, attendance at Floyd's Houston funeral was limited and mourners were encouraged to wear masks.
People of color have been hit hard by the coronavirus because of risk factors including chronic health conditions and less access to health care. Experts say scientists need better data on who's getting sick and public health officials need to communicate better with communities of color.
A top official from the World Health Organization walked back a statement Monday in which she said transmission from asymptomatic carriers of the virus is "very rare."
A small but growing number of kids have a dangerous reaction to coronavirus called multi-inflammatory syndrome, which can cause inflamed hearts, lungs and other organs.
Plus, one man built an art piece he calls a 'Doorway To Imagination' in his social distancing-created free time.
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New York Reopening; Hindsight On Sweden's Lack of Lockdown Jun 08, 2020

After a nearly three-month lockdown and over 20,000 coronavirus-related deaths, New York City is taking its first steps to reopen parts of its economy amid protests over police brutality.
The coronavirus is surviving the heat and humidity despite initial hopes it would not last through the summer. Experts now think the coronavirus will be here for years to come.
Sweden's government implemented limited restrictions in an attempt to protect the country's economy during the pandemic. Now, they're seeing mixed results.
And for the first time in months, the massive Vatican Museums are open.
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Surprising Job Gains Are Good News — But Not For Everyone Jun 05, 2020

Editor's note: In this episode, we mispronounced the name of professor Sven-Eric Jordt.
It looks like another weekend of protests across the country. And that means more people could be exposed to tear gas, pepper spray and other "chemical irritants" that trigger — among other things — coughing and sneezing. Two things people are trying to avoid during this pandemic.
Americans are skipping payments on mortgages, auto loans and other bills due to the economic impact of the pandemic. And as NPR's Chris Arnold reports, for some, catching up is going to be painful.
Plus, the coronavirus has hit people of color especially hard. As Harvard's David Williams writes in an article for the Washington Post, before COVID-19, Black Americans werealready struggling with the health effects of everyday discrimination. The pandemic is only making it worse.
And NPR's Short Wave team takes us to San Francisco where Hispanics and Latinxs make up 46% of all coronavirus cases ⁠— but they make up just 15% of the population.
Don't forget to check out Short Wave on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Phase III Vaccine Trials Could Start In July Jun 04, 2020

It's been 96 days since the first person in America was reported to have died of COVID-19. And for the first time, the federal government will require states to keep track of who's getting sick and who's dying based on their age, sex, and race and ethnicity.

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Around the world, 10 vaccine candidates have begun human trials.
COVID-19 has killed nearly 110,000 people in America. And black Americans are dying at nearly two and half times the rate of white Americans. As NPR's Stacey Vanek Smith and Greg Rosalsky report on the economic reasons why.
Plus, WAMU reporter Jacob Fenston reports on 85-year-old Margaret Sullivan, who feels like she's been "living in a bubble" since the start of the pandemic.
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Fauci's New Vaccine Hopes For 2021; A Pandemic Election Jun 03, 2020

Eight states and the District of Columbia went to the polls Tuesday. More mail-in ballots and fewer in-person polling places caused long delays in some places, highlighting the challenges for the November elections.
KUT's Ashley Lopez reports, since naturalization ceremonies have been halted due to the pandemic, thousands who were due to become U.S. citizens over the last few weeks are now in limbo.
Public health workers are encountering resistance, online harassment and even violent threats as they conduct contact tracing and other containment strategies in their local communities. NPR's Will Stone has more.
Plus, a visit to the Six Feet Away Museum in Jacksonville, Florida, and an update on a coronavirus vaccine.
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The Coronavirus In America: One More Racial Inequity Jun 02, 2020

