33 m. ago What makes 'life' so hard to define? A developmental biologist weighs in

In this Back To School episode we consider the "List of Life": the criteria that define what it is to be a living thing. Some are easy calls: A kitten is alive. A grain of salt is not.But what about the tricky cases, like a virus? Or, more importantly, what about futuristic android robots?As part of our Black History Month celebration, developmental biologist Crystal Rogers and Short Wave co-host Regina G. Barber dig into what makes something alive, and wade into a Star-Trek-themed debate.Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Is there something you'd like us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

Politics

71 m. ago Washington District to Buy Assessment Software; Pennsylvania System Needs Help Developing a Strategic Plan

Washington District to Buy Assessment Software; Pennsylvania System Needs Help Developing a Strategic Plan  Education Week

Events

4 h. ago August 14, 2025: Trump says Putin will make deal on Ukraine as leaders prepare for Alaska meeting

August 14, 2025: Trump says Putin will make deal on Ukraine as leaders prepare for Alaska meeting  CNN

Politics

5 h. ago Seattle City Auditor warns of three major crises affecting neighborhoods

Seattle City Auditor warns of three major crises affecting neighborhoods  KING5.com

Events

5 h. ago Newsom Kicks Off California Redistricting Campaign and Calls for Special Election

The governor kicked off his campaign for a proposition asking California voters to approve a new congressional map, a move that comes with both opportunity and risk.

Politics

6 h. ago An L.A. high school senior was walking his dog. Then immigration agents grabbed him

An L.A. high school senior was walking his dog. Then immigration agents grabbed him  Los Angeles Times

Politics

6 h. ago Denzel Washington, Spike Lee Couldn't Have Made 'Highest 2 Lowest' Without Apple Streaming Deal: 'Industry Has Changed'

Denzel Washington, Spike Lee Couldn't Have Made 'Highest 2 Lowest' Without Apple Streaming Deal: 'Industry Has Changed'  TheWrap

Politics

6 h. ago California board of education president opens up on defying Newsom to keep trans athletes out of girls sports

Kern County Board of Education President Mary Little said her board's resolution to keep males out of girls sports was a response to Gavin Newsom's "illegal" actions.

Politics

6 h. ago Thousands Ask Harvard Not to ‘Give in’ and Pay Fine to Trump

In a petition, alumni, faculty and members of the public asked Harvard to stand up to the White House. The school has signaled a willingness to pay $500 million to restore research funds.

Politics

6 h. ago Los Angeles' immigrant community beset by fear, uncertainty as students return to school

Los Angeles' immigrant community beset by fear, uncertainty as students return to school  CBS News

Events

7 h. ago Trump Says Putin Will 'Make A Deal' On Ukraine During Alaska Summit

Trump Says Putin Will 'Make A Deal' On Ukraine During Alaska Summit  Newsweek

Politics

8 h. ago Best deals on reading glasses that show off your style from Peepers, Glasses USA, Zenni and more

Reading glasses now add color and style to outfits with chunky lucite specs, streamlined frames and updated aviator designs.

Politics

8 h. ago Texas Democrats get boost from Obama for blocking GOP redistricting plan

Former President Obama joined a virtual meeting with Texas House Democrats who left the state to deny GOP redistricting effort, cheering on their efforts.

Politics

8 h. ago Virginia Governor Orders Investigation into Allegations School Staff Arranged Students’ Abortions Without Parents’ Knowledge

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced on Wednesday that he has directed state police to open a criminal investigation into allegations of school-funded abortions in Fairfax County.  The post Virginia Governor Orders Investigation into Allegations School Staff Arranged Students’ Abortions Without Parents’ Knowledge appeared first on Breitbart.

Society

8 h. ago Pregnant Rehoboth teen missing, last seen at boyfriend’s house

Kylee Monteiro, 18, recently graduated from Attleboro High School. She's been missing since Aug. 7. The post Pregnant Rehoboth teen missing, last seen at boyfriend’s house appeared first on Boston.com.

Politics

8 h. ago Obama Judge Rules Little Sisters of the Poor Must Cover Contraceptives, Despite Previous SCOTUS Rulings

A federal court ruled against the Little Sisters of the Poor on Wednesday in a years-long effort by blue states to force the order of Catholic nuns who care for the elderly and the poor to provide contraceptives in their healthcare plan or face millions of dollars in fines.  The post Obama Judge Rules Little Sisters of the Poor Must Cover Contraceptives, Despite Previous SCOTUS Rulings appeared first on Breitbart.

Politics

8 h. ago Guatemalan national freed without bail in THC gummies case that sent 12 middle

Guatemalan national Wilmer Castillo Garcia released without bail after allegedly selling THC gummies that hospitalized 12 New York middle school students in March.

Politics

8 h. ago Trump Says Putin Will 'Make A Deal' On Ukraine During Alaska Summit: Live Updates

Trump Says Putin Will 'Make A Deal' On Ukraine During Alaska Summit: Live Updates  Newsweek

Politics

8 h. ago Supreme Court declines to block Mississippi social media age

Justices declined to block the Mississippi law, which blocks young people from accessing most major social media platforms and sites without parental consent.

Events

9 h. ago Trump isn't the first U.S. president to seek to strengthen ties with Putin

President Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump has long said that his relationship with Putin will help him strike a deal.

Politics