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Suspicious mailings to election officials, congressional offices under investigation

Federal authorities are investigating suspicious mailings sent to election officials and congressional offices in multiple states. Above, a USPS mail collection box in Pasadena, Calif. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Federal authorities are investigating suspicious mailings sent to election officials and congressional offices in multiple states. Above, a USPS mail collection box in Pasadena, Calif. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

Mario Tama/Getty Images

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are looking into the mailings, some of which included an unidentified powdery white substance.

Conservative super-lawyer squares up for his latest Supreme Court argument

Attorney Paul Clement answers questions outside the U.S. Supreme Court after oral arguments in April 2022 in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Attorney Paul Clement answers questions outside the U.S. Supreme Court after oral arguments in April 2022 in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Paul Clement, a Republican, has racked up dozens of wins at the Supreme Court since his days as George W. Bush's solicitor general. Recently, he's been challenging some Trump administration policies.

Conservative super-lawyer squares up for latest Supreme Court argument

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LA County red flag warning starts Thursday for 'extreme fire risk' potential

LAist 89.3

A firefighter sprays a hotspot while fighting the Bike fire in the outskirts of Santa Clarita, California on October 11, 2026. Los Angeles County Fire is battling a fast moving wildfire that started on Sunday afternoon threatening homes in Santa Clarita, the third largest city in Los Angeles County. The LA County Sheriff's office ordered residents to evacuate as the Bike fire grew to 100 acres in size in a very short time. DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

A firefighter sprays a hotspot while fighting the Bike fire in the outskirts of Santa Clarita, California on October 11, 2026. Los Angeles County Fire is battling a fast moving wildfire that started on Sunday afternoon threatening homes in Santa Clarita, the third largest city in Los Angeles County. The LA County Sheriff's office ordered residents to evacuate as the Bike fire grew to 100 acres in size in a very short time. DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

The warning is happening because of a combination of strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and dry brush in the region.

Man shot by ICE in NYC said federal officers never identified themselves

Gothamist

In this image taken from police-worn body camera video released the New York City Police Department (NYPD), law enforcement personnel tend to a Oscar Belgal, 28, a Dominican man who was shot by Federal immigration officers, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in New York, as he drove his car with a 5-year-old boy inside. New York City Police Department/AP hide caption

New York City Police Department/AP

In this image taken from police-worn body camera video released the New York City Police Department (NYPD), law enforcement personnel tend to a Oscar Belgal, 28, a Dominican man who was shot by Federal immigration officers, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in New York, as he drove his car with a 5-year-old boy inside. New York City Police Department/AP hide caption

New York City Police Department/AP

The man shot by federal immigration agents in New York Cityl last week says that he didn't know that the men who ambushed and shot him were ICE agents until he later woke up in the hospital.

These workers help train robots who could one day steal their jobs

Faven Mulugeta for NPR
Faven Mulugeta for NPR

Factory workers in India are being asked to wear GoPro cameras to record the way they do their jobs. The ultimate goal is to train robots to take over. Will it work?

Textile factory workers in India are teaching AI how to do their jobs

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Pope Leo's cancer prognosis is 'very good,' according to outside medical experts

Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung, in Rome.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images

Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung, in Rome.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images

Pope Leo XIV had surgery on Tuesday to remove a cancerous growth in his lung, the Vatican announced.

Pope Leo has lung cancer, the Vatican says

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Inside a Chicago home, a photographer documents the life her family built

Jennifer Teresa Villanueva's aunts, cousins, grandmother and uncle gather around the dining table for an afternoon brunch at home in Chicago in 2018. Jennifer Teresa Villanueva hide caption

Jennifer Teresa Villanueva

Jennifer Teresa Villanueva's aunts, cousins, grandmother and uncle gather around the dining table for an afternoon brunch at home in Chicago in 2018. Jennifer Teresa Villanueva hide caption

Jennifer Teresa Villanueva

For eight years, photographer Jennifer Teresa Villanueva has documented her Mexican American family's everyday life in Chicago, capturing intimate moments of love, labor and sacrifice.

These swing voters regret voting for Trump and it's influencing their midterm choices

A person walks past a voting sign at the East Point Library on Tuesday, the first day of early voting, in Atlanta. Megan Varner/Getty Images hide caption

Megan Varner/Getty Images

A person walks past a voting sign at the East Point Library on Tuesday, the first day of early voting, in Atlanta. Megan Varner/Getty Images hide caption

Megan Varner/Getty Images

Some key voters in Georgia say deep frustration and disappointment with President Trump are motivating their election plans just weeks before Election Day.

Inflation sizzled in September — and Social Security benefits will get a boost

Rising gasoline and diesel prices pushed inflation higher in September. The cost of living index was up 3.7%, according to a report Wednesday from the Labor Department. Isabelle Souriment/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Isabelle Souriment/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Rising gasoline and diesel prices pushed inflation higher in September. The cost of living index was up 3.7%, according to a report Wednesday from the Labor Department. Isabelle Souriment/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Isabelle Souriment/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Consumer prices in September jumped 3.7% from a year ago. The Social Security Administration said benefits will increase next year to help keep pace with the rising cost of living.

