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Billionaire businessman Elon Musk speaks during a town hall meeting at the KI Convention Center on March 30 in Green Bay, Wisc., ahead of the state’s high-profile Supreme Court election between Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, who has been financially backed by Musk and endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford.

Billionaire businessman Elon Musk speaks during a town hall meeting at the KI Convention Center on March 30 in Green Bay, Wisc., ahead of the state's high-profile Supreme Court election between Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, who has been financially backed by Musk and endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Analysis

Politics

A hot seat for Musk, the trade war and third-term talk: Takeaways from the week in Trump

A GOP electoral warning points to Elon Musk in the hot seat, and President Trump employed a third-term distraction. Also, a trade war rages, and there were mass firings at key scientific agencies.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says it will end a mortgage rescue plan that has saved nearly 20,000 veterans from needlessly losing their homes.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says it will end a mortgage rescue plan that has saved nearly 20,000 veterans from needlessly losing their homes. Charles Dharapak/AP hide caption

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Charles Dharapak/AP

Investigations

Trump's VA is ending a rescue program that's saved 17,000 military veterans' homes

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will end a mortgage rescue plan that has saved many veterans from needlessly losing their homes, the move could strand thousands of others who need help.
A 2024 file photo of TikTok's offices in Culver City, Calif. The popular social app's fate could be decided in the coming days as it seeks a buyer to comply with a federal law that it divest itself of Chinese ownership.

A 2024 file photo of TikTok's offices in Culver City, Calif. The popular social app's fate could be decided in the coming days as it seeks a buyer to comply with a federal law that it divest itself of Chinese ownership. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

Technology

As a deadline nears, the White House considers leasing TikTok's algorithm from China

Ahead of a self-imposed April 5 deadline, the Trump administration is close to clinching a deal with Oracle to oversee TikTok's U.S. operations.

White House reviewing TikTok proposal to lease algorithm from China

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WATCH

REBOLU: Tiny Desk Concert

Led by Johanna Castañeda and Ronald Polo, REBOLU immerses the Tiny Desk in the rich and vibrant sound of Colombia's Caribbean coast.
Paul Butchart gives tours of musical landmarks all over Athens, Ga. In his hands is R.E.M.’s 1983 Murmur album, with the original trestle bridge photograph on the back cover. The bridge behind Butchart is a reconstruction, and now part of a walking and biking trail.

Paul Butchart gives tours of musical landmarks all over Athens, Ga. In his hands is R.E.M.'s 1983 Murmur album, with the original trestle bridge photograph on the back cover. The bridge behind Butchart is a reconstruction, and now part of a walking and biking trail. Melanie Peeples hide caption

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Melanie Peeples

Music

R.E.M.'s hometown of Athens, Ga., still welcomes fans 45 years after the band started there

R.E.M. played its first concert there in 1980 and still draws fans to its hometown. A visit to Athens can be like a pilgrimage of the band's music.

REM PILGRIMAGE

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Sen. Cory Booker speaks to reporters as he leaves the Senate chamber after delivering a record-setting floor speech on Tuesday. Contrary to popular belief, the speech was not technically a filibuster.

Sen. Cory Booker speaks to reporters as he leaves the Senate chamber after delivering a record-setting floor speech on Tuesday. Contrary to popular belief, the speech was not technically a filibuster. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images hide caption

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Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Word of the week

Word of the Week: The swashbuckling origins and evolution of 'filibuster'

Sen. Cory Booker's record-breaking Senate speech wasn't technically a filibuster, but it still put the word in focus. Here's what to know about its history, from the swashbuckling to the stonewalling.
From left: Paige Bueckers, Cory Booker, Val Kilmer.

From left: Paige Bueckers, Cory Booker, Val Kilmer. Alika Jenner/Getty Images; Win McNamee/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images hide caption

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Alika Jenner/Getty Images; Win McNamee/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The NPR news quiz

The price of what hit record highs this week? Find out in the quiz

This week inspired questions of self-reflection, like "could I talk for 25 hours straight?" and "do I feel liberated?" and "can you tell me again why the Wisconsin Supreme Court is important?"
WSunrise turns the sky orange behind the U.S. Capitol building as it illuminates the U.S. Flags circling the base of the Washington Monument on March 23, 2025, in Washington, DC.