The more we learn about the coronavirus, the clearer it becomes that it's disproportionately affecting communities of color. And as protests continue across the country, some health experts worry that the hardest hit areas could be in for another wave of cases.
By almost every economic measure, black Americans have a harder time getting a leg up. As the pandemic has sent the country's economy into the worst downturn in generations, it's only gotten worse. More from NPR's Scott Horsley and the team at NPR's Planet Money.
Despite all of this, there is a bit of good news. Some communities across the country are reporting a decrease in COVID-19 cases. NPR's Rob Stein breaks down the national outlook.
Plus, advice on how to combat anxiety, avoid insomnia and get some rest.
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You can find more sleep tips on NPR's Life Kit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Protesting In A Pandemic; The Fight Over Mail-In Voting Jun 01, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has collided with protests all over the country over police brutality and the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and many other black Americans.
Now public health officials are concerned for the health of protesters. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms even encouraged protesters in her city to get tested.
NPR's Pam Fessler reports the legal fight between Democrats and Republicans over mail-in voting has intensified ever since the pandemic hit.
Listen to Short Wave's episode about what we will ⁠— and won't ⁠— remember about the pandemic on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Q & A: Voting And Acts Of Kindness May 30, 2020

Bestselling author Cheryl Strayed joins NPR's Ari Shaprio as listeners share stories about acts of kindness they've experienced.
These excerpts come from NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis, The National Conversation. In this episode:
-NPR reporter Miles Parks answers questions about how upcoming elections can be run safely.
-Cheryl Strayed, bestselling author of 'Wild' and host of the podcast Sugar Calling, joins NPR host Ari Shapiro to hear listeners' stories about acts of kindness during the pandemic.
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The Rural/Urban Divide; Safe Summer Activities May 29, 2020

Democrats want another coronavirus relief bill. A sticking point for Republicans is $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits — which means some workers have been able to collect more money on unemployment than they did in their previous jobs.
Essential workers who have continued to work may have received temporary wage bumps. But NPR's Alina Selyukh reports many companies are ending that hazard pay.
Challenges to statewide stay-at-home orders are mounting in rural communities that have few coronavirus cases. NPR's Kirk Siegler reports on the dispute in Baker County, Oregon.
Plus, experts weigh in on the safety of different summer activities.
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Why Are Some Countries Doing Better Than Others? May 28, 2020

A new study suggests the coronavirus is both more common and less deadly than it first appeared, NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.
From NPR's Joel Rose: a shortage of machines to process tests is the latest bottleneck in the pandemic supply chain.
Certain countries like New Zealand, Germany and several nations in Asia have been successful in controlling the coronvavirus. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports on how leadership played a strong role.
Mara Gay is 33-years-old, lives in New York City and got sick with COVID-19 in April. She spoke with NPR's Michel Martin about her long recovery process, despite being young and healthy.
Plus, two teenagers who were looking forward to competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which was cancelled this week.
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Global Vaccine Competition; More Than 100,000 Dead May 27, 2020

According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 100,000 people have died in the United States from COVID-19, and experts at the World Health Organization warn a second peak of COVID-19 infections could occur during this first wave of the virus. Meanwhile, the global race for a vaccine is generating competition between nations, mainly the U.S. and China.
New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal more than 60,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19, and almost 300 have died. This is a dramatic increase since the CDC first released numbers six weeks ago.
Bangladesh has extended its coronavirus lockdown — except for the garment factories. But with big brands canceling orders, workers face pay cuts, hunger and little to no social distancing.
Plus, an obituary writer reflects on COVID-19 deaths.
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99,000 People Dead And A Dire Summer Prediction May 26, 2020

As the United States nears 100,000 coronavirus deaths and states begin to re-open, what's next for the country? Dr. Ashish Jha of Harvard's Global Health Institute cautions it's still early in the crisis.
Researchers have found the coronavirus was introduced to the U.S. in part by affluent travelers — but those weren't the people hit the hardest.
Cathy Cody owns a janitorial company in a Georgia community with a high rate of COVID-19. Her company offers a new service boxing up the belongings of residents who have died. Read or listen to the full story from NPR's Morning Edition.
Plus, rollerblading is having a moment.
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The Cost Of Being "Essential" May 25, 2020

From NPR's Embedded: The workers who produce pork, chicken, and beef in plants around the country have been deemed "essential" by the government and their employers. Now, the factories where they work have become some of the largest clusters for the coronavirus in the country. The workers, many of whom are immigrants, say their bosses have not done enough to protect them.
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Q & A: Vaccine Development And Kids' Questions May 23, 2020

