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The news you need to know today — and the stories that will stick with you tomorrow. Plus, special series and behind-the-scenes extras from Here & Now hosts Robin Young and Scott Tong with help from Producer Chris Bentley and the team at NPR and WBUR.
Episodes
What does the American flag mean to you?
As America turns 250 this year, the American flag has become more than just a symbol of the country. Some see it as a totem of freedom, power and patriotism. Others see it as an emblem of politics and far-right ideology.We heard from listeners across the country about what the flag means to them. Here & Now producers Ashley Locke and Chris Bentley discuss the responses they received and the variou
What do a hat, saxophone and candle stand have in common? They tell America's story
George Washington could have stayed president for a third term, yet in his famous Farewell Address, he wrote that he would “decline being considered." He penned that address by candlelight in 1796, and curator Lisa Kathleen Graddy explains why the brass stand that held those candles is a significant part of American history.Then, Ethel Payne was the first Black American woman to become an internat
Democratic Socialists score big wins in Colorado
Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old Democratic Socialist, won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, in Denver, over 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette. KUSA politics reporter Kyle Clark breaks down more primary takeaways.Then, a large part of the U.S. is under extreme heat warnings as temperatures are expected to hit triple digits this week. Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at the
Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in blow to Trump
The Supreme Court has struck down President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, explains the decision, which is in line with the longstanding legal interpretation of the 14th Amendment.Then, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, explains why he still believes bir
How the Supreme Court expanded Trump's power
The president can now fire most independent regulators, ending a nearly century-old precedent. Mark Joseph Stern, who covers the courts and the law for Slate, weighs in on the consequential opinion.Then, Alan Blinder, former vice chair of the Federal Reserve, talks about a separate but related decision that upholds the independence of the Federal Reserve.And, a new bridge between the U.S. and Cana
Octavia Butler imagined the future on this typewriter
Every storyteller has a tool: a notebook, a camera, a microphone. For legendary author Octavia Butler, it was a powder blue typewriter. That typewriter is now in the Smithsonian Institution's Anacostia Community Museum, and acting curator Jennifer Sieck explains Butler’s influence on the country’s history. And, the megalodon was one of the biggest fish that ever lived, with seven-inch-long teeth a
Supreme Court makes it easier to deport immigrants
The Supreme Court issued several opinions today that advance the Trump administration's agenda on immigration, gun access and the environment.It ended Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants, allowing them to be deported. It overturned a law in Hawaii that required people get permission before bringing a gun on private property. And, it sided with the manufacturer of Roundup a
The race to save Arizona's groundwater
Groundwater supplies in the Colorado River basin are falling fast as a historic drought continues to punish the West. Now, states like Arizona are considering new laws to regulate pumping from aquifers while keeping growing cities supplied with the water they need to grow in the desert. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports. And, it's summer gardening season. We hear tips for gardening during a dry su
Washington’s plan to ease the housing crisis
Affordable housing is top of mind for voters, and lawmakers appear to be listening. The Senate on Monday passed a big housing bill that aims to increase supply and lower costs. But will it? University of Pennsylvania’s Vincent Reina explains.Then, record-breaking heat is hitting Europe. In France, dozens of people have died. The Associated Press’ Sylvia Hui explains how Europe is trying to adapt t
How Israel's wars are reshaping the Democratic Party
Israel's wars in the Middle East have become a wedge issue in several congressional campaigns, especially in New York, where establishment Democrats are trying to fend off more progressive challengers backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. We discuss the impact Israel's wars are having on these key primary races with The New York Times' Benjamin Oreskes. And, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says Pr
Reverse Course: Solutions for the climate crisis
Our series Reverse Course has explored environmental crises and possible fixes, from water vapor harvesting to electric trucks. At the WBUR Festival in Boston last month, Here & Now's Chris Bentley and Peter O'Dowd discussed climate solutions on stage with Leah Bamberger, global sustainability leader at Textron and former director of sustainability at the City of Providence, and Tik Root, who cove
America's 250th birthday must reckon with racism, historian says
In the new book "America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries," author Eddie Glaude looks at the cycles of American history and how they obscure the dark truth of the country. We speak with him. Then, 10 years ago, a gunman walked into the LGBTQ-friendly Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and opened fire, killing 49 people and injuring 50 more. Trauma surgeon Dr. Joseph Ibrahim w
Why ending the war won't heal the economy
There’s a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war, but experts say energy prices and inflation are not expected to come down quickly. MS NOW’s Ali Velshi explains why.And, housing official Bill Pulte is set to become acting director of national intelligence on Friday. Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat from Virginia and the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committe
What the fight over the next intelligence director means for national security
Some members of Congress had hoped to fast-track the confirmation of President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence. But early Wednesday morning, Trump threw a wrench in those plans when he posted to social media that his nominee, Jay Clayton, would not be showing up for his confirmation hearing due to Trump's ongoing dispute with lawmakers. Former Director of National Intelligence D
How does the Middle East see the U.S.-Iran deal?
