1A

The final weekend of campaigning before Election Day has passed. President Donald Trump attended rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday — despite initially announcing those rallies were cancelled. The president said they were back on the schedule on Friday. In more than two dozen campaign stops in October, the president’s influence among Republican voters has been tested — in a midterm election that is a referendum on his presidency so far. And while GOP campaigning continues to hinge on Trump — among Democrats, a fractured party in Michigan is becoming a problem of its own. In Michigan’s Senate Race, former Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens issued a late and shocking endorsement for the Republican candidate, Mike Rogers. Michigan’s Senate seat is a key piece to retaking control of the chamber for Democrats. More than 50 million votes have already been cast. What insight did this weekend’s campaigning give us to the state of the midterms? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up…

President Donald Trump hit the campaign trail in the final stretch of midterm season. And he’s made a number of promises to Republican voters this cycle, looking to shore up support in the communities he’s visiting. This week, in Texas, he promised to undo Biden-era methane regulations and to produce 210 million barrels of oil. The president is swinging big as seats in traditionally red states seem to be up for grabs. One high-quality poll this week,The New York Times/Siena poll. showed the race in South Carolina between appointed Republican Sen. Darline Graham, the late Lindsey Graham’s sister, tied with her Democratic opponent, Dr. Annie Andrews. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its October meeting. However, two members of the Federal Open Market Committee dissented, and were in favor of raising rates by a quarter of a percent to try to bring down inflation. And, in global news, on Sunday night, 81-year old incumbent Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defied the polls — and…

The Trump administration successfully ended Temporary Protected Status (or TPS) for more than 350,000 Haitians – people who’d had fled violence and upheaval in their home country. The Obama administration first offered TPS to Haitians after a devastating earthquake struck the country in 2010. Then, the Biden administration extended the protections due to gang violence. But Donald Trump had other plans for his second term: mass deportations. What’s the reality on the ground in Haiti? And what’s the impacts are Trump’s deportation operations having on Haitians communities across the U.S.? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

It’s been a massive year for AI — and it just got bigger. Anthropic, the company which makes Claude, filed its long-awaited Initial Public Offering on Monday in what could be the largest IPO ever. It was also a huge day for AI deals in general. SpaceX secured $40 billion in financing to lease chips to power modern AI. And Meta is seeking $95 billion for its AI buildout. Altogether, that’s about $235 billion in one day, almost 1 percent of U.S. GDP. We’re seeing Wall Street fund the AI buildout in real time. But the bubble has already burst in China. Could the U.S. be close behind? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

For weeks, people have been protesting across Europe. In France, high schoolers have staged blockades and organized major demonstrations demanding resources for underfunded schools — and rallied against high living costs in France’s major cities. Protests grew as labor unions, other activists, and also rioters joined in. The French protests have been marked by arrests, injuries, and violence. It’s a similar scene in other parts of Europe — including in Italy, Albania, Spain and Portugal. And, much like in France, young people are mostly leading the way. We take a look at the French protests and the larger youth movement in Europe. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Early voting for the midterm elections is underway all across America. And Election Day is just over a week away. Now the president, facing likely losses in the House and the Senate, is ramping up his campaign to intervene in midterm voting and vote counting like no other president ever has in history. The Department of Justice is alleging widespread non-citizen voting in California on flimsy evidence. The DOJ is also filing high-profile criminal charges alleging non-citizen voting. Department authorities are also threatening local officials in California, saying they could face legal action if the department disapproves of how they handle ballots. In this edition of “If You Can Keep It,” we look at what these unprecedented moves from the Justice Department mean for the midterms and for our democracy. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to…

This week, President Donald Trump announced that he’s spent $300 million on ads this midterm season, with plans to spend another $100 million before Election Day. The battle between President Trump and the press continues. CNN is threatening legal action against the White House after its journalists were denied access to Air Force One. And on Thursday, the White House Correspondent from The Independent was removed from the aircraft. With the midterms less than two weeks away, Trump is putting the pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war with Russia. And, in global news, demonstrations in France began last month with students across the country protesting deteriorating school conditions, staff shortages and dilapidated buildings. But over several weeks, they’ve tapped into broader anger over living costs, public services, and economic and social discontent. The European Commission estimates the Iran war has cost Europe more than $112 billion through disrupted ?trade and energy…

