1A

A bill to protect journalists in their work has long had strong bipartisan support.

The "Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act," or PRESS Act, would shield journalists from government surveillance and from being forced to reveal confidential sources. It was first introduced in June 2021 and was reintroduced in 2023. It's passed the House twice but languished in the Senate.

President-elect Donald Trump has of course had a tumultuous relationship with journalists. Last month, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, writing that, "REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL."

Now, the PRESS Act is running out of time to pass before the end of the lame duck session. We discuss why press advocates say this legislation is urgent, and what comes next for the bill.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Music has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions. It can make us feel melancholy. Or it can fill us with hope.

Music is often tangled up with memories and experiences, too. There's probably a playlist you associate with every stage of life — from the music that helped you through high school, to the song that reminds you of a lost loved one.

Music doesn't just sound good. It can also help us be more empathetic. It's even being used to treat medical conditions like dementia, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease.

For this installment of the Scientific Method, we discuss how music affects the mind, why it can be a powerful tool for treatment, and the ways the songs we love bring us closer together.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It's winter. You throw on your coat and favorite scarf and head outside to put up some last-minute decorations. Stepping out onto your porch, you gaze into the sky just as wispy flakes begin to fall. You smile to yourself because there's no such thing as too much snow for Christmas.

You grab the roll of garland you left propped up on your front porch and begin winding it around the railing. Now, there's one tricky corner of the porch and you need to climb on the outside of the railing to get the garland placed just so. With the garland looped over your shoulder you swing one leg over, then the other.

But your foot slips and, with a yelp, you tumble into a snowbank in your yard. You lay there with your eyes closed. And then you hear a deep and somewhat familiar voice."Nice to see some things never change. Need a hand? Again?"

Whatever comes next is probably happy, heartwarming, and romantic with plenty of holiday spirit. We discuss holiday movies and why we like them so much.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Imagine you're on a date with someone new. So far, you find them funny, intelligent, and easy to talk to.

But 20 minutes in, the conversation turns to politics. It becomes clear that you don't share the same views. Do you stay on the date? Or do you leave?

Nearly 80 percent of Americans would likely make an excuse and find their way home. Only 21 percent of U.S. marriages are between individuals who don't share the same political party, according to the Institute for Family Studies. That's a 10-percentage point decrease from 2016. And of that 21 percent of politically-mixed couples, only 4 percent are relationships between Democrats and Republicans.

We discuss politically-mixed marriages, and the important role politics plays in our romantic relationships.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

"Wicked: Part 1" follows the origin story of Elphaba, known in the original "Wizard of Oz" movie as the Wicked Witch of the West. And it follows her friend, Galinda, who eventually becomes the Good Witch.

The movie is based on the Broadway musical which debuted in 2003. Last year, it became the fourth-longest running musical in Broadway history. And that musical comes from a 1995 novel of the same name. The new Wicked movie stars singer-actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the witches Elphaba and Galinda.

The result this past weekend has been gravity-defying. "Wicked" brought in $114 million in North America and another $50 million internationally. That's the best-ever opening for a film adaptation of a Broadway musical.

For this meeting of the 1A Movie Club, we discuss the new "Wicked" film.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and billionaire businessman Elon Musk are heading the president-elect's new Department of Government Efficiency – a non-governmental agency that they say will reduce waste and streamline the U.S. federal agencies.

But the so–called DOGE is only one tool the president has in mind for slashing the federal workforce. And as more details emerge, the futures of the nation's career civil servants are in the balance.

We discuss what these plans mean, not just for federal workers, but for the country as a whole.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz announced Thursday he is withdrawing from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general. And the Senate isn't paving the way for Trump to fill his administration with loyalists.

Reporting indicates New York prosecutors are open to the possibility of pushing Trump's sentencing in his hush money case to 2029 when his second term in the White House will end.

Meanwhile this week marked 1,000 days since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This week the Biden administration made a two major U-turns on Ukraine's military aid policy – allowing missiles to be used in Russia territory and a decision to supply Zelenskyy with landmines. Both decisions that have put pressure on the European Union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a new nuclear doctrine that lowered his bar for using nuclear weapons.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Leaders from nearly 200 countries are in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29 to talk about the state of global climate change mitigation efforts.

As many nations flesh out their plans to reduce emissions, they're looking to secure new funding at this summit for their solutions — trillions of dollars' worth.

Noticeably absent from the talks in Azerbaijan are some of the world's most influential voices on the subject — from President Joe Biden to the leaders of China, India, Brazil, Britain, Germany and France.

We discuss the role the world's most powerful countries play in shaping our climate future.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

After President-elect Donald Trump's win on Nov. 5, those in the LGBTQ community have expressed worry and fear.

The Trevor Project's crisis hotline saw a 700 percent spike in calls following the election. And The Rainbow Youth Project surpassed its monthly average of calls in just six days after Trump's win. Couples are also rushing to get married before Trump takes office.

Trump spent millions on anti-trans ads during his campaign. Like his first term, he's promised to continue rolling back protections for LGBTQ people.

We discuss what Trump will actually be able to do and how advocates are preparing.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

This week marks 1,000 days since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A lot has happened in that time.

This morning, the U.S. shuttered its embassy in Kyiv due to specific information about a possible air attack.

Recently, Ukraine fired American-made ballistic missiles into Russia. To use these missiles, Ukraine needed permission from the Biden administration.

We discuss what the closure of the American Embassy in the country's capital mean.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

For many people, how you work now might seem unusual to your 2019 self, with hours spent in online meetings. Or maybe it's back to exactly how 2019 was, in an office cubicle. Or maybe, you never had the ability to work remotely during the pandemic.

At companies across the country with employees who still work remotely some or most of the time, executives are slowly falling in line and sending the same message to their workforces: return to the office — sometimes for a few more days per week, sometimes for all five.

