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Today’s best stories
Inflation has proven more stubborn than expected this year. The Federal Reserve has managed to bring it down significantly from its peak of 9.1% two years ago. But it has been difficult to keep inflation below 3%. One of the main drivers of inflation last month was the high cost of housing. The government reports that rents have increased by almost 6% over the past 12 months. But real estate experts say the government figures don’t tell the whole story.
A “for rent” sign in front of a home in December 2023 in Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A “for rent” sign in front of a home in December 2023 in Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
- Unlike consumer goods like hamburgers, Housing costs don’t change from minute to minute or even month to month, NPR’s Scott Horsley explains on First. There is a delay. This means that over time, inflation data could show a slowdown in rent increases nationally, even though housing costs will remain higher than they were before the pandemic.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez Releases Initial Investigation Findings in the Maui wildfires that killed more than 100 people and destroyed historic Lahaina last year. The report gives a detailed timeline of the fires and the communication problems that first responders faced – and suggests that some local officials were slow to respond to the crisis.
- Timeline raises questions about Maui’s emergency management agency, NPR’s Greg Allen says. Authorities appeared unaware of the severity of the fire for most of the day and did not issue an evacuation order for Lahaina until more than an hour after the fire spread to the city. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen resisted suggestions to issue an emergency declaration and later refused help from Hawaii’s emergency management agency. The attorney general said a full critique of the response of officials and agencies would come in the next phase of the investigation.
Israel is now engaged in conflicts on three distinct fronts: They are waging a war against Hamas in Gaza, trading rocket fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and were recently attacked directly by Iran in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound this month in Syria. Still, the United States and other countries are urging Israel to avoid an escalation of these conflicts.
- The three conflicts are linked and date back decades, NPR’s Greg Myre says. “It really took us into uncharted territory.” Israeli war cabinet debates response to Iran. The United States and European countries say the successful defense against Iran’s airstrike is a victory and that Israel should accept it and deescalate the situation. Neither Hezbollah nor Israel appears interested in a full-scale battle on the northern border. In Gaza, the war is evolving. Most ground fighting has ceased and Israel is relying primarily on airstrikes.
We, the voters
Aaron Hunter does physical therapy at the outpatient care center at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Sarasota on October 12, 2023. After being shot in the head last June, Aaron had issues with weakness and balance on the left side of his body. He spent months in physical therapy before being released in February.
Stéphanie Colombini/WUSF
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Stéphanie Colombini/WUSF
Aaron Hunter does physical therapy at the outpatient care center at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Sarasota on October 12, 2023. After being shot in the head last June, Aaron had issues with weakness and balance on the left side of his body. He spent months in physical therapy before being released in February.
Stéphanie Colombini/WUSF
As a member of We, the voters series, NPR brings you stories all week about gun violence and its impact on communities.
Guns are now the leading cause of death among American children and adolescents. In addition to these devastating deaths, it is estimated that approximately 2 to 4 times as many American children survive a gunshot wound. Survivors may face lifelong challenges, such as disability, pain, mental trauma, and financial burdens. The trauma doesn’t stop there: Simply witnessing gun violence has been linked to PTSD, anxiety, and other psychiatric problems in children.
- Aaron Hunter was shot in the head at age 13 while playing with friends. Learn about her road to recovery and how her mother advocates for mothers whose children didn’t survive.
Image exhibition
Lindsey Anderson sits down to read Caps for sale by Esphyr Slobodkina to her children Orion, 6, Arthur, 4, and Thora Hoke, 1, in the book-inspired exhibit inside The Rabbit hOle, an immersive museum dedicated to children’s literature, in North Kansas City, Missouri.
Katie Currid/for NPR
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Lindsey Anderson sits down to read Caps for sale by Esphyr Slobodkina to her children Orion, 6, Arthur, 4, and Thora Hoke, 1, in the book-inspired exhibit inside The Rabbit hOle, an immersive museum dedicated to children’s literature, in North Kansas City, Missouri.
Katie Currid/for NPR
If you’ve ever been to a children’s museum, you’ll probably find similar exhibits no matter where you go: an aquatic exploration table, a children’s grocery store and a colorful jungle gym. These activities appeal to everyone. But at The Rabbit hOle, an innovative and immersive children’s literature museum in North Kansas City, Missouri, the owners wanted to try something new.
3 things to know before you leave
Last week, James McCartney (left), the son of the Beatle Paul McCartney, released a new song called “Primrose Hill” which he co-wrote with Sean Ono Lennon, John Lennon’s son.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images; Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
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Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images; Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
Last week, James McCartney (left), the son of the Beatle Paul McCartney, released a new song called “Primrose Hill” which he co-wrote with Sean Ono Lennon, John Lennon’s son.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images; Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
- A new Lennon-McCartney collaboration has just been released. James McCartney and Sean Ono Lennon, the sons of Beatles members Paul McCartney and John Lennon, co-wrote a song called “Primrose Hill.”
- Another pandemic could intensify – this time among sea urchins in areas between Florida and the Caribbean. (via UMME)
- The University of Southern California says its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, will no longer speak at commencement, citing security concerns. Some student groups, such as the Trojans for Israel organization, criticized Tabassum’s social media content about the Israel-Gaza war, calling it “anti-Semitic bigotry.” Others denounced USC’s decision and said she should be able to speak freely.
This newsletter was published by Majd Al-Waheidi.
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