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Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham in an early publicity photograph for Gilmore Girls. The show premiered in October 2000, set in the fictional small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. s

Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham in an early publicity photograph for Gilmore Girls. The show premiered in October 2000, set in the fictional small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption

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Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Television

25 years after its premiere, 'Gilmore Girls' still draws fans to small town Connecticut

Lorelai and Rory Gilmore's fictional hometown of Stars Hollow was born after Gilmore Girls creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, stayed in northwestern Connecticut. The show premiered in the fall of 2000.

‘Gilmore Girls’ is 25 — and fans are still flocking to small town Connecticut

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Dotted prints were one of the trends predicted by Paris-based company Heuritech. They appeared on runways during Paris Fashion Week.

Dotted prints were one of the trends predicted by Paris-based company Heuritech. They appeared on runways during Paris Fashion Week. Kiran Ridley; Olga Gasnier; Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP via Getty Images; Julien De Rosa/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images hide caption

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Kiran Ridley; Olga Gasnier; Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP via Getty Images; Julien De Rosa/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images

Culture

Here's how the fashion industry is using AI to predict the next big trend

Once the province of elite fashion editors and forecasters, the art of figuring out what's likely to fly off future racks is getting an assist from AI algorithms.

Here's how the fashion industry is using AI to predict the next big trend

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In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, fire and smoke raises after a residential building was damaged during Russia's air strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, fire and smoke raises after a residential building was damaged during Russia's air strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. AP/Ukrainian Emergency Service hide caption

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AP/Ukrainian Emergency Service

World

At least 5 dead in large-scale nighttime Russian strike on Ukraine

At least five civilians died after Russia launched a major nighttime attack on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, a barrage which officials said targeted civilian infrastructure.
Syrian electoral college members line up to cast their ballots in a parliamentary election at a polling station in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.

Syrian electoral college members line up to cast their ballots in a parliamentary election at a polling station in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. Omar Sanadiki/AP hide caption

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Omar Sanadiki/AP

Middle East

What to expect as Syria holds first parliamentary elections since Assad's ouster

Syria is holding parliamentary elections on Sunday for the first time since the fall of the country's longtime autocratic leader, Bashar Assad, who was unseated in a rebel offensive in December.
Vice President JD Vance speaks at a podium next to a sign that says "White House Press Briefing, Wednesday, October 1, 2025." An American flag is behind him and the presidential seal is on the podium.

Vice President JD Vance speaks at the White House press briefing on the day the government shutdown. Vance is among the Republicans arguing there's plenty of time to fix subsidies that make health insurance affordable for 24 million Americans. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Time is short for an ACA premium fix in the shutdown fight, says GOP insurance leader

After warning Congress for months about premium spikes, the leader of the country's insurance commissioners — a Republican from North Dakota — says he's hopeful there could be a last minute fix.
The Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible behind a statue depicting President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands on the National Mall on October 2, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The bronze-painted statue titled "Best Friends Forever" has returned after being taken down by the National Park Service last week due to permit violations.

The Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible behind a statue depicting President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands on the National Mall on October 2, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The bronze-painted statue titled "Best Friends Forever" has returned after being taken down by the National Park Service last week due to permit violations. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Politics

The Trump-Epstein statue is back on the National Mall, days after its abrupt removal

The statue honors Trump's "long-lasting bond" with Epstein, which the president denies. The National Park Service took down the statue after one day last week, saying it didn't comply with its permit.
A sign on the entrance to the U.S. National Arboretum, which is closed due to the federal government shutdown.

A sign on the entrance to the U.S. National Arboretum, which is closed due to the federal government shutdown. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

2025 government shutdown

GOP blames government shutdown on health care for undocumented people. That's false

The White House and GOP lawmakers say a provision in the Big Beautiful Bill that Democrats want rolled back keeps undocumented people from getting health benefits — a claim experts say is misleading.

Understanding the debate around healthcare and the government shutdown

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TED Radio Hour: Joshua Roman
Shervin Lainez

TED Radio Hour

What this musician's identity crisis teaches us about navigating change

Since childhood, Joshua Roman's life revolved around the cello. But when long COVID forced him to set his instrument aside, he had to rethink his approach to life, faith and music.

What this musician’s identity crisis teaches us about navigating change

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Karla Tatiana Vasquez looks at the flor de izote at the Salvadoran Street Food Market in Los Angeles. The blossoms come from the giant yucca, which grows all over Los Angeles.

Karla Tatiana Vasquez looks at the flor de izote at the Salvadoran Street Food Market in Los Angeles. The blossoms come from the giant yucca, which grows all over Los Angeles. Stephanie Noritz/for NPR hide caption

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Stephanie Noritz/for NPR

Culture

A ubiquitous flower in LA is a reminder of homeland for a Salvadoran chef

At this time of year, the flor de izote blooms in Los Angeles. The Salvadoran-American chef Karla Tatiana Vasquez says the flowers are both a delicacy and a connection to her identity.

A ubiquitous flower in LA brings memories of homeland for a local Salvadoran chef

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WATCH

Yola: Tiny Desk Concert

With her bouncy Afro and a big smile, Yola's presence behind the Tiny Desk was commanding, her energy captivating and, oh, that voice!
An illustration shows a man in an orange pajama set tangled up like a pretzel in the middle of his large bed. His limbs are askew, clutching pillows, and his face is in a grimace, illustrating the concept of neck pain arising from poor sleep posture. His bed and room are rendered in cool tones, purple, blue, and green. And he is surrounded by lush plants, geometric art, and striped pillows. Nightstands flank his bed, and a cat tower sits to the right of his bed.

Sleeping in an awkward position for many hours at night can cause morning aches and pains. One way to guard against them is to focus on your sleep posture, say medical experts. Meredith Miotke for NPR hide caption

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Meredith Miotke for NPR

Life Kit's Guide to Better Sleep

Want fewer morning aches? You might need to change the way you sleep

Whether you're a back, side or stomach sleeper, medical professionals explain how to position your body to guard against neck cricks, shoulder aches and other body pain and soreness.

Student Podcast Challenge

NPR's Student Podcast Challenge: Here are our fourth grade winners!

We heard fun and engaging podcasts on topics including how math teaching has evolved, what its like to disengage from technology, and, who has it better: kids or grownups?

NPR's Student Podcast Challenge: Here are our fourth grade winners!

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