Data for office occupancy across major U.S. cities shows that on average, about 50 percent of office seats are occupied. More workers are heading in during the middle of the week, and some cities in the South have more employees working in person compared to the Northeast, Silicon Valley, and Washington D.C.

We take a look at the state of remote work.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

U.S. flights to Haiti are grounded for the next 30 days.

Three U.S. airline flights were fired on last Monday as they attempted to land in Haiti. That led to the closure of Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration has suspended all U.S. flights to Haiti for the next 30 days.

Last week's gunfire came from gangs operating out of Haiti's capital city. It's the latest example of the extent of gang control in the country. Haiti has been in a state of chaos for more than three years since its last president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated.

Last Monday also saw a new president sworn into office after the country's interim leader was ousted. Between a new prime minister and the continued presence of foreign security officers in Haiti — we discuss how the country is faring.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Last week, we started talking about the finer points of what Donald Trump's second presidency will look like — key policies he says he will implement, how much he can get done, and how quickly.

Now, with another week of big cabinet picks behind us, and confirmation that Republicans will hold majorities in both the Senate and House, we dive into one goal Trump is already making good on: radically changing the shape of the U.S. government in Washington.

We talk about what his choices mean for the government, and who might stand in the way of this overhaul.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Many of those in the federal government are often depicted as a distant and part of a deep state that seeks to uphold a bureaucracy over the needs of everyday Americans. But the work these people do improves our lives and often goes unnoticed.

The annual Arthur S. Flemming awards honor the work done by those behind the scenes in government

TenaVel Thomas, executive director of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection field academy, is one of this year's winners.

"To be a public servant, there is a certain level of passion that you have to have. Passion for the work, passion for the people, passion for change," she says.

We speak to Thomas and two others being recognized for their outstanding work.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President-elect Donald Trump has had a busy week floating his picks for his upcoming cabinet.

Trump's team is also considering drafting an order that will create a board of retired military officials whose mandate will be to investigate generals it identifies as unfit for leadership.

Trump and President Joe Biden met in the Oval Office after the former's election victory.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump made his pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel this week, tapping former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Huckabee has previously questioned the existence of a Palestinian identity and opposed a two-state solution.

COP29 is set to kick off in Baku, Azerbaijan this week. Very few actual heads of state are expected to attend leading analysts to wonder how much will actually be accomplished.

We cover all this and more during the News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Over the years, Donald Trump has not been shy expressing his disdain for our nation's capital.

And in this year's campaign, he made Washington D.C. — which votes overwhelmingly for Democrats — a target in his reelection campaign.

We discuss how much of his rhetoric will translate into action, and what the roughly 679,000 people who call the city home can expect.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Biden has a little more than 2 months until his term is up. The time between administrations is called a "lame duck period" for a reason.

So what bread crumbs could that Delaware duck look to finish off before exiting the pond?

Well, Biden officials are working on rushing out the last bits of aid to Ukraine before the end of his term. In the meantime, President-elect Donald Trump is building what will be his team for the next four years.

We discuss what the next few months will look like for the new administration and the one in its final days.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Abortion was on the ballot this past election, not just in the country's choice of president, but in the form of state initiatives.

Missouri is one of the seven states where abortion rights measures prevailed. Amendment 3 passed with 51.7 percent of the vote. The measure establishes a right to reproductive freedom in the Missouri constitution. That paves the way for advocates to ask courts to knock down the current near total abortion ban.

Six other states including Arizona, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Montana and Nevada also voted to protect or expand current abortion protections. But the GOP has signaled that it will look to limit abortion access nationally in the coming years given the party's dominance in Washington.

We discuss the future of abortion access in the U.S. could look like.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The election results are in, and Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States. Responses to the outcome have been mixed. Some Americans are devastated while some are jubilant.

An October survey by the American Psychological Association found that 77 percent of U.S. adults report the future of the nation as a significant source of stress in their lives. Some 69 percent said the 2024 election in particular was a source of significant stress.

We discuss how we can cope with stress and anxiety related to politics, and how to navigate political divides in our personal lives and as a country.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

With Election Day behind us, the past week has consisted of a lot of analysis — of what happened and how.

But we're looking ahead. President-elect Trump has big plans right out of the gate come January: mass deportations, hefty new tariffs on foreign goods, and more he promises to make good on.

We discuss how much of Trump's plans are possible and what headwinds he may face in Washington compared to his first term.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Every presidential term, the chief executive is charged with appointing a cabinet to serve as their most trusted advisors.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House once more, we're learning more about who he plans to appoint to his inner circle.

He's already selected one of the most important positions in his cabinet: the chief of staff. Last week he tapped his campaign manager, Susie Wiles. She'll become the first woman chief of staff.

We discuss how the choice in chief of staff could change the trajectory of Trump's second term.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Tuesday. His victory saw big shifts in voting demographics, with one in three people of color voting for the GOP candidate.

The dollar, Bitcoin, the global stock market, and Wall Street all saw monumental jumps in value at the announcement of a Trump presidency.

As congratulations for the president-elect rolled in this week, officials and analysts from around the world are trying to figure out what a Trump presidency means for issues dominating global assets and attention.

And despite being embroiled in conflicts on multiple fronts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his country's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, this week.|

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

As the nation continues to digest the results of the election, data on the decisive victory by Donald Trump is revealing more about how Americans voted and why.

For months, Vice President Kamala Harris and now President-elect Donald Trump courted communities they thought would move the needle. But who actually came out in droves and what were the issues that brought them to the ballot box?

With most of the ballots counted, we know more about the voting blocs that made a difference. One of the big takeaways is that a growing group of Latino voters threw their support behind Trump. Gender also played a role, with more women voting for Harris and men voting for Trump.

We dig into the data.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The presidential race is called. And the candidates have spoken. That includes Vice President Kamala Harris, who spoke Wednesday afternoon in Washington D.C. after conceding to President-elect Trump.

But it's not just the presidency the Republicans managed to sew up this election cycle. The GOP is now in control of the Senate. And as votes are still being counted, it looks like the party has a solid chance of taking the House as well.

