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Trump-backed Ramaswamy wins Ohio governor primary, setting up a competitive Nov. race

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In Ohio, where a Democrat hasn't won an election for governor in 20 years, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton could be in for a tight race this fall.

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Pennsylvania sues Character.AI over claims chatbot posed as doctor

Bruce Perry, 17, demonstrates the possibilities of artificial intelligence by creating an AI companion on Character.AI, July 15, 2025, in Russellville, Ark.

State officials allege a Character.AI bot claimed to be a licensed psychiatrist and provided a fake state medical license number.

(Image credit: Katie Adkins)

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Scott Turow's latest real-life legal thriller: Suing Meta for copyright infringement

Five publishers and bestselling author Scott Turow are suing Meta for allegedly building generative AI models on millions of copyrighted works. Turow is pictured above during the New Yorker Festival in New York City in October 2014.

Five major publishing houses and the bestselling author are suing Meta and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly training its Llama generative AI models on millions of copyrighted materials.

(Image credit: Thos Robinson)

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Cruise ship with hantavirus may have seen a rare occurrence: humans infecting humans

The bank vole is one of the rodents that can transmit the hantavirus. In rare cases, there is human-to-human transmission.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with rodent feces, urine or saliva. But cases on the MV Hondius cruise ship point to an unusual means of transmission.

(Image credit: Patrick Pleul/picture alliance)

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From ICE detention to center stage: The Texas mariachi brothers opening for Kacey Musgraves

Antonio, Joshua, and Caleb Gámez-Cuéllar stand in front of Gruene Hall ahead of their performance as an opening act for country singer Kacey Musgraves in New Braunfels, Texas on May 4, 2026. The three brothers were recently detained by ICE along with their parents and held for 13 days at the detention center in Dilley, Texas.

The brothers and their parents were taken into federal custody earlier this year during a required immigration check-in. The story caught the ear of a country music icon.

(Image credit: Brenda Bazán for NPR)

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The oldest U.S. Jewish seminary, Hebrew Union College, shuts down a rabbinical program

Hebrew Union College, the oldest Jewish seminary in the United States, was established in 1875 in Cincinnati by the founder of Reform Judaism in North America. The college has other campuses, but its rabbinical program in Cincinnati will shut down and graduate its last four students at the end of the first week in May.

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Midwives saved his mom's life -- and inspired him to pursue the profession

Dawit Tamru heads the school of midwifery at a university hospital in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. He was inspired to become a midwife when his mother experienced severe difficulties after delivering his younger sister — and midwives saved her life.

May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. This year's theme is "one million more" — reflecting a shortage of midwives.

(Image credit: Ben de la Cruz/NPR)

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NPR went looking for Polymarket's Panama headquarters. It's elusive

Polymarket claims its headquarters is on the 21st floor of the Oceania Business Plaza. So do more than a dozen other crypto companies. But the address leads to a law firm.

The hugely popular prediction market was shut down by U.S. regulators in 2022 and re-opened in Panama, where it has benefited from tax and legal benefits for years.

(Image credit: Eliana Morales Gil)

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A legal scholar and 'Backtalker' defends critical race theory -- a term she helped coin

Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw is a professor of law at UCLA and Columbia Law School and the founder of the African American Policy Forum.

Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw helped name two contested ideas in U.S. politics — intersectionality and critical race theory.Her memoir chronicles the personal and legal framework for her thinking.

(Image credit: Carl Timpone)

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The Iran war sent jet fuel prices sky-high. Here's what air travelers should know

Travelers gather at baggage claim station at Newark International Airport in Newark in March. Some passengers may be newly incentivized to stick to a carry-on as airlines increase checked bag fees.

Fuel is airlines' second-largest expense, and getting even costlier due to the U.S. war with Iran. Airlines are looking for ways to cope, starting by hiking checked baggage fees for most fliers.

(Image credit: Kena Betancur)

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A nearly year-long deployment at sea takes a toll on military families

A woman stands with her children as her husband prepares to set sail on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford from the Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. More than 10 months later the carrier and its crew is still at sea.

Families in Norfolk, Va., await the return of roughly 15,000 sailors and Marines as the USS Ford continues a deployment that started more than 10 months ago.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle)

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Did FBI Director Kash Patel use AI to rip off the Beastie Boys?

A still from an FBI promotional video (left) bears a strong resemblance to the opening shot of the original 1994 music video for the Beastie Boy

An analysis by NPR suggests that frames from an iconic music video were used to generate content for a tweet by the FBI director.

(Image credit: Screenshots by Emily Bogle for NPR)

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ICE is giving local police big money to help with immigration enforcement

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference in front of posters of people that law enforcement arrested, held at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations office on May 1, 2025 in Miramar, Fla. Florida has issued its own financial incentives to encourage more local police cooperation with ICE.

The federal government is offering local law enforcement incentives to join a program that gives their officers authority to make immigration arrests. Police leaders say the funds, which include money for salaries, equipment and vehicles, are enticing.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle)

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Here's a look at the 36 races for governor this year

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The political environment doesn't look good for Republicans right now, but the party could make gains in the many races for governor across the country this November.

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If you are struggling to make ends meet, NPR wants to hear from you

A person waits while filling their fuel tank at a gas station in Portland, Ore.

With gas prices and other necessities at record highs, families are struggling with costs. NPR wants to know how you're coping.

