Month: October 2023

Without Pandemic Era Safety Net, Millions Of Americans Could Fall Into Poverty

The Nightmare Before Christmas is back in theaters, celebrating its 30th anniversary. The film, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, was not a smash hit upon its release, but has become something of a holiday classic over the years. And while there is some debate as to whether it counts as a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie, its spooky themes draw many viewers back to the film every October.

NPR’s Scott Detrow spoke with Todd Lookinland, the set builder for The Nightmare Before Christmas, and writer and film critic Jordan Crucchiola, about the enduring legacy of film.

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Residents of Lewiston, Maine spent two days sheltering in place as authorities searched for the man suspected of fatally shooting 18 people and wounding 13 others.

Law enforcement has a playbook for capturing fugitives. But Maine’s rural setting, the nearby international border with Canada and the suspect’s military training all complicate the search.

NPR’s Ailsa Chang speaks with Kenneth Gray, who was a special agent with the FBI for 24 years, about what a search like this entails.

Note: This episode was recorded on Friday afternoon, shortly before authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order for Lewiston and the surrounding area.

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In Gaza doctors are operating without anesthesia. Fuel is running out. Food is running out. And trucks full of it can’t get through — including those from the UN World Food Programme or WFP.

NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Cindy McCain, the WFP’s Executive Director, about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza which she calls “a complete catastrophe.”

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After three weeks of congressional paralysis, House Republicans have elected a new Speaker of the House: Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

There’s a pretty good chance you’ve never heard of him. He’s kept a low profile since he was first elected in 2016.

Here’s what you should know: He’s a conservative lawyer who opposes abortion and same sex marriage — and played a major role in attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Johnson is one of Trump’s biggest supporters in Congress. Now he’s House speaker. What does that tell us about how he’ll lead the house — and work with the current president, whose election he tried to overturn?

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During the brutal Hamas-led attack on Israel earlier this month, more than 1,400 Israelis were killed and more than 200 Israeli and foreign hostages were kidnapped.

So far, Hamas has released just four hostages.

The families of the remaining hostages fear that time may be running out to save their loved ones. Israeli airstrikes continue and a ground invasion into Gaza seems imminent.

Experts say that would put the hostages in danger.

NPR’s Michele Kelemen speaks to host Juana Summers about the diplomatic efforts to free the remaining hostages.

And host Mary Louise Kelly talks to Bader Al-Saif, a professor of history at Kuwait University, on the Gulf nation of Qatar’s role in negotiating for the hostages’ release.

The violence between Israel and Gaza is entering its third week.

As the number of dead and wounded continues to rise, survivors of the October 7th attack by Hamas are still reeling from shock.

And thousands of friends and family are left mourning loved ones and wondering how they’ll pick up the pieces of their lives.

The Natal helpline has existed for 25 years to help people experiencing PTSD from war. But for the last two weeks they have been in “emergency mode” and calls are surging.

NPR’s Ari Shapiro speaks with Emi Palmor, chair of Natal, the Israeli helpline.

Hockey season is underway and NPR followed one hopeful rookie dreaming of taking the ice for the Washington Capitals.

NPR’s Scott Detrow spends time at hockey training camp with goalie Mitchell Gibson.

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Ever since Kevin McCarthy was ousted as Speaker of the House by only eight members of Congress, things have been pretty messy in the chamber.

Ohio Republican Jim Jordan tried and failed to rally support for his nomination. After losing three ballots on the House floor and a secret Republican-only vote, he’s out.

Not having a speaker has essentially shut down the business of governing, and House Republicans have no consensus on a candidate.

Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR’s Congressional Correspondent Deirdre Walsh and Political Correspondent Susan Davis about the ongoing speaker battle and what comes next.

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During his visit to Tel Aviv this week, President Biden reiterated a desire for peace between Israelis and Palestinians through the implementation of a two-state solution.

For years, the idea of establishing a state for the Palestinian people and a state for the Israeli people has been a strategy that presidents – on both sides of the political aisle – have evoked as a framework for peace in the Middle East.

With the unprecedented violence playing out between Israel and Hamas for many political analysts, a peaceful, two-state agreement seems impossible.

But a little over two decades ago there was hope that it could be achieved.

NPR’s Scott Detrow talks with ambassador Dennis Ross about how 23 years ago Palestinian leaders and Israel’s prime minister came close to an agreement.