We discuss what the Republican Trifecta means for the election.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The results are in. Donald Trump will be 47th president of the United States come January.

He'll return to the White House as the first president who's been re-elected after being impeached during his first term. He's also been convicted of a felony since his win in 2016.

Trump won several key swing states this election, outperforming how the pollsters and pundits projected he'd do in America's electoral battlegrounds.

We discuss what the U.S. looks like now that the election is over, and what the results tell us about who we are.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

"How about this weather?"

There's a reason this line is one of the most famous cliche bits of smalltalk. The weather affects everyone. And most everyone wants to know what the weather's going to be like.

That's where forecasts come in. People plan their days and sometimes their futures around what sort of weather they can expect. Sometimes itd can be a life-or-death situation.

That's why some are balking at the Project 2025 plan to defund the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

We discuss the science behind forecasts and the potential impact of Project 2025.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

As this election season wraps up, we step away from what the Harris and Trump campaigns are doing in the final stretch.

Instead, we look to what's happening outside the U.S. that could impact the election. The federal government and technology companies like Microsoft are reporting that, once again, foreign actors are trying to interfere in the presidential election and down ballot races. That includes hostile countries like Russia and geopolitical competitors like China.

We discuss why countries want to interfere in this election, what they hope to gain, and what these operations typically look like.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Tomorrow is election day. More than 74 million Americans have already cast their votes.

Over the weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump made what will likely be their final pitches to voters.

We discuss what we can expect the rest of the week and more importantly, in the weeks to follow.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In the final days of his campaign, former President Donald Trump held a rally at Madison Square Garden in his home city of New York. The supposed success of the event was unfortunately overshadowed by racist comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who was invited to open for the former real estate mogul.

House Speaker Mike Johnson took aim at the Affordable Care Act this week, promising massive reform to the law at an event in Pennsylvania should Trump emerge victorious from the election.

Meanwhile, despite multiple warnings from the United States, aid to Gaza has fallen to its lowest level since the beginning of Israel's campaign against Hamas, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The Pentagon said this week that North Korea sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia that are likely meant to reinforce Russian troops as the latter army continues its invasion of Ukraine.

Georgia's prime minister is taking a victory lap following a supposed "landslide" election result. Irakli Kobakhidze, however, also took time to reject allegations of vote-rigging and violence in an interview with the BBC.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

What scares you the most? Is it something creepy and crawly? Something that slithers?

Maybe it's the dark, or the end of the world, or, even worse, a bad report card.

We all have things that scare us. And movies are good at making us experiencing those things in a safe way. But why do we even want to do it in the first place? We discuss what we like about being scared.

And later...

Vampires have been a pop culture staple for decades — as movie monsters and as metaphors for our deepest desires. And whether your favorite vampires are Nosferatu and Dracula, or Louis and Lestat, they all have a few bloody things in common.

We get into why the vampire myth prevails and how the vampire genre is changing, during our Spooky Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

If you've ever travelled to a different time zone, you probably felt groggy and tired after your flight. Or you've likely missed that extra hour when the clock jumps forward for Daylight Savings time in the spring.

You may work a 9-to-5 job or go to school from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. But these aren't the only clocks that dictate how we live.

In fact, our bodies have trillions of internal clocks that tell us when to eat, sleep, and perform other biological tasks throughout the day. One of those clocks is our circadian rhythm.

In a society where staring at our phones before falling asleep or getting up with an alarm clock is the norm, most of us are out of sync with our circadian rhythm. But there are serious health consequences to this disconnect.

In this installment of "The Scientific Method," we talk about how our circadian rhythm works, how we can live in sync with it, and what happens when we're not.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Less than one week from election day, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her final address to a crowd of more than 75,000 in Washington D.C.

That number is according to the Harris campaign. Last night's rally was held at the Ellipse, the park south of the White House. It's also the site where former President Donald Trump held his rally on Jan. 6 of 2021.

It was an event alluded to by the vice president, who focused her address on the differences between herself and Trump.

The race between Harris and Trump remains tight less than a week from Election Day, and at least 50 million Americans have already voted.

We discuss the significance of Vice President Harris' address.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

We're one week away from the election. Millions of Americans have already cast their votes, but Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are not done campaigning.

Over the weekend, Harris garnered support from several major Latino artists, including Bad Bunny, J-Lo and Ricky Martin.

Their endorsements followed racist remarks about Latinos and Puerto Ricans made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday. The Trump campaign has said these remarks do not reflect its views.

We talk about the role Latino voters are playing in the election.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It was early on Wednesday morning some four years ago, hours after the polls had closed when then President Donald Trump falsely claimed victory in the election of 2020.

Never mind the fact that millions of legitimate votes had yet to be counted. And a half-dozen states hadn't yet been called for either Trump or President Joe Biden.

POLITICO has spoken to dozens of people familiar or involved with the election process this year. And according to their reporting, a consensus has emerged.

Not only could Donald Trump make a second attempt to overturn an election if he loses. But the groundwork for doing so has already been laid.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Early voting is underway in the 2024 election.

Donald Trump's former chief of staff revealed some upsetting details of the former president times in office this week. John Kelly, the former Marine general who worked for the Trump administration, said that the 45th president once remarked he needed "Hitler's generals" during a conversation about Germany.

Meanwhile, overseas, a top Hezbollah leader was killed this week in an Israeli air attack. Hashem Safieddine was expected to assume control of the armed group following the death of his cousin Hassan Nasrallah, their former leader.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Israel that the death of a top Hamas leader last week could lead to an opening for peace and more aid to flow into Gaza.

We cover all this and more during this week's Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The ideology of Christian nationalism holds that the United States should be closer to and informed by Christian principles. It's been more present in American politics lately, being referenced openly by elected officials and candidates alike.

But what is Christian nationalism? Who follows it and what is its purpose? Why is it different from Christian faiths, including evangelical Christianity?

