appears in the following:

Scholastic backtracks, saying it will stop separating diverse books for fairs in 2024

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Scholastic faced backlash for putting books dealing with race, gender and sexuality in their own optional category for middle school book fairs. It's now apologizing and working to reverse course.

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As the House GOP struggles to pick a speaker, a lawmaker aims to simplify the process

Monday, October 23, 2023

Previous efforts to elect a House speaker have failed at the floor vote. As the search stretches into a third week, Rep. Mike Flood wants Republicans to commit to voting for their party's nominee.

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Up First briefing: Biden links Israel and Ukraine aid; Russia detains U.S. journalist

Friday, October 20, 2023

Biden will ask Congress for billions to support Israel and Ukraine after making his case in a public address. Alsu Kurmasheva is the second U.S. journalist to be detained by Russia this year.

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A former State Dept. official explains why he resigned over U.S. arms sent to Israel

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Josh Paul tells NPR why the U.S. response to the Israel-Hamas conflict pushed him to quit the bureau that oversees arms transfers to foreign nations. Experts say it's unlikely to change much.

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U.S. book bans are taking a toll on a beloved tradition: Scholastic Book Fairs

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Scholastic created a separate fair category for diverse books, which it says is to help schools navigate the complexities of book bans. Librarians accused the company of caving to censorship.

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U.S. students are clashing over the Israel-Hamas war. What can colleges do?

Saturday, October 14, 2023

The conflict has heightened tensions on U.S. campuses. What is the role and responsibility of colleges right now?

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How to help humanitarian efforts in Israel and Gaza

Friday, October 13, 2023

Humanitarian groups are working to respond to the violence in Israel and Gaza. Here are some ways to help — and avoid getting scammed.

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An overdue reunion became a nightmare for this American family now trapped in Gaza

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Wafaa Abuzayda, her husband and baby were visiting family in Gaza when the fighting broke out. Now they're trapped and running low on diapers and milk. She says the U.S. embassy isn't helping.

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Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners show the beauty — and precarity — of nature

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The winning photographs star different species from around the world, all highlighting the interplay between animals and humans. The two grand titles went to shots of a horseshoe crab and barn owls.

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NSYNC is back on the Billboard Hot 100 with its first new song in 2 decades

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

The last time NSYNC had a song on the Billboard Hot 100, George W. Bush was president and the iPhone was still years away. "Better Place," its first song in over two decades, just debuted at No. 25.

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2 U.S. lawmakers managed to get home from Israel. Other Americans have not

Monday, October 09, 2023

Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Dan Goldman are back in the U.S. after sheltering in place as violence erupted in Israel on Saturday. Flight disruptions have left other U.S. citizens unable to get home.

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Up First briefing: How — and why — we honor Indigenous Peoples' Day

Monday, October 09, 2023

A growing number of states and cities acknowledge Indigenous Peoples' Day. Some want it to replace Columbus Day. Here are some ideas for how to mark the holiday, plus book and podcast recommendations.

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The House has no speaker, but plenty to do. Here are 5 of the most pressing issues

Monday, October 09, 2023

The House can't do legislative business until it elects a new speaker. Their growing to-do list includes keeping the government open, as well as policy issues like Ukraine aid and defense spending.

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The House can't work without a speaker. How will it choose McCarthy's successor?

Thursday, October 05, 2023

Republicans plan to convene for a candidate forum on Tuesday and hold a speakership vote on Wednesday. While it's not clear who will be running, there's no question they face a tough road ahead.

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McCarthy says the House will vote today on the effort to oust him as speaker

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

As hard-line House Republicans move to oust Kevin McCarthy from his speakership, Democrats are weighing whether to help. It remains unclear how much support the effort to oust him has.

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There's now a Stevie Nicks-themed Barbie. And wouldn't you love to love her?

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

Nicks introduced "Stevie Barbie" at a concert on Sunday night, and preorders sold out the next day. The doll resembles Nicks in her Rumours era, with her signature flowy sleeves and platform boots.

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Wally the emotional support alligator went to see the Phillies. Then he went viral

Friday, September 29, 2023

Wally doesn't bite, loves hugs and has a sizeable social media following. He made headlines (again) for being denied entry to a baseball stadium — but his owner tells NPR that's not the full story.

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The journey of 'seemingly ranch,' from meme to top of the Empire State Building

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Heinz and Primal Kitchen are selling limited-edition bottles of "Seemingly Ranch" dressing. The Empire State Building lit up in red and white. It all started, as so many trends do, with Taylor Swift.

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Suit yourselves: The Senate formalizes a dress code just days after ditching it

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Backlash ensued after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer moved to relax its informal dress code last week. On Wednesday, lawmakers voted unanimously to codify business casual on the Senate floor.

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What a government shutdown would mean for the U.S. military — and national security

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Service members would work without pay, and many civil servants are likely to be furloughed. Congress has yet to pass a separate bill to guarantee military pay as it did in previous shutdowns.

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