NPR Science Correspondent Joe Palca answers listener questions about vaccine development, and medical experts tackle questions sent in by kids.
These excerpts come from NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis, The National Conversation. In this episode:
-NPR Science Correspondent Joe Palca explains how vaccines are made and the unique challenges associated with COVID-19.
-Kids' questions are answered by pediatric nurse practitioner Suzannah Stivison from the Capitol Medical Group in Washington, D.C., and Dr. Wanjiku Njoroge, medical director for the Young Child Clinic at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
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Fauci Optimistic On Vaccine; What's Different About Military Homecomings May 22, 2020

Earlier this week, an experimental coronavirus vaccine showed promise. But, for the moment, the full data from that research hasn't been released.
Friday morning, Dr. Anthony Fauci told NPR he's seen the data and it looks "quite promising." According to Fauci, barring any setbacks, the US is on track to have a vaccine by early next year.
Millions of Americans are turning to food banks to help feed their families during the pandemic. A new federal program pays farmers who've lost restaurant and school business to donate the excess to community organizations. But even the people in charge of these organizations say direct cash assistance is a better way to feed Americans in need.
A few months ago, before the lock downs, nearly 3,000 paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division left on a short-notice deployment to the Middle East. The 82nd is coming back is being welcomed back to a changed nation and a changed military.
Plus, about 180 people are hunkered down together in a Jerusalem hotel, recovering from COVID-19. Patients from all walks of life — Israelis, Palestinians, religious, secular groups that don't usually mix — are all getting along. Listen to the full Rough Translation podcast "Hotel Corona."
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Optimism For A Vaccine; Strapped Unemployment Offices Leave Many Waiting May 21, 2020

A new analysis from Columbia University says that roughly 36,000 people could've been saved if the United States had started social distancing just one week earlier. But that all hinges on whether people would have been willing to stay home.
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Research with mice, guinea pigs and monkeys is making scientists increasingly optimistic about the chances for developing a COVID-19 vaccine. Three studies released Wednesday show promising results after the animals received experimental vaccines. But public health success will require global cooperation.
Meanwhile, state unemployment agencies are feeling the pinch as they try to keep up with unparalleled demand for their services.
And as bordering towns begin to ease stay-at-home restrictions, the logistics around reopening neighboring areas is leading to quite a bit of confusion.
Plus, sometimes you just need a hug. And if you're isolating alone, TikTok star Tabitha Brown has got you covered with comfort content to help you feel loved.
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What Contact Tracing Tells Us About High-Risk Activities May 20, 2020

Three-quarters of Americans are concerned that a second wave of coronavirus cases will emerge, a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds. Despite that, groups around the country, including in Michigan, are protesting state lockdowns.
President Trump's stance on hydroxychloroquine has made the drug harder to study, according to some scientists.
Researchers have been digging into contact tracing data from countries that had early outbreaks. Data suggest high risk activities include large indoor gatherings. Lower risk is going to the grocery store.
Plus, what is happening with classroom pets when school is out of session due to the coronavirus. Reporter Sara Stacke's story with photos.
You can hear more about the NPR poll on the NPR Politics Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Indoor Spread, Workers' Anxieties, And Our Warped Sense Of Time May 19, 2020

There are still a lot of questions about how the coronavirus is transmitted through air. Researchers are looking at how the virus is spread indoors and how to safely have people under one roof.
As states around the country lift restrictions and businesses reopen, many workers in close-contact jobs are scared for their health and would rather stay on unemployment. NPR's Chris Arnold reports on what options workers have.
Listen to Short Wave's episode about why it's so hard to remember what day it is and some tips for giving time more meaning on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Encouraging Vaccine News; Pandemic Grows More Political May 18, 2020

A new coronavirus vaccine candidate shows encouraging results. It's early, but preliminary data shows it appears to be eliciting the kind of immune response capable of preventing disease.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been signaling that more government spending might be necessary to prevent long-term economic damage.
As the pandemic becomes more political, researchers are concerned debates over masks, social distancing and reopening the economy are inflaming an already divided nation. Incidents of violence are rare, but concerning to experts.
Plus, a 102-year-old woman who survived the influenza of 1918, the Great Depression, World War II and now, COVID-19.
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Q & A: Sleep Problems And Summer Childcare May 16, 2020

