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Families are in distress after the first month without the expanded child tax credit

Children draw on top of a canceled check prop during a rally in favor of the child tax credit in front of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 13, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

Politics

Families are in distress after the first month without the expanded child tax credit

January is the first month since July 2021 that more than 36 million families in the U.S. did not receive money from the expanded child tax credit program. For some, the consequences are already dire.

Pandemic Childcare; Plus Mukbang Meets True Crime

In this Thursday Aug. 27, 2020 photo, Assistant Director Tammy Cavanaugh, left, takes the temperature of Maverick Barbera has he is held by his mother Katrina Meli at Educational Playcare, in Glastonbury, Conn. Jessica Hill/AP hide caption

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Jessica Hill/AP

It's Been a Minute

Pandemic Childcare; Plus Mukbang Meets True Crime

Guest host Elise Hu looks at how the pandemic has exacerbated existing problems when it comes to the care of small children. A Massachusetts childcare center owner shares her story about reopening, while a public policy professor talks about the difficult choices women often have to make between their careers and caregiving. Also, a look at how mukbang and true crime collide in the world of Stephanie Soo, a YouTube star and host of the Rotten Mango podcast.

Pandemic Childcare; Plus Mukbang Meets True Crime

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Child Care Scarcity Has Very Real Consequences For Working Families
Chelsea Beck/NPR

Shots - Health News

Child Care Scarcity Has Very Real Consequences For Working Families

In much of the U.S., demand for licensed infant care outstrips supply. Parents face lengthy waitlists, hefty waitlist fees, and few good options when returning to work after the birth of a baby.

Child Care Scarcity Has Very Real Consequences For Working Families

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Portraits In Single Parenting: Doing One Of Life's Hardest Jobs, On Your Own

(Left) Shana Steele with her three children. (Top) Vannessa Kamerschen with her daughter. (Bottom) David Meissner with his son. Courtesy of Shana Steele, Vannessa Kamerschen and David Meissner hide caption

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Courtesy of Shana Steele, Vannessa Kamerschen and David Meissner

Science

Portraits In Single Parenting: Doing One Of Life's Hardest Jobs, On Your Own

Raising kids is tough, even if you have a partner and a steady income or two. Single moms and dads face even more challenges, and like all parents are doing the best they can, with what they have.

Born In The U.S., Raised In China: 'Satellite Babies' Have A Hard Time Coming Home
Nicole Xu for NPR

NPR Ed

Born In The U.S., Raised In China: 'Satellite Babies' Have A Hard Time Coming Home

Some immigrant families from China send their U.S.-born babies to their home country to be raised by relatives. Psychologists are studying what happens when these children return home.

Born In The U.S., Raised In China: 'Satellite Babies' Have A Hard Time Coming Home

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On Your Mark, Give Birth, Go Back To Work

Tricia Olson takes a selfie of herself and her son Augustus, or Gus, who sits in his car seat. Olson took three weeks of unpaid leave from her job at a towing company in Rock Springs, Wyo., after giving birth. Courtesy of Tricia Olson hide caption

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Courtesy of Tricia Olson

Stretched: Working Parents' Juggling Act

On Your Mark, Give Birth, Go Back To Work

Tricia Olson gave birth to her son and was back on the job three weeks later. Like most Americans, she doesn't get paid family leave, and she's among the 40 percent who don't qualify for unpaid leave.

On Your Mark, Give Birth, Go Back To Work

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Trump Campaign Sketches Out Family Care Plans; Questions Linger Over Funding

Women hold up their babies for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as he speaks at a campaign rally on Aug. 1 in Mechanicsburg, Pa. John Moore/Getty Images hide caption

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John Moore/Getty Images

Politics

Trump Campaign Sketches Out Family Care Plans; Questions Linger Over Funding

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be in suburban Philadelphia Tuesday evening, where he will lay out a new proposal that he says will make child care more accessible and affordable.

How Did Trump's And Clinton's Economic Policy Speeches Compare?

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton delivered competing economic speeches this week. Mary Altaffer and Chuck Burton/AP hide caption

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Mary Altaffer and Chuck Burton/AP

Fact Check

How Did Trump's And Clinton's Economic Policy Speeches Compare?

While both candidates diverge vastly on many issues, they also have some surprising areas of agreement.

How Did Trump's And Clinton's Economic Policy Speeches Compare?

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Paid Family Leave Advocates Celebrate A Big Week, But The Battle's Not Over

Supporters watch as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to promote his paid family leave initiative at a rally in Manhattan on March 10. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

National

Paid Family Leave Advocates Celebrate A Big Week, But The Battle's Not Over

In New York and San Francisco, lawmakers have taken groundbreaking steps toward more generous leave policies. Still, some business leaders worry how much paid family leave will cost them.

Paid Family Leave Advocates Celebrate A Big Week, But The Battle's Not Over

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Beyond Student Debt: Where It's Not The Top Campaign Priority For Millennials

Amanda Durio, 31, is a union carpenter. She plans to caucus for Bernie Sanders because she likes his message on "race" and "social classes." Asma Khalid/NPR hide caption

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Asma Khalid/NPR

Politics

Beyond Student Debt: Where It's Not The Top Campaign Priority For Millennials

Roughly two-thirds of people ages 25 to 34 don't have bachelor's degrees. In Nevada, that number is even higher. And, for them, there are complex political and life priorities beyond college debt.

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