NPR and WBUR's live midday news program
The Here & Now podcast is a fantastic format that allows listeners to have the freedom of choice and flexibility in their listening experience. Gone are the days of being tied down to a radio, as this podcast can be accessed anytime, anywhere. One of the best aspects of this podcast is the wide selection of stories to choose from. Whether you're interested in global news, current events, science updates, or inspirational arts spotlights, this podcast delivers a substantive and entertaining blend of content. The hosts, Tanya Mosley and Robin Young, bring warmth, thoughtfulness, and empathy to the show, making it a joy to listen to. The length of the podcast is also ideal, fitting well into daily routines without feeling too long or rushed.
However, there are some criticisms that can be made about this podcast. Some reviewers argue that there is a lack of logic in the Republican voting selection when they praise outsider candidates who have never held office before. They point out that President Trump's presidency has been chaotic and filled with controversy, despite him being an outsider businessman. Additionally, some listeners feel that when Tanya Mosley or Robin Young are not hosting the show, it loses some of its appeal and becomes more like background noise.
In conclusion, The Here & Now podcast offers a well-balanced and intriguing listening experience. It provides a diverse range of stories to choose from and blends them seamlessly with current events and science updates. The hosts bring their unique perspectives and interviewing styles to the show, creating an engaging atmosphere for listeners. While there may be some criticisms regarding Republican voting choices or the absence of certain hosts, overall this podcast stands out as one of NPR's finest offerings.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has a new exhibit tracing the rise, near extinction and recovery of the bison. Museum director Kirk Johnson talks about a prehistoric skull at the centerpiece of the story and why it's important for American history. And, NASA's Artemis II mission made history this month by sending four astronauts farther from Earth than any other humans have been before. But moments like this echo the earliest days of American spaceflight in 1962, when John Glenn orbited the planet three times in a cramped capsule called the Mercury Friendship 7. Mike Neufeld, curator emeritus at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, discusses the history and modern significance of the Friendship 7See 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

Amid a shaky ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, six Americans detained in Iran are in danger, advocates say. Former U.S. hostage envoy Roger Carstens explains what it will take to bring them home.Then, stock traders are remaining optimistic about a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. The S&P 500 hit a record high this week. MS NOW's Ali Velshi offers an analysis of the market.And, living costs are rising across the board, and saving for retirement or emergencies is becoming increasingly hard for many Americans. Labor economist Kathryn Anne Edwards details what the government could do to create a nation of savers.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

Rumors about former Rep. Eric Swalwell's behavior had been reportedly circulating for years. We talk with former Rep. Jackie Speier about the rumors and what Congress can do to better police its members. Speier was involved in 2018 in rewriting the way Congress handles sexual misconduct accusations. Politico's Melanie Mason explains how a group of social media influencers brought attention to the sexual harassment and assault they say Swalwell committed. Then, the Pentagon is sending more troops to the Middle East, and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports continues, in an attempt to pressure Iran into making a deal to end the war. Washington Post reporter Dan Lamothe shares the latest. And, Dr. Kathleen May explains why the allergy season may have you sneezing a bit longer this yearSee 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 an extensive New Yorker investigation, Ronan Farrow looks into OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and whether one of the most influential AI minds can be trusted.Then, tech billionaires are trying to create autonomous communities, fueled by cryptocurrency and free from governmental oversight. They've set their sights on the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevi. Professor and author Douglas Rushkoff breaks down the implications.And, Anthropic's new large language model, Claude Mythos, is said to be a skilled hacker with the ability to reshape cybersecurity. Axios correspondent Ina Fried explains more.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

