1A

A shooter opened fire in a Minneapolis church on Wednesday, injuring 17 people and killing two children. Parishioners and students were gathered at a Mass marking the first week of schoolA federal grand jury in the nation's capital this week declined to indict a man who threw a sandwich at a federal officer in Washington DC.Emails between top Florida officials show that they expect the state's newest immigration detention facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” to be emptied in the coming weeks. The White House is fighting a judge's order to shut it down.Israeli and U.S. officials met this week in Washington to discuss plans for post-war Gaza. This comes as the Israeli military expands the offensive in Gaza City and they come under fire for a “double-tap” bombing of a hospital.In the war in Ukraine, both sides are attacking energy resources. In Europe, leaders sit down to try and negotiate peace in the region.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's been two decades since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, making landfall in the city as a Category 3 storm. The massive storm surge broke through levees and the flood walls.Some 80 percent of New Orleans flooded. Entire neighborhoods were wiped out. The official death toll totaled nearly 1,400 people. And what happened in the storm's wake changed the face of emergency response in this country forever.We mark 20 years since Hurricane Katrina hit. We take you back to that time, look at what rebuilding has meant for New Orleans, and what lessons were learned.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump is ramping up his attacks on the Federal Reserve.On Monday, the president posted orders on Truth Social to remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook – effective immediately. The president claims she committed mortgage fraud, an allegation first raised by a Trump loyalist and housing official.Cook, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, responded in a statement saying that Trump has no authority to remove her and that she will continue her duties. Cook has not been charged with a crime.It's an unprecedented move that puts into question the independence of the central bank. So, what comes next and what does this mean for the Fed?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Another Friday, another move against a perceived enemy of the president.Last week, the FBI searched the Maryland home and Washington office of President Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton.Since he was fired from the administration during Trump's first term, Bolton has turned into one of the president's most vocal critics.Vice President JD Vance confirmed in an interview that aired this weekend that this raid was in part connected to a criminal investigation over Bolton's handling of classified documents and information.What does this investigation say about the priorities of the Justice Department in Trump's second term?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

"Corrupt" is the word President Trump is using, without evidence, to describe mail-in voting. It's how almost one third of Americans cast their ballots in the last election.States including Florida and Pennsylvania also saw recent jumps in GOP mail-in ballots, after President Trump in his campaign called for votes by any means possible, including by mail.And while mail-in voting has historically favored Democrats, there is no evidence of the fraud Trump is claiming. But his push to end it fits a pattern: our President wants to change how elections are run in the United States.In this installment of our weekly series, “If You Can Keep It,” we get to the issue right at the very heart of U.S. democracy: the ability to cast a ballot in free and fair elections.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump is continuing his efforts to influence the Federal Reserve. He's calling on one of its governors to resign, publicly criticized Chair Jerome Powell, and is trying to fast-track a close ally onto the board.The White House continued its campaign against the Smithsonian Institution this week. Its given museums 120 days to adjust any content that the administration finds problematic in “tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals.”In a break from the federal guidance under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the American Academy of Pediatrics released updated recommendations this week that urge COVID-19 vaccinations for infants and young children.Meanwhile, on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov questioned whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy even has the authority to sign a “peace deal” for the war in his country at all.Israel's military says they've taken the first steps in their planned operation to take over and occupy Gaza City. On Thursday, they ramped up their attacks in a move that could displace close to one million Palestinians.Haitian police are deploying drones armed with explosives in an attempt to fight back against gangs that control the majority of the capital city of Port-au-Prince.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

ChatGPT has at least 500 million weekly users. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that number is growing extraordinarily fast.When the chatbot went through an update a couple weeks ago, it brought to light how many users were relying on AI for their emotional wellbeing and even as a companion.People using AI for intimate, personal reasons is a phenomenon that we are only beginning to understand. There are reports of AI inducing delusional thinking and even psychosis. One survey by Sentio University found that 63 percent of people involved said AI improved their mental health.With such a powerful tool being privy to our deepest secrets, what guardrails exist to protect users' wellbeing and privacy? Why are so many people leaning on artificial intelligence for connection in the first place?