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Pat Haskins, a 72-year-old retired school teacher, poses for a portrait in the backyard of her home in Silver Spring, Md., on Oct. 22. She had struggled to keep up with repairs as her basement flooded, a bathroom floor sagged and her disabled partner needed a ramp. Moriah Ratner/For NPR hide caption

Millions of low-cost homes are deteriorating, making the U.S. housing shortage worse

Older homes are the only ones many Americans can afford, but they are costly to fix and maintain, especially for seniors. A patchwork of programs to help are underfunded and have years-long waitlists.

Housing Disrepair

People wait in line to cast their votes during in New York on October 26, 2024. Online, social media users are floating unverified and false claims about voting that can quickly go viral. Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Untangling Disinformation

Crowdsourced voting fraud claims could become grist for republican lawsuits.

During her pregnancy, Megan Norris struggled with addiction to fentanyl. During a relapse, she exposed herself and her fetus to the toxic animal tranquilizer xylazine, which has flooded the street drug supply in the U.S. "Xylazine is so addictive, so physically addictive, you just can't stop," Norris said. Brian Mann/NPR hide caption

Pregnant women and babies face 'terrifying' threat from xylazine addiction

Shaun Flores, Sarah Jaley, Michael — a teacher who requested NPR not share his last name for medical privacy, and Elizabeth Vossen talk about how OCD impacts their lives. NPR hide caption

This is what it’s really like to have OCD, according to 4 people living with it

Stephen King's first novel, Carrie, turns 50 years old on Friday, and in honor of her birthday we asked you to share your favorite King stories with us. Above, Sissy Spacek stars in the 1976 film adaptation. Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo hide caption

Stephen King's first novel, Carrie, turns 50 years old on Friday, and in honor of her birthday we asked you to share your favorite King stories with us. Above, Sissy Spacek stars in the 1976 film adaptation.

Books You Love

For halloween, here are the best stephen king novels — chosen by you.

‘Witches marks’ and curses found carved into the walls of historic England manor

Rosy-faced lovebirds ( Agapornis roseicollis ) are small parrots that are common and colorful household pets. Parrots such as these use unique yellow and red pigments whose expression researchers now show can be modulated through the action of a single enzyme. Pedro Araujo hide caption

How parrot plumage gets its dazzling reds and yellows

Latest stories, a hunter in alaska is found dead after being mauled by a bear, it's not just d.c.: satirical trump statues are appearing in cities across the u.s., a mother and baby from gaza are reunited 11 months after being separated at birth, dear life kit: is it a faux pas to create a 'happy graduation' registry for myself.

This combination of file photos shows Vice President Harris speaking during a campaign rally in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Oct. 26, and former President Donald Trump during a rally Oct. 22 in Greensboro, N.C. AP/AP hide caption

Harris and Trump are bringing their closing arguments to 2 key Southwest swing states

With five days left until Election Day, the candidates are expected to make a pitch to Latino voters in Arizona and Nevada — and talk about border security, one of the biggest issues for the campaign.

People gather at a women's rights march in Chicago on the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision, the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and struck down federal abortion protections. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

Why abortion referendums are also about the economy

Abortion is on the ballot in 10 states. The vote results will have consequences beyond women's reproductive rights.

Toby, an orphaned four-year-old Alaskan coastal brown bear, stands and looks out over the compound at the Fortress of the Bear Center in Sitka, Alaska, on Aug. 1, 2013. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

The 50-year-old had been reported overdue from a deer hunting trip. At least 30,000 brown bears are estimated to be in Alaska and mainly live along the southern coast.

Pedestrians look at a statue of Donald Trump behind Gerhard Marcks' sculpture Maja , in Maja Park in Philidelphia. Caroline Gutman/The Washington Post via Getty Images hide caption

Trump statues appeared next to sculptures of nude women in Portland and Philadelphia. The plaques bear the title In Honor of a Lifetime of Sexual Assault and quote Trump's Access Hollywood remarks.

Raneem Hijazi holds her baby, Mariam, on her lap in her wheelchair, as Hijazi's mother-in-law, Soha Sakallah (standing), helps her. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

A year since Oct. 7

After an Israeli airstrike left mom-to-be Raneem Hizaji badly injured, doctors performed an emergency C-section. It took nearly a year for mom and baby to be reunited.