President Trump has put in place a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Iran failed to strike a deal to end the war. We speak with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who served as lead negotiator on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal under former President Barack Obama, about what comes next. And then we talk with Pakistani Sen. Sherry Rehman about how negotiations played out in Islamabad.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

iPods were all the rage 20 years ago, but Apple discontinued them in 2022. Now, Claire Hughes collects and refurbishes old iPods as a hobby, then shares the playlists she finds on them as time capsules of joy. She tells us about how she's connecting with strangers through her project Junk Drawer Jukebox. And, friction-maxxing is the idea of putting aside our phones and the convenience they bring in exchange for doing things the way we did before technology entered our lives. New York Magazine columnist Kathryn Jezer-Morton shares more about the new term she coined.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 U.S.'s ceasefire with Iran is on shaky ground after Israel launched its deadliest day of strikes on Lebanon so far. Tehran and Islamabad say the strikes violate the two-week agreement. Israel said Thursday it has agreed to talks with Lebanon. The Washington Institute's Holly Dagres explains more ahead of a U.S. delegation's scheduled visit to Pakistan on Saturday.Then, since Israel began its invasion of Lebanon last month, more than 1 million people have been forced out of their homes. As Israeli airstrikes continue, the southern region of Lebanon is becoming increasingly isolated and unable to access humanitarian aid. Human Rights Watch researcher Ramzi Kaiss has more on the deepening humanitarian crisis.And, MS Now's Ali Velshi details what the ceasefire means for markets, gas prices and the economy at large.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

President Trump is celebrating the two-week ceasefire that the U.S. and Iran agreed to on Tuesday night. The deal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, but will the U.S. end up walking away without getting much from Iran? Security analyst Jim Walsh discusses the deal. Then, as negotiations continue, we hear from Radin Yad, who was born in Iran and now lives in Europe. And, the Center on Conscience and War says it's seeing a rise in calls from U.S. military members facing deployment who are seeking to be discharged or reassigned as conscientious objectors. We get more context about the process with Iraq War veteran Mike Prysner, the nonprofit's executive director. 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 crew of NASA's Artemis II mission is heading back to Earth after completing a loop around the moon. Jacob Bleacher, NASA's chief exploration scientist, shares more details of the historic lunar flyby.Then, with the crew expected to return on Friday, former NASA astronaut Cady Coleman reacts to new pictures of the moon and explains how Artemis II could influence the future of space missions.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

Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown talks about what's next in the unfinished release of Justice Department files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, now that Pam Bondi has been forced out as attorney general. Then, Ret. Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery says, "We're not going to get regime change; we need a change in how the regime acts." He talks about Iran's persistent military capabilities, the dramatic rescue of a downed U.S. weapons systems officer and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's firing of U.S. Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George. And, Jessie Diggins is America's most accomplished cross-country skier. She discusses her career, retirement, and her struggles with an eating disorder.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

Lowriders have long turned city streets into moving works of art. Now, a new exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution is tracing the history of lowriding from its roots in Chicano communities to its influence on art and activism. Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, talks about perhaps the most famous lowrider of all time, "Gypsy Rose." Then, in 1939, a Black aviator named Chauncey Spencer flew in a fragile biplane from Chicago to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Black representation among military pilots. Smithsonian curator Joseph Abel tells the story of that journey and the impact it made.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

While gas prices across the country have skyrocketed since the start of the war with Iran, the U.S. has been relatively insulated from Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. European and Asian countries haven't been as lucky. But CNN's Rana Foroohar said the energy crisis affecting them is likely to hit the U.S., too.And, a key panel approved President Trump's plans for a new ballroom. The vote came days after a federal judge ordered the project to stop until Congress signed off on it. The Washington Post's Dan Diamond explains more.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

President Trump is threatening to pull out of NATO, calling the alliance a "paper tiger." Trump and NATO allies in Europe have been at odds since his first term, but the relationship hit a new low following Trump's decision in late February to go to war in Iran without first consulting them. Now, Trump is criticizing allies for not helping the U.S. military. Julianne Smith, former ambassador to NATO under the Biden administration, joins us. Then, the Supreme Court heard arguments on Wednesday on President Trump's executive order that attempts to end birthright citizenship, which makes almost every child born in the U.S. a citizen. In an unprecedented move, Trump sat in on the oral arguments. We speak with Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the non-partisan Migration Policy Institute, and Kim Wehle, former assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. And, Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that seeks to create a national list of citizens who are eligible to vote in each state, and then directs the U.S. Postal Service to only send mail-in ballots to verified voters. But election experts and state officials in Arizona and Oregon say the order is unconstitutional. We hear from Rick Hasen, director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.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