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nearly 43 million Americans have federal student loan debt. Their borrowing totals more than $1.8 trillion. That's according to the Education Data Initiative.Now, the federal student loan system is facing significant changes under the Trump administration.One of the biggest differences is the end of the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE plan, started by President Joe Biden. The income-driven program offers low monthly payments and an expedited path to loan forgiveness. Republicans challenged the plan in court where it's still tied up, leaving the 7.7 million enrollees in limbo.How is the Trump administration overhauling the federal student loan system? And what does this mean for the tens of millions of current and future borrowers?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump gave Vladimir Putin what the Russian leader wanted during their meeting in Alaska last week. Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is back in the U.S. for more talks. His last visit to the White House was disastrous, to say the least. This time, he's bringing key European leaders with him to meet with Trump.What does the future of the conflict in his country look like? And what's changed for Trump since his meeting with Putin? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump and his administration want control over exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution.In a letter sent Aug. 12, three White House officials told the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Lonnie G. Bunch III, that the administration would conduct a review at certain Smithsonian museums. The goal? To “celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”In this installment of our politics series, “If You Can Keep It,” we talk about how the administration is injecting itself into the affairs  – and the exhibits – of the Smithsonian Institution and what that means for our understanding of our shared history.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump put the police force in Washington D.C. under federal control. He also called in the National Guard and ICE to patrol the streets. The Justice Department says last year violent crime in the District of Columbia hit a 30-year low.Cuts to the social safety net are set to leave some 2.4 million Americans without access to the food stamps they were entitled to before the passage of the spending bill earlier this year.And, in global news, Israel killed four journalists working for Al Jazeera in a targeted strike on the tent in which they were staying in Gaza. Also this week, Israeli soldiers shot 25 people seeking aid in Gaza as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu claims he'll “allow” Palestinians to leave during an upcoming offensive in the Strip.A sit down takes place this week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that he will not exchange land for peace.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump has taken over Washington D.C.'s police force and deployed the National Guard in the capital.The president took over the city's police department for 30 days, and says he wants Congress to grant him “long-term” control of the force.All this in the name of public safety, despite the fact that D.C.'s violent crime rate is at a 30-year low.He says he might do the same in places like Los Angeles, Chicago and Baltimore.We get into what it all means for our nation's capital and beyond.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. undertakes the census every 10 years. Hundreds of thousands of Census workers set out to count everyone living in the U.S., regardless of their citizenship status.That data is used to reallocate seats in the House of Representatives, redraw voting districts on the local level, and decide how federal funds should be allocated in each state. The next one is 5 years away, and President Donald Trump wants to make big changes to the 2030 count – by excluding noncitizens. Why does it matter who's counted in the Census? How would making changes to it influence the life of every person living in the U.S.? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Commander and Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr. – died Thursday at the age of 97. He was one of the three-man Apollo 13 spacecraft crew that set for the moon in April 1970.  In 1970, the Apollo 13 spacecraft launched from the Kennedy Space Center. It captured the world's attention as America's third attempt to get to the moon. But after only two days, an explosion crippled the spacecraft and changed its mission: Get home safely.The three astronauts onboard, and dozens of flight controllers on Earth, labored for days to solve one challenge after another.Captain Jim Lovell commanded that mission—after a series of historical firsts with his flights on Gemini 7, Gemini 12, and Apollo 8.In 2020, 1A's Todd Zwillich spoke to the captain about that historic flight on its 50th anniversary. We revisit the conversation. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Redistricting in Texas is turning into a showdown that has nationwide implications for the House of Representatives. The situation paints another stroke in a portrait of a president who hasn't been shy about his desire to consolidate power and shore up GOP prospects ahead of the 2026 midterms.So, what kicked this off? Last week more than 50 Democratic lawmakers fled the state to break quorum and prevent their state House vote on new redrawn congressional maps. The Democrats' revolt, threats of retaliation, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's threats have intensified the fight and sparked a national conversation. In this installment of our politics series, "If You Can Keep It," we discuss the fight over redistricting in Texas what it means for the state of our democracy.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Redistricting in Texas is turning into a showdown that has nationwide implications for the House of Representatives. The situation paints another stroke in a portrait of a president who hasn't been shy about his desire to consolidate power and shore up GOP prospects ahead of the 2026 midterms.So, what kicked this off? Last week more than 50 Democratic lawmakers fled the state to break quorum and prevent their state House vote on new redrawn congressional maps. The Democrats' revolt, threats of retaliation, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's threats have intensified the fight and sparked a national conversation.In this installment of our politics series, "If You Can Keep It," we discuss the fight over redistricting in Texas what it means for the state of our democracy.