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People take pictures with the Las Vegas sign in that city on July 29, 2023. Tourism industry leaders warn that recent actions by the Trump administration may be causing a drop in Canadians traveling to the U.S.

People take pictures with the Las Vegas sign in that city on July 29, 2023. Tourism industry leaders warn that recent actions by the Trump administration may be causing a drop in Canadians traveling to the U.S. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

As Canadians cancel trips due to Trump, the U.S. tourism industry could lose billions

The Trump administration's attacks on its northern neighbor have been met with confusion and anger by some Canadians who are now cancelling their trips to the U.S. in protest.
The Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington, DC in a 2024 file photo. While the giant agency has been exempt from the federal hiring freeze, changes to federal hiring software have made it almost impossible for the department to bring on new hires for urgently-needed medical positions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington, DC in a 2024 file photo. While the giant agency has been exempt from the federal hiring freeze, changes to federal hiring software have made it almost impossible for the department to bring on new hires for urgently-needed medical positions. Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images hide caption

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Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images

NPR Exclusive

Federal hiring is nearly frozen. For those who can hire, a new roadblock has emerged

Some federal agencies, like the Department of Veterans Affairs, are largely exempt from President Trump's hiring freeze. But they're hitting a new roadblock in bringing new staff on.

Some VA hospitals hitting roadblocks in their hiring processes

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Sesame Street characters pose under a "123 Sesame Street" sign at the "Sesame Street" 40th Anniversary temporary street renaming in Dante Park on November 9, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Sesame Street characters pose under a "123 Sesame Street" sign at the "Sesame Street" 40th Anniversary temporary street renaming in Dante Park on November 9, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images hide caption

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Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Television

Sesame Workshop will 'downsize significantly' with layoffs, CEO says

The layoffs come after 200 Sesame Workshop employees announced they want to form a union.

Sesame Workshop will 'downsize significantly' with layoffs, CEO says

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WATCH

Roy Ayers: Tiny Desk Concert

The vibraphonist with the most vibes died Tuesday at the age of 84. In 2018, Roy Ayers brought his sunshine to the Tiny Desk.
President Trump leaves the chamber after addressing a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. The administration is locked in a legal battle over the firing of the head of a federal watchdog agency.

President Trump leaves the chamber after addressing a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. The administration is locked in a legal battle over the firing of the head of a federal watchdog agency. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Politics

The Trump administration can remove the head of a federal watchdog agency, an appeals court rules

A U.S. appeals court has sided with the administration in allowing the removal of Hampton Dellinger from the Office of Special Counsel. The office investigates actions like whistleblower retaliation.
Vial and syringe with liquid drop on top
Tetra Images/Tetra images RF/Getty Images

Your Health

Consumers can buy Zepbound and Wegovy direct from drugmakers if they pay cash

Eli Lilly is offering vials of its weight-loss drug Zepbound to patients at a discount — but only if they skip their insurance. Novo Nordisk is now discounting Wegovy for cash customers too.

Consumers can buy Zepbound and Wegovy direct from drugmakers if they pay cash

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Tina Fey

Tina Fey Mary Ellen Matthews hide caption

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Mary Ellen Matthews

Culture

The photographer for 'SNL' reflects on her iconic celebrity portraits

Mary Ellen Matthews has been SNL's photographer for 25 years. In a new book, The Art of the SNL Portrait, she shares her most iconic celebrity photos, like Pete Davidson eating pasta.

THE ART OF THE SNL PORTRAIT - Mary Ellen Matthews

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture building is shown in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture building is shown in Washington, D.C. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Politics

Nearly 6,000 USDA workers fired by Trump are ordered back to work for now

The U.S. Department of Agriculture must temporarily reinstate nearly 6,000 probationary employees fired since Feb. 13, according to a ruling by the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Nearly 6,000 USDA workers fired by Trump ordered back to work for now

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A photo of a person holding a landline phone.

Prosecutors say 25 Canadians have been charged in connection with a multimillion dollar "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans nationwide. Bernd Weißbrod/Picture Alliance via Getty Images hide caption

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Bernd Weißbrod/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

National

Dozens of Canadians are charged for scamming American grandparents out of $21 million

The 25 Canadians are accused of calling seniors in over 40 states, pretending to be their grandchildren and asking for bail money. Authorities warn such scams are getting increasingly sophisticated.
Halftone collage of smartphone hands,

Collage with a pair of hands in halftone style holding a cell phone showing alternating text message bubbles in gray and green. A yellow starburst with a coral background highlights the phone from behind. Polinmr/Getty Images; NPR hide caption

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Polinmr/Getty Images; NPR

Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: My friend texts me way too much. How do I get her to stop?

An NPR listener says her friend pings her morning, noon and night, even if she doesn't respond. She'd like to say something, but she's afraid it will hurt her friend's feelings.

Dear Life Kit: Can I tell my friend she texts me too much?

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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks at a rally outside of the U.S. Capitol in support of USAID in Washington, DC on February 5, 2025.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks at a rally outside of the U.S. Capitol in support of USAID in Washington, DC on February 5, 2025. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

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Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

Politics

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine plans to force Republicans to vote on Trump's Canada tariffs

Republicans are "nervous" about President Trump's tariffs raising prices, says Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. He plans to force a vote in the Senate on them soon.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine reacts to President Trump's joint address to Congress

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The gut bacteria of meat eaters look similar to those of vegans and vegetarians, as long as they also eat a wide array of plant-based foods.

The gut bacteria of meat eaters look similar to those of vegans and vegetarians, as long as they also eat a wide array of plant-based foods. fcafotodigital/Getty Images hide caption

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Shots - Health News

Hey, meat eaters. Your gut health can rival a vegan's. Here's how

Our guts are home to trillions of microbes that influence our health. A new study finds the key to a healthy microbiome is the variety of plant-based food in your diet, even if you eat meat.

How meat eaters can have gut microbes as healthy as vegans

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LeBron James is hovering at or above his career stats in several key metrics for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, as he sets new scoring records.

LeBron James is hovering at or above his career stats in several key metrics for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, as he sets new scoring records. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Sports

By the numbers: Does LeBron James' new points record shake up the GOAT debate?

LeBron James has been so good for so long, there's a famous running joke about when he might slow down. At age 40, where does his 50,000 career points record put him in the GOAT debate?
Tests show the amount of sediment stirred up by large cruise ships often exceeds EPA standards and can damage the marine environment.

Tests show the amount of sediment stirred up by large cruise ships often exceeds EPA standards and can damage the marine environment. handan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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handan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Environment

In Key West, testing shows cruise ships stir up as much sediment as a hurricane

Tests in Key West show sediment stirred up by cruise ships, which can harm marine life, routinely exceed federal standards. Key West has responded by suspending the tests.

In Key West, testing shows cruise ships stir up as much sediment as a hurricane

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