President Trump is asserting that the war with Iran is over, even though a lasting peace is likely months off. Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, offers a view from the Middle East of the tentative deal.Then, Colorado has become the second state to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. Colorado Publi
Is Trump's Iran deal a strategic blow for the U.S.?
President Trump and Iran separately announced an agreement to end more than three months of war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. For more on what could come of the deal, we hear from Jon Finer, a former adviser to President Biden who helped negotiate the Obama administration's deal to restrict Iran's nuclear program. Then, a major Russian attack overnight set fire to a historic monastery complex i
Lizzo reclaims sexist insult on new album
Grammy-winning musician Lizzo's new album "Bitch" is out. She talks with Robin Young about her music and reclaiming and owning the word. Then, we kick off summer with music picks from Miguel Perez, producer for NPR's World Cafe. And, "Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit Amet" is a string of text that's become ubiquitous. Designed as a placeholder for work-in-progress documents, those quasi-Latin words now appea
Controversial spy program set to expire
A key part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire after the House on Thursday failed to extend it. The program allows U.S. intelligence agents to spy on terrorist suspects abroad without a warrant, but some Democrats and Republicans in Congress are concerned that President Trump's pick for acting director of national intelligence will abuse his power and spy on Trump opponen
Why the Fed is trapped by inflation
Prices are rising at their fastest clip in three years, according to new data out Wednesday. What does this mean for interest rates? Loretta Mester, former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, explains the likely economic impact.Then, a new government report out this week found that unless Congress passes new laws soon, Social Security will not be able to pay out full benefi
New rules could kick sick people off Medicaid
New rules released by the Trump administration earlier this month will require Medicaid recipients with cancer and other conditions to prove they're too sick to work. The rule is part of new Medicaid eligibility requirements that take effect next year. Colorado Medicaid director Adela Flores-Brennan explains how his state is preparing. Then, after decades of containment in the Central American tr
Is the White House UFC fight legal?
A new lawsuit argues that the White House UFC fighting event scheduled for next Saturday on President Trump's birthday violates the law. Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer, weighs in.And, as Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference gets underway, it’s expected to focus on artificial intelligence, new products and partnerships. Ina Fried, Axios chief technology correspondent,
Tips for navigating a tough job market
Need help finding a job? We get career advice from career coach Judi Umali-Rajkumar and hear from listeners who share their stories about trying to find a post-graduation job.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
What one senator saw inside Delaney Hall
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) visited immigrants detained at Delaney Hall in Newark, N.J. Some detainees are alleging poor conditions and outside, protestors are clashing with police. Kim joins us to share what he saw inside the center.And, on Wednesday night, four Republican voted with House Democrats to limit President Trump's ability to wage war in Iran, exposing a rift between Trump and his own party
Is FEMA ready for hurricane season?