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After months of delays, President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs went into effect on Thursday. A planned strategy meeting among top Trump administration officials whether to release the transcript from the Department of Justice interview with Ghislaine Maxwell was cancelled.Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government considers a total takeover of the Gaza strip. The UN warns the move could risk "catastrophic consequences."Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of Donald Trump's Friday deadline for peace in Ukraine.And Rwanda has agreed to accept 250 migrants from the United States becoming the latest nation to strike a deal to take in Trump administration deportees.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The president of the United States fired the head of the government's main economic statistics agency after a recent report showed a less than positive picture of U.S. employment.The civil servant President Donald Trump fired was former Commissioner of Labor Statistics Erika McEntarfer, a labor economist nominated to the role in 2023 by President Joe Biden. The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed her in 2024. Commissioners often serve under multiple presidents.The president defended his reasoning for the firing on social media – though he didn't provide evidence to back up his claims. We discuss the consequences when the president fires the person at the head of the government's main agency for economic statistics.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Who do high profile people or companies facing a scandal call when they're in a crisis?Maybe their therapists. But definitely a crisis communications specialist. Like the work of Olivia Pope in the T-V series Scandal, crisis communications is the practice of shaping public perception and reputation during a crisis. And it's a vital tool for maintaining people's reputations in today's digital landscape.For the latest installment of our "Ask A" series, we sit down with three crisis communications specialists and pull back the curtain on the little-known part of the PR industry.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. president to sport a beard. For the next 50 years, whiskers were commonplace in the White House. But then, they went out of style.Now, Vice President JD Vance is the first executive branch leader in more than a century with a furry face.And others are following suit. From the Senate to the campaign trail, more and more men in politics are letting their facial hair grow free. But what does that tell us about masculinity, power, and how we see each other?We discuss why politicians remained bare faced for so long, and what the reemergence of whiskers in the White House represents. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The controversial immigration detention center — dubbed by Florida officials and the Trump administration, "Alligator Alcatraz"-- has already hit some legal snags since opening earlier this month. Civil rights groups are suing the Trump administration over due process complaints. The lawsuit alleges detainees are being held without charges and aren't being given access to their attorneys.It comes after reports of overcrowded cells, overflowing toilets, and no access to prescription medications.The center was constructed in only eight days at an airport in the Everglades. Three weeks after it opened, around 100 people have already been deported straight from the center.We discuss the legal rights of those held in immigration detention centers and what's happening inside the one in the Everglades.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The White House took a victory lap this week as President Donald Trump secured a trade deal with the European Union. The agreement sees goods imported to the U.S. subjected to a 15 percent tariff.As the Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues to unfold, this week President Trump claimed that the New York financier "stole" young women working at his Mar-a-Lago estate.American workers are beginning to notice how Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration is affecting the country's industry, with factories hit particularly hard.World leaders are reacting to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims there is no starvation happening in Gaza, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his country will recognize Palestine as a state if Israel does not end the starvation in Gaza.Despite initially setting a 50-day deadline for an end to the war in Ukraine, President Trump issued an ultimatum Russian President Vladimir Putin. He now expects the war to be over off in 10 to 12 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Experts say a "worst-case" famine scenario is unfolding across the Gaza Strip.That's according to a new report published this week by a U.N.-backed commission that tracks food security worldwide.The starvation in Gaza is reawakening global attention to hunger crises unfolding around the world. Elsewhere in the world: most of Haiti's population is experiencing critical levels of food insecurity. That's when people don't have access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development. And in Sudan, famine grips tens of millions of people.We examine how humanitarian aid factors into the equation. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Across the country, K-12 teachers are prepping classrooms, reviewing lesson plans, and bracing for another school year that, for some, feels politically and personally charged. The Department of Education is slowly being dismantled by the Trump administration. In some districts, immigration officials have shown up at schools, which likely contributed to a rise in student absences last spring. And artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping what both teaching and learning look like. We hear directly from educators and what's at the top of their minds as they head into the new school year. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this Trump administration it's another day, another deadline, another deal. On Monday, the president issued an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.With this revised deadline, the president now wants peace efforts to make progress within 10 to 12 days. There has been little reaction from the Kremlin. We discuss how the U.S. ultimatum could change the course of the conflict. With Volodymyr Zelensky facing challenges both on the frontlines and in governance, we discuss the impact this could this have on his way 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+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Last week, more than 100 aid and human rights groups warned that Gaza is at risk of "mass starvation."They signed an appeal demanding Israel allow food shipments into the territory. On Saturday, Israel's military announced airdrops of aid began in Gaza and that humanitarian corridors will be established.Among those starving in the besieged strip are members of the press. Palestinian journalists are working for outlets around the world because Israel has barred international reporters from traveling to the area. Now, several news organizations are warning their employees in Gaza will die unless something changes.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How does the public know what's happening in the federal government, especially when it's information the government doesn't want to share?That's where whistleblowers come in. But in 2025, the Trump administration is cracking down on these brave folks and the journalists telling their stories.In this installment of our politics series, "If You Can Keep It," we discuss weakening whistleblower protections under President Trump and what this means for those who rely on the information they share.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

New reporting in The Wall Street Journal indicates that the FBI told President Donald Trump in May that his name was mentioned in the Epstein Files. Congressional Republicans have mostly shrugged off the news. Speaker Mike Johnson shuts down the House for the summer.Meanwhile, the European Union and at least 28 governments are criticizing Israel for "drip feeding" Palestinians in Gaza, as starvation grows worse in the Strip. More than 110 people have now died from hunger.Reports indicate that Russian officials have involved teenagers as they test and deploy drones into Ukraine. Daily drone warfare has increased, as Russian president Putin inches towards a deadline imposed by President Trump to end the fighting.The Trump administration withdraws the U.S. from UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural agency, just two years after rejoining.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump has nominated loyal associates to influential positions over and over. But one recent pick for the federal bench has legal experts and many lawmakers particularly up in arms. The Senate voted Tuesday to begin considering former Trump defense attorney Emil Bove for a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals judge for the Third Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.Bove, the president's former defense attorney and now a senior Justice Department official, was the subject of a recent whistleblower complaint. According to that complaint, Bove suggested defying court orders to advance Trump's immigration agenda.Democrats and at least one Republican have vowed to do everything possible to keep him from being confirmed. We discuss who Bove is and the implications for the judiciary if his nomination goes through.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Medicaid is a cornerstone of the American health care system. The program provides insurance to more than 70 million low-income people and people with disabilities.Now, addiction experts and nursing home leaders are sounding the alarm over cuts in President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill.When the cuts occur, Medicaid will lose $1 trillion over the next 10 years and over 11 million Americans will become uninsured by 2034. That's according to estimates by The Congressional Budget Office.We discuss what these cuts mean for some of the most vulnerable Americans.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/the1aLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump is suing the publisher and owner of the Wall Street Journal and seeking damages of $10 billion for defamation.Last week, the paper published an article describing a letter Trump sent to disgraced, self-styled financier Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. That letter reportedly included a lewd drawing. The president says — without evidence — that he didn't write the letter. The Journal's publisher says they will defend against the lawsuit.In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote the lawsuit was filed "not only on behalf of your favorite President, ME, but also in order to continue standing up for ALL Americans who will no longer tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Fake News Media."We discuss the president's legal action — and the threat of it — against the media. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Duunnn dunnn... duuuunnnn duun.Odds are you probably know what that line references without having to click the link. And there's a good reason for that.Sharks have been around for nearly 450 million years – a lot longer than humans. And in the relatively short time we've shared the planet with them, they've become a part of some of our most treasured pop culture moments. But that also means they've fallen victim to pop culture narratives.Since the release of "Jaws" in 1975, sharks – especially great white sharks – have endured a reputation as aggressive and violent. But however we're thinking about them on land, they're struggling to survive at sea.According to the World Wildlife Fund, nearly a third of all shark and ray species are threatened with extinction – with overfishing and harmful fishing practices at the top of the list of hazards.We get into all things sharks, from the so-called "Jaws-effect," to all the things we get wrong about this fascinating fish.