Sleep experts answer listener questions about insomnia, and a nurse practitioner offers advice to parents about summer childcare.
These excerpts come from NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis, 'The National Conversation with All Things Considered.' In this episode:
- Dr. Sonia Ancoli-Israel of the Center for Circadian Biology, and Dr. Christina McCrae of the Mizzou Sleep Research Lab offer advice to listeners who are having trouble falling asleep.
- Pediatric nurse practitioner Suzannah Stivison answers parents' questions about childcare this summer.
If you have a question, you can share it at npr.org/nationalconversation, or tweet with the hashtag, #NPRConversation.
We'll return with a regular episode of Coronavirus Daily on Monday.
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The Government's Vaccine Push; Businesses Struggle With Reopening Rules May 15, 2020

To speed up the process of developing a coronavirus vaccine, the Trump Administration says the government will invest in manufacturing the top candidates even before one is proven to work.
As parts of the country reopen, different rules apply across state and even city lines, leaving business owners trying to figure things out for themselves, 'All Things Considered' host Ari Shapiro reports.
Demand for goods and services plunged in April according to new data. NPR's Stacey Vanek Smith of The Indicator reports on pent-up demand and what that means for the future of the U.S. economy.
The Navajo Nation has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 deaths per capita in the United States. NPR's Code Switch podcast examines why Native Americans have been so hard hit by the coronavirus. Listen to their episode on race and COVID-19 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
Listen to Throughline's episode about the origins of the N95 mask on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Whistleblower: U.S. Lost Valuable Time, Warns Of 'Darkest Winter In Modern History' May 14, 2020

Career government scientist-turned-whistleblower Rick Bright testified before Congress Thursday that without a stronger federal response to the coronavirus, 2020 could be the "darkest winter in modern history."
Schools might not open everywhere in the fall, but some experts say keeping kids home is a health risk, too.
Apple and Google want to develop technology to track the spread of COVID-19 while protecting individuals' privacy, while some states like North Dakota are developing their own apps.
Plus, tips on social distancing from someone who's been doing it for 50 years: Billy Barr's movie recommendations spreadsheet.
Listen to the NPR Politics Podcast's recap of today's hearing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
Send your remembrance of a loved one to embedded@npr.org.
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Public Health Vs. Politics; Lessons From An Anti-Mask Protest May 13, 2020

The U.S. has more coronavirus deaths than any country in the world. Dr. Anthony Fauci says the number of American fatalities is likely an under count.
Nearly 40% of households making less than $40,000 a year lost a job in March. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that additional government spending may be necessary to avoid long-lasting economic fallout.
A small but vocal minority of people are pushing back against public health measures that experts say are life-saving. It's not the first time Americans have resisted government measures during a pandemic. Listen to Embedded's episode on the backlash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
President Trump has prioritized getting sports running again after the coronavirus lockdown. But NPR's Scott Detrow reports the idea is facing logistical and safety challenges.
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Testing, Reopening Schools, Vaccines: Fauci And Others Testify May 12, 2020

In a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Chair Lamar Alexander of Tennessee asked Dr. Anthony Fauci whether coronavirus treatments or a vaccine could be developed in time to allow college students to return to school in the fall. Fauci said that "would be a bridge too far."
There's a full recap of today's hearing on The NPR Politics Podcast. listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
New York is trying to build what could become one of the largest contact tracing programs for COVID-19. Starting this month, public health officials there are looking to hire as many as 17,000 investigators.
Nursing homes account for nearly half of COVID-19 deaths in some states. NPR's Ina Jaffe reports on why nursing homes have been so vulnerable to the virus and what could be done to improve them in the future.
Plus, a professional musician sidelined by the coronavirus becomes a one-man marching band for his neighborhood.
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How To Stay Safe As States Reopen; The Latest on Masks May 11, 2020

