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California is still reeling after three mass shootings – including two that happened within three days. Five former Memphis police officers were indicted on murder charges in the death of Tyree Nichols on Thursday. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis fired the five Black officers for violating department policy after Nichols' arrest earlier this month.Meanwhile, President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that the U.S. will send 31 M-1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine for its fight against Russia. This was a U-turn by the federal government after months of saying it would not send tanks.And some 80 percent of China's population has supposedly contracted COVID-19, that's according to a prominent Chinese government scientist. For context, that's more than one billion people. Last weekend there were 13,000 COVID deaths in less than a week, in addition to the 60,000 deaths that have been reported since December.We cover all this and more during this week's News Roundup. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The Sundance Film Festival is returning to Park City, Utah, with a slate of more than 120 independent films making their debut to an in-person crowd for the first time in two years. The festival attracts filmmakers and actors from around the globe hoping to become the next "Little Miss Sunshine" or "Get Out."The festival also features a variety of films centering the female experience, including "The Pod Generation." It's set in the future where couples can give birth through a detached artificial womb or pod. We discuss this year's notable films, and the state of independent films in 2023. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Approximately two dozen American diplomats in Havana, Cuba, first heard piercing, metallic hissing in 2016. They began experiencing nausea, vertigo, headaches, and other cognitive ailments, but doctors haven't been able to figure out what could be making them sick.Theories include the use of sonic weapons launched by hostile foreign actors like Russia. But the CIA has dismissed that idea, saying most cases of "Havana Syndrome" actually stem from other pre-existing medical conditions. Still, they acknowledge that some cases are unexplainable.The new investigative podcast "The Sound: Mystery of Havana Syndrome" explores what we know about this mysterious illness – and what questions remain.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

There are growing efforts to ban the popular social media app TikTok by some U.S. lawmakers.Negotiations with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on how to keep TikTok in the U.S. are ongoing; but some legislators are still trying to ban Tik Tok's parent company ByteDance from doing business in the country entirely.How is this different from former President Donald Trump's efforts in 2020? Is there a way to keep TikTok in the U.S. while addressing national security concerns?Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

In the new mystery series "Poker Face", the protagonist possesses an uncanny ability to tell when anyone is lying.This gift lands the main character – Charlie Cale, played by Natasha Lyonne – in a sticky situation with a casino manager looking to exploit her talents. It forces Charlie on the run and sparks a murder-solving spree as she travels to new towns in each episode.We discuss Lyonne's role in "Poker Face," how the show fits into modern streaming dramas, and Lyonne's career spanning more than three decades.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Conservatives who initially blocked McCarthy from the speaker's gavel have walked away with key committee assignment roles. President Biden travels to California to visit areas hit by extreme weather. And the tech layoffs continue, with Microsoft's announcement that 10,000 workers will be let go.The world's elite meet at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The British foreign secretary encourages the US to step up its own weapons supply to Ukraine. And China deals with surging COVID-19 cases.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The government has reached its "debt limit:" the cap on borrowing that, if breached, could send the U.S. and global financial markets into a tailspin.To avert such a crisis, Congress must vote to raise the debt ceiling and increase the amount the government is able to borrow.But despite urgent pleas from Democrats, House Republicans are stalling on the vote and using their narrow majority to demand spending cuts.How soon can we expect Congress to negotiate and pass a debt limit increase? What will our country's financial future look like if the stalemate drags on?Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