In just a dozen days, voters across the country will cast their ballots in midterm elections that could shift the balance of power in Washington. A lot of focus has been devoted to the contested races for Congress, with billions of dollars being spent on critical statewide contests and referendums. From governors’ mansions to statehouses to local ballot initiatives, voters will make their voices heard. We gather a panel of experts and zero in on some midterm races that aren’t necessarily making national headlines. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

The sticker shock on everything from gas to food to housing continues to push Americans into tough choices about how to stretch their money. We heard from hundreds of listeners during a show last month focused on how they are experiencing the current economy — and answered their questions about managing finances in this moment. In fact, we heard from so many… that we’re doing it again. We invited a new panel of experts to help answer your questions about money and the economy. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

In the decades following the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. and Canada built strong economic ties across their border. That robust partnership — which accounts for billions of dollars of goods — made Canada a key trading partner for northern states, like Michigan. But that decades-long economic relationship is fractured. Depending on how the Trump administration navigates its trade war with our northern neighbor, that relationship may not return to what many businesses and consumers consider normal. In August, the administration imposed 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, taxing $20 billion of Canadian products like dairy, beverages, cement, and more. Canada hit back in September, matching them dollar-for-dollar with new tariffs on American dairy, steel, aluminum, agricultural product, and electronics. What have those tariffs meant for Michigan’s economy, especially given Michigan is at the center of the midterm elections? Plus, in one week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…

1A comes to you from the Mitten State. We travel to the Midwest to talk about the Midterms. It’s a place that has become everything these elections are about: identity, power, and affordability. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the hotly-contested Senate race in which both candidates are talking about the effect of President Donald Trump’s economic policies on Michiganders. What’s at stake here? And what can it tell us about the rest of the country? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

In the last consumer snapshot before the 2026 midterm elections, the annual rate of inflation rose 3.7 percent. Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to become the biggest donor of this midterm cycle, after spending more than $366 million on conservative candidates and causes. And the Trump administration is once again targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar, with federal agents issuing subpoenas to her family as they searched her family history for instances of fraud. And, in global news, fighting between the Saudis and the Yemeni Houthis is intensifying. A building owned by major Saudi energy company was the latest casualty as it was set ablaze late Tuesday. On Thursday, a presidential palace in Aden was also hit Also in the Middle East, Iranian drone and missile attacks are heating up in the Strait of Hormuz. At least six cargo vessels were attacked and sunk this week. In France, President Emmanuel Macron is accusing student protesters demonstrating against conditions in the nation’s schools of harboring political…

A new report released yesterday shows inflation is on the rise. Prices were up 3.7 percent in September over last year, the highest annual rate since May. The rising cost of fuel, specifically diesel, was a major factor in that jump. Why are these prices so high? And what does that mean for businesses and for you? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

For those experiencing hearing loss, being able to discern the speech of other people in noisy environments can be frustrating. And hearing aids often don’t convey sound in every situation. Hearing loss affects 37.5 million adults in this country. And rates of hearing loss increase with age. Some 10 percent of those over the age of 55 have hearing loss that qualifies as a disability. And just over half of all people over the age of 75 have disabling hearing loss. In this edition of “In Good Health,” we talk about the health issues that most affect us and put your questions to the experts. This time, we tackle hearing loss. Here are some resources shared by our experts during this discussion: - HearAdvisor.com – a hearing aid comparison and review site - Hear & Beyond by Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan – a guide to navigating hearing loss - Hearing Number app – a free smartphone app by Johns Hopkins University for measuring how much sound you can hear Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free…

The U.S. Military educates, and trains some of the best and brightest across the U.S. The Pentagon is a complex, big, and bureaucratic machine. It moves slowly. But it has evolved over time, reflecting changes in our society and politics. From the integration of the military in the late-1940’s to women finally being admitted to military academies, in the mid-1970s. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is on a mission to change what he calls a “woke” and “weak” military. He says he wants to bring back a “warrior ethos” and “lethality” to the military. His strategy? Rolling back inclusive policies, firing high level officials, and overhauling military education. He’s been explicit about the kind of Pentagon he envisions, using vulgarities and slurs to make his point. What do Hegseth’s reforms mean for service members, cadets, military families, and the next generation of recruits? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for…