Democrats want another stimulus plan, but Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin says the Trump administration wants to wait before providing any further aid.
As more states ease stay-at-home orders, NPR's Allison Aubrey reports on ways to stay safe while seeing friends, going to church and returning to work. The CDC still recommends people wear masks.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a disproportionately large effect on black Americans. Lawmakers and local officials are looking for ways to make sure the communities hit hardest are getting the right information about the virus.
In Life Kit's latest episode, Sesame Street's Grover answers kids' questions about the coronavirus on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.
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Q & A: Home Cooking And Environmental Impact May 09, 2020

Chef Samin Nosrat, author of 'Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,'answers listener cooking questions. NPR's science correspondent discusses the pandemic's environmental impact.
These excerpts come from NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis, 'The National Conversation with All Things Considered.' In this episode:
- NPR Science Desk correspondent Lauren Sommer talks about the environmental impact of the economic slowdown
- Samin Nosrat, author and host of the Netflix series 'Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,' offers inspiration to those who find themselves short on ingredients or cooking for one
If you have a question, you can share it at npr.org/nationalconversation, or tweet with the hashtag, #NPRConversation.
We'll return with a regular episode of Coronavirus Daily on Monday.
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Antibodies And Immunity; Why Even Health Care Workers Are Losing Jobs May 08, 2020

Most people infected with the coronavirus develop antibodies in response. NPR's Richard Harris reports that scientists are trying to figure out if that means people who've been exposed are immune from reinfection and, if so, for how long.
The Labor Department reported 20.5 million jobs were lost in April, putting the jobless rate at its highest level since the Great Depression.
Health care workers are among those hard hit by the economy. Many are losing work as hospitals struggle financially due to a decrease in non-emergency visits and procedures.
Only a few states have enough tests to ensure safe reopening. One of them, Tennessee, has taken a unique approach to testing: Its state government pays for every single test, no questions asked.
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Track Your State's Testing; What A Possible Mutation Means May 07, 2020

Testing for the coronavirus is still falling short in many places in the U.S. How is your state doing? Track it using a tool from NPR.
A mutated strain of the coronavirus may have helped it spread more widely, according to a new preliminary study that's getting a lot of attention even before it's peer-reviewed.
Despite Trump administration claims that the coronavirus may have accidentally escaped from a lab in China, scientists it's more likely the coronavirus spread naturally. Listen to Short Wave's episode about why, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One, and explore a second episode about the likelihood the virus originated in bats.
One of the deadliest outbreaks of the coronavirus has been at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts. Officials are investigating what happened there.
Plus, experiments are undeway to see if dogs can be trained to sniff out the coronavirus. Meanwhile, U.S. animal shelters have reported having all their dogs fostered during the lock down.
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More Americans Are Getting Tested, But Experts Warn Of Second Wave May 06, 2020

The White House Coronavirus Task Force is not disbanding, but instead shifting its focus to "opening up our country," according to President Trump.
Testing in the U.S. has been rising steadily, but experts say more is still needed and the US should be prepared for a second wave.
Several states are allowing restaurants to reopen and dining to resume, with limited capacity. Owners are struggling to figure out how they can reopen and turn a profit during the pandemic.
The United Kingdom now has the second most lives lost to the coronavirus pandemic, behind the United States. NPR's Frank Langfitt reports on what's happening in Britain.
Plus, an 11-year-old wrote a letter to thank her mail carrier. Postal workers from all over the country responded.
Share a remembrance if you've lost a loved one to the coronavirus at npr.org/frontlineworkers
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When To See A Doctor; Policing During The Pandemic May 05, 2020

California, one of the first states to shutdown, joins a growing list of states that are trying to restart their economies. Customers around the country are deciding if they are comfortable starting to shop again.
Law enforcement is adapting to what it means to police during a pandemic.
A fever and dry cough are no longer the only official symptoms of COVID-19. NPR's Maria Godoy has tips for when even milder symptoms, like headaches and loss of smell and taste, should prompt you to seek testing.
Plus, scientists on a research vessel in Arctic have been isolated from the coronavirus. Some are anticipating what it will be like to return to a society in lock down.
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New Cases Plateau For Now As States Chart Their Own Course May 04, 2020

