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Mohammed Abu Moussa, a radiology technician at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, was released from Israeli detention after being held for 20 months. We speak with him about his treatment in prison, the loss of his son, mother and sister, and what it is like for him to be free after almost two years being held without charges.

Then, as the government shutdown grinds on, a federal program that provides millions of vulnerable mothers and their children with key nutritional assistance is expected to run out of money later this week. Omaha Nation WIC director Jessika Free-Bass joins us.

And, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of Major League Baseball's World Series on Wednesday night. Fox Sports' Rachel Nichols wraps up the latest action.

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Pressure on lawmakers to end the 29-day government shutdown is mounting, and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin joins us to discuss where the shutdown stands and what his party expects from Democrats to reopen the government.

And, Hurricane Melissa left more than 500,000 people in Jamaica without power. David Rose, reporter for The Jamaica Observer, details the latest rescue and recovery efforts.

Then, as climate change reshapes the Blue Ridge Mountains, the iconic brook trout is in decline. Grist and Blue Ridge Public Radio reporter Katie Myers explains whether the native Appalachian trout can survive in a warmer world.

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Hurricane Melissa made landfall early Tuesday afternoon as a Category 5 storm with wind speeds of 185 m.p.h. It is the most powerful storm to ever hit Jamaica. NPR's Eyder Peralta tells us more.

Then, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Mayor Matt Tuerk talks about why he and a bipartisan group of mayors are urging the agriculture secretary to not let the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and other government food assistance programs run out of money during the ongoing government shutdown. 

And, on Tuesday, air traffic controllers are missing their first full paycheck because of the government shutdown, but they have to continue working without pay. Capt. Dennis Tajer, with the Allied Pilots Association joins us.

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If the government shutdown continues into November, 34-year-old Pennsylvania mother of three Sara Stone is one of the tens of millions of Americans set to lose food assistance. She joins us to discuss what it means for her family.

And, some lawmakers are raising concerns about the Trump administration's airstrikes against alleged drug cartel boats off the coast of Venezuela. Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey weighs in on these military actions.

Then, a redistricting war is going on across the country as Republicans and Democrats try to redraw congressional maps ahead of next year's midterms. California is asking voters to decide through Proposition 50. Maya C. Miller, politics reporter at CalMatters, explains more.

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In this second episode of Hidden Levels, a podcast from 99 Percent Invisible and Endless Thread, Amory traces the history of the humble-yet-genius joystick. The journey goes from early 20th century aviation, to 1970s video game consoles like the Atari 2600, to the Nintendo 64 thumbstick in the 1990s, to what some consider the joystick's greatest implementation: the dual-thumbstick controller.This optimal interface has changed the game, and not just the video game. The modern dual-stick controller is now considered an MVP in the military, and in medicine.

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Iconic horror writer Stephen King has reimagined a classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale: “Hansel and Gretel.” A major inspiration behind his iteration of the tale came from illustrations of the story by the late Maurice Sendak, best known for his work on “Where the Wild Things Are.”

King said he’s been writing about brave kids like Hansel and Gretel his entire career, and joins us to talk more about his version of “Hansel and Gretel” and the future of his writing career.

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The early childhood program Head Start is facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of the government shutdown. Some Head Start educators are already working without pay, other programs are preparing to close. We speak with a teacher and her director based in Tallahassee, Florida. 

Then, President Trump is putting new sanctions on Russia's oil industry in an effort to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Georgetown University professor Jill Marie Dougherty joins us. 

And, next week an independent United Nations commission will present to the UN General Assembly the findings of a recent investigation that found Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Israel denies the allegations and refutes the report. We speak with one of the report's authors, Chris Sidoti.

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North Carolina Republicans on Wednesday approved new congressional maps in an effort to boost their chances of holding onto Congress in next year's midterm elections. It's the latest redistricting battle since President Trump pushed Texas to redraw its maps. Political scientist Chris Cooper explains the implications.

And, a new study by the independent health research organization KFF found that health insurance premiums are up 6% from last year. That’s more than double the inflation rate. Matthew Rae explains the price hike.

Then, parts of the East Wing of the White House are being demolished as construction starts on President Trump’s ballroom. The East Wing has historically been the home of the First Lady's offices. Author Kate Andersen Brower talks about the history of the space.

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Premiums for people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to jump by thousands of dollars when open enrollment begins in a couple of weeks. Cynthia Cox, vice president at independent health policy organization KFF, joins us.

Then, the Israeli-occupied West Bank has seen an increase in violence against Palestinians by both Israeli settlers and the military in the two years since Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza began. Journalist Dalia Hatuqa talks about how the past couple of years of violence in Gaza have impacted Palestinians living in the West Bank. 

And, have you heard of the grue jay? Study author Brian R. Stokes talks about the rare hybrid offspring of a blue jay and green jay, seen for likely the first time in the wild.

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Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director John Sandweg weighs in on the agency’s policing tactics and surveillance technology being used to conduct mass deportations and monitor those who are protesting the Trump administration's immigration policies.

And, as the government shutdown enters its third week, confusion abounds around national parks like Joshua Tree. Kenji Haroutunian, executive director of Friends of Joshua Tree, explains more about the safety and environmental concerns the park is facing.

Then, President Trump campaigned on a promise to make in vitro fertilization free to all Americans who want to build their families. But that hasn’t happened. Danielle Melfi, CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, weighs in on a recent White House announcement to lower the cost of IVF.

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