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NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge: Here are our fourth grade winners!
We heard fun and engaging podcasts on topics including how math teaching has evolved, what its like to disengage from technology, and, who has it better: kids or grownups?
The Federal Election Commission is down to 2 members. So its work is at a standstill
The Federal Election Commission, which regulates campaign finance, has lost another member. But the FEC has actually been without a quorum for months, leaving the agency unable to do much of its work.
Legal experts condemn Apple bowing to White House’s request to remove ICE tracking app
It's the latest example of tech giants bowing to pressure from the Trump administration. Legal experts say the developer of the app has free speech rights that may have been violated.
Denmark prepares for a Russian ‘hybrid war’ after repeated drone spottings
Many Danes are rethinking their personal security, and stocking up on emergency supplies, amid unidentified drone appearances. Denmark's leaders warn that Russia is waging a "hybrid war."
Space Command is moving jobs to Huntsville. Will workers move with it?
An Inspector General’s report last year revealed Space Command leadership worried civilian workers would not relocate to Alabama.
Sean Combs sentenced to over four years in prison for prostitution-related charges
Combs had been convicted in July on two counts of transportation for prostitution. During his sentencing hearing he spoke at length for the first time in the trial, addressing the judge at length.
Shutdown has already delayed the jobs report. More critical reports could be held up
The government's monthly jobs report was not published Friday as a result of the federal shutdown. That's left businesses and policymakers in the dark about the strength of the U.S. job market.
Supreme Court to hear challenge to Hawaii’s limits on guns
At issue is the state law that bans guns on private property that is open to the public — places like clubs, bars and restaurants — unless the property's owners have allowed them.
The Trump-Epstein statue is back on the National Mall, days after its abrupt removal
The statue honors Trump's "long-lasting bond" with Epstein, which the president denies. The National Park Service took down the statue after one day last week, saying it didn't comply with its permit.
GOP blames government shutdown on health care for undocumented people. That’s false
The White House and GOP lawmakers say a provision in the Big Beautiful Bill that Democrats want rolled back keeps undocumented people from getting health benefits — a claim experts say is misleading.
Take a look! ‘Reading Rainbow’ is back
Mychal Threets, a social media star librarian, is hosting the new iteration of the series. It's back for four episodes starting on Saturday.
Trump gives Hamas a ‘last chance’ deadline to agree to a peace plan with Israel
President Trump said that if Hamas does not agree to the 20-point plan, as presented by Israel and the U.S., then "all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas."
8 takeaways from Taylor Swift’s new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
Swift's 12th studio album returns to her pop roots, with lots of love-struck lyrics and upbeat melodies. But it's also a warning about the darker side of an industry she has battled — and bested.
‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’ is a terrific, tangled love story
This is an epic novel to be savored. At nearly 700 pages, this multi-character, multi-stranded story explores exile and displacement — not only from one's home, but also from one's own sense of self.
Mexico: The cumbia DJs of the streets
One of the most listened-to genres in the Americas, photographers and storytellers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky document cumbia in Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and the United States.
AI’s getting better at faking crowds. Here’s why that’s cause for concern
Odd fingers and faces in the crowd of a recent Will Smith concert video led to suspicions of AI. But AI is improving fast, and there are serious implications for how "fake" crowds might be coopted.
Karoline Leavitt says White House must cut spending due to shutdown
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Trump administration has to look at ways to "save money in a responsible way that respects the American taxpayer's money" during shutdown.
Sarah Mullally named first woman Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to be chosen to lead the world's 85 million Anglicans.
One of 2 victims in Manchester synagogue attack was accidentally shot by police
Greater Manchester Police named Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66 as the victims of Thursday's attack. Three more remain hospitalized in serious condition.
What to know about former U.K. leader Tony Blair, tapped by Trump for postwar Gaza role
As Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair succeeded in negotiating peace in Northern Ireland in 1998. Five years later, he joined the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq — sullying his reputation ever since.
A public broadcaster’s path after losing U.S. funds: Youth sports and less local news
South Dakota Public Broadcasting says there's an ironic result to President Trump's successful attack on public media: It will have to rely more on NPR programs.
Even a government shutdown can’t stop the quiz. Can you score 11?
This week's quiz also features bears.
Memphis sees opportunity in Trump’s plans for federal intervention
Many in Memphis acknowledge that crime in the city is a real problem. And while President Trump's federal intervention might not be their ideal way to handle it, they're hoping it can provide some much-needed relief.
Kiss reality goodbye: AI-generated social media has arrived
With the launch of Sora 2, OpenAI has opened a new chapter in addictive, and some worry dangerous, AI video content.
As shutdown ripples through Georgia, voters consider who to blame
Voters in Georgia are grappling with the effects of the government shutdown — and with who in Washington bears the blame.
India and China to resume direct flights after a 5-year suspension
The suspension, which began with the 2020 Covid outbreak, was prolonged by tensions along the Himalayan border.
On ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ Taylor Swift feels love’s glow and the spotlight’s glare
On her 12th album, the most dominant pop star of our era makes a spectacle of herself in full flower, in love and holding the music industry in the palm of her hand.
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives
Drugmaker Evita Solutions announced on its website that the Food and Drug Administration signed off on its low-cost form of the pill, which is approved to end pregnancies through 10 weeks.
As the shutdown drags on, the threat of permanent cuts is mired in politics
President Trump is meeting with his budget director, Russ Vought, about what additional cuts to make during the shutdown, and the president says his targets are partisan.
Pope Leo’s religious community is drawing renewed interest. Here’s what makes it unique
"Before, we might get two or three discerners. But after Pope Leo, I now have 15. It's unbelievable."
The CDC still hasn’t issued COVID vaccine guidelines, leaving access in limbo
Access to the COVID-19 vaccines remains difficult because of an unusual and unexplained delay by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in accepting recommendations from its advisers.
National Guard presence may deter crime, but experts warn of the long-term costs
As President Trump ramps up efforts to send federal officers and troops into cities, criminologists are watching closely. Are the feds doing this in a smart way?