This year's hurricane season begins with concerns that there are staffing issues at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an agency that President Trump has targeted for overhaul. William Ray, the North Carolina director of emergency management, talks about his state's preparedness this year following widespread damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024. We also spoke with acting FEMA administrator
The former judge who helped block Trump's allies fund
A federal judge’s order temporarily halts President Trump’s $1.8 billion fund to pay people who say they were unfairly prosecuted by former President Joe Biden’s administration. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner is one of the judges who challenged the fund and pushed the courts to reopen the settlement that established it.And, protests continue outside Delaney Hall, an immigration detention cent
Why bright-red Iowa may now be a toss-up
President Trump's standing in the polls has dipped in Iowa, a state he won three times. During primary voting, Democrats hope to pick up an open Senate seat and other Congressional seats. Radio Iowa news director Kay Henderson shares what’s at stake.Then, roughly 60 candidates are on the ballot to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom, but with primary voting ending Tuesday, there is no clear front
How Route 66 got its kicks
Route 66, known as “America’s Main Street” is not the longest or most-travelled American highway. Fully paved in the 1930s, it became a Depression-era migration route for poor farming families fleeing the Dust Bowl for a new start in California. It’s been featured in popular media for decades. Kathleen Franz, lead curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, unpacks more of th
The bipartisan plan to ease the nation's housing crisis
Congressional lawmakers are trying to pass a bill to address a shortage of affordable. The would limit the number of rental homes large investors can own and make it easier to build and buy homes made in factories. The Wall Street Journal’s Rebecca Picciotto explains more.Then, CNN reports that President Trump’s Department of Justice is investigating whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury in he
The evolution of Marco Rubio
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is at the center of the Trump administration. He's helping to lead negotiations over the war in Iran, the pressure campaign on Cuba's communist regime, and U.S. efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine. It wasn't always this way. Journalist and author Manuel Roig-Franzia breaks down how Rubio went from Trump critic to his chief booster, and whether it's all in service
Immigration lawyers report 'chaos' over Trump’s new green card rules
The Trump administration put out new rules last Friday that require people to apply for green cards from abroad instead of from inside the U.S., which has been custom for immigrants seeking permanent residency status. Immigration attorney Richard Herman explains what he’s hearing from his clients and what remains unclear.Then, protests continue outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facili
What the Queen of Salsa's red satin heels say about America
A pair of red, satin, sky-high heels that Celia Cruz, or the “queen of salsa” wore on stage is part of a new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Ranald Woodaman, exhibitions and public programs director at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino, shares more about the exhibit and Cruz’s lasting legacy.And, throughout the early 20th century, East Coast m
Reverse Course: Sheep meet solar, AI detects wildfires
When farmer Bryant Parker noticed solar farms popping up in his area, he spotted an opportunity. Now, Parker brings his flock of sheep to several solar farms to chow down on grass. Here & Now’s Chris Bentley reports from central Illinois about the practice called agrivoltaics, or the combination of solar power and farming, where both industries benefit.And, as a historic drought desiccates the Wes
Why Jan. 6 officers are suing to stop Trump's $1.8 billion allies fund
President Trump's administration has created a nearly $1.8 billion fund designed to pay out people who say the government unfairly investigated or prosecuted them, including people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Two police officers who defended the Capitol that day are suing, calling the fund a way for Trump to “finance the insurrectionists and paramilitary groups that commit violen
Trump administration says the IRS can't audit Trump
A last-minute addendum to a Department of Justice deal with President Trump says the Internal Revenue Service is “forever barred” from auditing Trump, his family members and his businesses. The deal also created a $1.8 billion fund to pay out Trump allies who say they were unfairly investigated. Law professor Mary McCord explains the implications.Then, Trump critic Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican
Who gets the money in Trump‘s new ‘weaponization’ fund?
The Trump administration announced a new Justice Department fund of more than $1.7 billion to compensate people it says were harmed by “weaponization” under the Biden administration. Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter talks about the legal and ethical questions surrounding the move. Then, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are getting quicker at finding people to arrest, than
What to know about a new Ebola outbreak
The World Health Organization has declared an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to be a global health emergency. We hear from Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease physician with experience in Ebola outbreak response. And, on Saturday, one prominent critic of President Trump, Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, lost his primary, and on Tuesday, another Republican Trum
Introducing "The Midnight Rebellion," a new climate fiction podcast
From WBUR, here's a new kind of story, one that's all about the big questions and decisions we face. The Midnight Rebellion is a pick-your-own-path podcast set 100 years in the future, where the stakes are nothing less than the planet itself. It is fiction rooted in real science, built for the kids in your life (ages 7 and up) — and the whole family.You're listening to Chapter 1 of The Midnight Re
What life in China looks like
Host Scott Tong checks in with us from Beijing, China, where he's been reporting from all week. Then, Melinda Liu moved to Beijing in 1980. Scott talks with her in a historic neighborhood about the ways China has transformed since the 1980s and the rural poverty that remains despite the modern leaps forward. And, Tong never met his grandfather, who was a political prisoner and died in a labor camp
What do American businesses want from China?