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said reopening the Strait of Hormuz is “not just a U.S. problem set.” NPR's Tom Bowman weighs in on whether President Trump will wind down the war in Iran without reopening the narrow waterway through which a quarter of the world's oil travels.Then, the National Mall has become a stage for the deep division between the Trump administration and its many critics. Recently, artwork ridiculing President Trump appeared in front of the Lincoln Memorial. NPR's Frank Langfitt explains more.And, NASA's Artemis II will launch on Wednesday, sending four astronauts around the moon. Purdue University professor Briony Horgan explains the significance of this journey, which will send humans farther into space than they've ever gone before.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 Trump administration came through on its promise to pay Transportation Security Administration workers, with officers receiving a deposit into their accounts on Monday. But Aaron Barker, local AFGE union leader, explains how his first paycheck in weeks was lacking.Then, along with the war Israel and the U.S. are waging in Iran, Israel has been striking southern Lebanon. Reporter Borzou Daragahi details how the war is expanding across the Middle East.And, college is expensive. Is a four-year degree still worth it? And what can you do to save money for when that acceptance letter comes? CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger answers those questions and more.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

More than 100 years ago, miners in Tonopah, Nev., risked their lives to pull a fortune of silver and gold from the nearby mountains. The mines are quiet now, but Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd visited the town of a little more than 2,000 people to learn why residents are betting that another boom is on the horizon.Then, O'Dowd heads to Las Vegas to understand the “desperate cry” for affordable housing there as real estate prices surge, but wages in the city's multi-billion-dollar hotel and gaming industry remain stagnant.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

You might be cynical about the size of awards this week in two trials looking at social media harm against children. But Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen says rulings against Meta and Google could signal a larger trend. She joins us. Then, the war with Iran is having massive ripple effects across the Middle East. Princeton University's Bernard Haykel explains how Iran's neighbors across the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, see the war. And, Corpus Christi, Texas, is weeks away from a potential water emergency, with reservoirs below 10% and demand outpacing supply. KEDT's Spencer Cihak talks about who gets water in Texas and what happens when there isn't enough.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In a first-of-its-kind verdict, a jury in New Mexico found Meta hid what it knew about child exploitation on its social media platforms. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez explains how the company misled children and teenagers about the safety of Facebook and Instagram.Then, the Department of the Interior is paying a French energy company nearly $1 billion to stop plans to build an offshore wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean. Grist staff writer Jake Bittle details why the Trump administration is so against wind energy.And, the war in Iran continues to harm energy markets around the world. Samantha Gross, director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at the Brookings Institution, discusses the long-term effect.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump says there is a good chance for a deal to end the war in Iran, but Iran has denied that any peace talks are happening. Wendy Sherman, former U.S. deputy secretary of state, details the state of affairs.Then, traders bet hundreds of millions of dollars on oil contracts before Trump announced the U.S. would pause strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Roben Farzad discusses why some observers are questioning whether insider trading is at play.And, the Supreme Court is considering the legality of a policy that bars migrants at the border from entering the U.S. and applying for asylum. The Wall Street Journal's Michelle Hackman explains more. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A former top American official in Cuba discusses whether President Trump's pressure campaign on Havana could lead to the collapse of the country's communist leadership. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, who was charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Havana from 2015 to 2017, joins us. Then, the war with Iran is costing the U.S. tens of billions of dollars as it enters its fourth week. The Harvard Kennedy School's Linda Bilmes joins us to discuss the long-term economic costs. And, after 24 years as an immigration officer with the Department of Homeland Security, Eric O'Denius is now training to be a paralegal on immigration cases as enforcement has grown broader and more aggressive. We talk with O'Denius about his journey from deportation officer to paralegal.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

