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Opinion

Opinion

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Thursday

Britney Spears is on the road to independence. The media should let her take the wheel

#FreeBritney activists rally at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles during the Britney Spears conservatorship hearing Wednesday. Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images hide caption

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Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images

Analysis

Analysis

Britney Spears is on the road to independence. The media should let her take the wheel

On Wednesday, Jamie Spears was suspended as his daughter's conservator. Is all the media attention, including three new Spears documentaries, still welcome?

Monday

The cost of forced psychiatric care like Britney Spears got can be ruinous

A supporter of pop star Britney Spears participating in a #FreeBritney rally on July 14 in Washington, D.C. When anyone poses a high risk of harm to themselves or others, psychiatrists are obligated to hospitalize them, even against their will. For many patients, paying for that involuntary care leads to long-term financial strain. Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images hide caption

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Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

The cost of forced psychiatric care like Britney Spears got can be ruinous

KFF Health News

The pop star was forced into psychiatric care — and compelled to pay for it. That could happen to anyone during an episode of serious mental illness, adding a financial threat to the health woes.

Saturday

Opinion: Free Expression Is On The Decline, In Cuba And Elsewhere

Memorial to poet José Martí in Old Havana Keren Su/Getty Images hide caption

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Keren Su/Getty Images

Simon Says

Opinion: Free Expression Is On The Decline, In Cuba And Elsewhere

Cuba is one of dozens of countries, including some U.S. allies, using emergency powers to stifle free expression.

Opinion: Free Expression Is On The Decline, In Cuba And Elsewhere

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Saturday

Opinion: Automatic Pay Raises Haven't Stopped Chicago's Corruption

Three Chicago aldermen face criminal charges in federal court, and just since the start of 2019, nine current or former Chicago aldermen have been indicted or investigated for bribery, racketeering and tax fraud. John Walton - EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images hide caption

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John Walton - EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images

Simon Says

Opinion: Automatic Pay Raises Haven't Stopped Chicago's Corruption

Scott Simon questions the automatic aldermanic pay raises in Chicago even as three aldermen face criminal charges in federal court.

Opinion: Automatic Pay Raises Haven't Stopped Chicago's Corruption

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Saturday

Opinion: United We Stood As 9/11 Responders Toiled And Families Searched

Recovery workers head to ground zero in New York City after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Langevin Jacques/Sygma via Getty Images hide caption

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Langevin Jacques/Sygma via Getty Images

The 20th Anniversary Of The 9/11 Attacks

Opinion: United We Stood As 9/11 Responders Toiled And Families Searched

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the displays of unity and diversity following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Opinion: United We Stood As 9/11 Responders Toiled And Families Searched

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Saturday

Opinion: Remembering The Life And Spirit Of Elijah McClain

String players perform during a violin vigil for Elijah McClain in Washington Square Park on June 29, 2020, in New York City. Byron Smith/Getty Images hide caption

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Byron Smith/Getty Images

Simon Says

Opinion: Remembering The Life And Spirit Of Elijah McClain

NPR's Scott Simon remarks on this week's indictments in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain. He had committed no crime, but police used a carotid hold on him and paramedics injected him with a sedative.

Opinion: Remembering The Life And Spirit Of Elijah McClain

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Tuesday

Saturday

Opinion: A New Spirit Joins The Panthéon

Josephine Baker in uniform circa 1945. Hulton Deutsch/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Deutsch/Corbis via Getty Images

Simon Says

Opinion: A New Spirit Joins The Panthéon

Josephine Baker will be reinterred at the Panthéon in Paris 46 years after her death. The famed entertainer will be the first Black woman to receive the honor. Scott Simon reflects on her legacy.

Opinion: A New Spirit Joins The Panthéon

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Saturday

Opinion: Numb From Afghanistan's Losses

Zalmai Yawar is a Ph.D. candidate in geology at Indiana University. He was Scott Simon's translator during a reporting trip in Afghanistan in 2002. Zalmai Yawar hide caption

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Zalmai Yawar

Simon Says

Opinion: Numb From Afghanistan's Losses

Host Scott Simon shares the reaction of Zalmai Yawar, an Afghan who first served as a translator for NPR 20 years ago, to the country's return to Taliban control. Yawar now lives in the U.S.

Opinion: Numb From Afghanistan's Losses

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Friday

The Mike Richards 'Jeopardy!' Fiasco Was Maddeningly Predictable

Mike Richards told the Jeopardy! staff on Friday that continuing with him as host would create a distraction for the show. Willy Sanjuan/Invision hide caption

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Willy Sanjuan/Invision

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The Mike Richards 'Jeopardy!' Fiasco Was Maddeningly Predictable

A bungled process led executive producer Mike Richards to be announced as the next host of Jeopardy! Now, an unsurprising rolling disaster has led to the announcement that he will not, in fact, host.

Thursday

Our Film Critic Explores Why The Harrowing Afghanistan Images May Feel Familiar

U.S. soldiers stand guard along the perimeter at the international airport in Kabul Aug. 16, 2021. Shekib Rahmani/AP hide caption

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Shekib Rahmani/AP

Movies

Our Film Critic Explores Why The Harrowing Afghanistan Images May Feel Familiar

Bob Mondello reflects on the portrayal and the despair of Afghanistan's story, as shown on film for decades — in The Man Who Would Be King, Rambo III, Charlie Wilson's War, Zero Dark Thirty and more.

Our Film Critic Explores Why The Harrowing Afghanistan Images May Feel Familiar

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Sunday

Saturday

Opinion: Remembering NPR's Neal Conan

Neal Conan in the studio during the last broadcast of NPR's Talk of the Nation. Kainaz Amaria/NPR hide caption

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Kainaz Amaria/NPR

Simon Says

Opinion: Remembering NPR's Neal Conan

Neal Conan, who died Aug. 10, hosted NPR's Talk of the Nation with "immaculate knowledge of all subjects, arcane and obvious, and exquisite courtesy with callers and guests," NPR's Scott Simon says.

Opinion: Remembering NPR's Neal Conan

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Friday

For A Show Full Of Answers, 'Jeopardy!' Host Selection Raises A Lot Of Questions

Mike Richards is the new host of the daily syndicated game show Jeopardy! Maybe you've heard of it. Carol Kaelson/Jeopardy Productions, Inc. hide caption

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Carol Kaelson/Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

For A Show Full Of Answers, 'Jeopardy!' Host Selection Raises A Lot Of Questions

Despite having gotten good reviews for his guest-hosting stint, new host (and executive producer) Mike Richards has found himself greeted with mixed feelings at best.

Saturday

Opinion: Dear Mum, Your Son The Doctor Thinks You Should Get A COVID Vaccine

Elizabeth (in purple), who lives in South Sudan, is undecided about getting a COVID vaccine. She's heard rumors that make her think it's not a good idea. Her daughter, Nancy, (left) is newly vaccinated. Her son, Dr. Edward Kenyi, is lobbying his "mum" to agree to the inoculation. Nancy Luka, Edward Kenyi hide caption

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Nancy Luka, Edward Kenyi

Goats and Soda

Opinion: Dear Mum, Your Son The Doctor Thinks You Should Get A COVID Vaccine

Dr. Edward Kenyi, born in South Sudan and now in the U.S., debunks myths about vaccines in his community. Yet he can't convince his mother back home to go for it. Maybe this letter will do the trick.