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Latest Stories
August 20, 2018
California Lawmakers Eye Voluntary Tax To Pay For Central Valley Water Contamination
Customers would be able to opt-out of the tax, which critics say is unnecessary given state surpluses and money available from recent voter-approved water bonds.
August 20, 2018
Utah Firefighter Died After Retardant Drop On Mendocino Complex Fire
A preliminary report says a firefighter died last week from falling tree debris after a retardant drop on the Mendocino Complex Fire, California's largest-ever wildfire.
California Recyclers Say They’re Hit Hard By China’s Tariffs — But Not All Are Impacted
Recyclers are struggling to figure out what to do with their scraps as China, their once-largest customer, placed a ban on nearly 25 types of imported waste at the beginning of the year.
August 20, 2018
Firefighters Continue Making Headway Against California Blazes
Steep, rugged terrain has slowed progress on most of the fires raging throughout the state, including the Ranch Fire. But by Sunday, officials said the Ferguson fire was fully contained.
August 19, 2018
ICE Detains Man Driving His Wife To Hospital For Planned C-Section
A pregnant woman had to drive herself to the hospital and deliver her baby after U.S. immigration officials took her husband into custody because of an arrest warrant related to a homicide in Mexico.
August 18, 2018
California Legal Challenges To Census Citizenship Question To Continue
A federal judge in San Francisco has rejected the Trump administration's motion to dismiss two lawsuits over the 2020 census question. A potential trial could start in January 2019.
August 17, 2018
Gov. Jerry Brown Grants Pardons To Three Facing Deportation
(AP) — California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday he pardoned three former prisoners facing the threat of deportation to Cambodia, including one who became a youth pastor after serving six years in the 1990s for murdering a rival gang member.
Sacramento Police Release Video Of Officer Who Hit 16-Year-Old With His Vehicle
The department says officers were pursuing the teenager after they fled. Activists and the teen’s family want the name of the officer driving car made public.
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August 17, 2018
Minnesota Orchestra Honors Nelson Mandela By Bringing Music To South Africa
The Minnesota Orchestra will be the first major U.S. orchestra to play in Soweto, South Africa. The orchestra's tour of the country grew out of its conductor's work with youth orchestras there.
August 17, 2018
All The Things You Are: Aretha's Life In Jazz
Jazz was central to Franklin's musicianship, however far she rambled. Without it we'd be remembering a different artist now, and celebrating a different body of work.
NPR Top Stories
National Security
Another Wave Of Ex-National Security Officials Criticize Trump
August 20, 2018
For the third time in recent days, former national security officials have signed a letter criticizing President Trump's decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan.
National
Trump Administration Moves To Penalize Immigrants For Using Government Benefits
August 20, 2018
The idea has already sparked warnings about consequences for immigrants and the nation's health care system.
Politics
As The President Tweets Attacks, Melania Trump Speaks Out Against Cyberbullying
August 20, 2018
In her speech, the first lady said children are often "more aware" than adults about the risks and benefits of social media.
Asia
PHOTOS: Separated North And South Koreans Meet For 1st Time In Decades
August 20, 2018
Tens of thousands of South Koreans have registered to meet with long-lost relatives in the North. For years the reunions were on pause, but now they have resumed, with scores of reunions this week.
All Songs Considered
Aretha Franklin: Just Her And A Piano
August 20, 2018
A small, sterling selection of the best stripped-down performances the Queen of Soul delivered in her later years.
Business
PepsiCo Breaks Out The Bubbly With $3.2 Billion Deal For SodaStream
August 20, 2018
It's the latest foray into more-healthful offerings for the food and beverage giant, which has shifted from soft drinks toward products such as juices, hummus and oatmeal.
Turning The Tables
St. Vincent Is The 21st Century's Guitar Vanguard
August 20, 2018
For Annie Clark, the guitar is not an appendage, not an extension of the body. It is its own body with its own voice. She doesn't use it to embellish her songs; she uses it to build worlds.
The Salt
Beer, Drinking Water And Fish: Tiny Plastic Is Everywhere
August 20, 2018
Plastic trash less than 5 millimeters long is in the things we eat and drink, and the air we breathe. Scientists are just beginning to study where it comes from and how it might affect our health.
Afghanistan
Taliban Answers Afghanistan's Cease-Fire Offer With Ambush, Abductions
August 20, 2018
Since a brief truce in June, attacks by the militant group have left hundreds of people dead. President Ashraf Ghani is angling for a new peace deal, but the Taliban hasn't taken him up on it.
National
'New York Times' Reports Asia Argento Paid Off An Accuser Of Her Own
August 20, 2018
Argento has accused disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein of rape. According to documents leaked to the Times, she also paid $380,000 to a man who accused her of sexually assaulting him when he was 17.
Featured Projects
Latest From Insight
Insight: Valley Fever / Capitol Chat With Ben Adler / Chris Thile At The Mondavi Center / Element Brass Band Performs
We learn about Valley fever in Sacramento and beyond. Ben Adler joins us to talk about the bills the Legislature needs to wrap up before it adjourns. Donna Apidone helps us get to know musician Chris Thile. Element Brass Band performs.
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