Polls play a major role in U.S. politics. And in the months leading up to an election, they’re everywhere. Polling doesn’t just indicate which party has a competitive advantage in a race. They also tell us about the issues that are most concerning to voters. And how these concerns break down by race, gender, education, age, and political affiliation. They also tell us the level of trust people have in the institutions tasked with carrying out our democratic processes. In this installment of our weekly series, “If You Can Keep It,” we break down the purpose of polls and their place in our elections, politics, and democracy. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

With less than one month to go until the midterms, Donald Trump is in Texascampaigning on behalf of Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Senate Democrats scuppered a plan championed by their Republican colleagues that would havesought to lower surging energy prices driven by data center construction. And New York has declareda state of emergency due to a surge in measles cases. In global news, following the police response to student protesters in France, the government hasbanned the use of stun grenades as lawmakers work to quell the demonstrations. On President Vladimir Putin’s birthday, Russian forces unleashed a wave of attacks across Ukraine killing 12 and injuring more than 40. And in Brazil, the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio,won a key election victory this week, bringing his family one step closer to retaking the country’s top office. We cover the most important stories from around the world in the News Roundup. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free…

It’s been a successful summer for Robert Prevost — one of Chicago’s most distinguished citizens. His essay on artificial intelligence was released in paperback to enthusiastic reviews. It was described by one prominent commentator as “beautifully written, hugely significant, speaks truth to power.” His three-city tour of France exceeded all expectations, drawing huge crowds. An estimated 800,000 people packed the Champs-Elysees to see him. And his beloved Chicago White Sox went from woeful to winners and made the World Series playoffs. Prevost, of course, is better known these days by another name: Pope Leo XIV. He’s the first ever American head of the Catholic church. So, how’s he doing? We sit down with a panel of experts to find out. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men — and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. One in eight men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. And Black men are more than twice as likely to die from it. Between the social stigma and misconceptions about diagnostic methods, it’s not something many men want to talk about. Some 99 percent of people diagnosed early with prostate cancer live at least 5 more years. And treatment options and guidelines are evolving rapidly. Our “In Good Health” series continues. We gather a group of doctors from three of the disciplines involved in the treatment of prostate cancer. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Last week, a key stretch of the Pacific Ocean hit its highest temperature on record. And it’s still climbing. It’s a warning sign of the so-called Super El Niño, expected to bring floods, droughts, and heat waves. And higher prices for staples like coffee. What to expect from the super El Niño — and how states are preparing. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

A veteran journalist covered the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol. That experience got her exploring the connection between stress, trauma, and our political choices. Our mental health might affect our politics. But our politics also definitely affect our mental health. In this edition of “If You Can Keep It,” we examine that intersection. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

The Department of Homeland Security has allocated$20 million to pay for pro-Trump ads glorifying the president, which have drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. The pay-to-play allegations plaguing Maine Sen. Susan Collins haveswing voters in her state re-thinking their support for the five-term GOP incumbent. And top AI executives descended upon Washington this week for a meeting at the White House. They agreed toself-police their industry following several high-profile mishaps and dire warnings from their colleagues about the dangers of their product. And, in global news, asthe value of Iran’s currency hits a record low, Qatari mediators are working to find a deal for peace that would be acceptable to leaders in both Washington and Tehran. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that thePalestinian death toll for the war in Gaza has surpassed 74,000. And Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase to the size of his country’s armyfor the fourth time this year. We cover the most…

