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Since the 1960s, the federal government has gathered demographic data from employers as part of its efforts to root out discrimination in employment.

The EEOC was established by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address entrenched discrimination in employment. Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images hide caption

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Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images

Business

One by one, U.S. civil rights agency dismantles tools to fight discrimination

The EEOC is seeking to overturn rules created decades ago to tackle discrimination in employment. The Trump administration says those rules have led to more discrimination —against white people.

Will Maine voters extend 'forgiveness' to another Graham Platner controversy?

Graham Platner speaks to NPR's Newsmakers at the Carpenters Local 349 Union Hall in Portland, ME. Nickolai Hammar hide caption

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Nickolai Hammar

NPR's Newsmakers

Will Maine voters extend 'forgiveness' to another Graham Platner controversy?

Anti-establishment candidate Graham Platner seemingly came out of nowhere to become the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate seat in Maine. But his campaign has been dogged by controversies.

Can Maine Senate hopeful Platner survive another controversy?

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Healthcare workers participate in a simulation exercise in Uganda, practicing how to conduct a safe and dignified burial for a deceased Ebola patient.

Healthcare workers participate in a simulation exercise in Uganda, practicing how to conduct a safe and dignified burial for a deceased Ebola patient. Leonard Musinguzi hide caption

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Leonard Musinguzi

Global Health

How aid cuts are hampering the front-line response to the Ebola crisis

Aid workers in Uganda are watching an Ebola crisis unfold in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. They're doing what they can to prepare for an uptick in cases, but foreign aid cuts aren't helping.

Porous borders, misinformation and aid cuts pose challenges for fighting Ebola

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President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, looks on.

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, looks on. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

News

U.S. strike on alleged drug boat kills 3 in Pacific Ocean, in fourth attack this week

The U.S. military said it carried out another strike on a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the Pacific Ocean, killing three in the fourth attack this week and putting the total death toll at 205.

Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition's Spring Kickoff event May 1, 2026.

Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition's Spring Kickoff event May 1, 2026. Stephen Fowler | NPR hide caption

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Stephen Fowler | NPR

Elections

Democrats and Republicans think control of Congress runs through Iowa

Iowa is no stranger to political attention in presidential elections, but surprisingly competitive midterm contests highlight the state's importance for both parties as it holds its primary Tuesday.

WHAT IOWA SAYS ABOUT POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

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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.

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

People walk into a New Orleans school to cast their votes in Louisiana's statewide primary on May 16.

People walk into a New Orleans school to cast their votes in Louisiana's statewide primary on May 16. Michael DeMocker/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael DeMocker/Getty Images

Elections

Louisiana lawmakers pass a congressional map to dismantle a majority-Black district

Louisiana's Republican lawmakers raced to eliminate one of two majority-Black congressional seats in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the current map unconstitutional in a sweeping ruling.

A young child waits for her mom to finish voting at Phillis Wheatley Community School in New Orleans on May 15. Many voting machines in Louisiana are decades old.

A young child waits for her mom to finish voting at Phillis Wheatley Community School in New Orleans on May 15. Many voting machines in Louisiana are decades old. Kathleen Flynn/Getty Images hide caption

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Kathleen Flynn/Getty Images

Exclusive

Elections

Replacing aging U.S. voting equipment will take years and billions of dollars

America's voting systems are getting old. But unless Congress makes a massive financial commitment, a new report finds it could take decades before voting machines are widely replaced.

Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (center) arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers will ask Bondi questions about the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and release of related files to the public.

Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (center) arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers will ask Bondi questions about the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and release of related files to the public. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Law

Bondi doubles down on her handling of Epstein files in testimony to Congress

In a closed-door interview, Bondi said there were redaction errors, but otherwise defended the Justice Department's release of files in the Epstein case. She was ousted as attorney general in April.

Former AG Pam Bondi appears before Congress over handling of the Epstein files

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A man in a suit stands in an office next to a U.S. flag.

Republican state Rep. Gary Click, from northern Ohio, is a Baptist pastor and three-term lawmaker. Here, he poses for a portrait in his office in Columbus, Ohio, in February. Andrew Spear for NPR hide caption

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Andrew Spear for NPR

Church & State

An Ohio pastor-turned-lawmaker backs a Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act for schools

The Statehouse News Bureau

The bill says it would permit the teaching of the positive impact of Judeo-Christian values in U.S. history. Opponents say it offers a skewed view of history.

An Ohio lawmaker wants schools to teach religion's impact on U.S. history

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Swing Shift voters, a group of swing voters in swing states who NPR is routinely speaking with through the next several months. Clockwise from top left: Lee from Nevada, Michelle from Michigan, Wally from Georgia, Jason from North Carolina, Evan from Wisconsin, Gerald from Georgia, Colleen, John and Theresa from Pennsylvania.

Swing Shift voters, a group of swing voters in swing states who NPR is routinely speaking with through the next several months. Clockwise from top left: Lee from Nevada, Michelle from Michigan, Wally from Georgia, Jason from North Carolina, Evan from Wisconsin, Gerald from Georgia, Colleen, John and Theresa from Pennsylvania. Illustrations by Tara Anand hide caption

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Illustrations by Tara Anand

Swing Shift

These swing voters are adding high gas prices into their political calculations

As part of NPR's Swing Shift project checking in with swing voters, these Americans are split on who is to blame for high gas prices but they all agree it has an impact on their personal finances.

Checking in with swing state voters on how gas prices are affecting them

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Supporters react to news of the returns at a watch party for Attorney General Ken Paxton held by the Lone Star Liberty PAC at the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center in Plano, Texas.

Supporters react to news of the returns at a watch party for Attorney General Ken Paxton held by the Lone Star Liberty PAC at the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center on May 26, 2026 in Plano, Texas. Stewart F. House/Getty Images hide caption

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Stewart F. House/Getty Images

Up First Newsletter

Texas primary runoff takeaways. And, DOJ mass-deletes info on Jan. 6 riot cases

The Texas primary runoffs have now concluded and major November election matchups are set. And Trump's Justice Department has deleted significant information from the Jan. 6 riot cases.

Texas Primary Results, South Carolina Rejects Redistricting, Iran Deal Whiplash

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Lori Kritman (center) takes a selfie at a watch party for Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 26 in Plano, Texas. Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in a Senate primary runoff election and will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election.

Lori Kritman (center) takes a selfie at a watch party for Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 26 in Plano, Texas. Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in a Senate primary runoff election and will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election. Stewart F. House/Getty Images hide caption

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Stewart F. House/Getty Images

Elections

Texas general election matchups are finally set. Here's what you need to know

The Texas primary runoffs are over and November election matchups are set in major contests, like one for the U.S. Senate, as the results deliver lessons for both parties.

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