Thursday's meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded with a banquet. Seated at tables in the ballroom were more than a dozen CEOs, among them SpaceX's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook and Nvidia's Jensen Huang. It was also attended by Trump's son Eric Trump, who runs the Trump Organization, and his wife, Fox News host Lara Trump. The Financial Times' Joe Miller tells us mo
How to keep your chatbot from stealing your money
While artificial intelligence can be helpful for synthesizing complicated information, financial analysts urge consumers to avoid sharing personal financial information with chatbots. Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary outlines the risks.And, amid an unpopular war in Iran and states pushing to redraw congressional maps, midterm elections are approaching. Republican analyst Charlie Dent
Why consumer prices are rising fast
The Labor Department reported on Tuesday that consumer prices increased by 3.8% in April compared to a year ago. That's the fastest pace of price increases in around three years. Wailin Wong, host of the Indicator from NPR’s Planet Money, joins us. Then, the subject of Taiwan is one of the main priorities for Beijing in the upcoming talks between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. H
When 'America First' meets 'China First'
Host Scott Tong is reporting from China this week as President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare for a high-profile summit in Beijing. He joins us from Shanghai to share his first impressions of the country since the last time he was there.Then, the summit is set for later this week. Senior research fellow Yu Jie from Chatham House explains the power dynamic going into the meeting.And
Virginia's top court deals huge blow to Democrats
The Virginia Supreme Court has thrown out a voter-approved redistricting referendum that could have helped Democrats pick up several U.S. House seats this fall. NPR’s Larry Kaplow explains more about the fight over congressional maps ahead of midterm elections.And, Alabama is one of many states moving forward with redistricting after the Supreme Court’s decision last week dealt a blow to the Votin
The rare bats that helped spark a conservation movement
Ten years ago, Iroro Tanshi found something incredible in a cave in Nigeria: a colony of short-tailed roundleaf bats, a species that hadn’t been seen there in almost 50 years. We learn how her discovery helped kickstart a conservation movement in West Africa to protect rare species of bats from threats like poaching and wildfires. Then, North America has lost billions of birds since 1970, but some
Drought fears spur big fight over Utah data center
"Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary wants to build a huge data center north of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The project was greenlit, but still needs to obtain water usage rights as lake water supply is nearing a new low. KUER reporter Macy Lipkin shares more.Then, New Orleans may have crossed a “point of no return,” according to new analysis. Report co-author Jesse Keenan explains how rising seas, si
What the Ohio and Indiana primaries hint about November's midterms
Ohio and Indiana voters offered an early glimpse at the political mood heading into the midterms. NPR's Stephen Fowler joins us to talk about the results. Then, the Trump administration says it is investigating Smith College, the women's school in Massachusetts, over its policy of admitting transgender students. The 19th's LGBTQ+ beat reporter Kate Sosin tells us more. And, Melanie Turner, a speci
Psychedelics and the future of medicine
The Food and Drug Administration says it is offering an “ultra-fast review” of two psychedelic drugs intended to treat serious mental health disorders. This follows a White House executive order directing the FDA to speed up research on psychedelics, which right now are illegal under federal law. Dr. Gail Saltz talks about the latest news surrounding psychedelics. Then, what happens when we open o
Mifepristone access is back. But for how long?
On Monday, the Supreme Court temporarily restored mail access to the abortion pill mifepristone. It puts aside a lower court ruling in Louisiana on Friday that ended national telemedicine access to the pill. Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, an OB-GYN based in New Orleans, explains what this means for nationwide abortion access.And, after talks for a government bailout fell through, Spirit Airlines shu
The history of America's weather forecasts
A new exhibit called “Water’s Edge” at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian showcases work by late artist Truman Lowe of the Ho-Chunk nation. Exhibit curator Rebecca Trautmann details how a sculpture titled “Feather Canoe” represents Lowe’s work and what his artistic style contributes to the story of America.And, how did you check the weather this morning? Back in the late 1800s
The Iran war and the future of energy
The average price of gas in the U.S. hit a wartime high of $4.30 on Thursday, according to AAA. Bloomberg's Michael Regan breaks down the latest numbers. And, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent global energy prices skyrocketing and led to oil and gas shortages in parts of the world. Economic historian, author and S&P Global vice chairman Daniel Yergin says the Hormuz oil shock will lead
