WAMU

A man got a rare chance to earn a degree from prison. Soon, that may become less rare

Elissa Nadworny — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 21:10:00 +0000

Sentenced to 15 years, Kenny Butler got the rare opportunity to get a bachelor's degree while in prison. His journey could become more common with Pell grants becoming available to incarcerated folks.

The way monkeys communicate could help explain how humans evolved to talk

Jon Hamilton — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 21:10:00 +0000

Marmoset monkeys make complex vocalizations. Macaque monkeys don't. And the reason could help explain how the human brain evolved to produce speech.

Why volunteer grave diggers in Ukraine are exhuming Russia’s dead

Ryan Lucas — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 21:07:00 +0000

Ukraine has been collecting the bodies of dead Russians left behind pushed Russian forces back from Kharkiv weeks ago. Two brothers from an outside village are helping unbury the dead.

You’ve likely been affected by climate change. Your long-term finances might be, too

Rebecca Hersher — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:32:00 +0000

Most Americans have recently been affected by extreme weather and support efforts to protect against future disasters, a new survey finds. And many people suffer long-term financial problems.

The Supreme Court is halfway through its busiest month. What’s been decided?

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:17:18 +0000

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization isn’t the only Supreme Court case with big implications for America’s future.

What’s changed one year after the deadly condo collapse in Surfside?

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:09:57 +0000

A federal investigation into the exact cause of the collapse is ongoing.

Pabllo Vittar: The drag queen-superstar fighting for equality in Brazil

Michael Levitt — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 18:02:00 +0000

Pabllo Vittar is one of the biggest drag performers in the world. In her native Brazil, the LGBTQ icon uses her platform to fight for equality — and against injustice.

1 man is determined to break the cycle and not end up back in prison

Elissa Nadworny — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 17:25:00 +0000

Daniel Duron changed his life by earning his bachelor's degree behind bars. His path will be more available next year, when people in federal and state prisons will once again qualify for Pell grants.

Supreme Court rules Maine tuition assistance program must cover religious schools

Nina Totenberg — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 16:22:00 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 along ideological lines that Maine's tuition assistance program must cover religious schools.

Forget everything you thought you knew about female animals

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:09:20 +0000

“Meerkat matriarchs are the most murderous mammals on the planet, killing their competitors’ babies and suppressing their reproduction.”