WAMU

Conflicting mask policies in Philadelphia are leaving many confusion and concerned

Nina Feldman — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 20:37:00 +0000

The day after Philadelphia became the first U.S. city to reinstate an indoor mask mandate, its transit agency announced it would drop its mandate in accordance with TSA guidelines.

A look at how much authority the CDC actually has

Pien Huang — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 20:37:00 +0000

In public health circles, there's growing concern that the CDC is being hamstrung in ways that are hurting the pandemic response and that could limit the agency's tools in the future.

Migrant workers in China find new jobs — and precarious conditions — in COVID control

Emily Feng — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 17:26:00 +0000

China's economic downturn has left thousands of migrant workers unemployed. They're pivoting to work in COVID control — and have strong concerns about how they are being treated.

Fairport Convention band cofounder Richard Thompson looks back on his life in music

Terry Gross — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 17:22:00 +0000

The British singer/guitarist talks about his formative years, and about pioneering a new musical genre that blended rock with traditional music of the British isles. Thompson's new memoir is Beeswing.

Author Yasmin Khan on food, the Mediterranean, and the meaning of home

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:48:29 +0000

Khan’s food writing is more than just recipes. We speak to her about the stakes of a good meal in the moments you feel you have little else.

A number of jazz recordings will be released Saturday in honor of Record Store Day

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:38:00 +0000

Zev Feldman, co-president of Resonance Records, is the guy who single-handedly made Record Store Day a red-letter date for fans of classic jazz.

White House puts out a playbook to help rural areas get infrastructure funding

Megan Myscofski — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:22:00 +0000

President Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill is great for small towns, where raising money is challenging. But rural communities have fewer staff to apply for and manage federal assistance.

French voters go to the polls in 4 days to choose between Macron or Pen

Eleanor Beardsley — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:19:00 +0000

A lot has changed in the five years since French President Macron met far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in a contentious debate. Ahead of the runoff, the two will debate on Wednesday.

To fight climate change, and now Russia, too, Zurich turns off natural gas

Dan Charles — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:19:00 +0000

Zurich, Switzerland, is shutting down the gas supply to some neighborhoods. Originally aimed at fighting climate change and saving money, it's also a step to cut gas imports from Russia.

Multiple explosions hit near school in Afghan capital Kabul

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:19:00 +0000

The blasts struck near Afghan educational institutions in Kabul Tuesday, killing at least six people and wounding more. It's the latest in a country that's been wracked by decades of violence.