(Image credit: Jenny Kane)

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SCOTUS temporarily restores mifepristone access. And, Indiana, Ohio vote in primaries

A pro-abortion rights activist holds a box of mifepristone during a rally in front of the US Supreme Court on March 26, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

The Supreme Court temporarily restored access to the abortion pill mifepristone. And, Indiana's primaries will test President Trump's influence as he tries to oust incumbent Republican senators.

(Image credit: Drew Angerer)

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U.S. attempt to open Strait of Hormuz tests fragile Iran war ceasefire

A bulk cargo ship sits at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026.

The Iran war risked reigniting after the U.S. tried to force open the Strait of Hormuz, though a ceasefire seemed to be holding Tuesday even after the United Arab Emirates said Iran fired missiles and drones at it.

(Image credit: Amirhosein Khorgooi/AP)

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This flashy group of Portland mall-walkers puts neon pep into step

The Food Court 5000 loop along each floor of the Lloyd Center twice on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Portland, Ore.

Krista Catwood wanted a fun way to exercise, so she started a mall-walking group whose unofficial costume was 1980s garb. The festive, all-ages event has exploded in popularity over the past year.

(Image credit: Celeste Noche for NPR)

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Minneapolis immigrants still feeling the sting of Trump's largest crackdown yet

R, a day laborer from Ecuador who cleans houses for a living, waits for work outside a Home Depot in the Twin Cities, Minn. on April 22, 2026. Although she has returned to work following Operation Metro Surge, R has seen both a decline in work opportunities as well as a decrease in hourly wages being offered.

The impact of Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities can still be felt, even three months after it ended. For immigrants, the impact has been devastating — many are at risk of losing their homes and business, and some are dealing with mental health challenges.

(Image credit: Tim Evans for NPR)

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Primary elections in Ohio, Indiana offer latest temperature check on Trump popularity

Voter parking only signs are seen ahead of a rally for Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton, at the Early Vote Center on April 28 in Cincinnati.

The president seeks to oust Indiana Republicans who blocked a redistricting push in that state, while growing dissatisfaction with Trump's agenda gives Democrats an opening in Ohio.

(Image credit: Jon Cherry)

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An explosion at a fireworks plant in China kills at least 26 people, state media says

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, firefighters work to out the fire after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Guandu Town of Liuyang, central China

Authorities said search and rescue at a fireworks plant in a central Chinese province has largely been completed, but verification of the casualties and identification of the victims are still underway.

(Image credit: Chen Sihan/AP)

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Cruise ship waiting for help after 3 people died in a suspected hantavirus outbreak

The MV Hondius cruise ship is anchored at a port in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, May 4, 2026.

A cruise ship with nearly 150 people aboard was waiting for help off the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean after three passengers died in a suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus.

(Image credit: Arilson Almeida)

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Russia declares a truce in Ukraine to mark Victory Day

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Head of the Republic of Mordovia Artyom Zdunov at the Kremlin in Moscow, Monday, May 4, 2026.

Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, but threatened to strike back at Kyiv if it tries to disrupt festivities.

(Image credit: Mikhail Metzel)

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Wyoming lawmakers use pro-natalist arguments to justify proposed new partial abortion ban

When the University of Wyoming

Wyoming lawmakers say tight new restrictions on abortion are needed to grow the state's population. Demographers and others say economic conditions are more to blame for an exodus of young people.

(Image credit: Jamie Schwaberow)

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See the looks from the 2026 Met Gala red carpet

Emma Chamberlain attends the 2026 Met Gala.

Extravagantly dressed celebrities and designers made their way up the famous Met staircase Monday evening. The fundraiser is one of the fashion industry's biggest nights.

(Image credit: Mike Coppola)

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Hotels have a big World Cup problem: Bookings are running far below projections

General view of Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City, Missouri, which will be hosting some of the World Cup matches this summer.

Nearly 80% of hotels surveyed by a body representing the industry reported bookings were running below projections — a worrisome sign with only weeks to go before the World Cup.

(Image credit: Jamie Squire)

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Modi's party takes control of India's West Bengal in key state election

Confetti is sprayed as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, waves to supporters upon his arrival at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters to celebrate victory in the recently held state assembly elections in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 4, 2026.

The outcome is expected to strengthen Modi's political position midway through his third term.

(Image credit: Manish Swarup)

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Here are the 2026 Pulitzer Prize winners

Jill Lepore speaks during The New Yorker Festival in New York City in October 2015.

Award winners include authors Daniel Kraus, Jill Lepore and Yiyun Li, opinion writer M. Gessen and staffers and contributors at The Washington Post, Reuters and AP.

(Image credit: Thos Robinson)

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A United jet struck a light pole and a truck near Newark airport, police say

A United Airlines 767-300ER at the gate at Newark Liberty International Airport on March 18, 2026.

New Jersey State Police say a United Airlines passenger jet struck a light pole and damaged a truck as it was coming in for a landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday.

(Image credit: Kena Betancur)

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Supreme Court gives abortion pill mifepristone a 1-week reprieve from a major change

A woman dressed as a mifepristone pill is at rally outside the US Supreme Court on April 2, 2025.

The Supreme Court says rules that allow patients to get the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail can stay the same for at least a week.

(Image credit: Drew Angerer)

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