WSunrise turns the sky orange behind the U.S. Capitol building as it illuminates the U.S. Flags circling the base of the Washington Monument on March 23, 2025, in Washington, DC. J. David Ake/Getty Images hide caption

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J. David Ake/Getty Images

World

A 'beacon' or a 'roulette'? Chinese America watchers see opportunities and pitfalls

Some of China's America watchers see opportunities for their country in the United States' retreat from international institutions. Others see distractions and pitfalls.

With Trump in office, will China step up as as the world's leader?

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Nobel Peace Prize laureate and two-time Costa Rican President Oscar Arias looks at the media during the opening ceremony of the XV World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates at the University in Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 13, 2015.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and two-time Costa Rican President Oscar Arias looks at the media during the opening ceremony of the XV World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates at the University in Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 13, 2015. Manu Fernandez/AP hide caption

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Manu Fernandez/AP

World

A former Costa Rican president says his visa may have been revoked over criticism of Trump

Former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez, who likened President Trump to "Roman emperor" earlier this year, says he fears the U.S. revoked his visa over criticisms of Trump.

Former Costa Rican president says visa may have been revoked over criticism of Trump

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In March 2025, the University of South Alabama presented its Annual Songwriter Keynote, a conversation and concert event funded, in part, by a grant from the Alabama Humanities Alliance. Gulf Coast artist Robby Amonett, pictured above, live-painted the event.

In March 2025, the University of South Alabama presented its Annual Songwriter Keynote, a conversation and concert event funded, in part, by a grant from the Alabama Humanities Alliance. Gulf Coast artist Robby Amonett, pictured above, live-painted the event. Keith Necaise/University of South Alabama and the Alabama Humanities Alliance hide caption

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Keith Necaise/University of South Alabama and the Alabama Humanities Alliance

Culture

Cultural groups across U.S. are told their federal humanities grants are terminated

Among the thousands of groups affected by the sudden cessation of funds are state arts councils, museums, historic sites, archives, libraries, educators and media outlets in all 50 states.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends a tariff announcement in the Rose Garden on Wednesday. A Defense Department inspector general has announced he will review Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app to discuss a military attack on Yemen.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends a tariff announcement in the Rose Garden on Wednesday. A Defense Department inspector general has announced he will review Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app to discuss a military attack on Yemen. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

A Pentagon inspector general announces an investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal

The announcement comes after lawmakers voiced concern about whether top national security officials discussed classified information on Signal about a military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
IN this 2018 photo Minnesota soybean farmer Michael Petefish holds soybeans from his farm in southern Minnesota. At that time American farmers, like now, were worried about the possibility of an escalating trade war after tariffs were imposed on imports during the first Trump administration.

IN this 2018 photo Minnesota soybean farmer Michael Petefish holds soybeans from his farm in southern Minnesota. At that time American farmers, like now, were worried about the possibility of an escalating trade war after tariffs were imposed on imports during the first Trump administration. Jim Mone/AP hide caption

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Jim Mone/AP

National

Tariffs threaten to upend the markets that American farmers depend on

President Trump said that he is standing up for skilled workers and farmers by slapping tariffs on imports, but farmers aren't happy.
Basketballs go through the hoop during the Indiana Hoosiers practice ahead of the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 16, 2023 in Albany, New York.

Basketballs go through the hoop during the Indiana Hoosiers practice ahead of the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 16, 2023 in Albany, New York. Rob Carr/Getty Images hide caption

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Rob Carr/Getty Images

Interview highlights

How to rebuild a college basketball team from scratch

The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is rebuilding from scratch with a new head coach after losing all their players to graduation or transfer.

How to rebuild a college basketball team from scratch

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President Trump gestures while speaking at the Justice Department on March 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

President Trump gestures while speaking at the Justice Department on March 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Law

Justice Department lawyers struggle to defend a mountain of Trump executive orders

The Justice Department lawyers defending the president's executive orders are struggling to answer questions and correct the record in front of judges.

Administration lawyers make missteps in defending Trump's orders

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James Boasberg, chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, attends a panel discussion at the annual American Board Association (ABA) Spring Antitrust Meeting at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025.

James Boasberg, chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, attends a panel discussion at the annual American Board Association (ABA) Spring Antitrust Meeting at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025. Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images

National

A judge considers 'contempt' after Trump officials stonewall his ruling on migrant removal flights

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg Thursday pushed, once again, the Justice Department to explain its use of the Alien Enemies Act and provide key details and the timeline of the flights.

Deportation Flights Hearing

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