Inflation sizzled in September — and Social Security benefits will get a boost

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Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian oil refineries, officials say, after brief truce

Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham says goodbye to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. Alberto Pezzali/AP hide caption

Alberto Pezzali/AP

Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham says goodbye to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. Alberto Pezzali/AP hide caption

Alberto Pezzali/AP

Ukrainian drones attacked a refinery in Russia's Ryazan region early Thursday, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a brief truce spurned by Moscow was over.

911 calls show ambulance was delayed after failed execution in Tennessee

WPLN News

Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution after the execution of Christa Pike was halted Sept. 30 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV/AP hide caption

George Walker IV/AP

Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution after the execution of Christa Pike was halted Sept. 30 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV/AP hide caption

George Walker IV/AP

Confusion over 911 calls from the prison where Christa Pike survived two rounds of lethal injection led to late arrival of an ambulance, recordings show.

California Democrats hope Iran war flips the script on gas prices

KQED

Gas prices are displayed on a screen at a Shell gas station in San Francisco on Oct. 14, 2026. Gina Castro/KQED hide caption

Gina Castro/KQED

Gas prices are displayed on a screen at a Shell gas station in San Francisco on Oct. 14, 2026. Gina Castro/KQED hide caption

Gina Castro/KQED

After years of playing defense over the nation's highest gas prices, Democrats in battleground House districts are taking aim at war-fueled price increases.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico prevail against White House — for now

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 19: CNN signage on the network's booth in the press area of the White House after journalists with the network were earlier denied entry to the White House grounds, on September 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. Graeme Sloan/Getty Images hide caption

Graeme Sloan/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 19: CNN signage on the network's booth in the press area of the White House after journalists with the network were earlier denied entry to the White House grounds, on September 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. Graeme Sloan/Getty Images hide caption

Graeme Sloan/Getty Images

A federal judge ruled late Tuesday that President Trump cannot ban news organizations from covering him at the White House because he does not like the nature of their coverage - at least, not until the matter goes to a formal trial.

Judge extends order blocking White House from barring media outlets

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Aboard an icebreaker, a writer got a closer look at the Arctic's 'Sea Change'

Fresh Air

Rana Foroohar reports from the USS Healy (pictured above) in Sea Change. Crown hide caption

Crown

Rana Foroohar reports from the USS Healy (pictured above) in Sea Change. Crown hide caption

Crown

As polar ice melts in the Arctic, shipping lanes are opening up, making the region a new zone of superpower competition. Writer Rana Foroohar explains the stakes in Sea Change.

FA: Rana Faroohar

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Hands-on with the Ocarina of Time remake, the most ornate Zelda game ever made

The titular Princess Zelda, reworked for the Nintendo Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Nintendo hide caption

Nintendo

The titular Princess Zelda, reworked for the Nintendo Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Nintendo hide caption

Nintendo

We got to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time early. Here are our impressions of the remake and its elaborate new style.

Trump's ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, resigns after allegations of improper conduct

FILE - Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks as President Donald Trump listens at a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day in the East Room of the White House, March 24, 2025, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

FILE - Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks as President Donald Trump listens at a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day in the East Room of the White House, March 24, 2025, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The White House publicly asked for U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle's resignation on Tuesday as she faced mounting accusations of improper conduct.

A judge blocks the government's tree-clearing spree at a municipal D.C. golf course

The Trump administration abruptly cut down more than 400 trees at Washington D.C.'s historic East Potomac Golf Links last weekend. A federal judge has ordered testimony from two high-level officials with the Interior Department over the recent abrupt removal of trees; the judge plans to hold another hearing Oct. 19. Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR hide caption

Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR

The Trump administration abruptly cut down more than 400 trees at Washington D.C.'s historic East Potomac Golf Links last weekend. A federal judge has ordered testimony from two high-level officials with the Interior Department over the recent abrupt removal of trees; the judge plans to hold another hearing Oct. 19. Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR hide caption

Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR

Locals and preservationists have long opposed Trump's plan to redevelop a municipal D.C. golf course. That legal fight escalated after the government cleared hundreds of trees on short notice.

Some of the most pristine coral reefs have a secret weapon: birds

At Palmyra Atoll in the remote Pacific Ocean, wildlife refuge manager Paige Mino observes red-footed boobies. Scientists have found a surprising link between the seabirds and the health of the surrounding ocean. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

Claire Harbage/NPR

At Palmyra Atoll in the remote Pacific Ocean, wildlife refuge manager Paige Mino observes red-footed boobies. Scientists have found a surprising link between the seabirds and the health of the surrounding ocean. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

Claire Harbage/NPR

Coral reefs are facing increasing threats around the globe. But on a remote Pacific island, scientists have found that reefs can get help from a surprising ally: seabirds.

Some of the most pristine coral reefs have a secret weapon: birds

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Writer Yiyun Li lost both of her sons. When words fell short, she turned to music

Fresh Air

YiYun Li Hannah Yoon/Macmillan hide caption

Hannah Yoon/Macmillan

YiYun Li Hannah Yoon/Macmillan hide caption

Hannah Yoon/Macmillan

Li won a Pulitzer for her memoir about the suicides of her two sons. In her new novel, Music Against the Night, she writes about two young prodigies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

FA: Yiyun Li

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