We talk to three Christians who are making it their job to push back against this movement from a religious point of view.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

U.S. health care has a reputation for costing a pretty penny – and making one, too.

So, when the country's largest for-profit health care system – Steward Health Care in Dallas, Texas – filed for bankruptcy in May, alarm bells sounded.

In September, CEO Ralph de la Torre was subpoenaed to testify about it in front of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee.

For the latest installment of our Local Spotlight series, we highlight the work of The Boston Globe's Spotlight team reporting on Steward Health Care.

We discuss how a for-profit health care system goes from the largest in its field to left with nothing how that affected the communities it served.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

When most people think of the a midlife crisis, they picture a man in his 50s dating a younger woman and buying a sports car.

But what does this depiction of midlife get wrong and who gets left behind by this narrative? What changes actually take place during our midlives and why is this period of life so under-researched despite everyone alive having decent odds of living through it?

We gather a panel of experts and sit down to break down our midlives.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

2024 is the first presidential election with AI in play, and currently, there are few regulations about the use of AI in politics. Last month, the Federal Election Commission decided not to impose new rules on the tech ahead of the election. That means it's fair game and it's being used as such.

In August, former president Donald Trump posted a picture of an AI generated image of Taylor Swift endorsing him. It led to a response from the pop mega star. In July, Elon Musk shared a video on X that cloned Vice President Kamala Harris' voice saying things she never said.

Beyond the memes, U.S. intelligence officials say Russia and Iran are using the technology to influence our election. OpenAI, the company behind tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E, noticed these efforts as well.

We discuss how AI will affect this election, and elections going forward.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Polling suggests the momentum Vice President Kamala Harris enjoyed in August has slowed somewhat.

Walgreens is set to close 1,200 stores over the next 3 years and some 800 more are under evaluation.

U.S. officials have given Israel an ultimatum: either allow more aid into Gaza or face the prospect of an arms embargo and cuts to other military support.

And India and Canada have each expelled the other's top diplomats after Canadian officials accused their Indian counterparts of orchestrating the murder of a prominent Sikh activist and leader.

We cover the most important stories from around the world on our News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

For this installment of our Sound Bites series, we're thinking about why fall favorites are so beloved.

Of course, there's the staples, like apples and pumpkins and yams. But what about other in-season offerings, like guavas, and watermelons?

We dive into the familiar and not-so-familiar flavors that make this season special, discuss nutrition, and offer up some recipes you can use to make the most of your fall harvest.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

How do we really come to understand what it is we put in our bodies? Things like nutrition, expiration, and innovation?

How long do leftovers really last? Why do certain food combinations work so well? How do companies like Lays and Taco Bell come up with new food flavors?

In this edition of Sound Bites, we break down the science of food and the process of food innovation.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Men under 30 are more likely to support Donald Trump than women in their age group.

The gender gap in terms of American voters' candidate preference has never been wider.

We talk about the role young male voters will play in this election.

We discuss what this election means to this group of people, and what trends in their preferences can tell us about their role in deciding the next president.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In this edition of Sound Bites, we're talking about the art of food preservation.

Pickling, canning, pie fillings and jams. We ask master food preserver Christina Ward about the best ways to save the last of your summer fruits and veggies, and what you can preserve as the fall harvest begins.

Is there something in the garden that needs saving before it goes bad? Eyeing something at the farmer's market, but not sure how to save it for the colder months?

We get into it.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

A mission to study one of the solar system's most promising environments is underway.

NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft was designed to explore its namesake, Jupiter's moon Europa, launched on Monday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Europa Clipper will serve as the organization's first spacecraft dedicated to studying an ice-covered ocean world in our solar system.

It aims to determine whether the moon could be habitable for life as we know it. The spacecraft will carry nine instruments and a gravity experiment intended to investigate the ocean beneath Europa's thick ice shell.

We discuss the mission with Author David W. Brown. His latest book, "The Mission," chronicles the quest to study this remarkable celestial body.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on the podcast "Call Her Daddy" last week. She spent some time responding to a comment from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders who spoke about the Democratic nominee at a Trump rally in September.

"My kids keep me humble. Unfortunately, Kamala Harris doesn't have anything keeping her humble," said Sanders.

Kamala Harris is a step-mom to her husband, Doug Emhoff's two kids.

What does it mean to be a step-mom – and for that matter, step-kid, dad, and sibling? Co-called blended families are everywhere. We discuss what it's like being in a blended family and navigating life outside of one.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Fall is a season that's great for many things: taking walks among the red-orange leaves, sipping warm beverages with a book in hand. It's also an especially good time for baking. It's last day of September, but the first day of our weeklong fall food series called "Sound Bites."

Each day, we're tackling a different topic related to fall foods from the art of preservation to fall flavors with a food scientist. And we're starting the week with a show on fall baking.

We're talking about bread, cookies, pies, cakes and more so warm up the oven, grab your measuring cups and get ready to be super hungry.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It's just not one election that picks the president. It's 51. Every state and Washington D.C. has its own rules and deadlines for voting. And in most states, early voting is already underway.

More than 4 in 10 voters cast their ballots by mail in 2020. That's according to an analysis from MIT's Election Data and Science Lab.

Nearly 4 million mail-in ballots have already been cast in this election. That's only a fraction of the more than 53 million voters have requested so far – about a quarter of all expected voters. And the requests are split evenly between political parties so far. That's according to The New York Times.

We discuss the role mail-in ballots could play in determining the outcome of the election.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Admiral James Stavridis led NATO's global operations from 2009 to 2013 as 16th Supreme Allied Commander for the alliance.

His new book is called "The Restless Wave." It's the latest installment of historical fiction from one of the country's most respected military leaders.

Stavridis recently warned that warfare is "shapeshifting in front of our eyes."

He says the war in Ukraine is a fight that's both very low tech, a battle being fought in the trenches, and high tech, with the use of drones in the air and at sea.

