News across Greater Grand Rapids, MN
The U.S. added only 29,000 jobs in September as job market lacks spark
U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September as the unemployment rate inched up to 4.2%. Job gains for July and August were revised down by a total of 60,000 jobs, extending a lackluster run for the job market.
San Francisco's car crime has plunged. How much credit does Flock deserve?
San Francisco leaders say AI-powered cameras helped drive a dramatic decline in car crime. We examine the evidence — and whether the city can keep its high-tech dragnet without sacrificing civil liberties.
Failed 'torturous' execution attempt on Christa Pike reignites death penalty debate
The botched execution in Tennessee of Christa Pike, who survived despite being subject to two doses of lethal injection on Wednesday, has reignited furious debate about the death penalty in the U.S.
Discursive Verses: when pulling rank goes wrong
NPR Music culture critic and reporter Rodney Carmichael ruminates on the latest in rap culture. This week: a hip-hop divorce, an OutKast lawsuit and the state of rap music on the charts.
Who uttered the phrase 'the ideological clowns are out' this week? The quiz knows
Plus, how well do you know your pandas and fat bears?
The U.S. Senate is up for grabs. Can this Ohio Democrat win back working class votes?
After 32 years in Congress, Ohio's Sherrod Brown lost his Senate seat in 2024 as many working class voters turned out for Trump. Now Brown is counting on union voters to send him back to Washington.
He was banned by betting sites, and filed for bankruptcy. Then he relapsed on Kalshi
The dark side of the prediction market boom is becoming more clear: Experts say the sites have become go-to outlets for gambling addicts to relapse as the companies avoid state consumer protections.
Pro-democracy activists increasingly vulnerable to authoritarian governments in Asia
Activists across Asia are being hunted down by authoritarian governments even across international borders. Human rights groups have been warning of a "swap market" of repression in Southeast Asia.
10 books we are looking forward to this fall
Move over, beach reads. With the fall equinox behind us, we can now curl up with cozy autumn books. There are new titles coming from Barbara Kingsolver, Chad Harbach, Jasmine Guillory and more.
A new California law bans child marriage. What's the global outlook on the practice?
The governor of California has signed into law a ban on child marriage. What is the status of other efforts to ban the practice? And do bans prove effective?
Google launches Project Suncatcher, a step towards AI data centers in space
The fridge-size satellite with AI chips on board is part of Project Suncatcher, the company's moonshot effort to put AI data centers in space and harness solar energy.
AI data centers: How much are ratepayers on the hook for?
Data centers consume large amounts of power and require upgrading infrastructure. But it's difficult to determine how much residential customers benefit and how much they actually pay for the benefit.