The skunky smell of cannabis may be going out of style. NPR's science correspondent Pien Huang visited the grow facility for District Cannabis, which sells weed in Washington D.C. and Maryland. On her tour, she learned why cannabis smells the way it does. Plus, how many strains have been bred — to smells like lavender, citrus and even cookies.
Read more of science correspondent Pien Huang's reporting on this topic here, or check out the entire special series, "How safe is your weed?"
Questions about the science behind the mysteries, events and... smells... all around us? Email us at shortwave@npr.org – we'd love to hear your ideas!
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NPR's Book of the Day - As prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern juggled leadership and motherhood
In 2017, Jacinda Ardern was sitting in a bathroom waiting to learn two things: whether she was going to be the prime minister of New Zealand – and whether she was pregnant. Ardern became only the second person in history to give birth while holding elected office at the top of government. And as prime minister, she had few people to turn to for advice on balancing the challenges of motherhood with leading a country. In today's episode, Ardern joins NPR's Mary Louise Kelly for a conversation about her new memoir A Different Kind of Power. They discuss what it was like to be a young woman running a country, the way Ardern has experienced parental guilt inside and outside of her political career, and how she knew when it was time to leave office.
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Consider This from NPR - Is this the end of the rule of law in America?
Since the start of his second term, President Trump has been at odds with the federal courts.
The protests in Los Angeles are just the latest series of events to raise huge questions about presidential power: in this case, whether the president can use military force to control protests.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with J. Michael Luttig, a former federal judge who has a stark warning: that Trump's actions signal of the end of the rule of law in America.
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The protests in Los Angeles are just the latest series of events to raise huge questions about presidential power: in this case, whether the president can use military force to control protests.
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with J. Michael Luttig, a former federal judge who has a stark warning: that Trump's actions signal of the end of the rule of law in America.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
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Up First from NPR - Two Problems, One Affordable Green Solution
The U.S. faces a housing crisis and growing threats of climate change. One global city is tackling both problems at once, and U.S. cities are paying attention. In this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR's Julia Simon travels to Vienna, Austria to see how they make affordable housing that's resilient to climate change. And she meets politicians trying to build this "green social housing" in America.
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Consider This from NPR - The spending cuts one state could face if Trump’s massive bill becomes law
Kentucky is one of the poorest states and is likely to see billions of dollars cut from Medicaid and other government benefits if Trump's spending bill becomes law.
For our weekly Reporter's Notebook series we hear from Kentucky Public Radio's Sylvia Goodman and Joe Sonka. The two reporters traveled through rural eastern Kentucky to gauge how cuts could impact people who rely on federal assistance and what that means for the health clinics that serve them.
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For our weekly Reporter's Notebook series we hear from Kentucky Public Radio's Sylvia Goodman and Joe Sonka. The two reporters traveled through rural eastern Kentucky to gauge how cuts could impact people who rely on federal assistance and what that means for the health clinics that serve them.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
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Up First from NPR - Middle East Conflict, Military Parade, No Kings Protests
Iran and Israel traded military strikes overnight, raising fears of a wider conflict. Plus, a military parade will take place in Washington, D.C. later today, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. army. Critics say it's a vanity project of President Trump and are organizing No Kings protests across the country.
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Planet Money - Why I joined DOGE
What was it like to work inside Elon Musk's DOGE? The cost-cutting initiative promised transparency, but most of its actions have been shrouded in secrecy.
For months, there were reports of software engineers and Trump loyalists entering agencies and accessing sensitive data. DOGE also helped the Trump administration lay off thousands of government workers. NPR reporters have been trying for months to get anyone from DOGE to talk on the record. Now, Sahil Lavingia, a former DOGE staffer assigned to the Department of Veteran Affairs, is speaking.
Today, what drew Sahil to DOGE and what he learned about the inner workings, in a way we've never heard before.
For more on DOGE and the federal workforce:
- The last time we shrank the federal workforce
- Can... we still trust the monthly jobs report?
- Can the Federal Reserve stay independent?
This episode was hosted by Kenny Malone and Bobby Allyn. It was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and Emma Peaslee. It was edited by Jess Jiang and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. It was engineered by Neal Rauch. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.
Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.
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For months, there were reports of software engineers and Trump loyalists entering agencies and accessing sensitive data. DOGE also helped the Trump administration lay off thousands of government workers. NPR reporters have been trying for months to get anyone from DOGE to talk on the record. Now, Sahil Lavingia, a former DOGE staffer assigned to the Department of Veteran Affairs, is speaking.
Today, what drew Sahil to DOGE and what he learned about the inner workings, in a way we've never heard before.
For more on DOGE and the federal workforce:
- The last time we shrank the federal workforce
- Can... we still trust the monthly jobs report?
- Can the Federal Reserve stay independent?
This episode was hosted by Kenny Malone and Bobby Allyn. It was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and Emma Peaslee. It was edited by Jess Jiang and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. It was engineered by Neal Rauch. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.
Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.
Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
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State of the World from NPR - Paris’ Iconic Opera House Celebrates 150 Years
Commissioned by Napoleon, the opulent Opera Garnier is named after its architect, Charles Garnier. Garnier rose from the Paris slums to design one of Europe's most celebrated venues. Opera Garnier eventually became the inspiration for the novel and musical, "Phantom of the Opera."
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Consider This from NPR - Israel struck Iran. What’s next?
Early Friday local time, Israel finally did what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been threatening to do for years: It launched a massive attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, killing top military commanders, nuclear scientists and — according to Iran — dozens of Iranian civilians.
The attacks have once again plunged the volatile region into uncharted waters.
NPR correspondent Hadeel al-Shalchi in Tel Aviv and NPR's National Security Correspondent Greg Myre discuss what this could mean for the region and for U.S. hopes of a deal limiting Iran's nuclear program.
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The attacks have once again plunged the volatile region into uncharted waters.
NPR correspondent Hadeel al-Shalchi in Tel Aviv and NPR's National Security Correspondent Greg Myre discuss what this could mean for the region and for U.S. hopes of a deal limiting Iran's nuclear program.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
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1A - The News Roundup For June 13, 2025
The second iteration of Donald Trump's travel ban goes into effect.
A federal judge rules that the government must release Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil.
The International Monetary Fund looks to support Syria's economic recovery, saying that it will require investment from abroad.
And, more deaths are reported at food aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip.
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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A federal judge rules that the government must release Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil.
The International Monetary Fund looks to support Syria's economic recovery, saying that it will require investment from abroad.
And, more deaths are reported at food aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip.
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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