We sit down with Admiral Stavridis, discuss his latest book and answer your questions.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Just days after Hurricane Helene devastated the American southwest, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, hitting Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg hard.

During an appearance on a podcast, former President Donald Trump said that he believed immigrants who commit murder have "bad genes," a concept that ties the impulse to commit such a crime is genetically determined.

Meanwhile, as the war in Gaza and Israel's invasion of Lebanon continue, the Biden administration is losing trust in the Israeli government, according to new reporting from Axios.

After its 91-year-old president failed to attend a summit in France, the Cameroonian government released a statement this week saying that Paul Biya, the country's chief executive, is in good health and that reports to the contrary are false.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

From Vice President Kamala Harris's viral campaign moments to former President Donald Trump's appearances on popular podcasts, this election has served up a different flavor of how the internet can shake up an election.

But how powerful can the tides of the internet really be for a presidential candidate?

We talk about the power of social media and influencers have in this election season.

We also sit down with Gen Z voters to hear what issues matter most to them, their thoughts on misinformation, and more.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

For the first time in decades, obesity rates in the U.S. are not on the rise.

The adult obesity rate fell to about 40 percent in 2023, down from 41.9 percent in 2020, according to the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from the CDC.

While the study doesn't pinpoint one sole reason for the change, the timing coincides with the rise of a new class of drugs targeting diabetes and weight loss, like Ozempic and Wegovy.

As part of our series In Good Health, we discuss these new medications and the falling rate of obesity.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Octavia Butler's 1993 novel "The Parable of the Sower" contains a powerful and poignant vision of the United States of the future, one that rings scarily true in the present. The 2024 of Butler's 1993 work isn't so far away from the 2024 in which we're all currently living.

Butler published a sequel, Parable of the Talents, in 1998. Both feature a protagonist named Lauren Olamina, a young woman trying to survive and make a life for herself.

So what can we learn from Butler's novel? What makes both Sower and Talents so enduring as a series of speculative science fiction? And what does it mean that our world more and more bears resemblance to works of apocalyptic fiction?

We discuss Butler's novels, and the message of hope she has at the center of this dark story.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Millions in Florida and across the southeast are bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.

On Monday, the storm was upgraded to Category 4 hurricane over the southern Gulf of Mexico. The storm's expected to landfall on Wednesday suggests a path of movement that includes Tampa and Orlando.

Mass evacuations are underway less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.

We discuss how those in harm's way are preparing for another storm with life-threatening power.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Hamas fighters killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. In response, the Israeli government launched airstrikes and a ground invasion in Gaza, killing almost 42,000 people so far according to Palestinian health authorities.

Despite repeated attempts, the United States has failed to broker a ceasefire – in both Gaza and now at Israel's northern border as its military targets the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Typically, each week leading up to Nov. 5, we focus on the stakes of this election, for people, our country, and our democracy.

Today's episode of "If You Can Keep It" takes a look at the stakes of the U.S. election for the people of a Middle East in conflict.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Hurricane Helene ripped through several states in the southeast and southern Appalachian regions of the U.S.

Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Republican Sen. JD Vance faced off on Tuesday in what's expected to be their only debate of this election cycle for Vice President.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces crossed the border into Lebanon this to conduct what authorities called "localized raids" into Lebanese villages that they claim pose threats to Israeli communities.

They also battled Hezbollah militants.The United Nations extended its Kenya-led mission against gangs in Haiti for another year on Monday as violence continues to plague the island nation, but would not commit to sending a peacekeeping force.

We cover all this and more during this week's News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Hurricane Helene and its aftereffects are devastating areas in the southern United States as towns are flooded and communities are isolated.

The storm has killed at least 166 people across six states with many still missing. Hundreds of roads have been closed, over a million people are without power, and in Asheville, North Carolina, 100,000 people are facing the possibility of going weeks without water.

We get into what relief efforts are being undertaken, and what the situation looks like on the ground currently in the affected areas.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

We're breaking down what happened in New York City last night on the vice-presidential debate stage. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz faced off against Ohio Sen. JD Vance.

Stakes last night were high. It was likely the last debate before Election Day, which is just a month away. Early voting has already begun in many places. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll released on Saturday, the race remains extraordinarily close in key battleground states.

So, let's get into what happened and what it means for the presidential election.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Jimmy Carter turns 100 on Oct. 1. To mark the occasion, 1A is talking all about the legacy of a president whose time as office is sometimes called "underrated."

Carter brokered huge deals in trade and tried securing peace in the Middle East. But his handling of the Iran hostage crisis and the Russian invasion of Afghanistan overshadowed much of the success the earlier part of his sole term in the White House.

We discuss how Jimmy Carter's presidency should be remembered, nearly 50 years later.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In this "If You Can Keep It" discussion, we're turning to some consequential races you might not be keeping front of mind: those concerning state supreme courts. And in 33 states this November, voters will decide their state supreme court's justices.

Make no mistake, these courts are influential, deciding cases related to their respective state constitutions and electoral questions like whether legislative districts are gerrymandered. And they decide cases related to other major issues at stake around the country.

We look at how the races for state supreme courts this year might determine the fates of reproductive access, electoral maps, and more.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Thursday on at several federal criminal charges. Investigators have spent months looking into allegations of campaign finance violations and foreign influence in Adams' election.

A new Senate report released this week revealed troubling details about the Secret Service's handling of security at the Pennsylvania rally where former President Donald Trump was shot. The document details "foreseeable, preventable" problems that have yet to be addressed.

Israeli military officials have informed service members that its air strikes in Lebanon might lead to an invasion of the country, supposedly aimed at allowing Israelis displaced by fighting at the border to return to their homes.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress that he and his agency had not concluded that Israel had deliberately blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza during its attacks in the area. However, new reporting from ProPublica indicates that two other government agencies concluded that Israel had indeed blocked aid, and had informed Blinken of that fact.

We cover these stories and more during this week's News Roundup.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio stationand subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

How do you start your work day?

Sometimes there can be a lot to do, and a lot to keep in our heads all at once.

Why has work turned into such a grind for so many Americans? What does overwork and stress from work do to us? And how can we change work for the better, no matter what career we're in?

Author and journalist Brigid Schulte's new book, "Over Work" dives into America's obsession with working and how work culture affects our individual and a collective health.

We sit down with Schulte and discuss her book.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Most of us have experienced awkward moments in our lives, whether it's stuttering in front of a crush or presenting an idea at a meeting that's met with crickets.

But avoiding awkwardness can mean not having necessary conversations or missing out on meaningful connections that may have started with an awkward exchange.

We discuss awkwardness and what we can learn from it if we embrace it.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

When you're eating sushi, something's always in season.

Sushi established itself in America in the 1960s and '70s in Los Angeles. Since the cuisine made inroads on the West Coast, it's gone national. You can find restaurants serving dishes like nigiri in every state and can find stripped-down versions of popular dishes in American drugstores sold alongside cheese and crackers.

It's safe to say Americans are taken with sushi. But it's a genre of food with a long history and specific philosophy.

How much can we say we really know about it? Other than the fact that it's extremely tasty.

As part of our "Ask A" series, we take your questions to sushi experts.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In this edition of If You Can Keep It, we're focusing on campaign donations – where those funds come from and where they go.

New data from the Federal Election Commissions reveals how much the campaigns have raised and spent for the month of August. It was the first full month of fundraising for Vice President Kamala Harris since she became the Democratic nominee. How did she do?

You might also be inundated with texts and emails from election campaigns asking for contributions.

We discuss how those contributions are spent and answer your questions.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Last Sunday saw yet another apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump's life at one of his golf courses in Florida. The Secret Service has come under renewed scrutiny.

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday after its September meeting that it has cut its main interest rate by half of a percent. It's the first cut to interest rates since the beginning of the pandemic in March 20-20.

Meanwhile, two waves of deadly explosions involving pagers, walkie talkies, and other electronic devices rocked Lebanon and Syria this week. Israeli officials notified the U.S. that the country was going to carry out an operation in Lebanon on Tuesday but did not give any details about what was planned.

On Monday, a European Union naval mission said salvagers successfully towed a Greek-flagged oil tanker. The tanker was attacked by Houthi rebels in early September.

We cover all these stories and more during this week's News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

How do some media organizations call an election before it's officially decided?

Some have their own election analysts.

Others, including NPR, rely on reporting from the Associated Press for breaking news from all around the country. Especially on election night.

As votes roll in, the AP is regarded as the definitive source for when a state gets called in favor of one candidate or the other.

It's how we find out who our next president is going to be.

We take a closer look at the process and answer your questions about how it works.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Book festivals are special events where authors are celebrities and audiences are bookworms ready to nerd out among their our own.

Every year, more than 100 of these festivals take place nationwide. And one of the largest is in the nation's capital, hosted by the world's biggest library: The Library of Congress.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden joins us to discuss highlights from this year's National Book Festival, in Washington D.C.

We hear from some of the country's most prominent authors on their latest works, and the inspiration behind their craft.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Scenes of chaos struck in Beirut on Tuesday where authorities say that 9 people have been killed and thousands injured.

That's after hundreds of handheld pagers exploded near simultaneously in parts of Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday. Among those wounded was Iran's ambassador to Lebanon.

The pagers were used by hundreds of members of the militant group Hezbollah. In a statement released on Tuesday. Hezbollah said that two members of the Iran-backed group were among those killed. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have blamed Israel for the incident.

The Israeli government has not commented. We get the latest on the situation.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Delicatessen supplier Boar's Head is shutting down its Virginia plant indefinitely after being linked to a listeria outbreak which killed nine people and hospitalized 57.

Some 7 million pounds of meat has been recalled. Two years before the outbreak, the USDA submitted reports indicating the Virginia plant posed an imminent threat to food safety. That report cited mold, rust, and insects, among other concerns.

The deadly listeria outbreak comes amid a rise in food recalls. According to Public Interest Research Group, 2023 saw their highest number since before the pandemic. Just last week, warnings were sent out for apple juice, eggs, cantaloupes, and cinnamon.

We discuss the increase in food recalls and what consumers can do to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Former President Donald Trump is safe after what the FBI says was an "attempted assassination" while playing golf at a Trump property in Florida on.

On Monday, the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was charged with federal gun crimes. Additional and more serious charges are possible as the investigation continues. Officials say no motive has been determined at this time.

The apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump – the second threat to his life in recent months – raises questions about how to keep the former president safe.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

This November, voters in 41 states will consider 159 ballot measures. That's no more than usual. From 2010 to 2022, the average number in election years was 161.

What is unusual is the number of abortion-related measures: 11, the most on record for a single year.

Other consequential issues are up for consideration, too. Voters in multiple states will decide on non-citizen voting bans, electoral processes, and the minimum wage.

We get an overview of ballot measures nationwide and the strategies opponents and supporters are using to sway the outcomes their way.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Some 67 million people tuned in to watch Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off in their first and maybe only debate of this election season on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, state and local officials across the country warned that issues with the U.S. postal service could result in disenfranchised voters this election.

Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike on a U.N. school complex sheltering 1,200 displaced Palestinians killed six U.N. staffers at a refugee camp in Central Gaza. At least 18 Palestinians were killed in the attack.

The Department of Justice exposed Russian ties to right wing social media influencers. U.S. prosecutors say the Kremlin media company RT funneled nearly $10 million to a platform for content creators.

We cover all these stories and more during this week's News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

You've likely heard the saying "all politics is local." But here's the hitch. For many local offices, there's often just one candidate running in a race. Sometimes, nobody's running at all. In 2022, 67 percent of races went uncontested. That's according to the nonpartisan research organization BallotReady.

That not only leaves voters with a lack of choice, but also raises questions about how and where we choose to live and who influences local policies.

