New test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, show eighth-graders’ science scores have fallen 4 points since 2019 and 12th-graders’ math and reading scores have fallen 3 points in the same time period. The tests were administered between January and March 2024. This is the first NAEP score release since …
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Here’s what happens when private equity buys homes in your neighborhood : Planet Money : NPR
Daniel Erb became a corporate landlord kind of by accident. It started in 2020, when he received his first bonus as an investment banker. It was more money than he was used to. He wanted to invest in real estate, so he called his cousin, a research analyst at BlackRock, for advice. As they talked over options, his cousin showed …
Read More »Food brands phase out artificial dyes but Americans love the color : NPR
Scientists at Sam’s Club replaced artificial dyes in this star-shaped iced cookie with natural alternatives, but in a way that would keep the treat just as vividly colored. Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR hide caption toggle caption Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR Cupcake icing and sports drinks — in all their crayon-like colors — are the final frontiers for Nick Scheidler’s team. Scheidler leads product development …
Read More »Alone on a night train, a woman is protected by two strangers : NPR
Elaine Batchelor at age 22. Batchelor family photo hide caption toggle caption Batchelor family photo This story is part of the My Unsung Hero series, from the Hidden Brain team. It features stories of people whose kindness left a lasting impression on someone else. In 1980, Elaine Batchelor graduated from college. To celebrate, she decided to backpack across Europe. She …
Read More »Rick Davies, singer and co-founder of Supertramp, has died : NPR
Rick Davies performing in Cologne, Germany. ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images/ullstein bild hide caption toggle caption ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images/ullstein bild Rick Davies, the British musician who founded the prog-pop band Supertramp, died on Sept. 6 at the age of 81. He’d been battling multiple myeloma for over a decade. Supertramp, which spurred hits like “Give A …
Read More »Cleveland Orchestra maestro Christoph Von Dohnányi has died : NPR
Christoph von Dohnányi led the Cleveland Orchestra for 18 years. Roger Mastroianni/Cleveland Orchestra hide caption toggle caption Roger Mastroianni/Cleveland Orchestra Christoph von Dohnányi, a conductor known for his illuminating and intellectual approach to music, died Saturday. His death was announced in a statement by the Cleveland Orchestra, which did not specify a cause. He was 95. Dohnányi was best known …
Read More »‘Bluegrass is where my heart is,’ Grammy-winning musician Billy Strings says : NPR
TERRY GROSS, HOST: This is FRESH AIR. I’m Terry Gross. Today’s guest is bluegrass singer, songwriter and guitarist Billy Strings. He spoke with FRESH AIR’s Sam Briger. Here’s Sam. SAM BRIGER, BYLINE: If you ever find yourself at an arena concert where tens of thousands of fans of all ages are stomping about to the Bill Monroe tune “Roanoke” or …
Read More »Immigration crackdowns in Illinois, Massachusetts begin : NPR
A federal agent wears a badge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement while standing outside an immigration courtroom at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City, on June 10. Yuki Iwamura/AP hide caption toggle caption Yuki Iwamura/AP The Department of Homeland Security announced it’s launching an immigration enforcement operation in Illinois in the latest escalation of federal action …
Read More »Bluegrass Star Billy Strings : Fresh Air : NPR
The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist has one foot in traditional bluegrass and another in improvisational jam music. He has a new album, Live at the Legion, and he brought his guitar to our studio. He spoke with Sam Briger about healing himself through songwriting, performing the day his mom died, and how being a father has changed him as a …
Read More »Takeaways and winners of 2025 VMAs : NPR
Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey and Busta Rhymes were among the stars who performed — and took home awards — at Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards. Manny Carabel (2) and Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MTV hide caption toggle caption Manny Carabel (2) and Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MTV Some of the biggest names in music assembled in New York Sunday …
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