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This month, two Supreme Court decisions allowed the Trump administration to move forward with significant federal layoffs, including many at the Departments of Education and State.The State Department laid off senior intelligence analysts specializing in Russia and Ukraine, right as the U.S. ramps up its maneuvering to encourage Vladimir Putin to agree to a peace deal.And at the Department of Education, the Federal Student Aid office, responsible for administering student loans and Pell Grants, lost hundreds of people.We break down both situations.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Senate approves President Trump's rescission package.Donald Trump has spent much of the week admonishing members of his MAGA base for raising the alert about his administration's failure to release information about Jeffrey Epstein.At least 20 people were crushed to death at Gaza Humanitarian Fund aid distribution site in Khan Younis.And Britain lowers its voting age, in the largest expansion of voting rights in the country in decades.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In his rescissions request to Congress last month, President Donald Trump asked that the hundreds of millions dollars budgeted for the President's Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, be cancelled.Senate Republicans have decided that PEPFAR is safe from cuts for now, but those fighting the global epidemic are worried.We talk about what these funding cuts would mean for those actually doing the research, and more importantly, for those living with HIV.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

One of the biggest cuts included in President Donald Trump's recent tax and spending bill is to Medicaid, the federal program that provides health insurance to low-income Americans and people with disabilities. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it would lose $1 trillion over the next ten years.Republicans say these changes address fraud and waste in the Medicaid program. But some rural hospitals and states warn it could have devastating effects.We break down what those changes mean for you.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump is growing impatient with Russian President Vladimir Putin, publicly lamenting earlier this week the fact that Russia hasn't agreed to a peace deal with Ukraine.Trump also promised new tariffs if a peace deal doesn't come in 50 days. New sanctions are on the table, too.With NATO's secretary general, Mark Rutte, by his side, Trump also announced the U.S. would help Europe send more weapons to Ukraine. Under the arrangement, NATO would buy American weapons and pass them to Kyiv.We discuss what U.S. support for Ukraine means for the 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+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.President Donald Trump kicked off the countdown to the anniversary at a rally in Iowa – right as Congress passed his sweeping domestic policy bill.But how has this country's identity changed in 250 years? And what innovations – in science, technology, and democracy – have led us to this moment?In this installment of If You Can Keep It, we discuss what can we learn about the future of American innovation and democracy through its past.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Search crews and volunteers continue to scour miles along the Guadalupe River for the dozens of people still missing after deadly Texas flooding last week. President Trump's reciprocal tariffs are put on hold, again. And while the president calls the U.S the "hottest" country in the world, economists and industry experts warn his policies are positioning the country to be less competitive on the global stage.Meanwhile, President Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize once again, this time by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Pentagon freezes munitions to Ukraine and within hours the president made a U-turn on that move. Also this week new audio emerges of the U.S president expressing frustration with Russian president Vladimir Putin. This comes as Russia launches fresh aerial attacks on Ukraine.And, the world's most famous pygmy hippo turns 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump's so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" which was passed last week will have major implications for most Americans. How much will this cost you? Well, there's the effect this will have on climate change – and the rising costs of electricity Some estimates suggest electricity bills in states like Texas could be $777 more a year by 2035. The Senate version of the legislation repeals the clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act for all solar and wind projects that don't start construction within a year after the bill's passage or that aren't completely operational by 2028. But these projects can often take longer than that. And they're a fast-growing segment of the country's energy grid. We discuss what the future of clean energy looks like in the U.S.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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Last week saw dangerous weather in Europe, where a brutal heat wave swept across the continent. Now wildfires from that heatwave are scorching several Mediterranean countries. Closer to home, hundreds of heat records were set across the U.S in the month of June, including Baltimore, which saw a record high of 105 degrees. Nearly 130 million people were under extreme heat warnings or heat advisories on last Thursday, according to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center.Heat is a deadly threat that has been intensifying each summer. And while some of us turn to air conditioning, many don't have that option. We discuss the power of shade to help cool us down as rising temperatures become the new normal. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy