National

Belle Ortiz, the valiant educator who brought mariachi to public schools, has died

5:55pm July 18, 2023

by Jack Morgan

Texas educator and musician Belle Ortiz has died. She played a vital role in bringing mariachi music out of the night clubs and into public schools across Texas as a musical discipline.

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National

What people can do to address the human-driven causes of climate change

5:39pm July 18, 2023

by Julia Simon

Human activity is the biggest driver of climate change. So what can people do to address the causes of climate change and keep each other safe amid heat waves, flooding and wildfires?

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National

U.S. cops may start using a weapon that shoots a cord to wrap around a person's knees

5:39pm July 18, 2023

by Martin Kaste

A comic book-worthy device is the latest entry into the market for "less lethal" police weapons. The company promises safer arrests, but part of the appeal for departments may be the optics.

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Ruth Madievsky's new novel explores trauma, drugs and toxic sisterhood

5:39pm July 18, 2023

NPR's Adrian Florido talks with Ruth Madievsky about her debut novel All Night Pharmacy, which tells a story of addiction and the love between sisters.

The legacy of Ginger Rogers, who would have turned 112 this week

5:18pm July 18, 2023

by Bob Mondello

Ginger Rogers would have turned 112 this week. We remember her and her collaboration with her most famous partner, Fred Astaire.

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The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a state law ending cash bail, ordering implementation in mid-September. Here, in this August 2014 photo shows a statue outside of the Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield, Ill.

Illinois Supreme Court rules in favor of ending the state's cash bail system

5:18pm July 18, 2023

by Jonathan Franklin

The ruling will allow a law to go into effect that ends bail as a condition of pretrial release. Those considered to be a threat to the public or are likely to flee will be required to stay in jail.

Illinois plans to eradicate cash bail statewide

4:56pm July 18, 2023

by Shannon Heffernan

The Illinois Supreme Court decided cash bail will no longer exist in Illinois. The state was supposed to become the first to get rid of cash bail in January, but that plan was challenged in court.

National

As most people try to escape the heat, 'heat chasers' seek high temps in Death Valley

4:56pm July 18, 2023

by Matt Guilhem

While dangerous heatwaves have been broiling the U.S. and Europe, some people seek it out. Each summer, the arid desert of Death Valley becomes a destination for "heat chasers."

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Rightwing extremist 'active clubs' are growing across the U.S.

4:56pm July 18, 2023

by Odette Yousef

A sidewalk brawl between rightwing extremist gangs in Oregon highlighted the increasingly public presence of so-called "active clubs" in the U.S., many of which espouse violence and neo-Nazi beliefs.

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Remembering house music legend DJ Deeon, dead at 56

4:56pm July 18, 2023

Chicago house icon DJ Deeon passed this week. The producer pioneered the "ghetto house" subgenre in the early 1990s.

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