R&B legend D’Angelo has died at 51 after a battle with cancer, remembered as a defining voice of neo-soul with albums like Voodoo and Black Messiah. A major storm is soaking Southern California, bringing flash flood warnings and dangerous driving conditions across the region. The federal shutdown enters a third week as thousands of government workers face layoffs and pay uncertainty. California’s secretary of state is refuting false claims that mail-in ballots expose voters’ choices. Governor Newsom has signed new wildfire insurance laws to speed relief for victims. In business, Newsom signs new AI safety rules into law to protect minors and Long Beach enforces the nation’s first staffing requirements for self-checkout lanes to reduce retail theft.
Curious City - How a group of volunteers saved a rare Illinois wildflower
The Kankakee mallow is one of the rarest plants on the continent, according to the Smithsonian Garden in Washington D.C. It’s a pink flower that grows on tall stalks and is native to just one small island in the middle of the Kankakee River, about an hour south of Chicago.
But when botanist Rachel Goad paddled over to take a look back in 2014 with a group of native plant enthusiasts, instead they found an island overgrown with invasive honeysuckle.
Was this special native plant gone for good?
Perhaps, if not for the efforts of a small group of volunteers, initially led by conservationist Trevor Edmonson.
“Hearing the phrase that the Kankakee mallow only grows on this island — anywhere in the world, like that is the extent of its remaining natural habitat — is such a draw for anybody, especially someone early on in their career,” Edmonson said.
Today, reporter Claire Keenan-Kurgan from the Points North podcast at Interlochen Public Radio guides us on this floral rescue mission.
Points North is a podcast that tells great stories from the Great Lakes. For more stories like this one, go to pointsnorthpodcast.org.
The Daily - The Border Czar and a Bag of $50,000
For the past few weeks, Trump officials have repeatedly dodged questions about an undercover F.B.I. investigation of the border czar, Tom Homan, and what became of $50,000 in cash that was delivered to him.
Devlin Barret, who covers the F.B.I. for The New York Times, discusses the inquiry, which was closed after President Trump came to office.
Guest: Devlin Barrett, a New York Times reporter covering the Justice Department and the F.B.I.
Background reading:
- Mr. Homan was said to have received $50,000 from agents. He may not have to return it.
- Democrats have opened inquiries into the Trump administration’s decision to close the F.B.I. investigation of Mr. Homan.
Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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Up First from NPR - Gaza Ceasefire Tested, Shutdown Stalemate, SCOTUS Voting Rights
Hamas hands over more bodies of deceased hostages as tensions rise in Gaza over the next phase of the ceasefire deal. The government shutdown stretches into its third week with no negotiations underway, as pressure builds on both parties to break the stalemate. And the Supreme Court takes up a major case on Louisiana’s congressional map that could weaken the Voting Rights Act nationwide.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Jason Breslow, Anna Yukhananov, Mohamad ElBardicy and Martha Ann Overland.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas
We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.
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Start Here - Hostages and Prisoners Are Still Coming Home
As Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are reunited with their families, Israel waits for the return of more hostage remains. The Trump administration prepares to offer Argentina $20 billion in bailout funds. And family members are furious after Philadelphia’s medical examiner declares their daughter died by suicide – with more than 20 stab wounds.
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Everything Everywhere Daily - The Battle of Actium
On September 2, 31 BC, one of the most important battles in history took place off the coast of Greece.
The forces of Octavian, the posthumously adopted son of Julius Caesar, squared off against the forces of Mark Antony, the former right-hand man of Julius Caesar.
After having been partners in ruling Rome for years, the two developed irreconcilable differences that had to be resolved on the battlefield.
The outcome of the battle influenced the course of the Roman Empire for centuries.
Learn more about the Battle of Actium, what caused it, and how it affected history on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
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The Daily Signal - Trump Slights China via Argentina, Kirk Given Medal of Freedom, Letitia James Harbors Fugitive | Oct. 15, 2025
On today’s Top News in 10, we cover:
- President Trump hosts Argentine President Javier Milei amid a $20 Billion foreign investment against Beijing’s escalating trade war.
- Charlie Kirk is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James’ bank fraud scandal may now include harboring a fugitive from the law.
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The Ezra Klein Show - How Afraid of the A.I. Apocalypse Should We Be?
Eliezer Yudkowsky is as afraid as you could possibly be. He makes his case.
Yudkowsky is a pioneer of A.I. safety research, who started warning about the existential risks of the technology decades ago, – influencing a lot of leading figures in the field. But over the last couple of years, talk of an A.I. apocalypse has become a little passé. Many of the people Yudkowsky influenced have gone on to work for A.I. companies, and those companies are racing ahead to build the superintelligent systems Yudkowsky thought humans should never create. But Yudkowsky is still out there sounding the alarm. He has a new book out, co-written with Nate Soares, “If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies,” trying to warn the world before it’s too late.
So what does Yudkowsky see that most of us don’t? What makes him so certain? And why does he think he hasn’t been able to persuade more people?
Mentioned:
Oversight of A.I.: Rules for Artificial Intelligence
If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies by Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares
“A Teen Was Suicidal. ChatGPT Was the Friend He Confided In.” by Kashmir Hill
Book Recommendations:
A Step Farther Out by Jerry Pournelle
Judgment under Uncertainty by Daniel Kahneman, Paul Slovic, and Amos Tversky
Probability Theory by E. T. Jaynes
Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.
You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Rollin Hu. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Marie Cascione, Annie Galvin, Kristin Lin, Jack McCordick, Marina King and Jan Kobal. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Helen Toner and Jeffrey Ladish.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
The Daily Detail - The Daily Detail for 10.15.25
Alabama
- A mural is now revealed in Hanceville to honor life of Charlie Kirk
- Ohio's Jim Jordan is endorsing Barry Moore in 2026 senate race
- Federal judge rebukes and fines attorney for fake cases created by AI
- Troy University to assist enrolled military with tuition during government shutdown
- Priceville City Council vote to reverse the firing of officer Gary Chapman
- AL Dept of Ed seeks public input on 2025 guidelines for all public schools
- AL launches suicide prevention campaign and hotline for veterans
National
- Trump posthumously awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk
- Treasury secretary Bessent continues to track money funding Antifa
- House Judiciary demands Jack Smith testify about his special counsel team
- Mike Davis says justice is coming to those who weaponized government against Trump
- Bill O'Reilly predicts Trump has big leverage with China after Middle East peace deal
The Intelligence from The Economist - Aid pro quo: Trump weaponises foreign help
After cancelling much of America’s international development funding, President Donald Trump is now using that money to boost friends, allies against China and buy goods and influence. Ukraine is striking Russia’s fuel infrastructure deep inside the country. And why JD Wetherspoon is not just a British bargain boozer.
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