“The Wiz” premiered on Broadway a little more than 50 years ago, reimagining a classic American story, “The Wizard of Oz,” as an all-Black production filled with gospel, funk and soul music. Dwandalyn Reece from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, shares the story of one of the show's iconic costumes, worn by André De Shields, who played “The Wiz” himself. And, the Ford Model T first hit the road in the early 1900s. Kathleen Franz from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History explains how the car not only changed transportation, but nearly all facets of American life.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Iran launched attacks on the world's biggest liquefied natural gas complex in Qatar on Thursday. These strikes are in retaliation for Israel's attack on a major natural gas field in Iran. NPR's Aya Batrawy shares the latest. Then, AP's Cristiana Mesquita explains what life is like now in Cuba, where there's an energy shortage, frequent blackouts and an uncertain future. President Trump pledged to do "something with Cuba very soon," and the island's socialist government vowed to resist any U.S. aggression. And, more than a month into the shutdown, Transportation Security Administration officers are still working without pay. Christine Vitel, a TSA officer at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and executive vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 777, shares the conditions workers are facing. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump was scheduled to go to China for a summit in Beijing at the end of the month, but he has postponed the trip to focus on the Middle East. Professor David Lampton explains China's interests in the conflict and the significance of a U.S.-China meeting.Then, Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday in protest of the war in Iran, saying the country posed “no imminent threat to the U.S.” Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey explains the significance of the departure.And, the Wall Street Journal reports Amazon plans to cut back on how many packages it sends through the U.S. Postal Service. Roben Farzad of the Full Disclosure podcast explains what this could mean for the Postal Service's already fragile financial situation.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel says it killed two of Iran's highest-ranking leaders in an airstrike on Monday night. And President Trump is bashing allies for declining to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. Jon Finer, former principal deputy national security advisor to former President Joe Biden, joins us to discuss what this means for potential diplomacy in this war. Then, artificial intelligence is playing an important role in the war in Iran. We look at how it's being used and how it is changing warfare with Paul Scharre of the Center for a New American Security. And, the internet is full of memes around the ongoing war, many made and posted by the White House account on X. Nottingham Trent University's Tine Munk weighs in on the objective of these memes.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As the war in Iran enters its third week, the Straight of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with Iran blocking oil tankers from moving through. This has caused oil and gas prices to skyrocket. Now, President Trump is demanding U.S. allies help reopen it. Journalist Negar Mortazavi details the latest in the war.Then, new artificial intelligence-powered headsets will give Burger King workers a "friendliness score" based on their customer interactions. Law professor Ifeoma Ajunwa unpacks the ethical questions surrounding this type of workplace surveillance.And, the Irish music scene in Japan is growing, and O'Jizo is one of the bands driving it. WBUR's Amelia Mason reports on the band's contemporary grooves and inventive arrangements.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

