Here & Now Anytime

The U.S. military launched strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Security analyst Jim Walsh discusses the possibility of further escalation. Then, weeks of flooding have damaged at least 500 homes across Navajo Nation, leaving some communities without road access, electricity or running water. We speak with Jaynie Parrish, executive director of Arizona Native Vote, about how the flooding is affecting voters on Election Day. And, political campaign texts are flooding Americans' phones, sometimes even reaching people who aren't the intended recipients. Wired's Dhruv Mehrotra explains his investigation into the data brokers and tactics behind the messages. Plus, Election Day can bring anxiety about everything from the results to how the outcome could affect jobs, healthcare and relationships. Clinical psychologist Debra Kissen shares ways to manage election-related stress.

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Early voting numbers show large turnout among Black voters, young people and other groups that typically support Democrats. Meanwhile, opinion polls show Democrats winning enough seats to take control of the House, while control of the Senate remains up for grabs. We hear more from NPR's Stephen Fowler, who is traveling the country. Then, a political earthquake went off in Michigan on Sunday after Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens withdrew her endorsement of Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and backed Republican Mike Rogers. Detroit Free Press' M.L. Elrick talks about what it means for the race. And, President Trump's Justice Department on Monday asked the Supreme Court to force California to set aside thousands of disputed ballots. We speak with Barbara McQuade, a law professor at the University of Michigan.

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Election officials at the state and local levels have been focusing on safeguarding security at the polls and election offices. But they're also thinking about their own personal security and the security of their staffs. We speak with two election officials: Derek Bowens, director of elections in Durham County, North Carolina, and Janice Winfrey, Detroit city clerk.

Then, an election law expert games out what could happen if the congressional elections are contested and not certified by Jan. 3, when the new congressional term begins. We ask Ned Foley, a constitutional law professor and director of the election law program at Ohio State University.

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Midterm elections are just days away, and Democrats in Arizona are trying to flip at least two congressional seats there. Here & Now’s Peter O’Dowd checks in from a key battleground in the Democrats’ fight to regain Congress.

Then, President Trump and other Republicans are facing backlash over comments they made about Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Bishara Bahbah, founder of Arab-Americans for Trump, which changed it's name to Arab-Americans for Peace last year, shares why he’s feeling disenfranchised.

And, Dolores Huerta, a celebrated labor leader and civil rights activist, died on Wednesday at age 96. Luis Valdez, longtime friend and collaborator of Huerta’s, remembers her.

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Tuesday's midterm elections are the most expensive in U.S. history, according to the firm AdImpact. Much of the money is coming from megadonors and industries connected to artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and lobbying groups promoting Israel. We speak with Brendan Glavin from Open Secrets, an independent nonprofit that tracks money in American politics.

Then, Dr. Jennifer Shuford is resigning as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's deputy director and chief medical officer just four months after President Trump appointed her to help steady the agency. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the CDC's former top immunization official, tells us more.

And, we talk with costume experts McKenna Kelly and Perse Brunell-Lestrange of The Costumer in upstate New York about their work creating and selling costumes, what they wear for Halloween, and what you can do to create your best costume this year.

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With midterms looming, President Trump campaigned in Iowa for a number of Republican candidates for tight House, Senate and governor seats. Iowa has been reliably red, but some longtime Republican and Independent voters say they’re turning toward Democrats over dissatisfaction with Trump and the state of the economy.

And, in a speech during one of Trump’s campaign stops he touted a $15 billion steel mill designed to bolster Iowa’s economy. Still, with Iowa’s job growth lagging behind the national average, many voters are anxious about the future of the job market. Here & Now’s Chris Bentley reports from Iowa.

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With the midterms approaching, Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd visits Southern Arizona to speak with ranchers who live along the border. We hear from rancher John Ladd about why he supports the construction of a new double wall along his property. We also hear why rancher Ross Humphries is against the construction of a new double wall along his property.

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Axios' Margaret Talev and Kansas Public Radio's Jim McLean discuss the dividing lines in Kansas where President Trump campaigned this week. They also unpack the fallout from a political advertisement in the Ohio gubernatorial race that's being called one of the ugliest of the midterm election cycle.

And, Keri Russell stars as Kate Wyler, U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, in "The Diplomat." The latest season features a rogue president, a spiraling international crisis and heady interpersonal drama. Despite glowing reviews, NPR critic-at-large Eric Deggans says the show is still underrated. He tells us why.

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In recent days, President Trump exempted Russia from new sanctions and agreed to buy Russian diesel. This newfound favorable attitude toward Russia has heightened concerns about the impact on Ukraine.

Oleksandra Matviichuk, the leader of a Ukrainian organization that won the Nobel Peace Prize for documenting alleged Russian war crime, explains how these actions will hit her country as the war heads into its seventh winter.

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Utah is suing Kalshi, the prediction market company, accusing the platform of gambling, which is illegal in the state. Utah's Attorney General Derek Brown tells us about the lawsuit.

Then, New York Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander was briefly detained by Israeli defense forces Wednesday morning while picking olives in a pro-Palestinian protest in the West Bank. Lander joins us.

