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National

Thursday

Education

How teaching Black history in schools became a national controversy

Across the country, there are ongoing controversies over how and if Black history should be taught in classrooms. Protests have ensued after a Missouri based school board dropped elective Black history and literature courses at its high schools.

How teaching Black history in schools became a national controversy

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The fickle, golden magic of the Yosemite "Firefall"

For a few weeks each year, Horsetail Fall at Yosemite national park glows gold just before sunset. They call it the "Firefall." But it only happens if conditions are perfect.

The fickle, golden magic of the Yosemite "Firefall"

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National Security

The U.S. Army is restructuring as the future looks more uncertain

The U.S. Army is restructuring, partly because it's having trouble filling its ranks, but also to better prep for future fights.

The U.S. Army is restructuring as the future looks more uncertain

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Elections

What Biden and Trump said at their respective border events

President Biden and former President Donald Trump hold dueling events in Texas border towns. We look at what they said and what it means for November's election.

What Biden and Trump said at their respective border events

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Alabama Legislature moves to protect IVF services after state court ruling

Hundreds gather for a protest rally in support of in vitro fertilization legislation on Wednesday in Montgomery, Ala. Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP hide caption

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Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP

Alabama Legislature moves to protect IVF services after state court ruling

Alabama lawmakers rushed to protect in vitro fertilization services after fertility clinics shut down in the wake of a ruling that frozen embryos are children under the state wrongful death law.

Politics

Tracing the rise of Christian nationalism, from Trump to the Ala. Supreme Court

Fresh Air

Bradley Onishi is a former Christian nationalist who's now a professor of religion and the author of Preparing for War, a critique of the movement and its impact on American democracy.

Tracing the rise of Christian nationalism, from Trump to the Ala. Supreme Court

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Florida is releasing Jeffrey Epstein's grand jury report

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announces charges against Jeffery Epstein on July 8, 2019 in New York City. Epstein was charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images hide caption

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Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Law

Florida is releasing Jeffrey Epstein's grand jury report

Jeffrey Epstein was a wealthy financier, who was charged with paying dozens of girls over many years for sex. He died in a jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

My daughters sold Girl Scout Cookies. Here's what I learned in the Thin Mint trenches

Thin Mints and Samoas are perennial bestselling Girl Scout Cookies, but Adventurefuls, Lemon-ups and Do-si-Do cookies also have die-hard fans. Bill Chappell/NPR hide caption

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Bill Chappell/NPR

Family

My daughters sold Girl Scout Cookies. Here's what I learned in the Thin Mint trenches

There are no Wonka-like scenes of Tagalong rainbows and Do-si-do stools. But parents can be forgiven for feeling like Oompa Loompas — hardworking cogs in a well-oiled machine.

A story of Jewish Shanghai, told through music

A rehearsal of Émigré by the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall on Wednesday. Adam Crane/Courtesy of the New York Philharmonic hide caption

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Adam Crane/Courtesy of the New York Philharmonic

Culture

A story of Jewish Shanghai, told through music

A fictional tale of the real-life Jewish community in Shanghai during World War II — with a cross-cultural love story at its heart — is premiering at the New York Philharmonic on Thursday.

A story of Jewish Shanghai, told through music

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Virginia high school students take center stage for Black History Month celebration

Teacher Leslie Jones, center, poses with students from Alexandria City High School's drama department students in northern Virginia. Alexandria City High School hide caption

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Alexandria City High School

Black History Month 2024

Virginia high school students take center stage for Black History Month celebration

High school students in Alexandria, Va., honor Black history with art, dance and theater.

Virginia high school students take center stage for Black History Month celebration

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Washington, D.C., has been marking 50 years of so-called home rule

The status gives it some local powers, deprives it of others and leaves it short of the statehood rights that most residents want.

Washington, D.C., has been marking 50 years of so-called home rule

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