One model forecast 60,000 Americans would die from COVID-19 by August. But fatalities keep rising, and the United States has surpassed that number.
Around the country, different states are taking different approaches to reopening. Donald Kettl, professor of public policy at the University of Texas at Austin, says this pandemic has brought up questions about federalism.
Few online grocery delivery services accept payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. That causes problems for recipients at high risk for COVID-19.
Plus, NPR's reporter in Nairobi finds his parents connecting with his kids through TikTok.
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Q & A: Dentists, Reopening Businesses, And Contact Tracing May 02, 2020

A dentist, epidemiologist and NPR journalists answer listener questions on 'The National Conversation with All Things Considered,' NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis. Excerpted here:
- NPR's senior business editor Uri Berliner and epidemiologist Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo discuss reopening nonessential businesses
- NPR's health policy reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin on the logistics of contact tracing
- Dentist Dr. Suhail Mohiuddin on when a dental problem is urgent enough for an in-person visit
If you have a question, you can share it at npr.org/nationalconversation, or tweet with the hashtag, #NPRConversation.
We'll return with a regular episode of Coronavirus Daily on Monday.
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Operation Warp Speed; Essential Workers Fight For Benefits May 01, 2020

The Trump administration is calling the effort to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 "Operation Warp Speed." Dr. Anthony Fauci says if all goes well, we could have hundreds of millions of vaccines as early as next January.
Today is International Workers Day, and this year workers at Amazon, Walmart and Target are using the occasion to organize mass protests. They say their companies are not doing enough to protect and compensate them, even as the nation hails them as "essential."
Today is also historically known as National College Decision Day for college-bound high school seniors. But that's changed this year too. Many colleges have postponed their decision deadlines to June 1. And as the pandemic continues to cause students' personal circumstances to change, some are reconsidering attending a four-year college full time at all.
In New York City, a funeral director says knowing that his team is performing a service for their community helps him get through long and stressful days.
Plus, some happy news: NPR producer Emma Talkoff's twin sister and her now-husband got married in their apartment last weekend. Talkoff shares what it was like for her family to witness the joyful moment via Zoom.
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Federal Stay-At-Home Guidance Ends; A Potential New Test For COVID-19 Apr 30, 2020

The federal stay-at-home guidance ends on Thursday. Some governors are planning to open up their states, but others say it's too soon.
A potential new kind of test for COVID-19 could be simpler and cheaper to use than existing tests. But because it has a relatively high false negative rate, some scientists are wary. The pandemic has left more than 30 million people in the U.S. unemployed.
Activists and community organizers are putting together strikes, refusing to pay rent on May 1. But landlords are also facing financial pressure.
Using the Defense Production Act, President Trump has ordered meatpacking plants to stay open despite a high rate of coronavirus outbreaks among workers. KCUR's Frank Morris reports on what's happening in the industry.
Life Kit's guide to managing screen timeon Apple, Spotify and NPR One.
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A Drug Could Speed Up Recovery; The Economy Declines Apr 29, 2020

Results from a trial involving more than a thousand hospital patients showed the drug Remdesivir could speed up recovery from COVID-19 and possibly also reduce deaths.
Wednesday morning's first quarter gross domestic product report shows that the economy shrank last quarter at a rate not seen since the fall of 2008.
New findings suggest a link between COVID-19 and life-threatening blood clots that cause strokes in all age groups.
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts talks about how his state is trying to lead the charge in contact tracing, and how leadership during a pandemic is uniquely challenging.
Plus, in New Orleans, Brass-a-Holics bandleader Winston "Trombone" Turner wanted to honor the deceased of COVID-19 like they would have been ordinarily — with music. So, he picked up his horn and called a few friends to record a performance of "I'll Fly Away," a celebratory song played at almost every traditional New Orleans funeral.
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1 Million Confirmed Coronavirus Cases In U.S.; Labs Struggle To Test Faster Apr 28, 2020

