News

A playground sits underwater in a flooded neighborhood in Guerneville, Calif.

National

Floods Turn Northern California Towns Into Islands: 'Our World Is Getting Smaller'

5:03pm February 28, 2019

by Bill Chappell

The Russian River's flood stage in Guerneville is 32 feet. But it reached nearly 46 feet Wednesday night. The National Weather Service predicted that major flood conditions will continue Thursday.

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Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., questions Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, as Cohen testifies before the House oversight committee on Wednesday. Meadows had a heated exchange with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., during the hearing.

Politics & Government

Meadows, Tlaib Cool Down After Fiery Exchange Over Racism At Cohen Hearing

3:58pm February 28, 2019

by Susan Davis

Reps. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., engaged in a tense back and forth during a Wednesday hearing over allegations of what constitutes racist behavior.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Sen. Ted Cruz announced their proposal for Education Freedom Scholarships on Thursday. The scholarships would allow students to attend private schools or take part in apprenticeships, among other things.

DeVos Announces Support For Proposed School Choice Tax Credit

3:15pm February 28, 2019

by Clare Lombardo

The proposed tax credit would go toward donations to private school scholarships and other school choice initiatives. Critics say such programs funnel money and students away from public schools.

A vehicle rests in front of a home leveled by the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif., in a photo from December. Pacific Gas & Electric says its equipment may have ignited the 2018 fire.

National

PG&E Says Its Equipment Likely Caused Camp Fire, As Investigation Continues

3:06pm February 28, 2019

by Francesca Paris

The California utility expects state investigators will find its damaged equipment started last November's fire, which killed at least 85 people and destroyed the town of Paradise.

President Trump speaks as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks on during a news conference following the summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. Trump's second summit with Kim Jong Un collapsed Thursday without an agreement between the two leaders.

Trump And Kim's Second Nuclear Summit Ends With No Deal

2:58pm February 28, 2019

by Matthew S. Schwartz

Talks between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ended early Thursday. Trump cited continued sanctions against North Korea as a sticking point.

The Swedish flag. On Tuesday evening, Swedish law enforcement arrested an individual suspected of gathering intelligence for Russia.

Sweden Arrests Suspected Russian Spy

1:39pm February 28, 2019

by Sasha Ingber

The suspect was allegedly recruited by a Russian intelligence officer and engaged in criminal activity since 2017, the Swedish Security Service says.

Producer Melissa Berton (center) and director Rayka Zehtabchi (right) accept an Oscar for their documentary 'Period. End of Sentence.'

A 'Period' Movie Won The Oscar! So Why Are Some Menstrual Health Experts Ambivalent?

1:32pm February 28, 2019

by Nurith Aizenman

The documentary plays on the catch phrase: "A period should end a sentence — not a girl's education." But is it really true that lack of menstrual pads is causing girls to drop out?

Journalist Explains How Mike Pompeo Helps 'Translate Trump' To The World

1:30pm February 28, 2019

by Terry Gross

New York Times Magazine writer Mattathias Schwartz says that when Trump's tweets take our allies by surprise, it's the secretary of state's job to "calm people down."

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Education

When Kids Ask (Really) Tough Questions: A Quick Guide

12:38pm February 28, 2019

Is Santa real? Will you ever die? Children ask questions that can induce knee-buckling panic in adults. NPR's Life Kit and Sesame Workshop have research-tested strategies to help you with the answers.

Mark Hollis, photographed in 1998, the year his self-titled solo album was released. The singer and songwriter died in February 2019.

Music & Culture

Mark Hollis And Talk Talk's Brilliant, Nuanced, Stubborn Visions

11:59am February 28, 2019

by Simon Reynolds

Fame in hand, Mark Hollis led Talk Talk away from the '80s pop-rock that had made them and got weird, crafting two albums of intricate, desolate beauty. Afterwards, he ditched the machine completely.