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Community members hug Sunday at a vigil at Casis Elementary in Austin, Texas, for victims of nearby flash flooding.

Community members hug at a vigil for victims of the flooding in Central Texas on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Casis Elementary in Austin. Michael Minasi/KUT News hide caption

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Michael Minasi/KUT News

More than 100 people died in Texas' historic floods. Here are some of their stories

 The Texas Newsroom

A man who bled to death after saving his family. A longtime camp director on his way to help others escape. Best friends, 9 and 10, going to summer camp. Sisters, 11 and 13, found 15 miles downriver still holding hands.
The CSR Services crew works on plugging an orphan well on a homeowner’s property in Ashland, OH on October 24, 2024.

The CSR Services crew works on plugging an orphan well on a homeowner's property in Ashland, OH on October 24, 2024. Maddie McGarvey for NPR hide caption

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Maddie McGarvey for NPR

Environment

The U.S. has millions of old gas and oil wells. Here's what it takes to plug them up

There was a circle in Maria Burns' yard where grass wouldn't grow and trees died. She knew what it was: An old natural gas well, plugged when she was a little girl, starting to leak again.

The U.S. has millions of old gas and oil wells. Here’s what it takes to plug them up

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WATCH

Jimmy Eat World: Tiny Desk Concert

Jimmy Eat World showed up to the NPR Music office all smiles and no guitars, goofing off with toy instruments behind the Tiny Desk and cracking jokes.
The percentage of U.S. Kids and teens with one or more chronic diseases rose by about 20% between 2011 and 2023.

The percentage of U.S. Kids and teens with one or more chronic diseases rose by about 20% between 2011 and 2023. ljubaphoto/E+/Getty Images hide caption

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Shots - Health News

The health of U.S. kids has declined significantly since 2007, a new study finds

A new study in the journal JAMA finds the health of America's children has worsened across several key indicators over the last two decades. That includes the number of children with chronic diseases.

The health of U.S. kids has declined significantly since 2007, new study finds

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Ben and Sarah Brewington, Lusely Martinez, Ryan Holley and Annie Platt are among people who are choosing to have fewer children or no children.

Ben and Sarah Brewington, Lusely Martinez, Ryan Holley and Annie Platt are among people who are choosing to have fewer children or no children. Grace Widyatmadja for NPR, Nickolai Hammar/NPR, Kayla Renie for NPR hide caption

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Grace Widyatmadja for NPR, Nickolai Hammar/NPR, Kayla Renie for NPR

National

As women have far fewer babies, the U.S. and the world face unprecedented challenges

Far more families are choosing to have fewer — or no — children. Many countries, including the U.S., now face a rapidly aging population that could begin to shrink.

A world with fewer children

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In late May, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed COVID vaccines from the recommendation list for healthy children and pregnant women. The suit alleges this move violated federal law.

In late May, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed COVID vaccines from the recommendation list for healthy children and pregnant women. The suit alleges this move violated federal law. aire images/Moment RF/Getty Images hide caption

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aire images/Moment RF/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

RFK Jr.'s vaccine policy sparks a lawsuit from the American Academy of Pediatrics

AAP and other leading health organizations allege that the health secretary violated federal law when he took the COVID vaccine off the list of recommended shots for pregnant women and healthy children.

RFK Jr.’s vaccine policy sparks a lawsuit from the American Academy of Pediatrics

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Federal health officials are investigating the University of Michigan Health system after a former employee claimed she was fired for seeking a religious exemption from providing gender-affirming care.

Federal health officials are investigating the University of Michigan Health system after a former employee claimed she was fired for seeking a religious exemption from providing gender-affirming care. Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images

Policy-ish

Federal officials investigate hospitals over religious exemptions from gender-affirming care

 Michigan Public

A physician assistant claimed she was fired by a Michigan hospital for seeking a religious exemption regarding gender-affirming care. Now the federal government is also investigating.
Anti-evolution books on sale in Dayton, Tenn., where teacher John Scopes was put on trial for teaching evolution in the famous 1925 "Monkey Trial."

Anti-evolution books on sale in Dayton, Tenn., where teacher John Scopes was put on trial for teaching evolution in the famous 1925 "Monkey Trial." Topical Press Agency/Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption

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Topical Press Agency/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Science

100 years after evolution went on trial, the Scopes case still reverberates

One hundred years ago, the small town of Dayton, Tenn., became the unlikely stage for one of the most sensational trials in American history, over the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution.

100 years after the Scopes trial

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A photo collage of a stylish elderly woman roller skating down whimsical, colorful road against colorful abstract background, displaying the concept of fun and play. Contemporary art collage. Concept of active elderly lifestyle, health care, wellness. Pop art
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Life Kit

How to bring more play into your life

Play isn't just fun. Researchers argue it can help you adapt to difficult circumstances, collaborate better and problem-solve. We'll help you figure out your play personality and how to prioritize play in your life.

How to bring more play into your life

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Close-up photograph showing a hand pressing down the button on a spray can of mosquito repellent. The spray catches the light as it's misted out of the can.

How much do you know about how mosquito repellent works? Beck Harlan/NPR hide caption

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Beck Harlan/NPR

Life Kit

Want to make yourself less appealing to mosquitoes? Our quiz has surprising ideas

Level up your knowledge of mosquito bite prevention with our quiz. It's full of surprising, science-backed tactics that may save you from getting eaten alive this summer.

How to avoid mosquito bites

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The Chenab, one of the three rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, is seen from the river bank on June 5, 2025 in Punjab, Pakistan.

The Chenab, one of the three rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, is seen from the river bank on June 5, 2025 in Punjab, Pakistan. Betsy Joles for NPR hide caption

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Betsy Joles for NPR

World

With the Indus Waters Treaty in the balance, Pakistan braces for more water woes

In an unprecedented move, India held the water treaty in abeyance after blaming Pakistan for a deadly attack in April. Pakistan denies involvement in the attack and accuses India of "weaponizing water."
Federal agents with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol ride on an armored vehicle driving slowly down Wilshire Boulevard near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on July 7, 2025.

Federal agents with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol ride on an armored vehicle driving slowly down Wilshire Boulevard near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on July 7, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Immigration enforcement agents descend on LA's MacArthur Park, causing uproar

 LAist 89.3

The intent of the operation, or whether anyone was detained during the operation, is unclear. A DHS spokesperson told LAist in an email the department doesn't comment on ongoing enforcement operations.
World leaders pose for a group photo at the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, July 6, 2025.

World leaders pose for a group photo at the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Silvia Izquierdo/AP hide caption

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Silvia Izquierdo/AP

The Americas

BRICS nations push back as Trump warns of tariffs

Leaders of the BRICS group of emerging economies meeting for their annual summit had hoped to downplay any differences with the U.S. But even a toned down group proclamation drew the ire of President Trump.

BRICS summit ends with Trump tariff threat

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The Park Slope Food Co-op, founded in 1973, is a Brooklyn institution. In recent months the cooperative grocery store has been torn apart by allegations of antisemitism and discrimination, as the collective debates a boycott of Israeli goods.

The Park Slope Food Co-op, founded in 1973, is a Brooklyn institution. In recent months the cooperative grocery store has been torn apart by allegations of antisemitism and discrimination, as the collective debates a boycott of Israeli goods. Vanessa Romo/NPR hide caption

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Vanessa Romo/NPR

National

The war in Gaza divided a historic Brooklyn co-op. Here's what happened next

Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, members of the Park Slope Food co-op have been debating whether to ban Israeli goods from the shelves.

The war in Gaza divided an historic Brooklyn co-op. Here's how members aim to restore peace

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President Donald Trump speaks in the Blue Room of the White House on Monday.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Blue Room of the White House on Monday. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

Trump says the U.S. will resume sending weapons to Ukraine after pausing last week

With Russian attacks escalating, Ukraine is dependent on air defense systems and munitions supplied by western allies to protect Ukrainian cities.

Trump says U.S. will resume sending weapons to Ukraine after pausing last week

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Attorney Brad Edwards displayed decades worth of case files after a settlement was reached in the Epstein civil case Dec. 4, 2018, in Palm Beach County Court. Epstein issued a public apology to Edwards, through his attorney, admitting that the charges he leveled against him were completely false.

Attorney Brad Edwards displayed decades worth of case files after a settlement was reached in the Epstein civil case Dec. 4, 2018, in Palm Beach County Court. Epstein issued a public apology to Edwards, through his attorney, admitting that the charges he leveled against him were completely false. Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images hide caption

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Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

Law

The DOJ says it has no evidence that Jeffrey Epstein had a 'client list' or blackmailed associates

The two-page memo outlines the "exhaustive review" the department conducted of the Epstein files in its possession, and also reiterates that Epstein died by suicide, contrary to some conspiracy theories.
Maureen Futtner

Maureen Futtner Maureen Futtner hide caption

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Maureen Futtner

My Unsung Hero

In the midst of grief, a woman is comforted by a stranger on the subway

A few days after her sister died, Maureen was on the subway when a stranger asked how she was doing. The conversation that followed is one that she will forever cherish.

UNSUNG HERO - Maureen Futtner

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IMG_2126.jpg
Courtney Theophin/NPR

The Picture Show

Sea lions are released after recovering from a toxic algae bloom in California

Marine mammal researchers are investigating how sea lions were affected by the longest toxic algal bloom on record off the coast of Southern California. Some sea lions are being released back into the wild.

Sea lions return home after toxic algae exposure

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Seed oils, commonly called vegetable oils, are extracted from the seeds of plants.

Seed oils, commonly called vegetable oils, are extracted from the seeds of plants. alaskla/iStockphoto/Getty Images hide caption

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alaskla/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Living Better

Are seed oils actually bad for your health? Here's the science behind the controversy

Health Secretary RFK Jr. has said vegetable oils, like canola and soybean, are "poisoning Americans." But many researchers say the evidence isn't there. So, what does the science say about seed oils?

Are seed oils good or bad for health? Here's what we know

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Erin Patterson pictured outside her home in Leongatha, Australia, in 2023.

Erin Patterson pictured outside her home in Leongatha, Australia, in 2023. That year, four people became seriously ill — and three of them died — after eating a meal she cooked containing death cap mushrooms. Jason Edwards/Newspix via Getty Images hide caption

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Jason Edwards/Newspix via Getty Images

World

An Australian woman is found guilty of murdering her in-laws by toxic mushrooms

Erin Patterson hosted four of her estranged husband's relatives for lunch in July 2023. Three of them later died of death cap mushroom poisoning. Nearly two years later, a jury has found her guilty.

HOLD: Mushroom murder case in Australia

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