By now, you've probably seen the headlines – and memes – about the revelations Prince Harry includes in his new memoir, "Spare."Overall, the book is a revealing look into the invisible machine that operates the royal family and a condemnation of the British tabloid press.And it's been incredibly popular. Libraries here in the U.S. are struggling to meet the demand, with months-long wait times for a copy.We talk about the enduring fascination Americans have with the royal family, and the future of the British monarchy.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Millions of Americans are recovering from travel chaos.Southwest canceled more than 16,000 flights between Christmas and the New Year. Then, it was deja-vu for travelers last Wednesday after a technical glitch in the Federal Aviation Authority's computer system forced all flights to be grounded.We look at the airline industry – what's working, what isn't, and what these meltdowns reveal about the future of flying.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Who can vote and how they can cast their ballot are questions as important today as they were almost 60 years ago when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped lead the fight for voting rights.This show is a special program honoring the legacy of Dr. King with a contemporary focus on voting access and democracy.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The House finally has its new speaker. A Federal Aviation Administration glitch grounded every flight in the U.S. And Elon Musk now holds the record for the most amount of money ever lost.More than 1,200 people have been charged in Brazil for storming the government buildings in protests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the audience at the Golden Globes this week that there would be "no World War III." Scientists have found that Earth's ozone layer is on track to be fully repaired within decades.We cover these headlines and more during the domestic and international segments of our News Roundup.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Over 2.6 million dogs in the U.S. originate from commercial breeders, more commonly known as puppy mills. There are countless stories of animals being kept in miserable conditions, small cages, and with little medical care.States have slowly been putting policies in place to protect pups, but some say federal protections don't go far enough and many breeders go under the radar.Today, we talk about the ethics of dog breeding, and what can be done to ensure the welfare of man's best friend.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Power utilities are moving away from coal and natural gas power plants and embracing renewable energy sources like hydro, wind, and solar.But it's a slow turnaround. In the meantime, as floods, droughts, freezes, and heatwaves become more prevalent in the face of climate change, they're adding further stress to the already-fragile power grid.What does the power grid of the future look like?Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

This week, President Biden made his first presidential trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, stopping in El Paso, Texas before heading to a summit in Mexico City.He announced that his Administration will accept up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua each month, and allow them to work in the U.S. for up to 2 years. They will also begin to send unauthorized migrants to Mexico.So how far do the White House's latest immigration policies go? And what impact could they have on our fragile immigration system?Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Around 25,000 kids age out of the foster care system every year in the U.S. What happens when they do?In the years immediately following their 18th or 21st birthday (depending on the state), these young adults are likely to struggle in poverty.The effects of growing up in the system last decades into adulthood, too. We heard from one of our listeners, Priscilla Molina, who told us growing up in foster care has affected how she relates to others and herself. We talk to a panel of former foster youth about what happens when foster kids become adults.This episode is part of our Listener Picks series. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

California Rep. Kevin McCarthy has had better weeks. The Republican expected to get his party's nod to become speaker of the House this week as the new representatives were supposed to be sworn in. However, a holdout wing of the GOP has stalled McCarthy's ascent. McCarthy has been unable to win the absolute majority of votes required to become House speaker for days.Damar Hamlin's health is reportedly improving despite being in critical condition. The Buffalo Bill was hospitalized following a tackle in his team's game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.Meanwhile, overseas, the Kremlin is facing unprecedented criticism from inside Russia after one of the deadliest attacks on its troops since the Ukraine war began. It took place on New Year's Day. Kyiv, and Russian bloggers, claim the death toll is very likely in the hundreds.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Who is allowed to profit from marijuana legalization?In New York, the law specifically carves out provisions for those who've been disproportionately impacted by drug laws. It's the latest example of a growing nationwide trend called "restorative justice."But many state legislatures have come under fire for not prioritizing equitable access to the marijuana market or for falling short in their efforts.How can social equity and legalization coexist?Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

From chronic pain to emergency room visits, women's medical concerns are often dismissed at higher rates than those of men.One study shows that middle-aged women with chest pain were twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness than their male counterparts. Another study found that women and people of color who visited emergency rooms with chest pain waited longer to be seen by a doctor. America's gynecological practice has been traced back to slavery. Today, gender and racial bias still affect the way people are diagnosed and receive care.We talk about why this still happens and what can be done about it. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The 2022 midterm elections saw the Democrats break records on the federal and state levels.Both Republican and Democratic parties will be facing busy legislative sessions this year, with access to abortion, spiking gas prices, an opioid epidemic, and parental choice all expected to be on the docket.We assemble a panel of reporters from Washington, Texas, and California to better understand the key issues in state government this year and how they could influence national politics.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

