Chileans weigh a new constitution
NPR's Scott Simon talks with Chilean journalist Francisca Skoknic about the upcoming vote to approve or reject a new constitution for the South American country.
She left the stage years ago. Then 'Wicked' needed an understudy
Scott Simon talks with Carla Stickler, a former understudy for the Broadway smash "Wicked." She was called back to perform on short notice after much of the current cast succumbed to COVID-19.
Countries reimpose lockdowns with omicron spread
As the omicron variant of COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the world, some countries have re-imposed lockdowns.
Saturday sports: COVID is knocking out the competition in skating, tennis and the NBA
Promising figure skaters dropped out of this week's U.S. championships due to COVID-19. Plus: Novak Djokovic is stranded in Australia, and NBA retirees get a second chance.
Venezuelans are cooking over wood fires because of a shortage of propane
In a great irony, Venezuelans are cooking their meals over wood fires because of a shortage of propane. This is in a nation with among the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world.
Hanya Yanagihara's 'To Paradise' is one of the most highly anticipated novels of 2022
Scott Simon interviews celebrated novelist Hanya Yanagihara about her newest work, "To Paradise," an epic tale spanning 200 years in a fictionalized New York City.
Some white congregations are paying to use hymns written by enslaved African people
Some white congregations are paying what they're calling "royalites" when they sing hymns that come from the Negro spiritual tradition. They say it's a matter of racial justice.
Hospitalization rates among children are at their highest since the pandemic start
Scott Simon speaks with Dr. Sadiqa Kendi, division chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center, about the rising number of COVID-19 cases among children.
Russia sent troops near Ukraine and to Kazakhstan. The U.S. is watching and waiting
The situation in Kazakhstan has implications for the stability of the region and for U.S. energy companies active in the Central Asian country.
President Biden's on the road to Atlanta to push for new voting rights legislation
President Biden is making a push for new voting rights legislation. But he faces an uphill battle with the public and Congress.
Week in politics: Russia sends troops to Kazakhstan; jobs up; Jan. 6 anniversary
The unrest in Kazakhstan presents a fresh dilemma for President Biden. Also, what last month's low job creation numbers mean, and how Democrats are using the Jan. 6 riot to their advantage.
Mental health professionals have advice for handling another pandemic winter
As another winter COVID-19 surge ramps up, three mental health professionals provide insights into handling the emotional challenges of this moment.