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Friday

Elections

A look back at attacks on voting rights in 2021 — and what could be next

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Wendy Weiser, who directs the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, about the threats to our elections in 2022 and 2024.

A look back at attacks on voting rights in 2021 — and what could be next

Listen · 5:27
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Elections

Asian American groups file a legal challenge to Texas' redistricting plans

The Asian population in Fort Bend County is Texas' largest. When the Texas Legislature met to redraw congressional maps, many Asian Americans hoped it would reflect that. That didn't happen.

Asian American groups file a legal challenge to Texas' redistricting plans

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Retired general warns the U.S. military could back a coup after the 2024 election

Retired two-star U.S. Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton co-authored a recent op-ed about the fear that a coup could succeed after the 2024 elections. Brent Stirton/Getty Images hide caption

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Brent Stirton/Getty Images

National

Retired general warns the U.S. military could back a coup after the 2024 election

Retired Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton says war-gaming and civics education could help assure that the military is better prepared for a contested election.

Retired general warns the U.S. military could back a coup after the 2024 election

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The story of marriage equality is more complicated — and costly — than you remember

Same-sex marriage supporters wear "Just married" shirts while celebrating the U.S Supreme Court ruling regarding same-sex marriage on June 26, 2015 in San Francisco. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The story of marriage equality is more complicated — and costly — than you remember

Sasha Issenberg, author of The Engagement, a history of marriage equality, says he doesn't see the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges being overturned anytime soon.

The story of marriage equality is more complicated — and costly — than you remember

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Thursday

Biden again calls on Putin to de-escalate tensions along Ukraine border

In this image provided by the White House, President Biden speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone from his private residence in Wilmington, Del., on Thursday. Adam Schultz/The White House via AP hide caption

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Adam Schultz/The White House via AP

Biden again calls on Putin to de-escalate tensions along Ukraine border

It was the second time the two leaders spoke this month, as Russia has assembled as many as 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, prompting fears of an invasion.

Biden again calls on Putin to de-escalate tensions along Ukraine border

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Media

How Dan Bongino is building a right-wing media empire on his own terms

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Evan Osnos of The New Yorker about radio host Dan Bongino, who calls masks "face diapers," opposes vaccine mandates and says the 2016 and 2020 elections were rigged.

How Dan Bongino is building a right-wing media empire on his own terms

Listen · 7:42
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World

President Biden speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Ukraine tensions rise

President Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a call Thursday as tensions mount between the Ukraine and Russia. The White House says it's "gravely concerned" about the situation.

President Biden speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Ukraine tensions rise

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Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance reflects on Trump and Weinstein cases as he leaves office

New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance is stepping down after 12 years in office. Frank Franklin II/AP hide caption

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Frank Franklin II/AP

National

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance reflects on Trump and Weinstein cases as he leaves office

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance looks back on a career of big-name cases, including cases against the Trump Organization and Harvey Weinstein.

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance reflects on Trump and Weinstein cases as he leaves office

Listen · 5:02
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Remembering some of those we lost in 2021, from literary legends to everyday heroes

Top, from left: Vicente Fernández, bell hooks, Joan Didion; bottom, from left: Vernon Jordan, Petra Mayer and Stephen Sondheim Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS; Karjean Levine/Getty Images; Kathy Willens/AP; Jennifer Law/AFP via Getty Images; Darian Woehr/NPR; R. Jones/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS; Karjean Levine/Getty Images; Kathy Willens/AP; Jennifer Law/AFP via Getty Images; Darian Woehr/NPR; R. Jones/Getty Images

Obituaries

Remembering some of those we lost in 2021, from literary legends to everyday heroes

2021 was filled with tremendous loss, from staggering COVID deaths to those of leading writers such as Joan Didion and bell hooks to a longtime abortion activist and politicians who shaped our world.

You won't want to miss the 10 most popular 'Fresh Air' stories of 2021

The top Fresh Air web stories of 2021 reflect the show's status as a place where artists, authors and journalists speak to the moment. Valerie Macon/AFP; Grace Cary; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Valerie Macon/AFP; Grace Cary; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Author Interviews

You won't want to miss the 10 most popular 'Fresh Air' stories of 2021

Fresh Air

From Dr. Anthony Fauci to Sacha Baron Cohen, the year's most popular Fresh Air web pages reflect the show's strength as a place where artists, authors and journalists speak to the moment.

Michigan paid up to $8.5 billion in fraudulent jobless claims during the pandemic

A Gap store in Farmington Hills, Mich., was closed by COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020. Thousands of people were left without jobs and dependent on unemployment benefits; unfortunately, some people took advantage of the system. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

Law

Michigan paid up to $8.5 billion in fraudulent jobless claims during the pandemic

Other states have reported similar losses. Ohio reported it paid out more than $3.8 billion in fraudulent jobless aid. California has paid out at least $20 billion.

Health

News brief: Record COVID cases, Ghislaine Maxwell verdict, Biden-Putin call

The U.S. hits a record number of COVID-19 cases. A British socialite is found guilty of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls. President Biden and Russia's Putin are to speak on the phone.

News brief: Record COVID cases, Ghislaine Maxwell verdict, Biden-Putin call

Listen · 11:01
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As the Jan. 6 attack anniversary nears, one Capitol officer fears a violent repeat

U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell testified last July before the U.S. House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Authorities say some 140 police officers were injured during the insurrection. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images

National

As the Jan. 6 attack anniversary nears, one Capitol officer fears a violent repeat

Ten months after U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell thought he'd die as Capitol rioters pummeled him, he's still working to recover his mental and physical health.

As the Jan. 6 attack anniversary nears, one Capitol officer fears a violent repeat

Listen · 11:03
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Hong Kong police charge 2 from pro-democracy news outlet with sedition

Patrick Lam, an editor at Stand News, is escorted into a van by police officers after they searched for evidence at his office in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Vincent Yu/AP hide caption

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Vincent Yu/AP

World

Hong Kong police charge 2 from pro-democracy news outlet with sedition

Hong Kong police on Thursday formally charged two people from a pro-democracy news outlet with sedition, a day after it said it would cease operations after a police raid and seven arrests.