English

npr.org

Friday, Dec 20

00

Bird flu is declared a State of Emergency in California

www.npr.org

On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to streamline the state's response to avian flu. More than half of the human cases in the U.S. so far have been in California.

What 'election integrity advocates' have planned for 2025

www.npr.org

The 2024 election was widely considered to be run fairly by majorities of political parties. But so-called "election integrity advocates" who think 2020 was stolen are already making plans for 2025.

For Pagans, winter solstice is a time for reflection and celebration

www.npr.org

Saturday (December 21) is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In many pagan religions, the day is marked by Yule: a holiday that's a time of both reflection and celebration

At least 2 are dead and 60 injured after a car plowed into a German Christmas market

www.npr.org

Police in Germany say they've closed a Christmas market after reports of a car driving at speed into a crowd. Authorities say the driver has been apprehended, but have not confirmed it was an attack.

What makes a good Hollywood sequel? 'The Godfather Part II' turns 50

www.npr.org

NPR's Scott Detrow talks to NPR producer Marc Rivers about the 50th anniversary of The Godfather Part II and what makes a good movie sequel.

German researchers have figured out how to use AI to identify whiskey aromas

www.npr.org

Researchers in Germany have developed algorithms to differentiate between Scotch and American whiskey. The machines can also discern the aromas in a glass of whiskey better than human testers.

Why deportations hit a 10-year high in 2024

www.npr.org

Deportations under President Biden have hit their highest point in almost a decade. The number of removals conducted in 2024 by ICE has surpassed those conducted during the first Trump administration.

A closer look at Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's consequential year

www.npr.org

It's been a year for Israel's Netanyahu. He's prosecuted the deadliest war since Israel's creation and become the first sitting prime minister to face trial in a long running corruption investigation.

Connecticut leans into its role as holiday Hallmark movie backdrop

www.npr.org

We're in the thick of holiday movie season. One New England state has been the backdrop for lots of these films in recent years and this year it's capitalizing on that role.

U.S. ambassador to South Korea talks about President Yoon's future

www.npr.org

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Philip Goldberg, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, about the tension surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol's political future after he declared martial law.

A year in radio: Some of the favorite stories from 2024

www.npr.org

Some of the All Things Considered staff whose voices you don't always hear on air share their favorite stories that aired on the show in 2024.

Biden's legacy on AI policy

www.npr.org

President Biden broke new ground on AI policy, something his predecessors did not have to deal with.

College football coaches speak their minds about changes for the sport

www.npr.org

College football coaches are speaking on the major changes sweeping the sport, like the transfer portal, NIL deals and the House settlement that will allow schools to pay players directly.

Remembering Spanish cinema legend Marisa Paredes

www.npr.org

Marisa Paredes, a legend in Spanish cinema, died this week at 78. Paredes starred in a series of Pedro Almodovar films, including Dark Habits, High Heels, and All About My Mother.

23

Advocates want Biden spare the lives of the 40 prisoners on federal death row

www.npr.org

Anti-death penalty advocates hope President Biden will grant clemency to 40 people on federal death row. He has already commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others.

Elon Musk holds no elected office — but was able to help sink a spending plan

www.npr.org

After dozens of tweets from billionaire Elon Musk, lawmakers killed a federal spending bill that would have funded the government until March. What role might Musk play in Trump's government?

House Republicans to move forward with Plan C to fund the government

www.npr.org

But several hurdles remain to avert a government shutdown ahead of a Friday midnight deadline.

20

In a lawsuit, CFPB says 3 top U.S. banks failed to protect consumers from Zelle fraud

www.npr.org

The consumer financial watchdog says customers of the top three banks lost more than $870 million over seven years due to a lack of safeguards against fraud on the Zelle network.

Thursday, Dec 19

00

Here's what can be gained when students with disabilities are included in classrooms

www.npr.org

Students with certain disabilities are often excluded from general education classrooms. Two children with Down syndrome show what can be gained from more inclusion.

The art (and science) of finding lost objects

www.npr.org

Finding missing items isn't a matter of "looking harder." There's an art and a science to it.

Steve Dettelbach, who Trump promises to fire, defends his job performance leading ATF

www.npr.org

The president-elect has promised to fire the ATF Director Steve Dettelbach. Dettelbach, in an interview with NPR, defends his record and the agency's work in combating violent crime.

National security advisor shares hopes for incoming administration's Ukraine policy

www.npr.org

As the Biden administration enters its final weeks, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly discusses what may be ahead for U.S. foreign policy on Ukraine and Russia with outgoing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Cassava bread is named a cultural heritage of humanity

www.npr.org

In December, UNESCO labeled cassava bread as a cultural heritage of humanity. The flatbread is common to several Latin American and Caribbean countries, especially of indigenous communities.

The health care industry's very bad year

www.npr.org

The killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has sparked scrutiny of the business of health care. But even the investors making money from this business have been unhappy with it this year.

News from one of the fiercest areas of fighting in eastern Ukraine

www.npr.org

NPR correspondent Brian Mann is reporting near Pokrovsk, one of the fiercest areas of fighting in eastern Ukraine where Russian soldiers are trying to capture a key transportation and coal-mining hub.

Members of the Teamsters union joined picket lines at several Amazon facilities

www.npr.org

Teamsters workers at Amazon facilities around the country joined picket lines, demanding that Amazon bargain a contract with them. Amazon called the union's move a PR play.

The creator of video game 'Stardew Valley' talks its legacy and future

www.npr.org

The farming simulation game Stardew Valley came out eight years ago and became a sensation. Developers updated the game last month — making hundreds of changes and adding new content.

The 'L.A. Times' will have a 'Bias Meter' in their effort to revamp their image

www.npr.org

L.A. Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong has announced he will incorporate a bias meter in the paper's coverage that will be powered by AI. This comes after a stream of controversies at the storied paper.

23

The future of the CBP One app, which has helped nearly 900,000 migrants

www.npr.org

Tom Homan has vowed to end the CBP One program. Now migrants seeking asylum are making their way to the Mexican border towns as they frantically try to get a coveted spot through the app.

A North Carolina town has become the unlikely epicenter of furniture taste making

www.npr.org

There's a town in North Carolina that evolved as the unlikely epicenter of furniture tastemaking. Each year buyers, makers, trendsetters for furniture descend and hustle to be the next hot couch, chair etc. These are the people who choose…