Here & Now

Affordable housing is top of mind for voters, and lawmakers appear to be listening. The Senate on Monday passed a big housing bill that aims to increase supply and lower costs. But will it? University of Pennsylvania’s Vincent Reina explains.Then, record-breaking heat is hitting Europe. In France, dozens of people have died. The Associated Press’ Sylvia Hui explains how Europe is trying to adapt to a warming climate.And, the Supreme Court said the prison officials who forcibly shaved a Rastafarian man’s head did not violate his religious beliefs. What does this mean for religious freedom at large? Former federal prosecutor Paul Butler weighs in.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

Israel's wars in the Middle East have become a wedge issue in several congressional campaigns, especially in New York, where establishment Democrats are trying to fend off more progressive challengers backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. We discuss the impact Israel's wars are having on these key primary races with The New York Times' Benjamin Oreskes. And, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says President Trump is making up a story that she "begged" him for a photo at the G7 Summit in France last week. The rift could break up one of Trump's closest alliances in Europe. Federiga Bindi, who served as a senior advisor to Italy's then-Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, joins us to discuss what this means for Italy-U.S. relations.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

Our series Reverse Course has explored environmental crises and possible fixes, from water vapor harvesting to electric trucks. At the WBUR Festival in Boston last month, Here & Now's Chris Bentley and Peter O'Dowd discussed climate solutions on stage with Leah Bamberger, global sustainability leader at Textron and former director of sustainability at the City of Providence, and Tik Root, who covers climate solutions for Grist.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

In the new book "America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries," author Eddie Glaude looks at the cycles of American history and how they obscure the dark truth of the country. We speak with him. Then, 10 years ago, a gunman walked into the LGBTQ-friendly Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and opened fire, killing 49 people and injuring 50 more. Trauma surgeon Dr. Joseph Ibrahim was on call that night, mere blocks from the club. He reflects on the second-deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.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

There’s a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war, but experts say energy prices and inflation are not expected to come down quickly. MS NOW’s Ali Velshi explains why.And, housing official Bill Pulte is set to become acting director of national intelligence on Friday. Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat from Virginia and the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, talks about why Democrats and some Republicans are concerned Pulte may use his new powers to target President Trump's perceived enemies.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

Some members of Congress had hoped to fast-track the confirmation of President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence. But early Wednesday morning, Trump threw a wrench in those plans when he posted to social media that his nominee, Jay Clayton, would not be showing up for his confirmation hearing due to Trump's ongoing dispute with lawmakers. Former Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair weighs in. Then, earlier this month, the government sold the Washington, D.C. building that once housed one of the Trump family's hotels. The Wall Street Journal's Craig Karmin joins us to discuss the $80 million sale. And, a major climate polluter might get a break from the EPA after its founder gave millions to President Trump’s campaign. Alex Cuadros tells that story in a new investigation for ProPublica.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 asserting that the war with Iran is over, even though a lasting peace is likely months off. Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, offers a view from the Middle East of the tentative deal.Then, Colorado has become the second state to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. Colorado Public Radio’s John Daley explains why Colorado probably won't see those drugs anytime soon.And, Fox is buying Roku, the streaming and smart TV company. Business analyst Roben Farzad unpacks the $22-billion deal that would put Fox in control of a streaming device that's in more than 100 million households.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 and Iran separately announced an agreement to end more than three months of war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. For more on what could come of the deal, we hear from Jon Finer, a former adviser to President Biden who helped negotiate the Obama administration's deal to restrict Iran's nuclear program. Then, a major Russian attack overnight set fire to a historic monastery complex in Kyiv and killed at least four people. It's the latest barrage by Russia, which launched 611 long-range drones and 70 missiles, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. The Foreign Policy Research Institute's Rob Lee shares the latest from the front lines in Ukraine. And, a viral joke led to an Irish pub in Scotland becoming an Ivory Coast pub for the World Cup. Ruairi O’Neill, general manager at Biddy Mulligans in Edinburgh, Scotland, explains.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

Grammy-winning musician Lizzo's new album "Bitch" is out. She talks with Robin Young about her music and reclaiming and owning the word. Then, we kick off summer with music picks from Miguel Perez, producer for NPR's World Cafe. And, "Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit Amet" is a string of text that's become ubiquitous. Designed as a placeholder for work-in-progress documents, those quasi-Latin words now appear on mugs, tote bags and T-shirts. But why did this particular passage of bastardized Cicero become the industry's default? Emily Zhang investigated. 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

A key part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire after the House on Thursday failed to extend it. The program allows U.S. intelligence agents to spy on terrorist suspects abroad without a warrant, but some Democrats and Republicans in Congress are concerned that President Trump's pick for acting director of national intelligence will abuse his power and spy on Trump opponents in this country. We hear from FBI special agent Asha Rangappa about what the expiration means for national security. Then, a stabbing in Belfast has become the spark for wider anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland. Irish Times producer Andrew McNair shares a first-hand look at what's happening in Belfast. And, the federal government is sending water from the Flaming Gorge reservoir upstream to prop up Lake Powell. But as Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports, it comes at a cost.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsor

Prices are rising at their fastest clip in three years, according to new data out Wednesday. What does this mean for interest rates? Loretta Mester, former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, explains the likely economic impact.Then, a new government report out this week found that unless Congress passes new laws soon, Social Security will not be able to pay out full benefits to all eligible seniors starting in 2032. Former Social Security commissioner Michael Astrue shares more.And, Team USA will play its first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament on Friday against Paraguay. NPR’s sports correspondent Becky Sullivan gives more details from Los Angeles, where the game will take place.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

New rules released by the Trump administration earlier this month will require Medicaid recipients with cancer and other conditions to prove they're too sick to work. The rule is part of new Medicaid eligibility requirements that take effect next year.  Colorado Medicaid director Adela Flores-Brennan explains how his state is preparing. Then, after decades of containment in the Central American tropics, the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating cattle parasite, has been detected in Texas and New Mexico. Veterinary entomologist Edwin Burgess explains what this means for U.S. livestock. And, a judge has temporarily restored the eligibility of Texas Tech University quarterback Brendan Sorsby after he acknowledged making thousands of impermissible bets worth at least $90,000 on college and professional sports. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich discusses the fallout from this decision.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your po

A new lawsuit argues that the White House UFC fighting event scheduled for next Saturday on President Trump's birthday violates the law. Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer, weighs in.And, as Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference gets underway, it’s expected to focus on artificial intelligence, new products and partnerships. Ina Fried, Axios chief technology correspondent, checks in from the conference.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

Need help finding a job? We get career advice from career coach Judi Umali-Rajkumar and hear from listeners who share their stories about trying to find a post-graduation job.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

Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) visited immigrants detained at Delaney Hall in Newark, N.J. Some detainees are alleging poor conditions and outside, protestors are clashing with police. Kim joins us to share what he saw inside the center.And, on Wednesday night, four Republican voted with House Democrats to limit President Trump's ability to wage war in Iran, exposing a rift between Trump and his own party. Axios congressional reporter Kate Santaliz explains how other votes Thursday could further expand that rift.Then, Iranian French author Marjane Satrapi, known for her "Persepolis" series of graphic novels, has died at age 56. We revisit her 2008 conversation with host Robin Young.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

This year's hurricane season begins with concerns that there are staffing issues at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an agency that President Trump has targeted for overhaul. William Ray, the North Carolina director of emergency management, talks about his state's preparedness this year following widespread damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024. We also spoke with acting FEMA administrator Bob Fenton about the increasing number of severe storms, which may make it harder for the federal government to respond effectively to hurricanes this season, even in a year when fewer than normal hurricanes are expected. And, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began the war on Iran together, and now the relationship is under strain, though both sides deny a major rift. We hear from Michael Koplow, chief policy officer of Israel Policy Forum.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NP

A federal judge’s order temporarily halts President Trump’s $1.8 billion fund to pay people who say they were unfairly prosecuted by former President Joe Biden’s administration. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner is one of the judges who challenged the fund and pushed the courts to reopen the settlement that established it.And, protests continue outside Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in Newark, N.J., over conditions inside. Alexandra Goncalves-Peña, a lawyer with a client detained in the center, details what her client is facing amid reports of a hunger and labor strike.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's standing in the polls has dipped in Iowa, a state he won three times. During primary voting, Democrats hope to pick up an open Senate seat and other Congressional seats. Radio Iowa news director Kay Henderson shares what’s at stake.Then, roughly 60 candidates are on the ballot to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom, but with primary voting ending Tuesday, there is no clear frontrunner. KQED politics correspondent Marisa Lagos explains more.And, WBUR political reporter Anthony Brooks breaks down the sexting scandal involving Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, and shares what voters there make of it.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

Route 66, known as “America’s Main Street” is not the longest or most-travelled American highway. Fully paved in the 1930s, it became a Depression-era migration route for poor farming families fleeing the Dust Bowl for a new start in California. It’s been featured in popular media for decades. Kathleen Franz, lead curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, unpacks more of the road’s history.And, the 1973 album “A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle of Asians in America” was one of the first recognized musical albums expressing Asian American identity. It’s often considered a blend of political statements within a collective art project. Sojin Kim, curator of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, details the album’s legacy.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

Congressional lawmakers are trying to pass a bill to address a shortage of affordable. The would limit the number of rental homes large investors can own and make it easier to build and buy homes made in factories. The Wall Street Journal’s Rebecca Picciotto explains more.Then, CNN reports that President Trump’s Department of Justice is investigating whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury in her two civil lawsuits against the president, one alleging sexual abuse and another for defamation. Carroll was awarded millions in damages, but Trump is appealing those judgements. CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz shares more from the reporting.And, Trump's family has their own cryptocurrency startup and also ties to prediction markets. Investigative reporter Sharon LaFraniere from the New York Times gives more details on reporting showing that the Trump administration dialed back enforcement of those industries.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your