A year in the life of a mom and baby from Gaza

GWAR: Tiny Desk Concert

Chelsea Wolfe: Tiny Desk Concert

Omara Portuondo: Tiny Desk Concert

Sylo: Tiny Desk Concert

Pixies: Tiny Desk Concert

The Breeders: Tiny Desk Concert

Dua Lipa: Tiny Desk Concert

The Baylor Project: Tiny Desk Concert

Kamasi Washington: Tiny Desk Concert

Audrey Nuna: Tiny Desk Concert

John Holiday: Tiny Desk Concert

Common freestyles over Toto's 'Africa' at the Aspen Ideas Festival

Sheila E.: Tiny Desk Concert

The Marías: Tiny Desk Concert

Eladio Carrión: Tiny Desk Concert

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso: Tiny Desk Concert

Rita Payés: Tiny Desk Concert

Fabiola Méndez: Tiny Desk Concert

Ivan Cornejo: Tiny Desk Concert

OKAN: Tiny Desk Concert

Daniel, Me Estás Matando: Tiny Desk Concert

Danny Ocean: Tiny Desk Concert

Juanes: Tiny Desk Concert

Remi Wolf: Tiny Desk Concert

Mdou Moctar: Tiny Desk Concert

Hurray for the Riff Raff sings in a sage-filled meadow at the Aspen Ideas Festival

Chris Thile shreds Bach on mandolin at the Aspen Ideas Festival

Jonathan Scales' steelpans blaze at the Aspen Ideas Festival

Son Little's songs radiate outdoors at the Aspen Ideas Festival

Pygmy Lush: Tiny Desk Concert

Lainey Wilson: Tiny Desk Concert

Maxwell: Tiny Desk Concert

Katy Kirby: Tiny Desk Concert

Keyon Harrold: Tiny Desk Concert

Sierra Ferrell: Tiny Desk Concert

Chucho Valdés: Tiny Desk Concert

Devo: Tiny Desk Concert

Milton Nascimento & esperanza spalding: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

Alana Springsteen: Tiny Desk Concert

The LOX: Tiny Desk Concert

Kehlani: Tiny Desk Concert

Tiny Desk Premiere: Shae Universe

Ryan Leslie: Tiny Desk Concert

Feist: Tiny Desk Concert

Norah Jones: Tiny Desk Concert

Álvaro Díaz: Tiny Desk Concert

Phish: Tiny Desk Concert

Nathy Peluso: Tiny Desk Concert

Puny humans of Earth, the Scumdogs of the Universe are here to celebrate your so-called "Halloween" with such holiday hits as "Sex Cow" and "I'll Be Your Monster."

Three images posted by the group Progress 28 on Facebook claiming to be ads for Kamala Harris, but misrepresenting her current   positions. Progress 2028 via Meta's Ad Library/Screenshot by NPR hide caption

An Elon Musk-backed political group is posting fake Kamala Harris ads on Facebook

Ads seemingly advocating for Vice President Harris on Facebook are really part of an effort by a dark money group to mislead voters. The messages have been viewed millions of times.

Starbucks has hired a new CEO to turn around sales declines. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

Starbucks hopes faster drinks, fewer upcharges and nicer mugs bring people back

Shoppers complain that Starbucks isn't fancy enough — but they also say it's too expensive. The new CEO, Brian Niccol, is ordering up big changes.

STARBUCKS BACK TO STARBUCKS

tk Obed Manuel/NPR hide caption

We, The Voters

A civil war battlefield gives perspective on our modern divide.

The most famous battle of the Civil War took place just outside of Gettysburg. Morning Edition stopped by the historic site to hear about the cautionary tale as the election cycle nears its end.

While in Pennsylvania for election stories, 'Morning Edition' stopped by Gettysburg

Freddie Freeman had a breakout World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers including a walk-off grand slam to end game 1 in the tenth inning against the New York Yankees during Game One of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium last Friday in Los Angeles, Calif. Harry How/Getty Images hide caption

After setting a home-run record, the Dodgers' Freddie Freeman named World Series MVP

The Dodgers' first baseman was already a hero after Game 1, which ended with his historic walk-off grand slam. But his heroics didn't stop there.

Former California Governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives for a ceremony to receive a honorary doctorate by the Hertie School, a university of governance, in Berlin, on Sept. 17. Markus Schreiber/AP hide caption

Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed Kamala Harris for president

Schwarzenegger served as the governor of California from 2003 to 2011. He said he is frustrated with both parties, and does not trust either, but felt compelled to speak out.

A person wears a shirt in support of Amendment 3, a ballot initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Florida. North and South Dakota are also voting on whether to legalize the drug. Rebecca Blackwell/AP hide caption

Three takeaways from crime ballot measures around the country

Voters will decide on a slew of criminal justice ballot measures this election. Legalizing some drugs, increasing penalties for others and boosting police pay are among the proposed changes.

What’s on the ballot? Drugs, police funding and getting tough on crime

Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell as Kate and Hal Wyler. Netflix/‎‎‎ hide caption

Keri Russell returns as 'The Diplomat,' which is just as savvy in Season 2

Netflix’s The Diplomat rides a compelling line between serving up hefty slices of political and emotional drama.

Dawn Shedrick, left, is one of roughly 106 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. Over the last 30 years, Shedrick has dealt with loneliness and isolation while caring for her mother, Nathalia Shedrick, right, who has multiple sclerosis. Eugene Richards for NPR hide caption

Your Health

Caregiving can be a tough, lonely mission. one daughter found ways to reconnect.

Some 106 million people provide unpaid care for an adult in the U.S. Many feel invisible and profoundly lonely. But some are creating new ways to support each other.

People walk through flooded streets in Valencia, Spain on Wednesday. Alberto Saiz/AP hide caption

Unprecedented flooding in Spain kills at least 158 people

Crews in Spain searched for bodies in stranded cars and sodden buildings as people tried to salvage what they could from homes following monstrous flash floods.

Spain flooding: Photos show the devastation in Valencia

Michou Olivera displays a psilocybin mushroom she grew in her home office. Walter Wuthmann/WBUR hide caption

Voters could soon make Massachusetts the 3rd state to legalize natural psychedelics

The push to legalize plant-based psychedelics in Massachusetts for people 21 and older isn't a sure thing despite success in Colorado and Oregon over the past few years.

Jeff Gaeth votes April 2 at Yellow Rock Barn in Kansas City, Mo. Charlie Riedel/AP hide caption

Out-of-state money fuels Midwest campaigns on gambling and abortion, but voters will decide

Gambling companies are funding campaigns for sports betting and reproductive rights advocates — including some celebrities — are supporting initiatives to expand abortion access.

An NPR listener is graduating soon with her MBA. She wants to know if it's OK celebrate her achievement by asking loved ones to buy her gifts from a registry, similar to what people do for weddings.

Dear Life Kit: I need a gut check for a sticky situation

Visitors walk near a wire fence decorated with ribbons written with messages wishing for the reunification of the two Koreas at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea on Thursday. Lee Jin-man/AP hide caption

North Korea launches new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to threaten U.S.

North Korea confirmed the launch hours after its neighbors detected the firing of what they suspected was a new weapon.

A crowd chants "Stop the count!" and pounds on the windows and doors after partisan election challengers were told that the capacity for election challengers had been met in the counting facility at what was then Detroit's TCF Center on Nov. 4, 2020. Elaine Cromie/Getty Images hide caption

2024 Election

After a chaotic vote count in 2020, here's what detroit will do differently this year.

Four years ago, Trump supporters, motivated in part by false election fraud claims, loudly protested at a Detroit counting facility. Election officials are determined to avoid a repeat of the chaos.

DETROIT ELECTION SECURITY

A ballot drop box in at the Fishers Landing Transit Center in Vancouver, Wash., was set ablaze early Monday morning, destroying hundreds of ballots. Erik Neuman/OPB hide caption

Portland police say ballot box arsonist has ‘wealth of experience’ with welding

Police believe the suspect in Monday's attack on ballot drop boxes in Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash., is a white male who is 30 to 40 years old.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump shake hands during their debate on Sept. 10. Whoever wins the election could shape the Supreme Court for years. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

What could happen at the Supreme Court under Harris and Trump

Depending on who wins the presidential election and the Senate, the conservative supermajority could remain the same, be trimmed or expand to an even larger and more lopsided conservative majority.

Amplify With Lara Downes

Opera star denyce graves’ global compassion in red, white and blue.

Whether she’s singing in the world’s great opera houses, the White House or in prisons, the celebrated mezzo-soprano and U.S. Global Music Ambassador understands how music can move people.