The authors of two new poetry collections aspire to reach broad audiences with their work. First, John Himmelman says he wanted to tell stories with as few words as possible. The Boy Who Lived in a Shell, a book of illustrated poems intended for children, is connected by a single narrator, Ivo, who lives in a giant moon snail shell. In today's episode, Himmelman speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about working at a New York library, writing to make himself laugh, and making poetry accessible to short attention spans. Then, lawyer, educator and author Reginald Dwayne Betts spent eight years in prison for a crime he committed at 16. While there, Betts began to write. His latest collection Doggerel plays with the idea of mediocre poetry and a recurring motif of dogs. In today's episode, he speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about his Jack Russell terrier, reading poetry to strangers, and an emotional encounter with the police.
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Short Wave - Rare Narwhal Footage Shows New Tusk Activities
What are the narwhals up to? Generally, we don't really know! They are mysterious creatures. NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce talks about new, rare drone footage scientists captured of arctic narwhals. The video sparked new ideas for how they use their tusks.
Read Nell's full piece.
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Read Nell's full piece.
Love mysterious critters and want to hear more? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
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1A - ICYMI: The Consequences Of Slashing USAID Funding
The acting assistant administrator for global health at USAID, Nicholas Enrich, was placed on administrative leave in early March.
Before his departure, he had made a series of chilling predictions in memos concerning the consequences of the Trump administration's gutting of the agency.
These include some 18 million additional cases of malaria and 166,000 resulting deaths. One million children who will remain malnourished. And 200,000 additional children paralyzed by polio.
And he placed the blame squarely at the feet of USAID leadership, the State Department, and DOGE.
We discuss what the world will look like without American aid to help address global problems.
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Before his departure, he had made a series of chilling predictions in memos concerning the consequences of the Trump administration's gutting of the agency.
These include some 18 million additional cases of malaria and 166,000 resulting deaths. One million children who will remain malnourished. And 200,000 additional children paralyzed by polio.
And he placed the blame squarely at the feet of USAID leadership, the State Department, and DOGE.
We discuss what the world will look like without American aid to help address global problems.
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.
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Consider This from NPR - The Southeastern U.S. faces a future with more wildfires
Six months ago, Southern Appalachia was devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Now, after a dry spell and a windy March — the region faces wildfires that are feeding on the downed trees and vegetation that the hurricane knocked to the forest floor.
The North Carolina Forest Service has declared one of them "the highest priority fire in the U.S."
And due to climate change and population growth, the Carolinas must anticipate a future with more fire danger.
Experts and first responders explain the current situation — and the way forward.
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Now, after a dry spell and a windy March — the region faces wildfires that are feeding on the downed trees and vegetation that the hurricane knocked to the forest floor.
The North Carolina Forest Service has declared one of them "the highest priority fire in the U.S."
And due to climate change and population growth, the Carolinas must anticipate a future with more fire danger.
Experts and first responders explain the current situation — and the way forward.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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Consider This from NPR - The Southeastern U.S. faces a future with more wildfires
Six months ago, Southern Appalachia was devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Now, after a dry spell and a windy March — the region faces wildfires that are feeding on the downed trees and vegetation that the hurricane knocked to the forest floor.
The North Carolina Forest Service has declared one of them "the highest priority fire in the U.S."
And due to climate change and population growth, the Carolinas must anticipate a future with more fire danger.
Experts and first responders explain the current situation — and the way forward.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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Now, after a dry spell and a windy March — the region faces wildfires that are feeding on the downed trees and vegetation that the hurricane knocked to the forest floor.
The North Carolina Forest Service has declared one of them "the highest priority fire in the U.S."
And due to climate change and population growth, the Carolinas must anticipate a future with more fire danger.
Experts and first responders explain the current situation — and the way forward.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Consider This from NPR - The Southeastern U.S. faces a future with more wildfires
Six months ago, Southern Appalachia was devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Now, after a dry spell and a windy March — the region faces wildfires that are feeding on the downed trees and vegetation that the hurricane knocked to the forest floor.
The North Carolina Forest Service has declared one of them "the highest priority fire in the U.S."
And due to climate change and population growth, the Carolinas must anticipate a future with more fire danger.
Experts and first responders explain the current situation — and the way forward.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Now, after a dry spell and a windy March — the region faces wildfires that are feeding on the downed trees and vegetation that the hurricane knocked to the forest floor.
The North Carolina Forest Service has declared one of them "the highest priority fire in the U.S."
And due to climate change and population growth, the Carolinas must anticipate a future with more fire danger.
Experts and first responders explain the current situation — and the way forward.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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State of the World from NPR - China Tries to Reboot Its Economy as Competitors Circle
China has long been the world's factory, but it's economy is starting to face serious headwinds. Demand for Chinese goods has slumped, China is saddled with too much industrial capacity and heavy debt. And now a tariff war with the United States further darkens China's economic outlook. We have two reports on reactions to China's economic state. We hear how the Chinese government is encouraging business investment, but it's a hard pitch to sell in a communist state that hasn't always been kind to entrepreneurs. And how Vietnam, another communist country, seeks to capitalize on China's uncertain future and is experiencing a manufacturing boom.
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1A - The Choice To Rebuild After A Natural Disaster
As the earth continues to heat up unsustainably due to society's love of fossil fuels, scientists say natural disasters are only going to become more frequent and more destructive. That's something California knows all too well. Wildfires burned more than 58,000 acres this year and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
For many towns, a disaster like a wildfire or hurricane can completely destroy the town and its history, leaving its residents wondering if it can ever be what it once was.
The Altadena community is seeing that process play out. The Eaton fire killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 homes when it burned through the neighborhood outside of Los Angeles earlier this year.
We discuss what choices families are left to face in the aftermath of a disaster that destroys their home, and what the process looks like if you do try to rebuild.
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.
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For many towns, a disaster like a wildfire or hurricane can completely destroy the town and its history, leaving its residents wondering if it can ever be what it once was.
The Altadena community is seeing that process play out. The Eaton fire killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 homes when it burned through the neighborhood outside of Los Angeles earlier this year.
We discuss what choices families are left to face in the aftermath of a disaster that destroys their home, and what the process looks like if you do try to rebuild.
Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Up First from NPR - Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump’s Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
A group chat among top U.S. national security officials discussing airstrikes in Yemen has been made public, sparking outrage and raising questions about the Trump administration's handling of classified information. President Trump imposes a 25% tariff on car imports to boost U.S. manufacturing, but auto industry leaders warn it could raise prices and disrupt markets. And, the Department of Government Efficiency's access to sensitive personal data from multiple federal agencies is sparking legal battles over privacy and security.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Today's episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Brett Neely, Ryland Barton, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange
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Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Today's episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Brett Neely, Ryland Barton, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Indicator from Planet Money - How nonprofits get cash from your clunker
Many nonprofits accept your used cars as a way to donate. This happens from Make-A-Wish America to Habitat for Humanity to ... public radio stations!
So, how does the process actually work? And who takes a cut along the way?
Today, we follow the car money.
Related episodes:
Show your love for The Indicator from Planet Money by making a donation
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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So, how does the process actually work? And who takes a cut along the way?
Today, we follow the car money.
Related episodes:
Show your love for The Indicator from Planet Money by making a donation
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy