https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2026-11-09/snap-stocking-standards-food-security-federal-rules-department-of-agriculture-grocery-convenience-stores 2026-11-09T07:00:10-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T07:00:00-05:00 SNAP inventory rule could hurt small retailers and food-insecure Iowans SNAP, food insecurity, USDA, Rural Iowa https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-08/sunday-puzzle-flags 2026-11-08T07:59:31-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T07:59:00-05:00 Sunday Puzzle: FLAGS Arts & Life, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-08/the-chosen-is-in-its-6th-season-we-look-back-at-hollywoods-portrayals-of-jesus 2026-11-08T08:17:51-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T08:16:06-05:00 The Chosen is in its 6th season. We look back at Hollywood's portrayals of Jesus Movies & TV, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/czech-researchers-breed-hop-varieties-built-to-survive-a-changing-climate 2026-11-08T08:24:06-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T08:23:47-05:00 Czech researchers breed hop varieties built to survive a changing climate NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-08/takashi-yamazaki-discusses-his-new-movie-godzilla-minus-zero 2026-11-08T08:35:17-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T08:34:26-05:00 Takashi Yamazaki discusses his new movie 'Godzilla Minus Zero' Movies & TV, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/books/2026-11-08/chad-harbach-returns-to-the-world-of-the-art-of-fielding-in-the-the-brightness 2026-11-08T08:35:28-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T08:34:29-05:00 Chad Harbach returns to the world of 'The Art of Fielding' in the 'The Brightness' Books & Reading, NPR News, NPR Books https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/russell-brand-to-learn-sentence-after-being-found-guilty-of-rape-and-sexual-assault 2026-11-08T10:07:32-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T10:07:15-05:00 Russell Brand to learn sentence after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault Movies & TV, Arts & Life, NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/after-a-successful-trip-to-uruguay-pope-leo-heads-to-argentina 2026-11-08T11:30:32-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T11:30:16-05:00 After a successful trip to Uruguay, Pope Leo heads to Argentina Arts & Life, NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/no-clear-winner-in-new-zealand-election-as-leaders-prepare-for-weeks-of-talks 2026-11-08T11:46:33-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T11:46:15-05:00 No clear winner in New Zealand election, as leaders prepare for weeks of talks NPR News, World News, 2022 NPR Election News, 2024 NPR Election News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/europe-to-join-u-s-brokered-ukraine-talks-in-abu-dhabi-defying-kremlin-objections 2026-11-08T14:26:03-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T14:25:30-05:00 Europe to join U.S.-brokered Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, defying Kremlin objections NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/ss-united-states-a-historic-ship-will-be-sunk-to-create-an-artificial-reef 2026-11-08T16:24:04-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T08:34:34-05:00 SS United States, a historic ship will be sunk to create an artificial reef Environment, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/the-worlds-largest-telecoms-firm-is-on-trial-and-the-outcome-has-global-implications 2026-11-08T17:04:32-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T17:04:13-05:00 The world's largest telecoms firm is on trial and the outcome has global implications NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/trying-to-find-true-owners-paris-musee-dorsay-exhibits-art-looted-by-nazis 2026-11-08T17:04:49-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T17:04:09-05:00 Trying to find true owners, Paris' Musee D'Orsay exhibits art looted by Nazis NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-08/what-makes-stephen-king-books-work-so-well-on-the-big-screen 2026-11-08T17:05:49-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T17:04:10-05:00 What makes Stephen King books work so well on the big screen? Movies & TV, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/nasa-is-looking-for-astronauts-to-live-and-work-on-the-moon 2026-11-08T18:37:03-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T18:36:47-05:00 NASA is looking for astronauts to live and work on the Moon NPR News, Science News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-08/nvidia-launches-investigation-into-ceos-alleged-relationship-with-chinese-spy 2026-11-08T19:50:10-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-08T19:17:43-05:00 Nvidia launches investigation into CEO's alleged relationship with Chinese spy NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/how-a-bank-collapse-left-millions-in-limbo-and-toppled-paraguays-president 2026-11-09T01:21:02-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T01:20:44-05:00 How a bank collapse left millions in limbo and toppled Paraguay's president NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/some-house-and-senate-races-remain-uncalled-what-we-know 2026-11-09T04:43:05-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:42:52-05:00 Some House and Senate races remain uncalled. What we know NPR News, 2022 NPR Election News, 2024 NPR Election News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/nvidia-launches-investigation-into-ceos-alleged-relationship-with-chinese-spy 2026-11-09T04:43:31-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:42:57-05:00 Nvidia launches investigation into CEO's alleged relationship with Chinese spy NPR News, Technology News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/palantir-hires-a-former-democratic-senator-as-it-faces-scrutiny-in-new-congress 2026-11-09T04:43:33-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 Palantir hires a former Democratic senator as it faces scrutiny in new Congress NPR News, Technology News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/after-a-successful-visit-to-uruguay-pope-leo-heads-to-argentina 2026-11-09T04:45:31-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:45:15-05:00 After a successful visit to Uruguay, Pope Leo heads to Argentina NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/will-frances-protests-boost-marine-le-pens-chances-in-the-presidential-election 2026-11-09T04:45:31-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:44:59-05:00 Will France's protests boost Marine Le Pen's chances in the presidential election? NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/supreme-court-weighs-effort-to-shield-federal-law-enforcement-as-ice-complaints-rise 2026-11-09T04:46:01-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 Supreme Court weighs effort to shield federal law enforcement as ICE complaints rise NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/israels-president-taps-netanyahus-political-rival-to-form-a-new-government 2026-11-09T04:46:05-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:45:49-05:00 Israel's president taps Netanyahu's political rival to form a new government NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/in-gentle-monster-a-perverts-normality-is-the-horrifying-factor 2026-11-09T04:46:05-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:45:53-05:00 In 'Gentle Monster,' a pervert's normality is the horrifying factor Movies & TV, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/morning-news-brief 2026-11-09T04:46:12-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:45:58-05:00 Morning news brief NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/harvest-public-media/2026-11-09/midwest-farm-iowa-hogs-mushrooms 2026-11-09T05:00:18-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 Iowa family transforms hog CAFO into mushroom farm https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/democrats-won-big-can-they-lower-your-grocery-bill 2026-11-09T05:01:03-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 Democrats won big. Can they lower your grocery bill? Arts & Life, Food & Drink, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/he-was-diagnosed-with-cancer-then-he-was-told-he-lost-his-medicaid 2026-11-09T05:01:26-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 He was diagnosed with cancer. Then he was told he lost his Medicaid Science News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/on-wild-cumberland-island-a-land-swap-proposal-stirs-controversy 2026-11-09T05:01:31-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 On wild Cumberland Island, a land swap proposal stirs controversy NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/democrats-won-big-on-issues-like-immigration-but-ice-still-has-the-money 2026-11-09T05:01:39-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 Democrats won big on issues like immigration. But ICE still has the money NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/congress-is-coming-back-to-washington-heres-what-to-expect 2026-11-09T05:01:49-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 Congress is coming back to Washington. Here's what to expect NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/u-n-climate-talks-begin-today-here-are-3-things-to-know 2026-11-09T05:01:51-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:00:00-05:00 U.N. climate talks begin today. Here are 3 things to know NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/why-a-south-korean-city-is-turning-to-a-u-s-college-to-outsmart-ai 2026-11-09T05:47:34-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T05:47:00-05:00 Why a South Korean city is turning to a U.S. college to outsmart AI? Education, NPR News, Technology News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/congress-is-back-after-gops-midterm-defeat-and-trump-appoints-new-chief-of-staff 2026-11-09T07:45:33-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T07:45:14-05:00 Congress is back after GOP's midterm defeat. And, Trump appoints new chief of staff NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/british-comedian-russell-brand-sentenced-to-over-10-years-for-rape-and-sexual-assault 2026-11-09T09:37:32-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T09:36:54-05:00 British comedian Russell Brand sentenced to over 10 years for rape and sexual assault NPR News, Arts & Life, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/thick-smog-shrouds-new-delhi-after-diwali-firecrackers-add-to-seasonal-pollution 2026-11-09T10:21:36-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T10:09:53-05:00 Thick smog shrouds New Delhi after Diwali firecrackers add to seasonal pollution NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/filmmaker-martin-mcdonagh-on-wild-horse-nine-and-the-power-of-guilt-and-regret 2026-11-09T11:31:31-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T11:31:13-05:00 Filmmaker Martin McDonagh on 'Wild Horse Nine' and the power of guilt and regret Movies & TV, Arts & Life, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/we-are-still-puzzling-over-the-mysteries-of-edgar-allan-poe-and-arthur-conan-doyle 2026-11-09T11:32:01-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T11:31:37-05:00 We are still puzzling over the mysteries of Edgar Allan Poe and Arthur Conan Doyle Arts & Life, Books & Reading, NPR News, NPR Books https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/nvidia-ceo-faces-scrutiny-over-alleged-ties-to-suspected-chinese-spy 2026-11-09T15:17:28-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T11:59:05-05:00 Nvidia CEO faces scrutiny over alleged ties to suspected Chinese spy Technology News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/some-elite-financial-firms-are-paying-college-interns-50-000-for-10-weeks-of-work 2026-11-09T15:17:47-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T12:07:11-05:00 Some elite financial firms are paying college interns $50,000 for 10 weeks of work Education https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/can-engaging-in-arts-and-culture-help-you-live-longer 2026-11-09T15:17:49-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T12:06:48-05:00 Can engaging in arts and culture help you live longer? Art https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/what-nvidia-ceos-affair-with-a-suspected-chinese-spy-means-for-the-ai-race 2026-11-09T15:17:53-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T12:06:45-05:00 What Nvidia CEO's affair with a suspected Chinese spy means for the AI race Technology News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/in-my-pressures-actor-andy-serkis-writes-about-becoming-gollum-and-a-host-of-other-characters 2026-11-09T15:18:15-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T12:07:20-05:00 In 'My Pressures,' actor Andy Serkis writes about becoming Gollum and a host of other characters Books & Reading, NPR Books https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/thomas-massie-files-articles-of-impeachment-against-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth 2026-11-09T15:52:39-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T15:52:24-05:00 Thomas Massie files articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2026-11-09/homelessness-des-moines-pilot-program-lockers-safe-storage-belongings-saint-vincent-de-paul 2026-11-09T17:11:10-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T17:11:10-05:00 Lockers available for people experiencing homelessness in Des Moines homeless, Central Iowa, Housing, health https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/mice-can-learn-to-fight-by-watching-tiny-rodent-cage-matches-study-finds 2026-11-09T16:40:37-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T16:39:35-05:00 Mice can learn to fight by watching tiny rodent cage matches, study finds NPR News, Science News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2026-11-09/sand-grassley-signal-room-for-cooperation-as-iowa-returns-to-divided-government 2026-11-09T18:06:43-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T18:06:43-05:00 Sand, Grassley signal room for cooperation as Iowa returns to divided government Governor, Iowa Legislature, Rob Sand, 2026 Election https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/supreme-court-says-border-wall-construction-can-continue-in-west-texas 2026-11-09T16:48:03-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T16:47:39-05:00 Supreme Court says border wall construction can continue in west Texas NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/what-trump-meant-when-he-said-the-u-s-is-cutting-aid-to-israel 2026-11-09T16:58:43-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T16:58:14-05:00 What Trump meant when he said the U.S. is cutting aid to Israel NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/a-quest-to-make-a-young-friend-smile-takes-one-man-on-a-sweet-international-journey 2026-11-09T16:59:12-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T16:58:15-05:00 A quest to make a young friend smile takes one man on a sweet international journey Arts & Life, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/apocalyptic-sci-fi-novel-the-end-of-everything-wins-this-years-booker-prize 2026-11-09T17:00:40-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T17:00:00-05:00 Apocalyptic sci-fi novel 'The End of Everything' wins this year's Booker Prize Arts & Life, Books & Reading, NPR News, NPR Books https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/scientists-think-theyve-found-ancient-remnants-of-dinosaur-blood 2026-11-09T17:04:54-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T17:00:49-05:00 Scientists think they've found ancient remnants of dinosaur blood NPR News, Science News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/in-northern-ethiopia-conflict-pushes-a-strained-healthcare-system-to-the-brink 2026-11-09T17:25:45-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T17:25:13-05:00 In northern Ethiopia, conflict pushes a strained healthcare system to the brink NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-09/how-medicaid-affected-one-california-house-race 2026-11-09T17:29:02-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T17:25:19-05:00 How Medicaid affected one California House race https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/france-accuses-iran-of-cyber-sabotage-in-fridge-attacks 2026-11-09T17:31:48-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T17:30:49-05:00 France accuses Iran of cyber 'sabotage' in fridge attacks NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/sen-chris-coons-says-investigating-nvidias-ceo-is-top-priority-for-democratic-congress 2026-11-09T17:51:15-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T04:43:29-05:00 Sen. Chris Coons says investigating Nvidia's CEO is top priority for Democratic Congress NPR News, 2022 NPR Election News, 2024 NPR Election News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-09/california-voters-defeat-billionaire-tax-proposal-that-divided-democrats 2026-11-09T22:06:34-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-09T22:05:39-05:00 California voters defeat billionaire tax proposal that divided Democrats NPR News, 2022 NPR Election News, 2024 NPR Election News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-10/expert-discusses-the-prospects-for-negotiations-to-end-the-u-s-war-with-iran 2026-11-10T04:38:01-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:37:28-05:00 Expert discusses the prospects for negotiations to end the U.S. war with Iran NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-10/after-midterm-losses-trump-sends-mixed-messaging-about-next-steps-in-war-with-iran 2026-11-10T04:38:02-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:37:35-05:00 After midterm losses, Trump sends mixed messaging about next steps in war with Iran NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/investigation-continues-into-nvidia-ceos-alleged-relationship-with-chinese-spy 2026-11-10T04:38:31-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:38:11-05:00 Investigation continues into Nvidia CEO's alleged relationship with Chinese spy NPR News, Technology News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/trial-for-charlie-kirks-accused-killer-to-begin-in-summer-2028 2026-11-10T04:38:33-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:38:00-05:00 Trial for Charlie Kirk's accused killer to begin in summer 2028 https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-10/ai-is-making-it-harder-to-detect-fake-emergency-calls 2026-11-10T04:38:33-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:38:16-05:00 AI is making it harder to detect fake emergency calls NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-10/swing-voters-share-their-thoughts-on-the-election-results 2026-11-10T04:38:35-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:38:23-05:00 Swing voters share their thoughts on the election results NPR News, 2022 NPR Election News, 2024 NPR Election News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2026-11-10/actor-john-malkovich-talks-about-his-new-film-wild-horse-nine 2026-11-10T04:39:03-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:38:44-05:00 Actor John Malkovich talks about his new film, 'Wild Horse Nine' Movies & TV, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/kushner-and-witkoff-renew-peace-talks-to-end-war-between-russia-and-ukraine 2026-11-10T04:39:04-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:38:34-05:00 Kushner and Witkoff renew peace talks to end war between Russia and Ukraine NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/morning-news-brief 2026-11-10T04:39:08-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T04:38:48-05:00 Morning news brief NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/is-honesty-always-the-best-policy-when-to-speak-up-or-stay-silent 2026-11-10T05:00:40-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T05:00:00-05:00 Is honesty always the best policy? When to speak up — or stay silent Arts & Life, NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/how-word-of-mouth-is-helping-an-amish-communitys-fight-against-measles 2026-11-10T05:01:14-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T05:00:00-05:00 How word of mouth is helping an Amish community's fight against measles NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/the-democratic-party-gained-power-across-the-country-in-the-midterms-now-what 2026-11-10T05:01:32-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T05:00:00-05:00 The Democratic Party gained power across the country in the midterms. Now what? NPR News, 2022 NPR Election News, 2024 NPR Election News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/house-republicans-to-elect-a-new-leader-as-they-look-to-rebuild-from-midterm-defeat 2026-11-10T05:01:35-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T05:01:00-05:00 House Republicans to elect a new leader as they look to rebuild from midterm defeat NPR News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/u-s-mediated-talks-on-ending-russia-ukraine-war-begin-in-abu-dhabi 2026-11-10T05:58:34-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T05:58:18-05:00 U.S.-mediated talks on ending Russia-Ukraine war begin in Abu Dhabi NPR News, World News https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2026-11-10/why-did-californias-billionaire-tax-fail-to-surf-the-blue-wave 2026-11-10T06:30:36-05:00 Iowa Public Radio eng 2026-11-10T06:30:00-05:00 Why did California's billionaire tax fail to surf the blue wave? NPR News