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A woman is hunched over behind a giant gavel as a judge looms in the background. Illustration.

An NPR investigation finds federal judges have enormous influence with few checks on their power. Law clerks and other judicial employees are vulnerable to mistreatment and have few job protections. Isabel Seliger for NPR hide caption

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Isabel Seliger for NPR

Investigations

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

An NPR investigation finds federal judges have enormous influence with few checks on their power. Law clerks and other judicial employees are vulnerable to mistreatment and have few job protections.

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

Listen · 27:39
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Several conservative commentators and activists hold up white binders outside the White House.

(From L) Political commentator Rogan O'Handley, aka DC Draino, TikToker Chaya Raichik, conservative activist Scott Presler, commentator Liz Wheeler and conservative political commentator Chad Prather carry binders containing Jeffrey Epstein files out of the White House on Thursday. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

What to know about the Epstein files release, from redactions to 'Rickrolling'

The Trump administration touted the release of files in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, on Thursday. But the documents contained no new revelations.
Exclusive
Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, center, and other tech leaders attend the inauguration of President Trump on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, center, and other tech leaders attend the inauguration of President Trump on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

The 'Washington Post' in crisis

Bezos' changes at 'The Washington Post' lead to mass subscription cancellations — again

Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos's changes to the opinion pages have led subscribers to cancel in droves. It's the third wave of mass cancellations at the Post in just a few months.
Hamas fighters stand guard as an International Red Cross vehicle arrives at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner release on February 22, 2025.

Hamas fighters stand guard as an International Red Cross vehicle arrives at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner release on February 22, 2025. Youssef Alzanoun/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty hide caption

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Youssef Alzanoun/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas rejects Israel's request to extend phase one of Gaza ceasefire

Hamas says it is not willing to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, rejecting an Israeli request to delay negotiations on the second phase.
Alabama death row inmate Robin “Rocky” Myers was convicted in the 1991 killing of his neighbor, Ludie Mae Tucker. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

Alabama death row inmate Robin "Rocky" Myers was convicted in the 1991 killing of his neighbor, Ludie Mae Tucker. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP) Alabama Department of Corrections/AP hide caption

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Alabama Department of Corrections/AP

National

Alabama governor commutes a death row inmate's sentence to life in prison

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Robin "Rocky" Myers to life in prison, saying there were enough questions about his guilt that she could not move forward with his execution.
Thieves have targeted trains known to be carrying valuables like electronics and high-end footwear.

Thieves have targeted trains known to be carrying valuables like electronics and high-end footwear. Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America

National

Daring train thieves target BNSF Railway, stealing $2M worth of Nike and other goods

Train heists aren't just a thing of the Old West. A series of brazen train robberies has emerged across the western United States and authorities say the thieves focus on high-value containers.

WATCH

Marvin Sapp: Tiny Desk Concert

Marvin Sapp transforms our office into a sanctuary, performing an 11-song medley of gospel hits across his career.
YABELO, ETHIOPIA - MARCH 06: Young men taking pictures in front of HIV billboards during the Gada system ceremony in Borana tribe, Oromia, Yabelo, Ethiopia on March 6, 2017 in Yabelo, Ethiopia.

Young men pose for pictures in front of HIV posters in Ethiopia. Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images/Corbis News hide caption

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Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images/Corbis News

Goats and Soda

On Thursday word came: No more USAID funds for a clinic that gets HIV meds to kids

Supported by USAID, the Ethiopian clinic provides lifesaving medicine for HIV-positive kids and teens to suppress the virus. First came the 90-day freeze — and now an immediate termination of support.

Health clinic in Ethiopia has been unable to get drugs to HIV positive kids for weeks

Listen · 4:12
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Thornetta Davis, 61, also known as “Detroit's Queen of Blues” performed as Bessie Smith for “Sky Covington’s Satin Doll Revue” produced by jazz vocalist and Preservation of Jazz founder Sky Covington celebrating iconic sounds of jazz at Aretha’s Jazz Cafe in Detroit, Mich. on Feb. 24, 2025. “I’ve had people tell me I've lifted their spirits when they weren't feeling right,” Davis said. “That's what I'm here to do and pass on the legacy, too.”

Thornetta Davis, 61, also known as "Detroit's Queen of Blues" performed as Bessie Smith for "Sky Covington's Satin Doll Revue" produced by jazz vocalist and Preservation of Jazz founder Sky Covington celebrating iconic sounds of jazz at Aretha's Jazz Cafe in Detroit, Mich. on Feb. 24, 2025. "I've had people tell me I've lifted their spirits when they weren't feeling right," Davis said. "That's what I'm here to do and pass on the legacy, too." Sylvia Jarrus/for NPR hide caption

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Sylvia Jarrus/for NPR

The Picture Show

Detroit closes out Black History Month by honoring iconic legends of jazz and blues

The iconic voices of female jazz & blues legends Billie Holiday, Phyllis Hyman, Nancy Wilson and Bessie Smith were honored at Aretha's Jazz Café in Detroit for Black History Month
An illustration shows the upper body and head of a blue figure slightly bowing with their hands clasped in prayer. The figure is in front of a background that looks like the star-filled cosmos, and as they pray, the back of their head opens up, releasing a small white flying figure, as well as stars, birds, and squiggles from their mind, into space as they engage in a spiritual practice of prayer.

If you're searching for new and different ways to express your spirituality, it's possible to develop your own practices, says Aizaiah Yong, an associate professor of spirituality at the Claremont School of Theology. Changyu Zou for NPR hide caption

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Changyu Zou for NPR

Life Kit

Curious about exploring your spirituality? Ask yourself these 4 questions

You don't need to be religious to create a meaningful connection to something greater than yourself. If you're interested in examining that relationship, grab a pen and paper and answer these prompts.
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talks with Morning Edition's Steve Inskeep during an interview.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talks with Morning Edition's Steve Inskeep during an interview. NPR hide caption

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NPR

Politics

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells NPR: 'Everything feels increasingly like a scam'

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., about how Democrats are addressing President Trump's agenda.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells NPR: 'Everything feels increasingly like a scam'

Listen · 7:44
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The Black Gospel Archive houses records, cassettes and other artifacts from the “golden era of gospel.” The archive, inside Baylor University’s Moody Memorial Library, also holds an online collection that can be accessed by anyone.

The Black Gospel Archive houses records, cassettes and other artifacts from the "golden era of gospel." The archive, inside Baylor University's Moody Memorial Library, also holds an online collection that can be accessed by anyone. Molly-Jo Tilton/KWBU hide caption

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Molly-Jo Tilton/KWBU

Music

Black Gospel Archive fills gaps in gospel music history

The Black Gospel Archive at Baylor University is the world's largest digital collection of gospel music. Now, it wants to collect oral histories around its rare recordings.

BLACK GOSPEL ARCHIVE

Listen · 4:03
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Bri McNulty wears a red dress and sneakers as she poses with the CDC sign. She's smiling broadly.

Bri McNulty poses with the CDC sign when she was in Atlanta for training in the Public Health Associate Program. She and all other members of the competitive program, deployed around the country, were fired by the Trump administration earlier this month. Bri McNulty hide caption

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Bri McNulty

Public Health

Iowa has high cancer rates. Trump's cuts to CDC and NIH are already hitting the state

Iowa has the second highest incidence rate of cancer in the country, and it is already feeling Trump's cuts to the workforce and research institutions trying to solve the rural cancer problem.

A health worker moved states for her dream job, only to abruptly lose it in CDC cuts

Listen · 3:53
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Pioneering Black architect Robert Kennard led the team that designed Carson City Hall in Carson, Calif., which opened in 1976. The team also included Frank Sata and Robert Alexander.

Pioneering Black architect Robert Kennard led the team that designed Carson City Hall in Carson, Calif., which opened in 1976. The team also included Frank Sata and Robert Alexander. Elon Schoenholz/Getty Foundation hide caption

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Elon Schoenholz/Getty Foundation

Race

Long ignored, Black modernist architects get recognition

Black architects who helped shape the modern architecture movement have often been overlooked. One effort preserves the structures they designed and tells their stories.

Black Architects Recognized

Listen · 4:23
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Jordan Chiles, Joy Reid, Duo the owl

Jordan Chiles, Joy Reid, Duo the owl Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Valerie Terranova/Getty Images for Prime Video; Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder via Getty Images hide caption

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Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Valerie Terranova/Getty Images for Prime Video; Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder via Getty Images

The NPR news quiz

Who's in charge of DOGE? (It's not these women. Or the owl.) Find out in the quiz

Which stores closed and which shows were canceled? Who (or what) was reborn after being hit by a Cybertruck? And is that asteroid going to hit us or what?
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