We discuss uncontested races and why they matter.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took to the debate stage in Philadelphia last night. It was the first debate between the two presidential candidates this election cycle and it could be the last before November.

And the stakes were high. According to the latest NPR-PBS Newshour-Marist poll, Harris leads Trump by one point among voters nationally.

Thirty percent of voters polled said the debate would decide which candidate they vote for.

We discuss the big takeaways and what the debate could mean for the election.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It's NPR Climate Solutions Week. Across the network, we're talking about how to slow the effects of climate change.

Offshore wind is a powerful source of clean, renewable energy. But it's deployment along U.S. shores has been slowed by supply chain challenges and significant local opposition. Just last week, the Biden Administration approved the nation's tenth offshore wind project.

It's part of the president's goal to power 10 million American homes with offshore wind by the end of the decade. But Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to cancel all projects on his first day in the Oval Office.

We discuss how offshore wind can help slow climate change.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

A growing number of voters in swing states are saying that abortion could sway their decision in the election this November.

But the presidency isn't the only place abortion is relevant on the ballot. At least 11 states—including Arizona, Montana, and Florida—are voting directly on the issue this fall.

It's been two years since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade.

For this installment of 'If You Can Keep It,' we discuss how the abortion rights landscape has changed and what those changes mean for the election.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Officials last night in Georgia charged the father of the suspected Apalachee High gunman with two counts of second-degree murder. On Wednesday, his 14-year-old son was arrested and charged with four counts of felony murder after he allegedly killed two students and two teachers at his high school.

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Govs. Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo was charged this week with being an agent of the Chinese government.

Meanwhile, overseas, Israel has been carrying out large-scale raids in the occupied West Bank, which it says are aimed at dismantling militant groups and preventing attacks. The U.N. says Israeli forces have killed at least 30 Palestinians in the West Bank, marking the area's highest weekly death toll since November.

The U.S. is accusing Russia of perpetrating a widespread election interference campaign.

Two states in Germany's former Communist east held elections on Sunday. The far-right Alternative for Germany party, or AFD, made big gains in both elections.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It's one of the world's most serious current crises – and yet, this conflict is being deemed "forgotten."

But it's certainly well known by the more than 25 million people in Sudan who are facing hunger and the 11 million who have been displaced from their homes.

Since April of last year, conflict has raged between two Sudanese military groups, putting civilians in the middle of 500 days of violence and causing greater humanitarian crisis.

One report predicts that more than 2.5 million people could die of hunger by the end of this month. At least 150,000 people have been killed and the International Criminal Court has accused both warring parties of war crimes.

We talk to a group of experts about the crisis.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

If you've followed the past month of presidential politics – a month that might feel like a decade – you may have noticed a particular issue come up that hasn't gotten much attention from national campaigns in the past: housing.

Both the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, and their vice-presidential picks, are talking about it on the stump.

We discuss why housing is a central issue in the campaign and what the federal government can do to make renting or buying a home more affordable.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In a time of widespread suspicion and cynicism, everyone has a role to play in strengthening social trust and building bridges.

How can we create optimism about the present and the future?

That big question was central to a conversation at the Aspen Ideas Festival in June.

We discuss how individuals and organizations can work together to repair the fundamental bonds of a healthy society.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

You're listening to a public radio show. There's a good chance you're into books and the stores that sell them.

And what's not to love? There might be few greater joys in life than a warm drink, a kind clerk with good recs, and the scent of freshly printed pages wafting through the air.

But in the age of the internet (and especially of Amazon) the future of the world's independent book sellers looks murky. But not hopeless.

We discuss what the future holds for these brick and mortar institutions.

Find more of our programsonline. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have wrapped a two-day campaign swing through Georgia. They also gave their first major TV interview.

It's been an eventful week for Donald Trump. Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a revised criminal indictment against the real estate mogul this week. The former president's campaign is also under fire for breaking protocol at Arlington National Cemetery.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military launched its most intense operation in the north of the Occupied West Bank since 2002.

Four Palestinian journalists – Motaz Azaiza, Hind Khoudary, Bisan Owda, and Wael Al-Dahdouh – have been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their reporting during the war. So far, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has registered 285 candidates.

On Saturday, French police arrested the CEO of the messaging app Telegram at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris after he arrived on an international flight. He was held until Wednesday and released on bail.

We cover all this and more during this week's News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It's back to school season, which means America's students are back to studying. And some kids are turning to energy drinks to handle their workload.

But energy drinks aren't the same as your morning cup of coffee. In one serving, there's way more caffeine and other ingredients to enhance the "energizing" effect. But that's nothing new. They've been around for years, with flashy branding and the promise of a quick jolt of activity. But they might not be the healthiest option for those of us whose bodies are just beginning to develop.

Doctors advise against children drinking them, yet between 30 and 50 percent of adolescents do.

For this installment of our "In Good Health" series, we break down down what exactly an energy drink is and how they interact with the bodies of young people.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Ten months into Israel's war with Gaza, Vice President and presidential hopeful Kamala Harris is highlighting the White House's work towards a ceasefire deal.

But negotiations have stalled. The most recent talks in Cairo, sponsored by the U.S., ended without an agreement. And as tensions escalate on the border between Israel and Lebanon, the path forward seems even more unclear.

Organizers and uncommitted delegates at the Democratic National Convention protested for a ceasefire in Gaza, an arms embargo for Israel, and the party's decision to deny the request of a pro-Palestinian speaker at the convention.

What does this moment mean for the Biden White House? And what do we know about what Middle East foreign policy would look like under a potential Harris presidency?

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Paralympic Games in Paris kick off today. Athletes with varying physical disabilities from 177 countries are heading to the city of light to compete in 22 different sports.

NBC promises record coverage of the Paralympic Games, but it wasn't until the Tokyo Games when the Paralympics received prime time coverage.

This summer's competition promises plenty of other firsts such as the largest refugee Paralympic team in history, a record number of women athletes, and more.