In five weeks, more than 100 million people will vote as part of the 2026 midterm elections. In New Hampshire and across the country, that means that voters will go to the polls to choose representatives, senators, governors, state legislators, city councilors, school board members, and more. So, what do we know about the basic nuts and bolts of our elections? Do we know who’s on our ballot and understand the positions we’re being asked to vote on? Do we understand how our election system works — especially since that system is the target of baseless allegations from the president? What’s the connection between a good civics education and a functioning political system? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Gas. Groceries. Housing. Almost everywhere you look in the U.S. economy right now, prices are up – and people are feeling the squeeze. As of July, six in ten Americans say Trump’s economic policies have worsened economic conditions in the country, according to a survey from Pew Research. That’s up from roughly 53 percent who said the same last fall. While the U.S. economy is strong on paper — with relatively low unemployment and shrinking inflation — voter concerns about affordability are expected to factor heavily into the midterm elections. So, how should you manage your money right now? And what financial decisions are you weighing that you’d like a second opinion on? We put your questions to a panel of experts. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests reached record highs this summer. And the full scope is just coming into focus. Some 43,000 people were arrested in June, more than 49,000 in July, and almost 51,000 in August —an agency record. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives last June passed a $70 billion package tofund ICE and the Border Patrol through the end of President Donald Trump’s second term. As ICE became the best funded law enforcement agency in the country, its tactics changed. Instead of high-profile operations centralized in one location – like the operations in Minnesota, Chicago, and Los Angeles last year – they’re focusing on quieter, everyday arrests throughout the country. And more details are being released about a record number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of pregnant women last fall.A September report by The Guardian revealed that ICE placed more pregnant immigrants in detention last fall and winter than at any time over the previous year. ICE data from…

The midterms are just five weeks away. Ballots are already in the mail and in person voting is underway in some states. Meanwhile, the federal government’s role in this election is still being hashed out in the courts. This month, the Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to give the U.S. Postal Service greater control over mail in ballots. Then on Friday, it revived a federal citizenship-check system that a lower court had found illegal. And three separate lawsuits have been filed in recent weeks to keep armed federal agents away from polling places. The White House says its push to federalize elections is about protecting the integrity of the vote. But a new NPR, PBS News, and Marist poll found that 75 percent of voters trust their state or local government to run a fair and accurate election. Amid all the false claims and efforts to confuse, how are elections running for the midterms? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.…

President Donald Trumpbanned television networks he deemed adversarial from the White House press pool this week. Following a lawsuit, a judge issued a 14-day stay, temporarily restoring White House access to CNN, MSNow, and POLITICO. New reporting indicates that the ICE agent who shot a Venezuelan man in Austin, Texas, last Sunday was issued a body camera for use in the field,but wasn’t wearing it at the time of the encounter. And a poll finds that President Trump’s approval ratings have sunk to another low —diving to 32 percent. And, in global news, The81st United Nations General Assembly opened in New York City this week. President Donald Trump threatened to annihilate Iran, the Israeli delegation walked out during a speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the leader of the Palestinian Authorityaddressed the assembly via video after being denied a U.S. visa. Pomp, pageantry and grand displays of friendship. But was there substancein the Trump – Xi Summit in Washington? Leaders in the Tigray…

World leaders have descended upon New York City for this year’s edition of the United Nations General Assembly. And a lot is happening. So far, we’ve seen some most pointed criticism of Israel’s conduct heard at the U.N. in years. This led to the Israeli delegation walking out during the Turkish president’s address. It’s been nearly three years since Oct. 7. And the Palestinian Authority’s president isn’t in the room — the United States denied him a visa. Mahmoud Abbas will instead address the assembly on Thursday by video. What is being said about Gaza at this General Assembly? And what does it tell us about the limits of the U.N.’s power when America isn’t on board? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

For decades, U.S. colleges and universities have been regarded as among the best in the world. From the Ivy League to state research institutions, thousands of students and professors from around the globe flocked to America year after year to study, teach, and innovate. International students represented about 6 percent of all higher education students – that’s about 1.1 million. But last year, international student enrollment fell by a fifth compared to the year before. That’s the largest percentage change since the pandemic, according to federal data. And early data suggest that drop in enrollment continued this school year. How did the U.S. begin losing dominance in higher education? And what does this decline mean for students, faculty, and innovation in this country? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast…

