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Patrick Wood headshot
Courtesy of Patrick Wood

Patrick Wood

Producer, All Things Considered

Patrick Wood is the digital lead for All Things Considered. Previously, he was a reporter and supervising editor at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Story Archive

Thursday

He's trying to fix the IRS and has $80 billion to play with. This is his plan

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says the agency had lost capacity over the years to adequately assess "high wealth, high income filers." Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Main Character of the Day

He's trying to fix the IRS and has $80 billion to play with. This is his plan

There are two competing trends: The population of the U.S. has grown at the same time as the workforce of the IRS has shrunk. A 10-year, $80 billion plan aims to tackle the agency's troubles.

Friday

Nebraska hasn't passed a single bill this session, amid filibusters over trans rights

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh speaks before the Nebraska Legislature in March as part of an effort to filibuster every bill that comes before the legislature this session. Margery Beck/AP hide caption

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Margery Beck/AP

Main Character of the Day

Nebraska hasn't passed a single bill this session, amid filibusters over trans rights

A state senator has vowed to "burn this session to the ground" in protest to a bill that would bar physicians from providing gender affirming care to people under 19 years old.

Friday

As the U.S. confronts a rising China, one country is right in the middle

This month, President Joe Biden announced a "historic project to strengthen Australian submarine capacity and our own." Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images hide caption

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Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Main Character of the Day

As the U.S. confronts a rising China, one country is right in the middle

This month, Australia struck a deal with the U.S. to acquire nuclear-powered submarine technology. It's a big moment for the country that has found itself itself caught between two world powers.

Monday

Tuesday

Democracy, are you OK? What recent history tells us about the state of politics

There are any number of reports to suggest democracy is in trouble. So what can citizens do about it? Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Politics

Democracy, are you OK? What recent history tells us about the state of politics

The U.K. has had four prime ministers in six years. Israel is about to have its fifth election in four years. Many in the U.S. still deny the 2020 election result. What is going on?

Democracy, are you OK? What recent history tells us about the state of politics

Listen · 4:23
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Wednesday

In converted buses and tin-roof sheds, migrant students get a lesson in hope

Children draw during class at the Yes We Can school in Tijuana. Toya Sarno Jordan for NPR hide caption

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Toya Sarno Jordan for NPR

Latin America

In converted buses and tin-roof sheds, migrant students get a lesson in hope

In Tijuana, a landmark program has grown exponentially over the last few years and has professionalized education for migrant children in a way not seen before in the city.

In converted buses and tin-roof sheds, migrant students get a lesson in hope

Listen · 7:18
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Saturday

The cartels flexed their power in Tijuana — and now the battle for influence is on

Members of the National Guard stand guard outside a military base in Tijuana. Toya Sarno Jordan for NPR hide caption

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Toya Sarno Jordan for NPR

Latin America

The cartels flexed their power in Tijuana — and now the battle for influence is on

A drug cartel hijacked and burned more than a dozen vehicles across Tijuana and killed innocent bystanders in the region during a spree of violence. But can officials reassure a nervous city?

The cartels flexed their power in Tijuana — and now the battle for influence is on

Listen · 7:37
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Tuesday

What tiny towns in rural America can teach the cities about adaptation

Post Office, Ophir, CO Rural Indexing Project hide caption

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Rural Indexing Project

National

What tiny towns in rural America can teach the cities about adaptation

One couple has made it their mission to document buildings and signs across the country. In doing so, they have busted a few myths and maybe even their own misconceptions about modern rural America.

What tiny towns in rural America can teach the cities about adaptation

Listen · 3:22
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Sunday

Friday

This Polish mayor has become a hero for Ukrainians in crisis. But what of his past?

Mayor Wojciech Bakun of Przemysl, Poland, estimates that 350,000 refugees have arrived in his Polish border town since Russia invaded Ukraine. Ben de la Cruz/NPR hide caption

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Ben de la Cruz/NPR

Ukraine invasion — explained

This Polish mayor has become a hero for Ukrainians in crisis. But what of his past?

Wojciech Bakun admits he was ill-prepared to become a front-line humanitarian worker dealing with the rush of refugees from Ukraine. And some onlookers have been surprised by his response too.

This Polish mayor has become a hero for Ukrainians in crisis. But what of his past?

Listen · 6:22
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Thursday

A Polish hotel recovering from its own tragic past has become a refuge for Ukrainians

A volunteer at the hotel sorts donated clothing. Ryan Kellman/NPR hide caption

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Ryan Kellman/NPR

Ukraine invasion — explained

A Polish hotel recovering from its own tragic past has become a refuge for Ukrainians

The Hotel Ilan in Poland has a renowned and troubled history for the country's Jewish community. Now, it has found a new purpose helping Ukrainians fleeing the war Russia has wrought on their country.

A Polish hotel recovering from its own tragic past has become a refuge for Ukrainians

Listen · 7:55
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Tuesday

A rescue team evacuates premature American twins from Kyiv in a daring mission

Twins Lenny and Moishe. Project Dynamo hide caption

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Project Dynamo

Europe

A rescue team evacuates premature American twins from Kyiv in a daring mission

The twin boys, Lenny and Moishe, were born just as Russia invaded Ukraine. A specialist team of U.S. Army veterans hatched a desperate plan to bring them into Poland and, hopefully, to safety.

A rescue team evacuates premature American twins from Kyiv in a daring mission

Listen · 10:13
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Monday

We're trying everything to avoid WWIII, acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine says

The acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Kristina Kvien, left Ukraine last month when the invasion began and is now just over the border in Poland. Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine invasion — explained

We're trying everything to avoid WWIII, acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine says

As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, NATO forces are building in border countries in an effort to contain the conflict and prevent a wider war, according to the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

We're trying everything to avoid WWIII, acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine says

Listen · 7:56
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Thursday

Saturday

Prosecutor says she received 'pushback' after charging parents over Michigan shooting

Jennifer and James Crumbley appear in court for a probable cause conference in Rochester Hills, Mich., this week. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

National

Prosecutor says she received 'pushback' after charging parents over Michigan shooting

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald about working on the Oxford High School shooting case and working toward safer schools.

Prosecutor says she received 'pushback' after charging parents over Michigan shooting

Listen · 5:26
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