More than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Nationwide social distancing guidance runs through April 30. After that, what happens is up to individual states.
One reason why coronavirus testing has been stymied in the United States is that public health labs in at least 10 states have been underfunded for years, an investigation by APM found.
Plus, listeners of It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders share how they are spending their free time. Listen on Apple, Spotify and NPR One.
Life Kit's full episode on how to start running with Peter Sagal on Apple, Spotify and NPR One.
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New Symptoms; A Missed Chance At Early Detection Apr 27, 2020

Challenges with testing and logistics, clashes between federal and state officials and even hospitals' fears of being stigmatized as a source of infection — all cost valuable time in detecting the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S., reports NPR's Lauren Sommer.
The federal government has re-started the Paycheck Protection Program, which gives loans to small businesses. Lawmakers required some of the money to go community banks this time around.
Also, the CDC recognizes new symptoms of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Italy will start reopening the country next week. The country has suffered high death rates, second only to the U.S., and it was the first western nation to lock down.
Plus, one of the top-grossing movie theaters in the country this past week was the Ocala Drive-In in Ocala, Florida.
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Q & A: Ethical Dilemmas And Disinfectants Apr 25, 2020

A scientist and a philosopher answer listener questions on 'The National Conversation with All Things Considered,' NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis. Excerpted here:
- Aerobiologist Joshua Santarpia discusses disinfectants.
- Professor David Chan talks through the day-to-day ethical dilemmas during the pandemic.

If you have a question, you can share it at npr.org/nationalconversation, or tweet with the hashtag, #NPRConversation.
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Southern States, Moving To Reopen, Could Be Most Vulnerable Apr 24, 2020

Data shared at a White House press briefing Thursday was unusual, says David Lappan of the Bipartisan Policy Center — and not just because it prompted the President to wonder if disinfectants could be injected into coronavirus patients.
Southern states are some of the first to start reopening, but NPR's Debbie Elliott reports people there may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 because of high rates of poverty, chronic diseases, and natural disasters.
Plus, a Washington Post reporter on what America looks like from the open road.
The biggest risk in grocery shopping comes from the people you could come in contact with, not the food. Watch Life Kit's video for tips on grocery shopping safely.
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Coronavirus Not Going Away Before Next Fall, Fauci Says Apr 23, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci said we will still be dealing with the coronavirus next fall. The severity depends on what we do over the next few months.
What about college campuses? NPR's Elissa Nadworny reports universities are figuring out if they can reopen for fall semester or go virtual.
Plus, a study finds wearing a nylon stocking over homemade masks can boost protection.
And a look at why COVID-19 seems to be killing more men than women.
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Georgia's Plan To Reopen; Anti-Shutdown Protests And Fox News Apr 22, 2020

Posthumous autopsy results revealed the first U.S. death from COVID-19 happened much earlier than previously thought.
The state of Georgia will reopen parts of its economy on Friday, even as members of the White House coronavirus task force can't say how all parts of the state could safely do so.
NPR's David Folkenflik reports on the link between Fox News and anti-shutdown protests.
Plus, a website that recreates the sounds of your office.
NPR's reporting on the NIH's recommendation against doctors using hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Listen to the latest episode of NPR's Rough Translation on Apple, Spotify and NPR One.
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More Small Business Aid; Antibody Test Results Apr 21, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program was created to help small businesses hit by the pandemic, but the program was exhausted quickly. Now congress has secured another round of funding.
Recovering from COVID-19 can be a long journey. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on the oftentimes grueling process.
Experts say contact tracing and antibody testing are crucial steps for reopening the country.
Plus, a look at one part of the economy that never closed. Must-run factories operating around the clock have lessons for other businesses about how to keep workers safe.
Listen to Life Kit's episode on how to spot misinformation on Apple, Spotify and NPR One.
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Why Testing Is Still So Far Behind Apr 20, 2020

President Trump's guidelines for reopening the country put the onus on governors across the nation. But many say they don't have enough testing supplies to reopen their states.
A Harvard infectious disease specialist explains why testing in the United States is still a problem.
Plus, a couple share the lessons they learned from the 1918 flu pandemic. (He's 107-years-old. She's 100.)
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