Accessibility links
Acacia Squires
Stories By

Acacia Squires

Tuesday

A view outside the Minnesota State Capitol building on June 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota lawmakers were called to a special session by Governor Walz as a result of the unrest in the state after the killing of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department, but did not reach an agreement on police reforms.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 20: A view outside the Minnesota State Capitol building on June 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota lawmakers were called to a special session by Governor Walz as a result of the unrest in the state after the killing of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department, but did not reach an agreement on police reforms. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Stephen Maturen/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

2024 Election: Trump wins 2nd term as president

Which parties control which states? A closer look at races for state legislatures

Friday

The Texas AG may be impeached by members of his own party. Here are the allegations

Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton reads a statement at his office in Austin, Texas, Friday, May 26, 2023. An investigating committee says the Texas House of Representatives will vote Saturday on whether to impeach. Eric Gay/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Eric Gay/AP

National

The Texas AG may be impeached by members of his own party. Here are the allegations

Saturday, the Texas House will vote on whether to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton who investigators say allegedly abused his office to help a campaign donor by committing bribery and more.

Tuesday

Danyel Smith gives Black women in pop their flowers in 'Shine Bright'
Frederic Reglain/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images; Drew Allyn; Gladys Knight

It's Been a Minute

Danyel Smith gives Black women in pop their flowers in 'Shine Bright'

In this conversation from April 2022, former guest host Juana Summers sits down with author Danyel Smith to chat about her book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop. They talk all about Black women in music — like Gladys Knight, Mahalia Jackson and Whitney Houston — whose true genius and contributions have not yet been fully recognized.

Danyel Smith gives Black women in pop their flowers in 'Shine Bright'

Listen · 31:55
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1144332037/1199266839" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday

Thursday

After months, it's decided: Michiganders will vote on abortion rights in November

Abortion rights supporters gather outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., during a rally on September 7, 2022. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

Reproductive rights in America

After months, it's decided: Michiganders will vote on abortion rights in November

The proposal to amend the Michigan Constitution to protect abortion rights hit many roadblocks, but Friday cleared the final hurdle and is headed to the midterm ballot.

Tuesday

Tuesday

Democrat Joe Cunningham to face Republican Henry McMaster in S.C. race for governor

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham arrives at a debate for Democrats seeking their party's nomination in South Carolina's governor's race on Friday, June 10, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. Meg Kinnard/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Meg Kinnard/AP

National

Democrat Joe Cunningham to face Republican Henry McMaster in S.C. race for governor

Former Congressman Joe Cunningham, a Democrat who once flipped a congressional seat in deep-red South Carolina, will face Republican Gov. Henry McMaster in the race for governor in November.

Tuesday

Danyel Smith highlights Black female artists who defined pop music in 'Shine Bright'

Danyel Smith, author of Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop. Drew Allyn/Drew Allyn hide caption

toggle caption
Drew Allyn/Drew Allyn

It's Been a Minute

Danyel Smith highlights Black female artists who defined pop music in 'Shine Bright'

Guest host Juana Summers talks with Danyel Smith about her new memoir, Shine Bright: A Personal History of Black Women in Pop. As a previous editor-in-chief for both Billboard and Vibe magazines, host of the Black Girl Songbook podcast, and longtime music reporter, Danyel uses her expertise to spotlight the stories of pop powerhouses like Gladys Knight, Mahalia Jackson, Whitney Houston, and more. Danyel crafts a love letter to Black women in pop, capturing the intimate details of who they were, their influence on her, and how their music changed pop forever.

Danyel Smith highlights Black female artists who defined pop music in 'Shine Bright'

Listen · 31:18
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1092933738/1199267182" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Etsy sellers on strike; plus, the creators of 'ROAR'

This Jan. 6, 2015, file photo shows an Etsy mobile credit card reader, in New York. Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Lennihan/AP

It's Been a Minute

Etsy sellers on strike; plus, the creators of 'ROAR'

From homemade candles to jewelry, leather goods to cloth masks, online marketplace Etsy has been a haven for makers looking to sell their goods and build small businesses for themselves. But with fees increasing, some sellers are frustrated and have gone on strike. Guest host Juana Summers is joined by Wall Street Journal reporter Charity Scott to learn more about how sellers feel and what it means for online shopping.

Etsy sellers on strike; plus, the creators of 'ROAR'

Listen · 30:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1092860090/1199267186" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

The problem of diversity in 'Bridgerton'; plus, the Latinx history of punk music

Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma and Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in season two of Bridgerton. Liam Daniel/Netflix hide caption

toggle caption
Liam Daniel/Netflix

It's Been a Minute

The problem of diversity in 'Bridgerton'; plus, the Latinx history of punk music

Guest host Jasmine Garsd talks to Kristen Warner, an associate professor at the University of Alabama, about Bridgerton's diversity problem. They discuss color blind v. color-conscious casting, how race factors into historical narratives and why any representation isn't always good representation.

The problem of diversity in 'Bridgerton'; plus, the Latinx history of punk music

Listen · 39:59
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1091672319/1199267194" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Tuesday

Despite COVID, Thousands Of Lawmakers Plan To Gather In State Capitols Next Month

Colorado state Rep. Julie McCluskie, a Democrat, is surrounded by protective plastic barriers in the House chambers at the Colorado State Capitol during an emergency legislative session on November 30. Lawmakers there are planning to move their 2021 session back by at least a month. Helen H. Richardson/Denver Post via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Helen H. Richardson/Denver Post via Getty Images

National

Despite COVID, Thousands Of Lawmakers Plan To Gather In State Capitols Next Month

Delaying session or meeting remotely aren't options that have necessarily appealed to Republican state lawmakers who, for the most part, aren't shy about gathering in large numbers in 2021.

Monday

In 2020, Gubernatorial Elections Are All About COVID-19

Nicole Galloway, Missouri's state auditor and Democratic candidate for governor, is challenging Republican Gov. Mike Parson, primarily on his coronavirus record. Here, Galloway addresses the media last month, while Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas looks on during a news conference. Charlie Riedel/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Charlie Riedel/AP

National

In 2020, Gubernatorial Elections Are All About COVID-19

The races for governor in Missouri and North Carolina may tell us if the coronavirus can make or break a state leader. Meanwhile, political strategy in Montana has tempered talk of COVID-19.