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Luke Gulbranson is running for Congress as a Democrat in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. But he may be best known for appearing in reality television before entering politics.

Luke Gulbranson is running for Congress as a Democrat in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. But he may be best known for appearing in reality television before entering politics. Luke Gulbranson for Congress hide caption

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Luke Gulbranson for Congress

Elections

T.V. reality stars throw their hats into the ring for political office

Reality shows are an escape with characters who can be larger than life. But some stars use the experience of fame as a stepping stone toward another challenge: running for political office.

Lucy Dacus of Boygenius performs at the Outdoor Theatre during the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 15, 2023 in Indio, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella)

Lucy Dacus of Boygenius performs at the Outdoor Theatre during the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 15, 2023 in Indio, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella) Emma McIntyre/Getty Images hide caption

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Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!

'Wait Wait' for May 30, 2026: Our Endless Summer with Tiffany Haddish, Lucy Dacus, and more!

This week, we celebrate an early start to summer by revisiting our interviews with Tiffany Haddish, Taimane, Becca Mann, and Lucy Dacus!

'Wait Wait' for May 30, 2026: Our Endless Summer with Tiffany Haddish, Lucy Dacus, and more!

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Our (early) endless summer with Lucy Dacus and more!

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Our (early) endless summer with Lucy Dacus and more!

This week, we celebrate an early start to summer by revisiting our interviews with Tiffany Haddish, Taimane, Becca Mann, and Lucy Dacus!

Our (early) endless summer with Lucy Dacus and more!

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President Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center in December of 2025. This photo was taken in April 2026.

President Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center in December of 2025. This photo was taken in April 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP hide caption

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Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Performing Arts

Trump's name must come off of the Kennedy Center, judge rules

The judge wrote in his 94-page ruling that it was "crystal clear" that the arts complex was named for the late president John F. Kennedy. He also ruled that the center could not wind down its programming and close for two years of renovations – at least for now

Tao Okamoto and Virginie Efira star in All of a Sudden.

Fresh Air critic Justin Chang says All of a Sudden (starring Tao Okamoto and Virginie Efira) was his favorite movie at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Courtesy of the Cannes Film Festival. hide caption

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Courtesy of the Cannes Film Festival.

Review

Movie Reviews

Back from Cannes, a critic shares the films he's most excited to see again

Though the 2026 festival featured less Hollywood razzle-dazzle than in years past, there were still plenty of great films. Most notable: All of a Sudden, from the Japanese director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi.

FA: Film Review: Cannes

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July 1, 2025. Sirajganj, Bangladesh Mothers who were previously excluded from the civil registry hold up newly issued birth certificates, both their own and those of their family members, during a civil registration drive in Dhamainagar Union. The event was organized to help residents enroll in a government food assistance program. These efforts are part of Bangladesh’s nationwide social safety net initiative, which aims to improve civil registration coverage. Photo credit: Juan Arredondo

July 1, 2025. Sirajganj, Bangladesh Mothers who lacked birth certificates for themselves and family members hold up the newly obtained documents after a drive in Dhamainagar Union, part of a campaign to get people to register so they are eligible for social safety new programs. Juan Arredondo hide caption

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Juan Arredondo

Photography

Photos show the world's 'uncounted' people -- and what it takes to be counted

Colombian-American photographer and filmmaker Juan Arredondo turns his lens on the people of the world who do not have birth and death certificates — and how these vital records are created.

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18, 2026 Cows are pictured in a feed barn at Hallstead Farms on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Lexington, Ky. Family farmers Reid and Amanda Hall raise beef cattle in central Kentucky despite the challenging economics of farming in 2026. Luke Sharrett for NPR

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18, 2026 Cows are pictured in a feed barn at Hallstead Farms on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Lexington, Ky. Family farmers Reid and Amanda Hall raise beef cattle in central Kentucky despite the challenging economics of farming in 2026. Luke Sharrett for NPR Luke Sharrett for NPR hide caption

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Luke Sharrett for NPR

What's Eating America

Why the U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low — and what it means for beef prices

The overall number of U.S. beef and dairy cattle has shrunk to its lowest level since 1951. Drought, rising operating costs and increased consolidation are among the causes.

Tatiana Maslany in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.

Tatiana Maslany in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. Apple TV hide caption

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Apple TV

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

A twisty scam goes haywire in the fun 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed'

The Apple TV series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed pulls you in almost immediately. Tatiana Maslany plays a newly divorced woman who finds comfort in an online relationship with a camboy, but that comfort is cut short by a frightening incident. As things escalate, every aspect of her life comes under threat. The show also has a colorful cast that features Jake Johnson and Murray Bartlett, with a sharp script that lives up to its hook.

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed and What’s Making Us Happy

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Poppy Liu wants to remind you how revolutionary I Love Boosters is
Daniel Speer/Maximum Fun

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Poppy Liu wants to remind you how revolutionary I Love Boosters is

Poppy Liu joins us to talk about all things I Love Boosters and the message she hopes audiences take away from the film. She also chats with us about her upbringing in Minnesota, how she got into comedy acting, her role on Hacks, and much more!

Poppy Liu

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The D-List pop star purgatory

Is your fave in pop star purgatory? David Becker/Katja Ogrin/Steve Granitz/Julian Hamilton/Getty Images/WireImages/Redferns hide caption

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David Becker/Katja Ogrin/Steve Granitz/Julian Hamilton/Getty Images/WireImages/Redferns

It's Been a Minute

The D-List pop star purgatory

We love a pop princess, but what about the pop peasants?

The D-List pop star purgatory

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E.W. Scripps Company president and CEO Adam Symson holds the trophy over Shrey Parikh, winner of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

E.W. Scripps Company president and CEO Adam Symson holds the trophy over Shrey Parikh, winner of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Allison Robbert/AP hide caption

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Allison Robbert/AP

National

Shrey Parikh, 14, wins the Scripps Spelling Bee after a nail-biting 'spell-off'

This is the 101st year of the national spelling competition, and the third time it's been decided by a rapid-fire "spell-off" since the practice was introduced in 2021.

Shrey Parikh, 14, wins the Scripps Spelling Bee after a nail-biting ‘spell-off’

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Alfre Woodard in The Boroughs

Alfre Woodard plays a retired journalist in the Netflix series The Boroughs.
Netflix hide caption

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Netflix

Television

'Look to your elders': Alfre Woodard shares her secret to Hollywood longevity

Woodard says not giving up is the key to her long career. In the Netflix series The Boroughs, she plays a resident of a retirement community where something supernatural is preying on the residents.

FA: Alfre Woodard

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John C. Reilly shares his antidote to despair

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

John C. Reilly shares his antidote to despair

From "Step Brothers" to “Chicago,” John C. Reilly imbues every one of his roles with humor, empathy, and heart. In his latest project, a vaudeville stage show called "Mister Romantic," he searches for connection in a disconnected time. He talked to Rachel about his independent childhood on the south side of Chicago, and being open to endless possibilities.

John C. Reilly

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Dancer choreographer Jenn Freeman was diagnosed with autism at the age of 33. She says the diagnosis was life-changing and she reframed her creative process via an evening-length solo performance that premiered in 2023, Is It Thursday Yet?

Dancer choreographer Jenn Freeman reframed her creative process after a life-changing autism diagnosis as an adult in an evening-length solo performance that premiered in 2023, Is It Thursday Yet? Alexander Hammer hide caption

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Alexander Hammer

Movies

Dancer Jenn Freeman reframes her art after late autism diagnosis

The documentary "Room to Move" follows choreographer and performer Jenn Freeman as she reframes her creative process to create an evening-length solo performance after an autism diagnosis at age 33.

'Room to Move' follows a choreographer's creative journey after an autism diagnosis

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