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet this week in a highly anticipated sit down as the U.N. summit continues in New York. This conference comes amid stark warnings over AI safety, U.S.-China trade anxiety, and the ongoing war in Iran. What‘s on the agenda and what do each of these superpowers want? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

No two words defined President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign more than “America first.” The name of this country has been at the center of President Trump’s rhetoric. But his administration’s approach to foreign policy tells a different story. The Trump administration has done everything from leveraging tariffs, to canceling visas, to sanctioning foreign leaders trying to influence elections abroad for personal gain. In her new Atlantic essay, “Empire of Grift,” Anne Applebaum outlines in painstaking detail the ways Trump and his allies are only ‘America first’ in talk while lining their pockets in practice. In this installment of our weekly democracy series, “If You Can Keep It,” we discuss how the president is deploying the tools of U.S. diplomacy to make the world safer for corruption and authoritarianism. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…

This week the nation woke up to the potential danger of runaway tech — that AI is behaving in ways its creators don’t intend and can’t control. And that we might be as little as six months to a year away from AI being capable of acting on its own. The midterm election is coming. Prices are high. And a new Congressional Budget Office report out this week says the main reason for relentless inflation is the Iran war. And President Donald Trump has made mail-in-voting a major part of his campaign to sow doubt in the voting process. But on Monday, the Supreme Court blocked his executive order to change how mail-in ballots are sent to voters across the country. And, in global news, this week, Yemeni Houthis militia members seized the Red Sea port of Mokha and several islands inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping passage. Reporting from The Washington Post revealed the details of a $2.8 billion arms package the Trump administration will send to Israel. The sale includes 2,000-pound bombs, the largest…

Between 2020 and 2025, nearly 200 women have died from ectopic pregnancies. That’s almost double the number of deaths in the previous six years. Ectopic pregnancies happen when an embryo implants outside the uterus and can’t develop properly. If left untreated, the embryo can rupture, causing deadly bleeding. The treatment for ectopic pregnancies – which are almost never viable – is termination. But since the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, terminating a pregnancy has become more complicated in states with abortion restrictions. We sit down to talk about a new investigation from ProPublica that explores the role these state abortion bans could be playing in the rise in deaths related to ectopic pregnancies. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Last week, a researcher at the artificial intelligence company Anthropic announced his resignation on X, formerly known as Twitter. Jacob Coxon wrote that his former company — along with Open AI, where he also recently worked — are acting irresponsibly and “racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives.” That post went viral — it’s now been viewed nearly 200 million times. Then, on Saturday, Anthropic’s own CEO, Dario Amodei, published an essay calling on the entire industry to deliberately slow down. He also shared some ideas about how to do it. The head of Open AI, Sam Altman, replied by saying, “I agree with Dario that we need to pace the frontier.” Should we slow down AI innovation — and is that even possible? What’s at risk if we don’t? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast…

The administration is expanding its third-country deportation campaign. Since President Donald Trump took office last year, more than 25,000 people have been sent to over 29 countries they’re not from. That includes places like Liberia, Guatemala, South Sudan, Guyana, Ghana, and Honduras. Now, more than 30 countries have agreed to accept deportees from the U.S. What does that mean for the people sent to a place they’ve never been? And for the relationship between accepting countries and the U.S.? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

At least a billion dollars of untraceable cash is flowing into this year’s midterm elections. That’s according to an analysis by The New York Times from late last month. These funds – referred to as dark money by campaign finance experts – are coming from super PACs, non-profits, and wealthy donors. Tracing exactly how much dark money is flowing through campaigns is difficult. Money spent to hire influencers online, direct mail campaigns, and employ door knockers isn’t always publicly disclosed as campaign spending. In this edition of “If you Can Keep it,” we tackle the role of dark money in our midterm elections. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Despite President Donald Trump’s historic unpopularity, Republicans are betting on him big ahead of this year’s midterms. The partystaged a first midterm convention in Dallas, Texas this week. Following renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, the price of crude oil has risen to over $100 per barrel, meaning American drivers are in for more pain at the pump. And this week New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the release of a public portal allowing access to records relating to 9/11. And, in global news, a new book alleges that Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu was warned of the Hamas offensive,just days before the October 7, 2023 attack. This week, President Donald Trump announced he would institute bans on some Canadian goods, including dairy products, alcohol, and motorcycles. And the far-right AfD German political party made historic gains in a state election this week. We cover the most important stories from around the world in the News Roundup. Find more of our programs online. Listen…

