Here & Now Anytime

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says there's a link between alcohol and cancer. And on Friday, he called on Congress to put warning labels on alcoholic drinks. Dr. Celine Gounder from KFF Health News explains. And, the Biden administration blocked the controversial takeover of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel. Bloomberg's Joe Deaux explains why. Then, a 2023 case involving a controversial diagnosis of "shaken baby syndrome" turned a family's life upside down. Pamela Colloff, reporter for ProPublica and the New York Times Magazine, joins us.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Counterterrorism expert Javed Ali shares what we're learning about Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the U.S. army veteran behind Wednesday's deadly truck attack in New Orleans. The FBI says Jabbar posted videos before the attack saying he was inspired by the extremist Islamic State group. Then, one mother whale from Washington state's Puget Sound became famous for carrying her dead calf on her nose in a "tour of grief." Now, her pod has had another baby. KUOW John Ryan's tells us more. And, Jimmy Carter spent only one term as president, but his time in the White House made a lasting contribution. Biographer Kai Bird joins us to talk about Carter: the man, the president and the humanitarian.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Northern California in early December triggered a tsunami warning for parts of the California and Oregon coasts. We ask Lori Dengler, professor emeritus of geology at Cal Poly Humboldt, how prepared the area is for a tsunami. Then, François Brunelle has spent nearly 25 years photographing pairs of nearly identical strangers. His work has caught the eye of other artists, researchers and geneticists interested in the phenomenon of doppelgangers. Also, Cuban pianist and composer Chucho Valdés talks about his new album, "Cuba and Beyond."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We look back on 2024's most interesting science stories with Smithsonian's Joe Spring, from Bird Flu to the hunt for life on the moons of Jupiter. Then, film critic Ty Burr reviews his favorite movies of the year. Also, it was Brat Summer, but what happened the rest of the year? NPR's Aisha Harris surveys the year in pop culture.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Journalist Mélissa Cornet and photographer Kiana Hayeri documented the daily lives of more than 100 Afghan girls and women in an attempt to reveal what they have called the "different shades of oppression" under Taliban rule. Then, Suzanne Jones runs Eco-Cycle, a recycling center in Boulder, Colorado that specializes in hard-to-recycle materials. It finds new uses for products like books, toilets, bikes, foam, fire extinguishers and mattresses. And chef Kathy Gunst offers tips for New Year's Eve entertaining.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Chappell Roan has had a big year. She joined us back in 2023 to talk about her debut album, the magic of drag shows and queer joy. And, Joni Mitchell's career has spanned more than 60 years. Her legacy is detailed in "Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell" by NPR's Ann Powers. Powers joins us to discuss the biography. Then, French singer Yseult captured the hearts of millions worldwide by singing "My Way" by Frank Sinatra at this summer's Olympics closing ceremony. She talks about her new album "Mental."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, looks back on the year in world news. Then Mara Kardas-Nelson's book "We Are Not Able to Live in the Sky" explores whether microcredit hurts more than it helps. Microfinancing was once hailed in the U.S. as the ultimate bipartisan solution to global poverty. And we talk to Jessica B. Harris, the author of "A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook" on the first night of Kwanzaa.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Robin Young and Karyn Miller-Medzon revisit their 2019 trip to Iceland when they explored the enduring presence of elves, or "hidden folk" in Icelandic culture. Also, on the first night of Hanukkah, Leah Koenig offers some recipes for the Jewish Festival of Lights. She's the author of "The Jewish Cookbook." And for dessert, Peter DiMario reflects on the new cookbook he co-wrote with Judith Choate. "Jiggle!" expands the repertoire of gelatin far beyond the Jell-O mold.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Charles King's new book "Every Valley" tells the backstory of "Messiah," a staple of the Christmas season widely considered George Frideric Handel's masterpiece. Then, musicologist Martin Clarke discusses the moment of musical ecstasy that accompanies a particular arrangement on "O come, all ye faithful." Find out why the "word of the father" chord has been called "the best chord of Christmas." Also WBUR editor Sara Shukla shares an appreciation of "The Muppet Christmas Carol," and reflects on why it's especially significant to her this year.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

David Wallace Wells, author of "The Uninhabitable Earth," reviews the year in climate. The head of the United Nations has described 2024 as a "master class in climate destruction." Then, author Tana French leaves the Dublin police squad where she's set her previous books and sets out for the country in a series of novels where small town politics conceal deadly secrets. "The Hunter" is out in paperback. Also, NPR's James Mastromarino recommends some of the best new board games to play with friends and family this holiday season.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The House voted down a second try at reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown at midnight on Friday. ABC's Rick Klein discussed what's to come. And, striking Amazon workers — members of the Teamsters Union — are seeking recognition of their union, better working conditions and higher pay. Randy Korgan — the Teamster's National Director for Amazon shares more about the ongoing strike. Then, data centers are driving a huge surge in electricity demand as artificial intelligence and cloud computing grow. Brian Singer, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, looks to the future of data and electricity usage.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. This comes as California Governor Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency to deal with an outbreak spreading among dairy cows in California. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services in Michigan joins us to discuss. And, two experts on human rights violations recently visited suspected mass graves in Syria. Stephen Rapp, former U.S. ambassador at large for war crimes, and Mouaz Moustafa of the Syrian Emergency Task Force share what they saw. Then, terminally ill children got to take a magical plane ride to Santa's Workshop. We speak with Captain Bob Zimmerman, who piloted the trip.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A new report released by House Republicans backs President-elect Trump's push to criminally investigate former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney for her role in investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. And, Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been indicted on terrorism charges. WNYC reporter Samantha Max shares what we know so far. And Wendell Potter — former Cigna executive-turned-whistleblower — explains how Wall Street has driven up health care costs. Then, is there a teacher on your holiday shopping list? The Washington Post's Michelle Singletary shares some gift ideas that teachers will love.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President-elect Donald Trump is assembling a cabinet of wealthy business people and holding meetings with some of the nation's most powerful CEOs. Political science professor Stephen Nelson joins us to explain why it could be a sign of oligarchy in the United States. And, Trump's lie about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio helped define a fiery presidential campaign. Now, PolitiFact is calling it the "Lie of the Year." Editor-in-chief Katie Sanders joins us to discuss the impact the lie has had on Haitian immigrants. Then, four-time Grammy-winning musician Zakir Hussain died Saturday at the age of 73. We pay tribute to his legacy by revisiting Hussain's 2023 conversation with host Deepa Fernandes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Negotiations have stalled among seven states trying to reach a deal on how to use a dwindling supply of water from the Colorado River. Arizona State University's Kathryn Sorenson tells us what's at stake. And, we look into President Biden's wave of commutations and pardons with University of St. Thomas School of Law professor Mark Osler. Then, for an 18-year-old in Gaza, keeping up his workout routine is one of the ways he copes with war in his homeland. Mohammed Hatem joins us to share how exercise provides solace.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly voted to reduce powers for Democrats who won key races in the Tar Heel state this November. WRAL-TV's Laura Leslie explains what this vote means. Then, this weekend the Geminids meteor shower will be visible, but could be harder to see because of what's known as the Cold Moon, the last full moon of the year. Sky and Telescope's Kelly Beatty joins us. And, we hear recommendations for gifts to spend your hard-earned money on this year from The Cut's Bianca Nieves.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is among nearly 100 former intelligence and national security officials who have expressed concern about President-elect Trump's pick of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Sherman joins us to explain why she's concerned the selection of Gabbard could lead allies to think twice about sharing intelligence with the United States. Then, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would prevent companies that own pharmacies from also owning pharmacy benefit managers, middlemen that oversee prescription drug benefits for companies. "Full Disclosure" host Roben Farzad talks about what the legislation seeks to do. And, according to a new investigation from ProPublica, formaldehyde is in the air we breathe, causing more cancer than any other airborne chemical. ProPublica's Topher Sanders tells us more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Syria's notorious Sednaya prison was known as a "human slaughterhouse," where tens of thousands of people were detained, tortured and killed during the country's 13-year civil war. Jaber Baker was a prisoner at Sednaya. He discusses what it was like inside the prison. Then, Ash Lazarus Orr is a transgender activist from West Virginia. They talk about the road ahead for trans communities in West Virginia. And, renowned hula teacher Vicky Holt Takamine recently won the prestigious Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, valued at more than $450,000. Holt Takamine joins us to talk about the rich history of the Hawaiian tradition.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Luigi Mangione, 26, has been charged in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot on a sidewalk in Midtown Manhattan last week. The Baltimore Banner's Justin Fenton tells us more. Then, after the sudden downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria this past weekend, we hear from Rehab Alkadi, a refugee who entered the U.S. via Chicago in 2015. And, the New York Mets made history this week when it signed Dominican superstar outfielder Juan Soto to a record $765 million contract. Sports Business Journal's Mike Mazzeo joins us.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The United States is assessing what's next for Syria after 13 years of civil war came to an abrupt end this weekend when Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus, ending the repressive 50-year rule of the Assad family. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. Security analyst Jim Walsh talks about what lies ahead for Syria, the Middle East and United States foreign policy. Then, President-elect Trump's pick to head the FBI, Kash Patel, lists officials in his 2023 book that he calls "members of the executive branch deep state." Trump has called it a blueprint "to help us take back the White House and remove these gangsters from all of government!" Former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa joins us. And, police on Monday arrested a person of interest in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The New York Police Department says investigators found a document on Luigi Mangione that indicates "ill will toward corporate America." The killing of Thompson is raising fresh questions about what many people regard as a broken U.S. health care system. We speak with Georgetown University's Sabrina Corlette.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy