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'Desperation And Fear' For Millions With Congress Deadlocked Over Pandemic Assistance

Jesus Gonzalez of Lexington, Ky., has been struggling to make ends meet after the $600 per week in extra federal unemployment benefits ran out. Stacy Kranitz for NPR hide caption

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Stacy Kranitz for NPR

The Coronavirus Crisis

'Desperation And Fear' For Millions With Congress Deadlocked Over Pandemic Assistance

Federal unemployment money has been cut off for nearly two months. Congress hasn't worked out a deal to send more help, and the fight over a Supreme Court nominee could make that harder.

'Desperation And Fear' For Millions With Congress Deadlocked Over Pandemic Assistance

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With Warnings Of Socialism, Trump Seeks To Boost Support Among Young Florida Latinos

Supporters of President Trump rally on June 14 in Miami. His campaign is pushing a message in Florida warning of socialism. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Elections

With Warnings Of Socialism, Trump Seeks To Boost Support Among Young Florida Latinos

The Trump campaign is testing the narrative that younger Latinos in the state, who are likely less affected by the scars of Latin American autocrats than older generations, lean Democratic.

With Warnings Of Socialism, Trump Seeks To Boost Support Among Young Florida Latinos

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Outside The Focus Of Major Parties, Black Pittsburghers Vow To Get Out The Vote

Tanisha Long founded an unofficial Black Lives Matters chapter in Pittsburgh. She is actively campaigning for Joe Biden to win Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the election. Nate Smallwood for NPR hide caption

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Nate Smallwood for NPR

Elections

Outside The Focus Of Major Parties, Black Pittsburghers Vow To Get Out The Vote

Both the Trump and Biden campaigns are competing for voters in key swing states like Pennsylvania. But is either of the major parties trying to engage Black voters in cities like Pittsburgh?

Outside The Focus Of Major Parties, Black Pittsburghers Vow To Get Out The Vote

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Trump Administration Plans Crackdown On Hospitals Failing To Report COVID-19 Data

Hospitals may soon be at risk of losing a critical funding stream — Medicare funding — if they don't comply with new COVID-19 data reporting requirements. John Lamparski/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

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John Lamparski/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Trump Administration Plans Crackdown On Hospitals Failing To Report COVID-19 Data

Draft documents obtained by NPR show that the federal government is preparing to enforce new data reporting requirements, threatening to withhold vital Medicare funding from non-compliant hospitals.

Trump Administration Plans Crackdown On Hospitals Failing To Report COVID-19 Data

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The Evangelical Vote
Angela Hsieh

Throughline

The Evangelical Vote

With the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the president is hoping to fill the seat with a more ideologically conservative justice. And evangelical Christians, who've become a powerful conservative voting bloc, have been waiting for this moment. But how and when did this religious group become so intertwined with today's political issues, especially abortion? In this episode, what it means to be an evangelical today and how that has changed over time.

The Evangelical Vote

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Audit: University Of California Admitted 64 Students Over More Qualified Applicants

The UC Berkeley campus sits empty on July 22.The University of California admitted at least 64 students over more qualified applicants due to the students' connections to university staff or donors, according to a California state audit released Tuesday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Education

Audit: University Of California Admitted 64 Students Over More Qualified Applicants

The students admitted were well-connected to staff or donors and took spots from more qualified applicants.

California Governor Signs Order Banning Sales Of New Gasoline Cars By 2035

An aerial view of the Tesla factory in Fremont, Calif., in May. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Wednesday that bans the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles in the state by 2035. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Environment

California Governor Signs Order Banning Sales Of New Gasoline Cars By 2035

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday that amounts to the most aggressive clean-car policy in the U.S. and would end the sale of new gas vehicles in the state in 15 years.

Democrats Criticize Upcoming Debate For Not Including Climate Change

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., is leading an effort to ensure climate is addressed at every presidential debate this cycle. Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Green New Deal hide caption

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Green New Deal

Elections

Democrats Criticize Upcoming Debate For Not Including Climate Change

Three dozen senators have signed a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates asking for the topic to be examined in every debate. The first 2020 presidential debate is Tuesday.

