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Saturday

Health

St. Louis County Health Official Faces Abuse At Council Meeting On Mask Mandate

NPR's Kelsey Snell speaks with Dr. Faisal Khan, acting director for the St. Louis County health department, about the abusive treatment he says he's received as a result of doing his job.

St. Louis County Health Official Faces Abuse At Council Meeting On Mask Mandate

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Federal Pandemic Aid Has Cut Poverty Dramatically, Study Finds

A new study finds that temporary pandemic aid programs have caused a significant reduction in poverty in the U.S. NPR's Kelsey Snell speaks with Greg Acs of the Urban Institute about their findings.

Federal Pandemic Aid Has Cut Poverty Dramatically, Study Finds

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The National Eviction Freeze Is Expiring. What Happens Next?

NPR's Kelsey Snell speaks with Emily Benfer, an expert in housing law, about the federal eviction moratorium that is set to expire tonight.

The National Eviction Freeze Is Expiring. What Happens Next?

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Health

The Challenge Of Public Health Messaging Amid An Ever-Changing Virus

NPR's Kelsey Snell talks with public health professor Robert Blendon about mistrust in government health agencies and who unvaccinated Americans might trust to be messengers on the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Challenge Of Public Health Messaging Amid An Ever-Changing Virus

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Deaths At The Arizona-Mexico Border Are On Pace To Be Highest Ever Recorded

KUNC

The remains of 227 migrants who tried to cross the border illegally were found along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona last year. It was a grim record, and officials say this year could be worse.

Deaths At The Arizona-Mexico Border Are On Pace To Be Highest Ever Recorded

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Environment

Western Wildfires Have Destroyed More Than Last Year, And It's Not Even Peak Season

Extreme heat and on-going drought have made Western wildfires a national challenge this summer, with smoke moving from coast-to-coast. The peak of fire season isn't even here yet.

Western Wildfires Have Destroyed More Than Last Year, And It's Not Even Peak Season

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The Coronavirus Crisis

California Doctors Say Surge In COVID-19 Cases Mirrors The Height Of The Pandemic

KQED

A resurgence in COVID-19 cases in California is giving healthcare workers flashbacks. Some say what they're experiencing now is similar to what they saw in January, at the height of the pandemic.

California Doctors Say Surge In COVID-19 Cases Mirrors The Height Of The Pandemic

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Opinion: New Jersey Renames Its Rest Stops As A Nation Rethinks Monuments

People head into the service building at the Cheesequake Rest Area in South Amboy, N.J. Julio Cortez/AP hide caption

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Julio Cortez/AP

Opinion

Simon Says

Opinion: New Jersey Renames Its Rest Stops As A Nation Rethinks Monuments

New Jersey will honor nine of its most illustrious citizens by slapping their names on rest stops along the Garden State Parkway. Scott Simon muses over what becomes a legend most.

Opinion: New Jersey Renames Its Rest Stops As A Nation Rethinks Monuments

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Across Federal Workforce, People With Disabilities See Need For More Representation

President Joe Biden, center, signs a proclamation during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 26, 2021, to highlight the bipartisan roots of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

Across Federal Workforce, People With Disabilities See Need For More Representation

People with disabilities represent the largest minority group in the country, but say they remain vastly underrepresented when it comes to the ranks of the federal workforce.

There's Vaccine Drama In Arkansas, Where Rates Are Low And Everyone Has An Opinion

Kenny Nations, manager of the movie theater, changes the sign on the marquee; he is fully vaccinated and has tried to encourage co-workers to follow suit. Liz Sanders for NPR hide caption

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Liz Sanders for NPR

Shots - Health News

There's Vaccine Drama In Arkansas, Where Rates Are Low And Everyone Has An Opinion

The state has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S. And this weekend, 80,000 doses will expire because of lack of demand. The campaign is on to get people to sign up.

There's Vaccine Drama In Arkansas, Where Rates Are Low And Everyone Has An Opinion

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This Utah Adventure Town Wants To Put The Brakes On Promoting Itself

The gate to Arches National Park is closed on a weekday morning last month, as it is many mornings after the parking lots and trails quickly fill up. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

This Utah Adventure Town Wants To Put The Brakes On Promoting Itself

Tourists are visiting national parks and surrounding public lands in record numbers this summer, which is causing some overwhelmed national park gateway towns to rethink their promotion strategies.

This Utah Adventure Town Wants To Put The Brakes On Promoting Itself

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As COVID Concern Grows In Kansas, So Does Confusion Over Who Is In Charge

Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's legal battle with the Republican-led Legislature has left confusion over whether she has the authority to issue new pandemic restrictions. Kelly did not issue a mask mandate when speaking Wednesday from the state Capitol in Topeka. Abigail Censky/KCUR hide caption

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Abigail Censky/KCUR

As COVID Concern Grows In Kansas, So Does Confusion Over Who Is In Charge

KCUR

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, has been hesitant to issue any statewide mandates without a ruling from the state Supreme Court on her powers. Counties aren't jumping at the opportunity either.

Friday

The U.S. Men's Fencing Team Wore Pink Face Masks To Protest Their Own Teammate

The "performative activism" by Americans Jacob Hoyle and Curtis McDowald on Friday was the latest criticism over allowing a man accused of sexual assault to attend the Olympics. Elsa/Getty Images hide caption

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Elsa/Getty Images

Live Updates: The Tokyo Olympics

The U.S. Men's Fencing Team Wore Pink Face Masks To Protest Their Own Teammate

The three-man team hasn't been shy about their feelings regarding Alen Hadzic, who has been accused of sexual misconduct dating back to 2013.