Can’t-miss interviews: Cory Booker, Elizabeth Olsen and the latest on tariffs
A lot happened this week, and NPR has you covered. Catch up on the big news and culture moments you might have missed.
We spoke to Sen. Cory Booker after his record-breaking speech on the Senate floor; Elizabeth Olsen played a game of Wild Card and opened up about something she feels she still needs to prove; and we spoke to several experts on the things that matter most, whether that’s how to reduce screen time or how women may have to pay more in the tariff wars.
Cory Booker on his marathon Senate speech
On Monday evening, Sen. Cory Booker stood on the Senate floor and began a speech criticizing the Trump administration. The New Jersey Democrat kept talking and talking — through the night and into the next day — for 25 hours and 5 minutes.
His effort, which involved dozens of fellow Senate Democrats asking questions to relieve his speaking burden, set a record for the longest speech on record in the chamber. It surpassed the previous record set in 1957 by segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes to oppose the Civil Rights Act. He spoke to All Things Considered after the speech.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson on Trump tariffs
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has concerns about President Trump’s new tariffs, but he is not surprised by the move. Morning Edition spoke with Johnson about the impact of the new round of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Jasmine Mooney left ICE detention on a mission
Canadian actress and entrepreneur Jasmine Mooney was detained by immigration authorities for 12 days after trying to apply for a visa at the U.S.-Mexico border. She spoke to NPR about her experience.
Elizabeth Olsen is good at ignoring advice
You might know Elizabeth Olsen from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s the Scarlet Witch in WandaVision, or her performance in the Netflix show Love and Death.
Her newest film is called The Assessment, and in it, Elizabeth plays a woman in the not-so-distant future, living in some kind of protected society because the Earth has been destroyed, and she’s got to pass this nightmare of a test in order to be granted the chance to have a baby.
Expert says Tesla’s best way to rebuild its brand: ditch Musk
Protests against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk took place across the country over the weekend and are spreading globally. The Tesla Takedown movement is urging people to sell their Tesla cars and stock.
Morning Edition spoke with branding expert Allen Adamson about Tesla’s struggles, which he attributes to several factors: Musk’s lack of focus on the company and innovation, the brand’s shifting public perception and the increasing role of politics in consumer decisions.
On Adolescence and a “very difficult age”
The Netflix miniseries Adolescence tells the haunting story of a 13-year-old boy named Jamie who is arrested for the murder of a girl from his school. Though the series is fictional, Stephen Graham, who co-created the show and also stars as Jamie’s father Eddie, says it draws on similar crimes that happened in Great Britain in recent years.
Jason Isbell says there’s always room for one more
Jason Isbell sings about his split from fellow musician Amanda Shires on his latest album Foxes in the Snow. “What I was attempting to do is document a very specific time where I was going through a lot of changes,” he says.
A Nobel Peace Prize winner on why he thinks his U.S. visa was revoked
Former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez, who likened President Trump to “Roman emperor” earlier this year, says he fears the U.S. revoked his visa over criticisms of Trump.
An expert on how to reduce screen time
All of that scrolling, texting and posting can take a toll on your mental health and release stress hormones. The human mind has always been able to take in and process a lot of information. But dependence on smartphones can lead to an overload, says Larry Rosen, professor emeritus at California State University Dominguez Hills.
Read or listen to the full interview on Here & Now.
Paul Rudd on his new movie
In Death of a Unicorn, actors Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega play a father and daughter driving deep into the wilderness when they hit a unicorn. Thoughtful, but gruesome is an apt descriptor for the film as well. As it turns out, hitting a unicorn isn’t quite like hitting a squirrel. The unicorns in this film are a lot more vengeful and organized. What starts out as a dark comedy turns into a unicorn gore-fest.
Why women may pay more in the tariff wars
At the beginning of the year, we talked about how No-Buy January, buying secondhand and mending old clothes seemed to be taking hold amongst some of the most popular influencers — even though the guiding principle of underconsumption is something we’ve been doing for a long time.
Then, President Trump started implementing tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada — and now even the European Union. That made us think: How would fast fashion be affected by this? And would underconsumption move from a hashtag to a lifestyle? To find out, The Indicator‘s Wailin Wong joins It’s Been A Minute to break down how tariffs will affect Americans who love to shop … when the prices drop.
Mayors from the U.S. and Canada stand together against Trump tariffs
The latest round of tariffs Trump announced Wednesday include a minimum 10% tariff on all U.S. imports from other countries.
Separate 25% tariffs on cars and car parts are also now in effect. Canada and Mexico were not hit with any additional tariffs.
Read or listen to the interview on Here & Now.
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Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