We live a lot of our lives on autopilot, moving through daily routines, obligations, or habits.But with a new year comes a new opportunity to pause, reset, and make a change.Once we decide what changes, or resolutions we want to make in the new year, how do we stick with them?We discuss our habits and how we can be successful at sticking to those New Year's resolutions. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

It's been 25 years since the release of The Spice Girls' second album, "Spiceworld." The record, released on November 1, 1997, went five times platinum. The group that popularized the phrase "Girl Power," the Spice Girls are the best-selling girl group of all time. But before the Spice Girls, there were many others. From The Andrew Sisters to The Supremes, we can trace the evolution of the girl group throughout music's history. In this episode the 1A Record Club takes a look at the influence of "Spiceworld" and the cultural phenomenon of girl groups. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The end of the year is a fertile time for reflection to look back on where we've been. The books we've read and loved in a year can tell us all kinds of things—what we've learned, how we've felt, and how we were changed when the story was over.We round up some of the best books of the year and more with Andrew Limbong, reporter for NPR's Arts and Culture desk and host of the Book of the Day podcast; and book influencer Hunter McLendon.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

In the 1979 novel "Kindred," author Octavia Butler sent her main character – a Black woman – back to the antebellum south of the 1800s. The sci-fi book is a modern classic – a cornerstone of afro-futurism that made waves in a genre dominated by white men. "Kindred" is still being discovered by new readers today – and by viewers. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins adapted "Kindred" into a new FX series of the same name on Hulu.We speak with Jacobs-Jenkins about making the first on-screen adaptation of the late, and pioneering Octavia Butler's work and why it still resonates with readers, and now viewers, decades later.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Multigenerational living is by no means a new arrangement. But it has become more common in recent years. The number of Americans living in multigenerational households has quadrupled since 1971, according to Pew Research Center. Financial issues were cited as the top reason people chose to live in multigenerational households. It can also benefit older adults who need assistance, parents in need of childcare, and young adults not yet ready to strike out on their own.We talk about the joys, pains, and economic gains of multigenerational households.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

You might know him from the television program "Downtown Abbey" Or the film adaptation of the beloved children's story Paddington. Or maybe from the time he played Robert DeNiro's leg.Well, however you know Hugh Bonneville, chances are you're a fan.He's had a long and successful career as an actor. And now, he's sharing memories from life in a new book titled "Playing Under the Piano: From Downtown to Darkest Peru."Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The House Jan. 6 committee investigating the attack on the Capitol released its final report this week, recommending that Donald Trump be prosecuted by the Justice Department on four criminal counts.A massive winter storm is moving its way through the country and affecting holiday travel for millions of Americans. Meanwhile, also this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to the U.S. this week to address a special joint session of Congress asking for continued support in his country's war against Russia.We cover all this and more during the News Roundup. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The Biden Administration announced plans to reduce homelessness in the U.S. by 25 percent by 2025.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a state of emergency on homelessness as her first act in office. She also announced a program launching next week that will move people off the street and into hotels and motels.Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams began allowing officials to involuntarily hospitalize people they deemed to be in a psychiatric crisis. We discuss the best way to address unhoused populations, and dig into the administration's plan. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

More than 100,000 people died last year in America from a drug overdose, most of which involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.Fentanyl is deadly and it's winding up in street drugs of all kinds: heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit Adderall. We discuss the dangers of fentanyl and harm reduction solutions, like naloxone and fentanyl testing strips, that can keep everyone safer.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

Since inflation first spiked 18 months ago, Americans have been spending consistently. But it seems like that is beginning to change.Retail numbers fell 0.6 percent in November according to a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates to fight inflation, but that hasn't helped to keep prices low. We get into the reasons why and check in on the state of the economy.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar is over. Between human rights abuses, half-filled stadiums, surprise quarter-final runs, the tragic death of a soccer journalism icon, and Lionel Messi's last hurrah, there's been lots to talk about.We discuss what future tournaments will look like, and how can we avoid the pitfalls that have marred the 2022 tournament. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.