"Sinners”, the horror film that blends blues music, history and vampires, is up for a record-breaking 16 Academy Awards. One of those nominations is for the new Best Casting category. Casting director Francine Maisler joins us.Then, the Norwegian film “Sentimental Value” is up for nine Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Co-writer and director Joachim Trier joins us to discuss the film.And, “Hamnet,” based on Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel of the same name, is nominated for eight awards. Director Chloe Zhao, who co-wrote the screenplay with O'Farrell, and Jessie Buckley, who stars as William Shakespeare's wife Agnes, join us.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Radin Yad was born in Iran and now lives in Europe. He shares what he's hearing from his family in Tehran and how he views the U.S. and Israeli war against his country. Then, we hear about how swing voters in Michigan are viewing the war in Iran from Rich Thau, who runs the firm Engagious, which hosts focus groups for the Swing Voter Project. And, singer-songwriter David Archuleta joins us to discuss his new memoir, “Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself.” Archuleta first rose to fame as a teenager when he came in second place on the seventh season of "American Idol." In his new memoir, he writes about coming to terms with his sexuality and leaving the Mormon church.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump said he is still considering sending U.S. troops into Iran to secure its hidden stockpile of highly enriched uranium, the key building block of a nuclear weapon. Weapons expert David Albright explains what that would take.Then, the United Nations said that Israeli strikes have displaced nearly 700,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Lebanon. Professor Fawaz Gerges details how violence is harming the region.And, CBC Sports digital host and Paralympian Allison Lang breaks down the winners and medal count on day five of the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As the war with Iran continues, we look at the potential risks of an attack by Iran on U.S. soil. Phil Mudd, former deputy director of the CIA's Counterterrorist Center and the FBI's National Security Branch, joins us. Then, Republican foreign policy and politics expert Colin Dueck talks about why many of President Trump's Make America Great Again supporters back the war in Iran. And, this weekend, two desalination plants came under attack in Iran and Bahrain. Georgetown University professor Marcus King explains why this technology is so vital for the arid Middle East and the precedent these attacks set in future conflicts.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named as Iran's next supreme leader. Retired Army Gen. David Petraeus offers his thoughts on the latest news out of Iran.Then, Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, unpacks how the Iranian public is responding to the new leader and why his selection is a signal that Iran's leadership is digging in against the Trump administration's campaign against it.And, defense spending expert Mark Cancian estimates the war is costing the U.S. nearly $1 billion each day. He talks about how expensive it could get.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Even when it's freezing and covered in snow, Minnesota's Sax Zim Bog attracts birders from around the world. They flock there hoping to spot owls, hawks and rare songbirds that spend most of their time in northern Canada. Many of those birds are feeling the pressure of the warming climate, however, so local scientists and wildlife enthusiasts are working to conserve their habitat, which also happens to be a peatland adept at storing carbon. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports. Then, volunteer naturalist Rich Hoeg recently installed listening devices across northern Minnesota to record elusive species of birds. Some of his recordings are informing scientific studies of owls, and surprising even lifelong birders.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The United States does not have a rich diamond mining history. But an exhibit at the Smithsonian proves that some of the world's most dazzling gems are homegrown. We speak with Gabriela Farfan, curator of gems and minerals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, about two of their best American gems on display. And, voting by mail became a major political flashpoint during the COVID-19 pandemic, but controversies over voting remotely aren't new. During the Civil War, tens of thousands of soldiers used a simple envelope to cast their ballot from the battlefield. Dan Piazza from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum tells the story of one of those envelopes.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As the U.S. and Israel hit Iranian targets from the air, some Iranian Kurdish groups are reportedly discussing whether to launch an incursion from Iraq, potentially opening a new front in the conflict. Al-Monitor correspondent Amberin Zaman discusses the conversations happening behind the scenes. Then, retired Adm. Mark Montgomery supports the war but has concerns the Trump administration hasn't planned for what comes next. He tells us why. And, former Iranian news editor and Tehran resident Ali Safari talks about what the mood is in Iran's capital city during U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Last year, Safari told us bombings by the U.S. made some Iranians rally around the government.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

