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Corey Ruiz’s daughter, right, is embraced as she attends a vigil in memory of her father Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Madison, Wis. Ruiz was shot and killed by Madison police Wednesday afternoon.

Corey Ruiz's daughter, right, is embraced as she attends a vigil in memory of her father Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Madison, Wis. Ruiz was shot and killed by Madison police Wednesday afternoon.  Angela Major/WPR hide caption

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Corey Ruiz’s daughter, right, is embraced as she attends a vigil in memory of her father Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Madison, Wis. Ruiz was shot and killed by Madison police Wednesday afternoon.

Corey Ruiz's daughter, right, is embraced as she attends a vigil in memory of her father Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Madison, Wis. Ruiz was shot and killed by Madison police Wednesday afternoon.  Angela Major/WPR hide caption

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Angela Major/WPR

Friends, family and neighbors mourn Wisconsin man killed by police

 WPR News

Hundreds of people gathered Thursday night for a vigil at the spot where a Madison police officer fatally shot 38-year-old Corey Ruiz. Bystander video of the shooting has spread rapidly on social media, prompting many to call for police accountability.
LeBron James speaks onstage during the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers on July 16, 2026 in New York City.

LeBron James speaks onstage during the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers on July 16, 2026 in New York City. Jemal Countess/Getty Images hide caption

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images
LeBron James speaks onstage during the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers on July 16, 2026 in New York City.

LeBron James speaks onstage during the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers on July 16, 2026 in New York City. Jemal Countess/Getty Images hide caption

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images

LeBron James Day officially declared in Pennsylvania as 76ers land NBA champ

 WHYY

Pennsylvania fans are energized and have new dreams of a championship win to come.
A mock-up of President Trump's proposed triumphal, pictured during the state fair on D.C.'s National Mall in June.

A mock-up of President Trump's proposed triumphal, pictured during the state fair on D.C.'s National Mall in June. It needs to undergo a historic preservation review before it can be approved. Jen Golbeck/AP hide caption

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Jen Golbeck/AP
A mock-up of President Trump's proposed triumphal, pictured during the state fair on D.C.'s National Mall in June.

A mock-up of President Trump's proposed triumphal, pictured during the state fair on D.C.'s National Mall in June. It needs to undergo a historic preservation review before it can be approved. Jen Golbeck/AP hide caption

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Jen Golbeck/AP

National

Trump allies vote to weaken protections for historic sites — not just in D.C.

A council packed with Trump appointees wants to rewrite historic preservation rules. Critics say that could help him build his D.C. arch faster — and endanger important sites across the country.

Trump allies are poised to weaken protections for historic sites — not just in D.C.

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Some 350,000 Haitian migrants are set to lose their temporary legal status next week. Many of have had children in the U.S., and now face an agonizing choice: if deported, should they take their U.S. citizen children to a still-dangerous Haiti? Many of those families, including at this Haitian church in San Diego, are leaning on faith as they brace for an uncertain future.

Some 350,000 Haitian migrants are set to lose their temporary legal status next week. Many of have had children in the U.S., and now face an agonizing choice: if deported, should they take their U.S. citizen children to a still-dangerous Haiti? Many of those families, including at this Haitian church in San Diego, are leaning on faith as they brace for an uncertain future. Adrian Florido/NPR hide caption

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Immigration

Families brace for separation as Haitians set to lose protected status next week

A Supreme Court ruling stripped Haitian migrants of their temporary legal status. Those with U.S.-born children face an agonizing choice if deported: Should they take them to a still-dangerous Haiti?

Families brace for separation as Haitians set to lose protected status next week

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Orcas are known for surprising behaviors. A new study documents two cases of orcas ramming sunfish so hard that the fish explode.

Orcas are known for surprising behaviors. A new study documents two cases of orcas ramming sunfish so hard that the fish explode. NurPhoto/Getty Images hide caption

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Orcas are known for surprising behaviors. A new study documents two cases of orcas ramming sunfish so hard that the fish explode.

Orcas are known for surprising behaviors. A new study documents two cases of orcas ramming sunfish so hard that the fish explode. NurPhoto/Getty Images hide caption

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NurPhoto/Getty Images

Science

Video: Scientists watch orcas ram a sunfish so hard it explodes

Marine biologists off of Baja California recorded one orca teeing up another to smash a sunfish into pieces. Scientists say there could be a reason for this behavior — or it could be just for entertainment.
Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, looks up prior to a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, July 3, 2023.

Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, looks up prior to a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, July 3, 2023. Peter Dejong/AP hide caption

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Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, looks up prior to a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, July 3, 2023.

Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, looks up prior to a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, July 3, 2023. Peter Dejong/AP hide caption

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Peter Dejong/AP

World

ICC member states vote to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan

The International Criminal Court voted to remove the global tribunal's chief prosecutor on Friday, nearly two years after sexual misconduct allegations against him first emerged, the court's oversight body announced.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush ahead of a joint appearance on STLPR's "Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" on Friday at St. Louis Public Radio's headquarters.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush ahead of a joint appearance on STLPR's "Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" on Friday at St. Louis Public Radio's headquarters. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio hide caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush ahead of a joint appearance on STLPR's "Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" on Friday at St. Louis Public Radio's headquarters.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush ahead of a joint appearance on STLPR's "Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" on Friday at St. Louis Public Radio's headquarters. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio hide caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio

Bell and Bush trade barbs over campaign spending and Israel in fiery face-off on STLPR

 St. Louis Public Radio

Congressman Wesley Bell and former Congresswoman Cori Bush clashed repeatedly in a joint appearance on a variety of issues.
“It’s a great day for the First Amendment and a great day for the rule of law,” New York Times attorney David McGraw said after the government agreed to withdraw the subpoenas of Times journalists.

"It's a great day for the First Amendment and a great day for the rule of law," New York Times attorney David McGraw said after the government agreed to withdraw the subpoenas of Times journalists. NurPhoto/Getty Images hide caption

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Media

Justice Dept. drops 'New York Times' subpoenas under pressure from judge

The Justice Department is dropping the subpoenas it filed demanding grand jury testimony and phone records from New York Times journalists after sharp questioning Thursday from a federal judge.

Justice Dept. drops 'New York Times' subpoenas under pressure from judge

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An FBI official places an evidence card in Biddeford where a man was killed in a shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, July 13, 2026.

An FBI official places an evidence card in Biddeford where a man was killed in a shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, July 13, 2026. Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald hide caption

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Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald
An FBI official places an evidence card in Biddeford where a man was killed in a shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, July 13, 2026.

An FBI official places an evidence card in Biddeford where a man was killed in a shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, July 13, 2026. Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald hide caption

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Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald

National

Amid a big hiring push, police experts question ICE officer vetting

The recent fatal shootings by ICE officers in Texas and Maine come at a time when the federal agency has hired a huge number of officers quickly. Some law enforcement experts worry that this kind of a hiring spree can lead police agencies to cut corners in vetting new hires.
With a photograph of himself on the wall as part of "The Presidential Hall of Fame," President Trump gives Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia a tour of the White House on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

With a photograph of himself on the wall as part of "The Presidential Hall of Fame," President Trump gives Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia a tour of the White House on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
With a photograph of himself on the wall as part of "The Presidential Hall of Fame," President Trump gives Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia a tour of the White House on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

With a photograph of himself on the wall as part of "The Presidential Hall of Fame," President Trump gives Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia a tour of the White House on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Middle East conflict

Trump says Saudi Arabia's nuclear deal hinges on the kingdom normalizing Israel ties

After a Saudi nuclear power deal raised alarm in Israel, President Trump announced online that the arrangement is subject to the kingdom normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords,

U.S. signs commercial nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

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Kaleb Cabell, Andrea Coln McNeill and Jeffrey McNeill perform as part of The Illharmonic Orchestra at NPR's Washington headquarters.

Kaleb Cabell, Andrea Coln McNeill and Jeffrey McNeill perform as part of The Illharmonic Orchestra at NPR's Washington headquarters. Brianna Scott









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Brianna Scott









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Music

How The Illharmonic's mix of hip-hop and classical builds community, one show at a time

The Illharmonic Orchestra blends hip-hop and classical music during live performances. Its leaders tell NPR's Juana Summers how they build community with their shows, which feature all-Black musicians.

How The Illharmonic's mix of hip-hop and classical builds community, one show at a time

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Image

A group of Eastern Shawnee citizens traveled nearly 700 miles from their tribal headquarters to visit historic and sacred sites in the Midwest. Adriana Martinez-Smiley/WYSO hide caption

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Adriana Martinez-Smiley/WYSO
Image

A group of Eastern Shawnee citizens traveled nearly 700 miles from their tribal headquarters to visit historic and sacred sites in the Midwest. Adriana Martinez-Smiley/WYSO hide caption

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Adriana Martinez-Smiley/WYSO

From Oklahoma to Ohio: The Eastern Shawnee Tribe's journey to reconnect with their homeland

 WYSO

For nearly 20 years, members of the tribe have been making occasional trips to Ohio and other Midwestern states, to reconnect with where their ancestors lived before their forced removal.
Ryan and Brittany Arthur stand in front of their new Kansas City, Missouri, home in this undated photo. The Arthurs relocated from Portland, Oregon, in early June 2026.

Ryan and Brittany Arthur stand in front of their new Kansas City, Missouri, home in this undated photo. The Arthurs relocated from Portland, Oregon, in early June 2026. Maeve Arthur/Provided hide caption

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Maeve Arthur/Provided
Ryan and Brittany Arthur stand in front of their new Kansas City, Missouri, home in this undated photo. The Arthurs relocated from Portland, Oregon, in early June 2026.

Ryan and Brittany Arthur stand in front of their new Kansas City, Missouri, home in this undated photo. The Arthurs relocated from Portland, Oregon, in early June 2026. Maeve Arthur/Provided hide caption

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Maeve Arthur/Provided

This couple relocated from Oregon to Missouri for a more affordable life

 KCUR

Missouri is one of eight Midwestern states that saw growth from domestic migration between 2020 and 2025. In that period, the state grew by about 56,000 people who moved there from other states.
Will Ferrell plays a washed-up golf pro attempting a come-back in The Hawk.

Will Ferrell plays a washed-up golf pro attempting a come-back in The Hawk. Colleen E Hayes/Netflix hide caption

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Colleen E Hayes/Netflix
Will Ferrell plays a washed-up golf pro attempting a come-back in The Hawk.

Will Ferrell plays a washed-up golf pro attempting a come-back in The Hawk. Colleen E Hayes/Netflix hide caption

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Colleen E Hayes/Netflix

Review

TV Reviews

Will Ferrell brings goofiness to the golf course in 'The Hawk'

Ferrell plays a zany former golf star who's trying to regain his mojo in a new Netflix series. While The Hawk has its flaws, it delivers satisfying silliness, amusing shenanigans and surprise cameos.

FA: TV Review, The Hawk

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Matt Damon is Odysseus in THE ODYSSEY, written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.

Matt Damon is Odysseus in THE ODYSSEY, written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pic/Melinda Sue Gordon hide caption

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Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pic/Melinda Sue Gordon

Education

How to keep an ancient text interesting to students? Make it a summer blockbuster

English teachers are excited to have a new adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey to use to get students excited about the epic poem.

How to keep an ancient text interesting to students? Make it a summer blockbuster

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, attends a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, attends a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila on Thursday, July 23, 2026. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Pool AFP via AP hide caption

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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Pool AFP via AP
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, attends a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, attends a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila on Thursday, July 23, 2026. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Pool AFP via AP hide caption

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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Pool AFP via AP

World

Rubio says U.S. is ready to help end war in Ukraine but no quick deal ahead

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, said that President Trump was committed to the work "if conditions and factors have changed to make that possible."
A reclining protestor covers himself with a banner printed with a portrait of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist who was forcefully transferred to a hospital by the police as he staged a hunger strike in support of a movement led by Cockroach Janta Party, at a protest in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

A reclining protestor covers himself with a banner printed with a portrait of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist who was forcefully transferred to a hospital by the police as he staged a hunger strike in support of a movement led by Cockroach Janta Party, at a protest in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Vipin/AP hide caption

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Vipin/AP
A reclining protestor covers himself with a banner printed with a portrait of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist who was forcefully transferred to a hospital by the police as he staged a hunger strike in support of a movement led by Cockroach Janta Party, at a protest in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

A reclining protestor covers himself with a banner printed with a portrait of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist who was forcefully transferred to a hospital by the police as he staged a hunger strike in support of a movement led by Cockroach Janta Party, at a protest in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Vipin/AP hide caption

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Vipin/AP

Asia

Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as 'Cockroach' protesters vow to press on

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday that helped galvanize a youth movement that's become one of India's largest protests in recent years, but demonstrators vowed to continue until the education minister resigns.
An illustration shows the mutual nondisclosure agreement Gov. Jeff Landry signed on behalf of the "Office of the Governor" with an LLC in April 2024. LED released the document in response to a request for records involving Meta or Laidley LLC, Meta’s data center subsidiary.

An illustration shows the mutual nondisclosure agreement Gov. Jeff Landry signed on behalf of the "Office of the Governor" with an LLC in April 2024. LED released the document in response to a request for records involving Meta or Laidley LLC, Meta's data center subsidiary. Drew Hawkins/Gulf States Newsroom hide caption

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Drew Hawkins/Gulf States Newsroom
An illustration shows the mutual nondisclosure agreement Gov. Jeff Landry signed on behalf of the "Office of the Governor" with an LLC in April 2024. LED released the document in response to a request for records involving Meta or Laidley LLC, Meta’s data center subsidiary.

An illustration shows the mutual nondisclosure agreement Gov. Jeff Landry signed on behalf of the "Office of the Governor" with an LLC in April 2024. LED released the document in response to a request for records involving Meta or Laidley LLC, Meta's data center subsidiary. Drew Hawkins/Gulf States Newsroom hide caption

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Drew Hawkins/Gulf States Newsroom

'Gag order': More than 100 Louisiana state employees signed NDAs with Governor's office

 WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

Legal experts warn that the NDAs could create a culture of fear and chill employees' constitutionally protected speech.
Troy Jackson speaks at a Fighting Oligarchy rally in Portland on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Troy Jackson speaks at a Fighting Oligarchy rally in Portland on Monday, May 25, 2026. Tulley Hescock/Maine Public hide caption

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Tulley Hescock/Maine Public
Troy Jackson speaks at a Fighting Oligarchy rally in Portland on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Troy Jackson speaks at a Fighting Oligarchy rally in Portland on Monday, May 25, 2026. Tulley Hescock/Maine Public hide caption

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Tulley Hescock/Maine Public

Competition for Maine's Democratic Senate nomination down to just 2 candidates

 Maine Public News

Former state Senate president Troy Jackson appears to have enough support to clinch Saturday's nomination. But Saundra Pelletier, who is also running, says voters "want a choice, not a coronation."

WATCH

The War and Treaty: Tiny Desk Concert

The husband-wife duo, and their tight band, deliver fresh, soul-inflected songs of uncommon power.
A health worker measures the blood pressure of a woman at Penda Health Clinic Umoja II in Nairobi, on April 6, 2020. Suspected COVID-19 coronavirus cases are referred to the Ministry of Health for further testing.

A health worker measures the blood pressure of a woman at Penda Health Clinic Umoja II in Nairobi, on April 6, 2020. Suspected COVID-19 coronavirus cases are referred to the Ministry of Health for further testing. Patrick Meinhardt/AFP/via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick Meinhardt/AFP/via Getty Images

Global Health

This AI tool promises a 'second pair of eyes' to clinicians. Did patients benefit?

Medical workers in a Nairobi clinic used an AI tool to check their work. A new study evaluates the result.
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