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An ‘October surprise’ is a scandal or newsmaking event that can influence voters just weeks before Election Day. Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer looks back at historic October surprises since the term was coined in the 1980s and before.

Then, the number of people receiving federal food assistance has hit its lowest point in nearly 20 years. Food policy journalist Helena Bottemiller Evich explains how need for assistance is still there, but policy changes have made it harder to access.

And, do you know the origins of phrases like “seize the day” and “let them eat cake”? Author Eli Burnstein shares more from his book, “Phrased & Confused.”

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The economy is a leading issue for voters this November, but other top issues vary compared to previous midterm elections, according to Pew Research Center. Pew's director of research Jocelyn Kiley tells us more.

Then, AI is everywhere in the news, but the jargon can be hard to follow. Boston Globe columnist Larry Edelman joins us to define some of the most common AI terms and explain their significance.

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"The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny," Kiran Desai's 2025 novel, is a sprawling, multi-generational family saga that plays out across four continents in the late 1990s. Desai talks about her epic second novel and the power of solitude.

Then, "The Muppets Show" is turning 50. We speak with Bonnie Erickson, the creator of the Miss Piggy puppet, and Dave Goelz, the only human who has played Gonzo.

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A U.S.-provided Starlink satellite has been a critical tool in Ukraine’s war against Russia. But, Ukrainian drone operator Dmytro Veselov says disruption in that system has caused an "irreversible" breach of Ukraine’s trust in the U.S.

Then, the latest analysis by the Cook Political Report finds more and more House races shifting toward Democrats. Erin Covey, editor with the Cook Political Report, breaks down the potential for Democrats to win control of the House.

And, in the aftermath of a high-profile sexual assault case at Cornell University, the school suspended all fraternity parties through the end of the school year. Nicholas L. Syrett from University of Wisconsin-Madison weighs in on whether fraternities can be reformed.

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The Department of Government Efficiency lasted just a few months in 2025, but its impact will last for years. That's not because it made the government more efficient — it failed to meaningfully reduce federal spending — but because it hollowed out several government agencies and demonized federal workers. A new book tells the story of DOGE through the eyes of career civil servants who fought back. It’s called “Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State,” by Michael Lewis. He speaks to host Scott Tong.

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Midterm elections are three weeks away, and recent polls show more excitement from Democratic voters than Republicans. The Boston Globe’s James Pindell weighs in on if that matters, what Republicans want from elections and where big donors like Elon Musk are putting their money.

Then, in India, Gen Z protesters are fighting for free and fair elections after more than 130 million people were removed from the country’s voter roll. New Delhi-based reporter Suhasini Raj of the New York Times explains what protesters are demanding and the violent crackdown from the state.

And, Grammy-winning singer and musician Laufey is using her platform to encourage fans to go to their local library and sign up for library cards. She talks about the importance of libraries as a third space and how reading has inspired her songwriting.

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Cheyenne author Tommy Orange found out that one of his favorite Indigenous writers wasn't actually Indigenous. Then, he interviewed him. Orange shares what he learned and the long history of "pretendians," non-Indigenous people claiming to be Indigenous.

Then, Brian Frange, who calls apples the "greatest fruit to grace the earth," has made it his calling to rank and re-rank at least 100 varieties of the fruit, based on 10 criteria, including density, skin, flesh, crispness, beauty and, of course, taste. Frange joins us to talk about his rankings, the unlikely origins of the apple, and the fact that planting the seeds from any variety of apple will produce a new species, making grafting the only way to produce known apple types.

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Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller reflects on the state of child care access and affordability in New Mexico, and why he's opening up underused city spaces for child care providers.

Then, three years since Israel’s war in Gaza began, more than 80% of the region’s infrastructure has been damaged, according to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees. The Middle East Institute’s Jaser AbuMousa explains what it would take to rebuild the region.

And, journalist and Here & Now guest host Celeste Headlee shares more about her book, “Freedom’s Daughters.” In it, she tells the story of her great grandmother, Carrie Still Shepperson, a Black woman who educated and organized former enslaved people and their families following the Civil War.

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The construction of data centers in Ohio has become a contentious issue in the Senate race there. The issue at the center of several races across the country this November. Ohio Public Media's Karen Kasler tells us more.

Then, in the Ukrainian frontline town of Oleshky, residents can't get out, and food and medical supplies can't get in. Kyiv Independent reporter Yuliia Taradiuk tells us about the dire humanitarian situation.

And, the trillion-dollar longevity industry has attracted nonprofit hospitals, raising questions about lending scientific authority to controversial practices. STAT's Sarah Todd explains why nonprofits are opening longevity clinics.

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In 2021, Frances Haugen released tens of thousands of internal Facebook documents showing the company knew its algorithms were promoting extremism and contributing to teen mental health concerns. Her story is now the focus of the upcoming film “The Social Reckoning.” Haugen explains how whistleblowers inside artificial intelligence companies could regulate the technology.

And, 12 B-1 bombers are back in the U.S. after being removed from the UK over security fears. Ret. Navy Adm. Mark Montgomery explains how this will impact the U.S. military's air capability and preparedness.

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