We sit down with some Paralympians and give you the full Paris Paralympics preview.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In May of 2021, archaeologists discovered over 200 unmarked graves at an Indigenous residential school in Canada. The discovery exposed the dark history of systemic abuse faced by Canada's Indigenous community.

At least 150,000 Indigenous children attended Indigenous residential schools in Canada. For decades, they were removed from their homes and families and held in institutions run by the Catholic church and Canadian government.

"Sugarcane" is a new documentary that follows one of those schools – St. Joseph's Mission near the Sugarcane Reservation of Williams Lake in British Columbia.

We speak with the film's directors.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Ranked choice voting is a way of electing candidates that's different from what most Americans are used to. As a voter, you get to rank your preferred candidates. So, you don't just choose one name. You may have a first, second, and third preference for who represents you.

When voting is over, a process of elimination takes place. The lowest vote-getter in the first round is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to higher vote-getters, according to how voters ranked the other candidates. The process continues until you end up with a winner. Ranked choice voting systems are already in place for some races in Alaska, Maine, and cities like Minneapolis and New York City.

What's driving reformers to push for these ranked choice voting systems in more states? And how are voters responding?

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Democratic Party gathered in Chicago this week for the party's national convention ahead of November's election to ceremonially confirm their nominee in the 2024 presidential race: Vice President Kamala Harris.

Elsewhere and across the aisle, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, made an appearance in Wisconsin Tuesday, criticizing Democrats over crime in communities like Kenosha.

Meanwhile, after further talks between mediators this week, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas remains elusive.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unscheduled visit to the region of Chechnya this week, his first trip to the mainly Muslim republic within the Russian Federation in nearly 13 years. He was there to inspect Chechen troops and volunteers preparing to fight in Ukraine.

We cover all this and more during the News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Dr. Ruth Westheimer was unassuming – a small woman with a friendly smile and an ever-present German accent. As she would say, she could be someone's mother or grandmother. But a grandmother who told you what you needed to know about sex.

She died in July at the age of 96. She spent more than 50 of those years teaching America how to talk about sex, using straightforward medical terms and rejecting a sense of shame around the subject.

We look at her legacy, and how she impacted the way Americans talk about sex and relationship issues.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

As climate change continues to warm the world, the aging systems and outdated infrastructure that help bring us clean water are buckling. Severe weather events like floods and droughts also disrupt our water infrastructure and supply.

How are America's communities dealing with water-related challenges like boil advisories and contaminations events? How is it changing the day-to-day lives of the people who live there?

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Joe Biden recently unveiled his plan to reform the Supreme Court. The proposals aim to counteract what he sees as a crisis of public confidence caused by decisions like the the overturning of a longstanding precedent in Roe v. Wade and the decision to grant broad immunity to presidents.

Polls show most Americans are behind reform. According to a July Fox News national survey, approval of the court dropped to a record low of 38 percent. And according to a poll from earlier this month by USA Today and Ipsos, 76 percent of Americans support a binding code of Supreme Court ethics.

What kind of reforms would bring back trust to the court? And is change even possible?

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Disinformation and misinformation are spreading. Like rumors of widespread election fraud even though after dozens of court cases, statewide audits, and innumerable investigations, there's no evidence for it.

The stakes are high – for our upcoming election, for our national security, and even for our relationships. How and why are falsehoods spreading this election cycle? And how can we fight back?

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Trump campaign confirms it's been hacked.

July's Consumer Price Index showed that annual inflation dipped below 3 percent for the first time since 2021. Experts say this puts the Federal Reserve firmly on track to cut interest rates at its meeting next month.

Meanwhile, two military groups are at war in Sudan, each trying to take control of the country.

Ukraine deals a major counterblow when its military launches a surprise attack into Russia.

And the World Health Organization declares mpox a global health emergency. Mpox was first identified in humans in 1970.

We cover all this and more during the News Roundup.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

According to 2022 data published by the CDC, birth rates declined for women 24 and under and rose for women ages 25 to 29 and even older from 35 to 49. For many women, having children later in life is made possible through fertility treatment.

That phrase encompasses a lengthy journey of testing and treatments. One that has many steps and many a dollar attached to it.

Kristen V. Brown is a health reporter. She went through the IVF journey in the U.S. and documented it in the new podcast "Misconception."

We discuss her reporting.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Israel and Hamas ceasefire talks were supposed to take place today.

But on Sunday, Hamas backed out.

The U.S. has been working on a ceasefire deal for months. And this week was a crucial moment in those inner workings, with White House officials ready to travel for what would have been a final day of negotiations per the American-proposed "deadline."

The talks – hosted by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt – were supposed to be the final steps before peace, even if temporary. Now, U.S. intelligence suggests that Iran plans to attack Israel within days.

We discuss the latest.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It's after midnight in Texas. On a military base tarmac, a plane lands. The door opens and one American after another steps out into the summer night. Their names are Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva.

A landmark prisoner exchange with Russia on Aug. 1 released the three Americans, as well as American green card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza. The effort involved multiple countries and months of negotiations.

We discuss what we know about how the U.S. brokered this deal with Russia. We discuss why the risk of being detained by hostile governments has increased.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Or rather – the tens of millions of editors who have contributed and updated its pages. More than 100,000 so-called "Wikipedians" have done so in the past month alone.

Debate often arises among editors. For example, a couple months ago, editors thrashed out where the two words "convicted felon" should appear on Donald Trump's page. In the first few sentences? Or buried further down?

What does the future of the site hold?

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Some 67 percent of Republicans say the Bible should influence U.S. laws to some extent, compared to 32 percent of Democrats. That's according to a report this year from the Pew Research Center.

In June, Louisiana became the first state to require the Ten Commandments to be posted in classrooms. And earlier this year, Alabama's Supreme Court cited the Bible in a ruling that frozen embryos created through in-vitro fertilization are considered children.

What does this mean for U.S. politics? And what might it mean for the election come November.

Want to support 1A?Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions?Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy