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Analysis

Monday

The Illusionist in question.

The Illusionist in question. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: The Rogues Gallery, by Brian Blume with Dave Cook and Jean Wells. 1980, TSR Games. hide caption

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Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: The Rogues Gallery, by Brian Blume with Dave Cook and Jean Wells. 1980, TSR Games.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Dungeons, Dragons and shoulder pads: Why I loved D&D as a closeted teen

As Dungeons & Dragons turns 50, critic Glen Weldon looks back on playing the game in its early years — and stumbling upon the fierce, shoulder-padded illusionist that would become his first character.

As D&D turns 50, we remember the early days

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Sunday

Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, made 12 misleading or lacking-in-context statements during her speech at the Democratic National Convention last week.

Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, made 12 misleading or lacking-in-context statements during her speech at the Democratic National Convention last week. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

12 misleading or lacking-in-context claims from Harris’ DNC speech

They range from characterizations of former President Trump’s stances on abortion rights and Social Security to her plans to address housing and grocery prices.

Tuesday

Vietnamese President To Lam is shown waiting for the arrival of Japanese former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, on July 25.

Vietnamese President To Lam is shown waiting for the arrival of Japanese former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, on July 25. Luong Thai Linh/Pool EPA/AP hide caption

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Luong Thai Linh/Pool EPA/AP

'No stone unturned': Vietnam's new party boss extends his anti-corruption campaign

The new Vietnamese leader's pragmatic approach to ideology and diplomacy may see Vietnam become more confident in pursuing its national interests. But preserving the anti-corruption campaign is paramount.

Tuesday

Does 'weird' work for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?

VP nominee Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump. Andrew Harnik; Natalie Behring / AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik; Natalie Behring / AFP/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Does 'weird' work for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?

Ever since Minnesota governor and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz called Republicans "weird," we've seen other Democrats embrace this name-calling strategy and deploy it in interviews and in memes online. We've also seen Republicans lobbing the "weird" moniker right back at Democrats. To get into how "weird" this all is, Brittany chats with NPR culture reporter Andrew Limbong and NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben about this new political strategy and redefining "normalcy" in 2024.

Does 'weird' work for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?

Listen · 22:51
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Sunday

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Aug. 8.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Aug. 8. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

162 lies and distortions in a news conference. NPR fact-checks former President Trump

A team of NPR reporters and editors reviewed the transcript of last Thursday's news conference and found at least 162 misstatements, exaggerations and outright lies in 64 minutes.

Friday

How is the plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert related to ISIS-K?

A screen displays a photo of a man arrested in connection with an Islamist attack plot that caused the cancellation of the Vienna leg of a tour by American mega-star Taylor Swift. ROLAND SCHLAGER/APA/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ROLAND SCHLAGER/APA/AFP via Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

How is the plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert related to ISIS-K?

Three Taylor Swift concerts were canceled in Austria this week, after authorities foiled planned attacks on the venue.

How is the plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert related to ISIS-K?

Listen · 10:24
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The summer hits reveal some complicated vibes

Chappell Roan, Tinashe, Shaboozey, Sabrina Carpenter, and Post Malone (L-R) are all vying for song of the summer. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Universal Music Group/Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Spotify/Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella/Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for Vogue/Jamie Squire/Getty Images hide caption

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Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Universal Music Group/Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Spotify/Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella/Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for Vogue/Jamie Squire/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

The summer hits reveal some complicated vibes

Now that we're in the dog days of summer, host Brittany Luse wants to know - do we have a song of the summer this year? According to NPR Music reporter Sidney Madden and NPR Music host, writer and editor Stephen Thompson, there isn't one song - but many songs.

The summer hits reveal some complicated vibes

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Tuesday

Code Switch: Do we need to stop using the word "felon"?

What the reaction to Trump's felony conviction tells us about the word "felon" Jackie Lay hide caption

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Jackie Lay

It's Been a Minute

Code Switch: Do we need to stop using the word "felon"?

Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris entered the presidential race, things changed. Her campaign almost immediately started framing the election as: Harris, the former prosecutor - vs. Trump the felon. And that word - "felon" - is one that our friends over at NPR's Code Switch have been thinking a lot about since former President Trump was convicted of 34 counts back in May. In this episode, Code Switch co-hosts B.A. Parker and Gene Demby chop it up with the comedian Arif Shahid, who performs under the name Felonious Munk, to talk about what it means for him to carry this reference to his felony conviction so publicly. Then, Gene talks to Josie Duffy-Rice, a writer who focuses on the criminal justice system, to look at the ways "felon" sticks to people long after their sentences end.

Code Switch: Do we need to stop using the word "felon"?

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Saturday

Thursday

Former President Donald Trump walks off stage after speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump walks offstage after speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

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Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Politics

5 takeaways by a longtime NABJ member from Trump’s appearance before Black journalists

Former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared at the convention for the National Association of Black Journalists on Wednesday, creating tension within the organization.

Tuesday

In a Google ad during the Olympics, a dad uses AI tool Gemini to write a letter from his daughter to star hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

In a Google ad now pulled from Olympics coverage, a dad uses AI tool Gemini to write a letter from his daughter to star hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Screenshot by NPR/YouTube hide caption

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Screenshot by NPR/YouTube

2024 Paris Olympics

The antithesis of the Olympics: Using AI to write a fan letter

In a Google ad now pulled from Olympics coverage, a dad uses AI to craft a fan letter from his daughter. It’s the wrong approach to express admiration in a star athlete – and to instill confidence in a burgeoning one.

Friday

Olympic hurdles for women athletes; plus, big trucks and big questions

A group of runners at the Tokyo Olympics - one of whom is Christine Mboma (second to the right), who has been impacted by restrictions on athletes with differences of sex development. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images hide caption

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Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Olympic hurdles for women athletes; plus, big trucks and big questions

This is the first year the Olympics have gender parity between men's and women's teams - but does it mean gender equity? ESPN writer Katie Barnes and Rose Eveleth, host of NPR and CBC's Tested, join Brittany to discuss the barriers that women athletes still face - from men-only categories to women-only sex testing.

Olympic hurdles for women athletes; plus, big trucks and big questions

Listen · 32:31
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Sunday

A would-be assassin targets Trump. What it could mean for America.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

A would-be assassin targets Trump. What it could mean for America.

Shortly after 6pm on Saturday, a would-be assassin took aim at former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

A would-be assassin targets Trump. What it could mean for America.

Listen · 12:00
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Thursday

The Roots of Poverty in America
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Throughline

The Roots of Poverty in America

The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet over 10 percent of people – nearly 40 million – live in poverty. It's something we see, say, if we live near a tent encampment. And it's also something we feel. More than a third of people in the U.S. say they're worried about being able to pay their rent or mortgage. Medical bills and layoffs can change a family's economic status almost overnight.

The Roots of Poverty in America

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Monday

U.S. Supreme Court Police officers put up barricades to separate anti-abortion activists from abortion rights activists during a demonstration in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on June 24, 2024.

U.S. Supreme Court Police officers put up barricades to separate anti-abortion activists from abortion rights activists during a demonstration in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on June 24, 2024. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Republican candidates are downplaying abortion, but it keeps coming up

KFF Health News

Torn between a base that wants more restrictions on abortion and a moderate majority that does not, it seems many Republicans would rather avoid the topic. But they can’t escape talking about it.