More than 10 years ago, journalists Yeganeh Rezaian and her husband, Jason Rezaian, were wrongfully imprisoned in Iran. She was released after more than two months; he was held for 544 days. Yeganeh Rezaian shares how she views the U.S. war with Iran. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson talks about Secretary Kristi Noem testifying before Congress, the Iran war and the partial government shutdown. Then, Democrats aim to flip a dozen Republican-held House seats in red districts around the country. The person leading the charge, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairperson Suzan DelBene, explains how they plan to make that happen.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Reuters correspondent Emily Rose joins us from Jerusalem to explain what the war with Iran could mean for Israeli politics after decades of Prime Minister Netanyahu pushing for intervention in Iran.Then, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) attended a classified briefing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She's part of a cohort of Democratic lawmakers working to rein in President Trump, and details what an upcoming vote on war powers could mean.And, the Trump administration has cited regime change, destroying nuclear weapons and preemptive action as justifications for war with Iran. Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence Beth Sanner shares more.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The president and the secretary of defense have made conflicting statements about whether regime change is the goal of the U.S. military action in Iran. It's not fully clear what the Trump administration's objectives are there and what the timeline is. Here & Now security analyst Jim Walsh weighs in. Then, retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling gives his perspective on the objectives of the U.S. military and how long the war may last. And, former Iranian prisoner and human rights activist Shirin Nariman is watching developments in Iran closely. As a supporter of the National Council of Iran Resistance, Nariman is hoping that the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his advisors will pave the road for democracy and human rights in the country. She talks about the situation in Iran and its reverberations around the region.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There are only a few hundred black-footed ferrets still living in the Western United States. But scientists have been able to clone ferrets from genetic specimens collected in the 1980s. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd talks with Ryan Phelan, co-founder of Revive & Restore, an organization involved with the cloning project.Then, the number of moose in Minnesota is about half what it was just 20 years ago. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports on efforts to track juvenile moose, who may hold the key to growing the population.And, Arizona's Mt. Graham is the only place a species of red squirrel can survive. When a 2017 fire ravaged their habitat, their population dropped to only 35. O'Dowd climbs to the top of Mt. Graham to report on how scientists are rebuilding their habitat and attempting to breed more squirrels.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A report released this week lays out a bleak future that comes with artificial intelligence's displacement of white-collar workers. MIT's Daron Acemoglu shares what he predicts AI will lead to in work and the economy. Then, U.S. officials are involved in two rapidly evolving foreign policy situations this week: a firefight where Cuban officials shot at a Florida-registered speedboat, killing four people and injuring six, and negotiating with Iranian officials over the country's nuclear program. Jon Finer, former principal deputy national security advisor during the Biden administration, reacts. And, the rapper Flavor Flav has invited all of the women athletes who medaled in the Olympics and Paralympics to celebrate with him in Las Vegas. He talks about his support of women's sports, the Olympics, and his music career with Public Enemy.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In his State of the Union address, President Trump made exaggerated claims about the state of the economy, including prices, jobs and the cost of health care. Economics professor Justin Wolfers breaks down what Trump's policies have meant for middle-class U.S. families.Then, artificial intelligence companies are engaging in circular lending. For example, the high-tech chip-maker Nvidia is investing in the company OpenAI, and OpenAI is then buying chips from Nvidia. The Wall Street Journal's Jonathan Weil explains what these deals mean and the risks behind them.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As Russia and Ukraine enter their fifth year of war, we check in with NPR's Joanna Kakissis for a snapshot of the key developments throughout these past four years and what the future of the war looks like. Then, Toma Istomina, deputy chief editor of The Kyiv Independent, joins us to discuss where the war in Ukraine goes from here as the country marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion. And we hear from Dmytro Vezelov, who joined us four years ago when the Russian invasion began. Since then, he's gone from a desk job to coordinating drones to fight Russian invaders.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In cities across the country, the Department of Homeland Security is buying up huge warehouses, some that can house more than 8,000 people each. Rudy Cruz Jr., the mayor of Socorro, Texas, explains how a warehouse purchase in his community would impact local residents.Then, President Trump imposed 15% tariffs this weekend after the Supreme Court on Friday struck down his sweeping global import fees. NPR White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben breaks down how he was able to do it.And, Mexico's army killed the leader of one of the country's fastest-growing drug cartels. NPR international correspondent Eyder Peralta details the Trump administration's praise for Mexico's government in the aftermath.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Althea Gibson was a pioneer in women's sports. She broke the color barrier in tennis and golf, winning at the U.S. Open, French Open and Wimbledon in the late '50s. Smithsonian curator Eric Jentsch talks about her legacy through the lens of one of her outfits and tennis rackets. And, nearly 30 years ago, Muhammad Ali held a torch and lit a cauldron to kick off the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Damion Thomas, curator of sports for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, talks about why that moment was so emotional at the time and why it still resonates today.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy