National

A study published in the journal Nature found that the status of amphibians globally is "deteriorating rapidly," earning them the unenviable title of being the planet's most threatened class of vertebrates. Here, an endangered Agalychnis annae, commonly known as a Blue-Sided Leaf Frog, is seen at National Biodiversity Institute of Costa Rica, INBio, in Heredia, Costa Rica.

Scientists looked at nearly every known amphibian type. They're not doing great

4:36pm October 04, 2023

by Nathan Rott

A new global assessment of the world's amphibians finds that more than 2 of every 5 known species is at risk of extinction. Habitat loss, disease and climate change are the main drivers.

House speaker pro tempore Patrick McHenry (center) walks out of the offices of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday. The process is underway to replace McCarthy after he was ousted from the speakership on Tuesday.

Who is Rep. Patrick McHenry and why is he the interim House speaker?

3:43pm October 04, 2023

by Megan Pratz

McHenry, the bespectacled and bow-tied gentleman from North Carolina, is in the spotlight as the speaker pro tempore, the reluctant leader of a paralyzed House of Representatives.

Ziare Gearring (left) and his grandfather Ricky Brown pose for a portrait outside of their home in Los Angeles. The 65-year-old retired handyman had already been struggling, and taking in three grandsons after his ex-wife's sudden death has put him thousands of dollars behind on rent and utilities.

Los Angeles is using AI to predict who might become homeless and help before they do

3:26pm October 04, 2023

by Jennifer Ludden

L.A. is housing more people than ever, but an even greater number keep falling into homelessness. This first-of-its-kind prevention program calculates who seems most at risk for landing on the street.

32 Chunk, known for his girth and a scar on his muzzle, has become one of the most dominant males on the Brooks River. But is that enough for him to win Fat Bear Week?

National

Chonky and they know it: Voting starts in Fat Bear Week

1:56pm October 04, 2023

by Bill Chappell

Explaining the draw of gawking at massive bears, a park ranger says, "You can follow the bears for years and really get to know their lives and their personalities and their soap operas."

'I think chaos is the operative word,' says Rep. Mark Alford on McCarthy's ousting

12:53pm October 04, 2023

Missouri Republican Mark Alford speaks about his disappointment with McCarthy removal vote.

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Former President Donald Trump and President Biden are preparing for a possible rematch in the 2024 election.

Trump's voters are more excited than Biden's. But Trump could lose a lot if convicted

10:30am October 04, 2023

by Danielle Kurtzleben

The latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds Trump and Biden in a dead heat — but a conviction could change that, as independent voters aren't interested in supporting Trump if he's convicted.

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Kevin McCarthy became the first speaker removed by a U.S. House vote.

4 takeaways from the historic ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

10:22am October 04, 2023

Kevin McCarthy's run as speaker was relatively short and anything but sweet.

Books touching on race and LGBTQ+ topics remain the most likely targets of bans or attempted bans at public schools and libraries around the country, according to the American Library Association.

Michael Connelly, Nikki Grimes, Judy Blume and other authors unite against book bans

8:01am October 04, 2023

by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

During what the ALA is calling Banned Books week, more than a dozen high-profile authors are taking a stand against censorship. Author Michael Connelly alone has donated $1 million to the cause.

After nearly 3 decades a suspect is charged in Tupac Shakur's murder

7:53am October 04, 2023

NPR's A Martinez talks to Greg Kading, a former LAPD detective who worked on the case, about the well-known suspect charged in Tupac Shakur's murder, and is set to appear in court Wednesday.

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The Synod on Synodality gathering at the Vatican could be defining for Pope Francis. Key agenda items include women's role in the church and welcoming divorced Catholics and LGBTQ+ Catholics.

Vatican gathering tackles topics from women in ministry to LGBTQ+ Catholics

5:16am October 04, 2023

by Jason DeRose

Roman Catholic leaders from around the world are gathering at the Vatican for a synod, or meeting, to address issues facing the church, including whether to allow women to become deacons.

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