The Lindsay Clancy murder trial captivated the American public for weeks. Prosecutors charged Clancy with murdering her three children. They say she then tried to take her own life and that her injuries left her paralyzed from the waist down. Clancy’s lawyers say she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and should not be held criminally responsible. But prosecutors say she planned the deaths. After seven days of deliberation, the jury remained deadlocked and the case ended in a mistrial. The trial has divided the nation and sparked conversations over about maternal mental health, raising questions over gaps in care for parents after giving birth. About one in five expecting or postpartum women in the U.S. experience mental health disorders. And according to a 2025 study, overall maternal mental health has dramatically dropped in the past seven years, with only 25 percent of moms reporting excellent mental health. What do we know – and don’t know – about maternal mental health care? And how can our systems…

The way we work has changed dramatically over the last decade. Using AI is quickly becoming the norm in many workplaces when, just a few years ago, it felt closer to science fiction. And the hybrid work model that began during the pandemic has made remote work much more common. We’ve also seen shifts around what it means to be an “essential worker.” It’s a term that emerged during the pandemic, but has largely fallen out of our vocabulary. This category included nurses and doctors, government workers, those in transportation, food and agriculture, water, and waste management. But there’s a different name for a growing segment of the work population that includes those we once deemed essential — the “disposable” worker. Unlike their “essential” counterparts, the disposable workforce isn’t defined by the services they offer, but by the weakening contract between them and their employers. In honor of Labor Day week, we discuss what it means to be disposable in today’s labor market — and what happens when people…

A quarter century after 9/11, the health of those who responded to the attacks continues to be affected. Some 3,000 people died across three locations that day. An estimated 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants and risked physical injury in the hours and days that followed. That’s according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the dust and debris have settled, more than 96,000 have been diagnosed with physical and mental health conditions related to 9/11. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, establishing the World Trade Center Health Program and reopening the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Today, more than 150,000 people are enrolled in the program. But that program wouldn’t exist without the advocacy of survivors and first responders who put their bodies and lives on the line following the attacks. How did that fight for care unfold? For more information about the Rutgers WTC Health Program, click here. And to…

How did you celebrate July 4 this year? What did the country’s landmark 250th anniversary, in honor of the founding of the United States, mean to you? The next 50 years likely hold a lot of change for our country where democracy, economic uncertainty, technology, and our social fabric are concerned. What do we want that change to look like? In this previously-aired episode, we opened the phones so that you, our listeners, could tell us. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Following months of a tenuous ceasefire and several rounds of failed negotiations, the U.S. and Iran traded military strikes this week threatening to once again plunge the surrounding region into conflict. A whistleblower inside the United States Postal Service is warning that the agency is rushing to implement a system to deal with mail-in ballots that, due to its untested nature, could disenfranchise millions of voters in the U.S. Months after the beginning of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in U.S. cities, and after several fatal shootings, ICE now says it has enough body cameras for its agents. And, in global news, following renewed violence between Washington and Tehran, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged support for Iran this week in its conflict with the U.S. and encouraged other world leaders to do the same. The U.S. is working with interim President Delcy Rodriguez on a plan to take control of roughly one fifth of Venezuela’s oil supply. And voters in Iceland struck down a…

If you’ve driven on any road in the U.S. lately, chances are your license plate has been captured by a Flock camera. Flock lets police around the country track your car. The company’s cameras can even help determine whether you’ve committed a crime. Now, it’s is facing big time backlash for what critics call excessive surveillance. What does widespread deployment of license plate readers on U.S. roads means for our privacy? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Imagine a small town in rural Tennessee — a town square, a yellow brick courthouse, a family-owned restaurant, a café, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets across the Appalachian foothills. Now, imagine a group of far-right real estate developers — backed by Silicon Valley venture capital and with powerful ties to Washington — move into town. They have a vision to build a new kind of community and turn it into a haven for like-minded white Christians. That’s what’s happening in Gainesboro, Tennessee. And it’s part of a growing movement by some far-right Christian nationalists to relocate to red states and turn small towns into white enclaves. Locals in Gainesboro are alarmed. They call it a “takeover.” And they are pushing back. That’s the story of “Our Town,” a new Bloomberg investigative podcast series. We sit down with its hosts to talk about this takeover in Tennessee. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for…