Older People, Got A Pandemic Problem? A Club To Help You Figure It Out — Yourself

Dao Thi Hoa, right, chairwoman of the Intergenerational Self Help Club in the Khuong Din ward of Hanoi in Vietnam, checks the club's account book with other members. Nguyễn Văn Hốt hide caption

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Nguyễn Văn Hốt

Goats and Soda

Older People, Got A Pandemic Problem? A Club To Help You Figure It Out — Yourself

Vietnam's Intergenerational Self Help Clubs encourage older people in the neighborhood to find solutions to their own challenges, whether it's feeling lonely or needing a little extra cash.

'No One Can Live Off $240 A Week': Many Americans Struggle To Pay Rent, Bills

Demonstrators march in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood in June to demand a lifting of the Illinois rent control ban and a cancellation of rent and mortgage payments. The pandemic's financial pressures are causing many Americans to struggle with rent payments. Max Herman/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

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Max Herman/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

'No One Can Live Off $240 A Week': Many Americans Struggle To Pay Rent, Bills

One in six households reported missing or delaying paying bills just so they could buy food, an NPR poll says. And many are having trouble paying the rent, especially African Americans and Latinos.

'No One Can Live Off $240 A Week': Many Americans Struggle To Pay Rent, Bills

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Trump Warns Social Media As Justice Department Aims To Weaken Tech's Legal Shield

Attorney General William Barr and President Donald Trump want to pare back longstanding legal protections for Internet platforms. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Technology

Trump Warns Social Media As Justice Department Aims To Weaken Tech's Legal Shield

The Justice Department's proposal would hold Facebook and Twitter more accountable for users' posts. One critic says the Trump administration is "trying to work the refs ahead of the election."

Cost Of Racism: U.S. Economy Lost $16 Trillion Because Of Discrimination, Bank Says

Citigroup estimates the U.S. economy lost $16 trillion over the past 20 years as a result of discrimination against African Americans. Above, the American flag hangs in front of the New York Stock Exchange on Sept. 21. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Live Updates: Protests For Racial Justice

Cost Of Racism: U.S. Economy Lost $16 Trillion Because Of Discrimination, Bank Says

Citigroup estimates the economy would see a $5 trillion boost over the next five years if the U.S. were to tackle key areas of discrimination against African Americans.

At Least 380 Whales Dead In Australia's Largest-Ever Mass Stranding

Members of a rescue crew work to free a whale from a sandbar off the coast of Tasmania, Australia, on Tuesday. About 380 pilot whales have died in the mass stranding, one of the largest ever recorded. Brodie Weeding/AP hide caption

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Brodie Weeding/AP

Animals

At Least 380 Whales Dead In Australia's Largest-Ever Mass Stranding

"While they are still alive and in water, there is certainly hope for them, but as time goes on, they become more fatigued and their chance of survival reduces," said a government wildlife official.

Gale Sayers, Who Wowed NFL Fans And Inspired A Beloved TV Movie, Dies At 77

Gale Sayers, who held or shared 12 NFL records when he retired, has died at age 77. He famously dedicated an award to his friend and teammate Brian Piccolo. Bettmann Archive via Getty Images hide caption

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Bettmann Archive via Getty Images

National

Gale Sayers, Who Wowed NFL Fans And Inspired A Beloved TV Movie, Dies At 77

The story of the Black football star's friendship with a white teammate, Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer inspired the 1971 TV movie Brian's Song.

1 In 7 Americans Have Experienced Dangerous Air Quality Due To Wildfires This Year

A satellite image shows smoke and some of the major fires in Western states on Sept. 13. Sean McMinn/NPR, Source: RAMMB/Colorado State University hide caption

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Sean McMinn/NPR, Source: RAMMB/Colorado State University

Environment

1 In 7 Americans Have Experienced Dangerous Air Quality Due To Wildfires This Year

Parts of the West Coast experienced very unhealthy or hazardous air from wildfires for the first time ever recorded. Millions endured that smoke for twice as long as the recent average.

Uncle Ben's Changing Name To Ben's Original After Criticism Of Racial Stereotyping

Boxes of Uncle Ben Converted Rice on a store shelf. Mars, Incorporated announced on Wednesday that it is changing the name of the brand to Ben's Original. Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption

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Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

Live Updates: Protests For Racial Justice

Uncle Ben's Changing Name To Ben's Original After Criticism Of Racial Stereotyping

"We understand the inequities that were associated with the name and face of the Uncle Ben's brand and ... we have committed to change," the parent company said in a statement.

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