Minnesota State

When Vice President Harris introduced her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to the nation this week, she ran through his biography – dad, military member, high school football coach, teacher – but lingered on one particular story about his time teaching and coaching. “Coach Walz was approached...

Walz and legions of 'dudes' want to give men permission to vote Democrat

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Vice President Harris and Former President Donald Trump have agreed to a debate on Sept. 10...

Harris and Trump will debate in September. And, a COVID mystery unraveled

There are less than 90 days until the November election, and it feels like the campaign is in full force. For the first time since Vice President Harris announced her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, her opponent former President Donald Trump spoke in a news conference. It was rambling and chaotic. Meanwhile, Harris and Walz continued their debut tour with a stop in the battleground state of Michigan.

Morning news brief

Arizona State

Vice President Kamala Harris is campaigning in Arizona today with her running mate, Tim Walz, by her side. In a campaign that has been moving at warp speed, this week has been a whirlwind for the Democratic ticket. NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith takes us on the candidates' swing state tour.

What we learned from the road trip with Vice President Harris and Tim Walz

North Carolina State

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Town Talks

Biscuitville, a North Carolina-based chain, has been named the No. 1 fast-food breakfast spot in the nation by USA Today's 10Best. This accolade comes after a month-long voting period where people across the country chose their favorite breakfast destinations.

North Carolina-based chain ranks No. 1 in the nation for fast-food breakfast. Here’s why

Herbie J Pilato

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

Four years after SARS-CoV2 sparked a devastating global pandemic, U.S. health officials now consider COVID-19 an endemic disease. "At this point, COVID-19 can be described as endemic throughout the world," Aron Hall, the deputy director for science at the CDC's coronavirus and other respiratory viruses division, told NPR in an interview.

Is COVID endemic yet? Yep, says the CDC. Here's what that means

Mound Bayou, MS

MOUND BAYOU, Miss. — In the center of this historically Black city, once deemed “the jewel of the Delta” by President Theodore Roosevelt, dreams to revitalize an abandoned hospital building have all but dried up. An art deco sign still marks the main entrance, but the front...

Black hospitals vanished in the U.S. decades ago. Some communities have paid a price

Tampa, FL

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Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Three men and a woman have been arrested on murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Charles Jones , a Jacksonville rapper known as Julio Foolio,” outside a hotel in Tampa.

4 arrested in slaying of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio

Raleigh, NC

Big cities are known for their hustle and bustle, drawing people in who crave excitement, variety, and entertainment. But bigger isn’t always better, or at least not for Raleigh, North Carolina.

North Carolina City Named The Most Boring Town in the State

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

Saint Louis, MO

Ferguson, MO

This week, our team in St. Louis, Mo., has been bringing you stories from a city you might not have even heard of 10 years ago - Ferguson, a suburb about 20 minutes north of St. Louis. Our final story begins with a fire. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON...

10 years after Michael Brown’s death, we went to Ferguson to ask: What’s changed?

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Camden, NJ

Cornelius, NC

Morristown Minute

CAMDEN, N.J. – Lisa Smith, 61, of Cornelius, North Carolina, has admitted to her role in a fraudulent scheme involving over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today that Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court on July 17, 2024, to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy.

Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.5M COVID Relief Scam

Susan Wojcicki, a Silicon Valley visionary who helped shape Google and YouTube, died Friday after a two-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer, according to her husband. She was 56. "Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a...

Susan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO and Silicon Valley visionary, dies at 56

Boston, MA

Homicide rates are falling in hundreds of U.S. cities. One of the most dramatic drops in the nation is in Boston. The city has recorded less than 10 murders so far this year, far fewer than major cities of similar size. Local police say part of the reason may be because of work that began decades ago. From member station WBUR, Deborah Becker reports.

Why Boston's homicide rate dropped to a historic low

Florida State

Uncovering Florida

With hurricane season posing a consistent threat six months out of the year, who would not like a little help getting their home ready for the harsh weather to come? Senate Bill 7028: My Safe Florida Home Program, approved by Governor DeSantis on April 24, 2024, and effective as of July 1, appropriates a one-time total of $200 million from 2024 to 2025 for the purpose of funding hurricane mitigation grants and inspections, as well as outreach and administration costs, to support homeowners in Florida.

DeSantis Signs New Bill Giving $200 Million To Homeowners

Everything is not what it seems. We can easily disguise ourselves in both the digital and physical world. This hour, TED speakers explore the ways we go incognito... from espionage to virtual reality. Guests include former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez, artist Holly Herndon, anthropologist Mary L. Gray and...

Going incognito, where nothing is as it seems

If you've bought anything in the last decade or paid for a service, there's a decent chance you've received at least one class-action settlement notice - an email or a postcard saying you are entitled to money. NPR's Kenny Malone, from our Planet Money podcast, wondered why this seems to be happening more and more.

NPR's 'Planet Money' team looks into the prevalence of class action settlements

Denver, CO

David Heitz

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

NewsBreak

Decoding 'Minnesota nice': A culture of kindness gives weight to words like 'weird'

As Governor Tim Walz continues to hit the campaign trail, there is a certain phrase you may be hearing a lot - Minnesota nice. It's a...

Decoding 'Minnesota nice': A culture of kindness gives weight to words like 'weird'

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