For some of you, it’s still a week away. For others — the doors are already open. It’s back to school. But in this edition of 1A, it’s all about the teachers. They’ve been called heroes. They’ve fought for better salaries and benefits. They‘ve been asked to do more with less. They’ve started go-fund-me campaigns to pay for your classroom supplies when the funding just isn’t there. Last year, we asked teachers what excited and worried them before the school year. And this year, we’re doing it again.What are teachers in the U.S. feeling ahead of a school year sure to be filled with triumphs and perils? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Between 1950 and 1975, an estimated 1.5 million women were sent to homes for unwed mothers across the United States. There, most were hidden away from their families and communities until they gave birth and placed their babies for adoption. Some of those adoptions were involuntary. That type of experience is hard to forget. For one family, a past that had been buried for decades finally came to light after a DNA test connected two long-lost sisters. We hear from both of them, as part of the new book, “My Mother’s Daughter: Finding Myself in My Family’s Fractured Past.” Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Following a Supreme Court decision that cleared the way, a federal judge lifted a nationwide block on President Donald Trump’s executive order that limited mail-in voting ahead of the midterm elections. A historic drought in the northwestern United States is supercharging what’s on track to already be a historic wildfire season. And reporting from The Wall Street Journal indicated that Trump intervened at the Department of Justice as the agency was preparing to sue Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter. And, in global news, this week, President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian imports, prompting Ottawa to retaliate with tariffs of its own. Canada and the U.S. exchanged about 872 billion dollars in goods and services in 2025. Friday marks six months since the start of the U.S. war with Iran. This week Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a warning to foreign governments and companies saying they could lose access to the U.S. financial system if they continue doing business with…

Four years after the fall of Roe v. Wade upended federal protections for abortion access, abortion opponents have set their sights on a new target in the world of fertility: surrogacy. A gestational surrogate is a woman who carries an embryo that was formed using the egg of another woman. Before the pregnancy, the surrogate also agrees to return the baby to its intended parents once born. At its core, surrogacy is a contractual agreement. But because there’s no federal law regulating surrogacy agreements, it’s left up to state to decide how they can be enforced. That’s the issue at the heart of a high-profile legal dispute between an Alaska surrogate and a California couple. Why are some abortion opponents looking to ban surrogacy? And could they succeed? And how does the patchwork of regulations that govern surrogacy agreements complicate the process? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…

On Tuesday, August 25th, American country musician, philanthropist, and icon Dolly Parton died at the age of 80 in Nashville, Tennessee. Years before her death, she asked her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, to make a video announcing her passing. In the video posted to social media yesterday, he shared this exchange with his aunt: “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest on a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable, and have some rest.” In 2023, we celebrated the queen of rhinestone’s achievements and music here on 1A. Please enjoy this replay of that show in honor of Dolly Parton’s legacy. Here's what we wrote about that conversation at the time. – Dolly Parton’s resume is as big as her hair. And at age 77 she’s adding another title to it: “Rockstar.” Her new album was released on Nov. 17. It’s a mix of covers of classic rock songs, featuring collaborations with a whopping list of who’s who in Rock-n-Roll. And…

Throughout history, people have been fascinated by automation, technological progress, and how it can change our lives. In 1956, General Motors made a film about the distant future of 1976, when cars would drive themselves with the help of traffic-control towers. In 1993, AT&T envisioned what sounds a lot like today’s smart home and smart watch technology. Much of what the companies behind these advertisements promised has come true. The idea, running through all of it, was that technology will set you free. It will connect you. It will give you power over your own life. It will make things better. We sit down to talk with historian Jill Lepore about whether or not that’s true. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy