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Julie Depenbrock Julie Depenbrock is a producer on Morning Edition.
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Julie Depenbrock

Julie Depenbrock

Producer, Morning Edition

Julie Depenbrock (she/her) is a producer/director for Morning Edition and Up First. Previously, she worked at The Washington Post and on WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show. Depenbrock holds a master's in journalism with a focus in investigative reporting from the University of Maryland. Before she became a journalist, she was a first grade teacher in Rosebud, South Dakota. Depenbrock double-majored in French and English at Lafayette College. She has a particular interest in covering education, LGBTQ issues and the environment. She loves dogs, hiking, yoga and reading books for work (and pleasure).

Story Archive

Monday

The sun sets in Tangier, Virginia, where climate change and rising sea levels threaten the inhabitants of the slowly sinking island.

The sun sets in Tangier Island, Va., where climate change and rising sea levels threaten the inhabitants of the slowly sinking island. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Climate

This small Virginia island could be underwater before the next century

Tangier Island in Virginia — one of the last inhabited islands in the Chesapeake Bay — is under threat from rising sea levels and climate change.

Scientists predict this Virginia island could be underwater in the next 50 years

Listen · 4:58
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Wednesday

Eva Victor (left) and John Carroll Lynch in a still from Sorry, Baby.

Eva Victor (left) and John Carroll Lynch in a still from Sorry, Baby. A24 hide caption

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A24

Interview highlights

'Sorry, Baby' writer Eva Victor: 'I tried to create a film that I feel like I needed'

Sorry, Baby follows a professor's life before and after a sexual assault. Writer-director Eva Victor talks to Morning Edition about telling the story through comedy

Eva Victor discusses her new film, 'Sorry, Baby'

Listen · 6:50
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Thursday

A grocery cart is shown filled with groceries in an aisle at a supermarket.

The food assistance program known as SNAP could face significant reductions if President Trump's tax and spending bill passes the House. Alina Selyukh/NPR hide caption

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Alina Selyukh/NPR

Interview highlights

An Alabama food bank braces for big increase in demand if SNAP cuts take effect

The food assistance program known as SNAP could face significant reductions if President Trump's tax and spending bill passes the House.

How the GOP tax cut and spending bill would affect one Alabama food bank

Listen · 4:00
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Thursday

Juneteenth falls on June 19 and celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth falls on June 19 and celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

Interview highlights

'This is American history': 'Caste' author Isabel Wilkerson on the meaning of Juneteenth

Journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson reflects on this year's Juneteenth celebrations — and the push and pull of the Black experience in America.

Journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson reflects on this year's Juneteenth

Listen · 6:40
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Tuesday

Books

'Florida Water' by aja monet is an ode to the power of poetry

Inspired by the cleansing water of spiritual baths, aja monet's new poetry collection "Florida Water" is an ode to the ways a poem can rinse, unravel and reveal hard truths.

aja monet's new collection 'Florida Water' is an ode to the power of poetry

Listen · 3:34
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Monday

A worker at a garment workshop at Tangbudong Village at night in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, on Monday, April 7, 2025. China pledged to retaliate against Donald Trump's latest tariff threat and stepped up efforts to support the market, raising the risk of a prolonged trade war between the world's two largest economies.

A worker at a garment workshop at Tangbudong Village at night in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, on Monday, April 7, 2025. China pledged to retaliate against Donald Trump's latest tariff threat and stepped up efforts to support the market, raising the risk of a prolonged trade war between the world's two largest economies. Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Interview highlights

Orville Schell, expert on U.S.-China relations, discusses trade war between countries

NPR's A Martínez speaks with Orville Schell, director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society, about the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China.

Orville Schell, expert on U.S.-China relations, discusses trade war between countries

Listen · 4:57
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Thursday

The rig shark is a small species of shark, growing to just about 5 feet in length. Scientists found it made a sound like a crackle of electricity when held.

The rig shark is a small species of shark, growing to just about 5 feet in length. Scientists found it made a sound like a crackle of electricity when held. Photo by Paul Caiger hide caption

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Photo by Paul Caiger

Science

What does the shark say? Click, click, click

Scientists in New Zealand believe they may have the first-ever recording of a shark making noise.

What does the shark say? Click, click, click

Listen · 1:49
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Wednesday

Paul Rudd stars alongside Jenna Ortega in Death of a Unicorn.

Paul Rudd stars alongside Jenna Ortega in Death of a Unicorn. Courtesy of A24 Films hide caption

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Courtesy of A24 Films

Movie Interviews

Paul Rudd's 'Death of a Unicorn' is 'thoughtful but gruesome'

Paul Rudd stars in the new comedy-horror film Death of a Unicorn as a meek father who hits a unicorn with his car — and soon learns that's a very bad thing to do.

Paul Rudd stars in 'thoughtful but gruesome' comedy-horror film 'Death of a Unicorn'

Listen · 6:58
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Monday

The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas.

The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. The National Medal of Honor Museum. hide caption

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The National Medal of Honor Museum.

National

National Medal of Honor Museum opens in Arlington, Texas

The National Medal of Honor Museum opened this month in Arlington, Texas. Chris Cassidy, the museum's president and CEO, discusses its origins and what it's meant to inspire.

National Medal of Honor Museum opens in Arlington, Texas

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Monday

Earlier this month, Flow won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

A still from Latvian film Flow, which won the Oscar for best animated feature earlier this month. Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films hide caption

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Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films

Animals

Dogs dig 'Flow.' A researcher explains what might be catching their eye on the screen

Oscar-winning film Flow has caught the eye of many pets. Here's what a researcher told NPR our furry friends might pay attention to on the screen.

What do dogs see when they look at a TV screen?

Listen · 2:36
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Wednesday

Bird flu and other factors have contributed to an egg shortage across the country.

Bird flu and other factors have contributed to an egg shortage across the country. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images/AFP hide caption

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PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

Food

With egg prices climbing, here are some cheaper — and delicious — alternatives

D.C.-based chef Leah Curran Moon shares some ideas for a few egg substitutes that won't break the bank.

As egg prices soar, what are some good, low-cost subsitutes?

Listen · 2:45
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Saturday

Books

NPR staff recommend memoirs from our annual Books We Love list

NPR staff recommend memoirs from our annual Books We Love list: "Bird of Four Hundred Voices," "The Backyard Bird Chronicles," "Knife," and "Here After."

NPR staff recommend memoirs from our annual Books We Love list

Listen · 5:23
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Thursday

Sam, played by Bridget Everett, moves back to her Kansas hometown to take care of her terminally ill sister.

Sam, played by Bridget Everett, moves back to her Kansas hometown to take care of her terminally ill sister. Chuck Hodes/HBO hide caption

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Chuck Hodes/HBO

Television

Bridget Everett on 'Somebody Somewhere' series finale and not giving up on yourself

As her show, Somebody Somewhere, comes to an end, actor Bridget Everett reflects on friendship and reinvention.

The final episode of 'Somebody Somewhere' airs Sunday on HBO

Listen · 6:37
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Friday

Hugh Grant plays the bad guy in the new A24 feature, "Heretic."

Hugh Grant plays the bad guy in the new A24 feature, Heretic. Kimberley French/A24 hide caption

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Kimberley French/A24

Movies

Hugh Grant shows his dark side in 'Heretic'

In Heretic, Hugh Grant plays the villain. He tells Morning Edition that actors are drawn to the bad guys "rather than the dreary, goody-two-shoes lead."

HERETIC

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Friday

Koalas are among the many species distinct to the Australian continent.

Koalas are among the many species distinct to the Australian continent. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images hide caption

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Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Environment

Australia, a biodiversity hotspot, recognizes 750 new species

Australia has added 750 new species of plants, animals, fungi and other organisms to its official list of species living on the continent.

Australia expands its list of national species

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Tuesday

Earlier this summer, a group of Virginia watermen voted to explore the possibility of year-round crab fishery, but conservationists worry what that could mean for the health of the Bay.

Earlier this summer, a group of Virginia watermen voted to explore the possibility of year-round crab fishery, but conservationists worry what that could mean for the health of the Bay. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Environment

Winter crabbing strained Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population. It may soon resume

After a 16-year prohibition, a group of Virginia watermen voted to reinstate winter crab dredging. Many argue the decision puts the blue crab's fragile population in jeopardy.

Many Marylanders, conservationists worry winter crabbing puts Chesapeake Bay at risk

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Wednesday

The cover of the Yup'ik alphabet coloring book.

The cover of the Yup'ik alphabet coloring book. Courtesy of Nikki Corbett hide caption

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Courtesy of Nikki Corbett

Education

In Alaska, a new Yup'ik coloring book aims to strengthen culture for the next generation

Two Alaska moms create a Yup'ik alphabet coloring book, with an Iñupiaq one next in line.

Yup'ik mom in Alaska creates her own books to teach her kids the Yup'ik language

Listen · 2:41
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Thursday

Actor Maika Monroe plays FBI agent Lee Harker in the new film Longlegs.

Actor Maika Monroe plays FBI agent Lee Harker in the new film Longlegs. NEON hide caption

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NEON

Movie Interviews

'Longlegs' draws from 'Silence of the Lambs,' but stands on its own terrifying feet

In the new Nicolas Cage horror film Longlegs, an FBI agent is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes an unexpected turn, revealing evidence of the occult.

The plot of 'Longlegs' may sound familiar but it stands on its own 2 terrifying feet

Listen · 6:59
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Saturday

Wednesday

Climate

Some of the oldest trees on Earth -- the giant sequoias -- are facing new challenges

Because of a change in the climate, giant sequoias have become more vulnerable to insects, disease and wildfire.

Some of the oldest trees on Earth -- the giant sequoias -- are facing new challenges

Listen · 2:39
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Monday

Amy Tan, author of The Backyard Bird Chronicles.

Amy Tan, author of The Backyard Bird Chronicles. Kim Newmoney/Penguin Randomhouse hide caption

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Kim Newmoney/Penguin Randomhouse

Interview highlights

Amy Tan's bird obsession led to a new book — and keeping mealworms in her fridge

In The Backyard Bird Chronicles, author Amy Tan charts her foray into birdwatching and the natural wonders of the world.

Amy Tan's bird obsession led to a new book — and keeping mealworms in her fridge

Listen · 6:58
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Wednesday

A mother humpback whale and calf are seen on the coast of Vitoria, Espirito Santo state, Brazil on August 22, 2023.

A mother humpback whale and calf are seen on the coast of Vitoria, Espirito Santo state, Brazil on August 22, 2023. Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images

Animals

Indigenous leaders want to protect whales by granting them legal personhood

Indigenous leaders across the Pacific have signed a treaty granting whales legal personhood. What protections will the designation offer the large mammals?

Indigenous leaders want to protect whales by granting them legal personhood

Listen · 2:29
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Friday

Sheryl Crow changed her mind about releasing a new album. The change did her good

Sheryl Crow, 2024 Dove Shore/Big Machine/Full Coverage hide caption

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Dove Shore/Big Machine/Full Coverage

Music

Sheryl Crow changed her mind about releasing a new album. The change did her good

Sheryl Crow announced her final album in 2019. She has since reconsidered her position. Her 2024 album is called Evolution.

Sheryl Crow changed her mind about releasing a new album. The change did her good

Listen · 7:01
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Wednesday

Movies

LGBTQ cinema is growing and 'Love Lies Bleeding' continues the trend

Filmmakers have been more successful in recent years at getting wide distribution for movies that center on LGBTQ characters without making gender or orientation a significant part of the storyline.

LGBTQ cinema is growing and 'Love Lies Bleeding' continues the trend

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