1A

As the price of four-year colleges balloon and the job market becomes increasingly unstable, a new batch of workers are going another route: technical school.

Students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased 16 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

A technical college in Florida says almost all their programs are close to capacity. And in Maine, enrollment in career and technical schools passed 10,000 students statewide for the first time.

We discuss what a technical education looks like today and how beneficial the path can be for students.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

On this edition of Game Mode, we take a look at the games that are giving us a thrill so far in 2024. And we look at some games that have disappointed.

What can the success or failure of this year's games tell us about the video game industry? The industry spans from tech companies like Microsoft, all the way down to solo developers. It's expected to be worth $189 billion this year.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Details are still emerging after the shooting at a Pennsylvania rally held by Donald Trump.

The shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt. The former president says he was injured shot in his right ear. One person was killed, and two other rally attendees were critically injured.

We break down what we know about the shooting and the security failures that led to this weekend's events.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Gary Janetti has built a solid following on Instagram, entertaining his one million followers with stories of travel, observations on life and...his ability to critique blueberries and annoying children like no other.

His new book "We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay" is a collection of essays, reflecting on travel, adventure (misadventure) and love. Interspersed with recollections of his trips are personal meditations on dining alone, journeys to diverse destinations and the importance of kindness while being a visitor.

Emmy nominated television writer, Gary Janetti joins us to talk about his new book.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Question marks continue to plague the candidacy of President Joe Biden.

The GOP is reworking its platform ahead of the Republican National Convention, softening some of the more intense portions that have received media attention.

Boeing is set to plead guilty to criminal fraud charges related to the crashes of two 737 Max jetliners that killed 346 people.

NATO leaders gathered in Washington this week to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the organization's founding.

An Israeli Defense Force strike killed dozens of Palestinians in front of a school near Khan Younis.

We cover all this and more during this week's News Roundup.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

One legal document has quietly reigned supreme in American board rooms, film sets, and sometimes even homes: non-disclosure agreements.

But NDAs aren't just for employees anymore. More and more people around the country are using and signing these documents to protect personal, sensitive information.

A new feature from New York Magazine explores how NDAs have become "the defining legal document of our time." We speak to the writer of that piece.

What discuss what's fueling the move and its impact.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been hosted every summer on Coney Island since 1972. Competitors eat as many dogs as they can in 10 minutes, hoping to claim the "Mustard Belt" and a grand prize $10,000.
According to Nathan's, nearly 40,000 spectators flocked to Coney Island to watch this year's contest. Nielsen reports its annual television viewership at nearly a million people.

Competitive eaters train hard to be able to take part in these kinds of events.

We discuss the science behind competitive eating and our fascination with watching these kinds of competitions.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Romantasy is a popular literary genre that blends elements of fantasy and romance. It's also one of the fastest growing. Between 2022 and 2023, romantasy novel sales increased by 42 percent.

What's driving this surge in fantastical romances? And what can they teach us about dreaming big, loving deeply, and not giving up hope even when the odds are stacked against us?

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

We're processing the landmark ruling the Supreme Court handed down on Monday, July 1, in Trump v. United States.

The justices decided that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for acts they carry out in their official capacity as leaders.

So what does that ruling mean for the power of the Oval Office, our democracy, and the former president?

We also spend some time talking about the math behind Joe Biden's decision making regarding his candidacy following a poor debate performance.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Library of Congress is famous for its collection of American cultural treasures.     

Each year, the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress chooses just 25 pieces of audio to showcase the rich heritage of America's recorded sound.  

Every year, in partnership with the Library of Congress, 1A profiles some of the newest inductees into the National Recording Registry. Think of it as the country's audio "hall of fame."

We profile some of this year's entries from notable artists, including Bill Withers, Blondie, Jefferson Airplane, Lily Tomlin, and Bobby McFerrin.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy