Short Wave

Touting Biden's recent legislative achievements and decrying the Supreme Court's abortion decision, Democratic Senate candidates see opportunity just as the general election season kicks into high-gear.

Another reason they are feeling optimistic? Many are running against Trump-backed nominees that even Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell appeared to acknowledge were risky picks for a general election.

This episode: political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

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Grab your towels and flip flops, because we're heading to the beach. Whether you love playing in the sand, or dread getting it off your feet, building a sandcastle is an often underappreciated art form. In today's encore episode, Emily Kwong asks, scientifically, what is the best way to make a sandcastle? What's the right mix of water and sand to create grand staircases and towers?

Sedimentologist Matthew Bennett shares his research and insights.

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Pinellas County, on Florida's west coast, is unique: it backed the winning presidential tickets in 2012, 2016 and 2020, throwing support to Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, respectively. How are voters from different political sides thinking about the elections in a place where inflation is among the highest in the country?

Read more reporting from Florida.

This episode: political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and economic correspondent Scott Horsley.

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Volcanoes are "talking" to us all the time. Scientists say the sooner we learn to interpret their normal chatter, the quicker we'll know when something unusual — and potentially dangerous — is happening. But volcanoes often sit on protected land, so that detection work sometimes brings scientists into conflict with conservationists. Today, the tug-of-war over a sleeping giant in the Pacific Northwest.

This episode is part of our series about the science happening on public lands, dropping every Friday the rest of the summer.

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As we continue our road trip, we also want to hear where in the world you are — especially if you're at a national park! To be featured in an episode, send us a recording saying your name, location and "You're listening to Short Wave — from NPR." Our email is [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

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November's midterms will be the first general election to use the new set of congressional maps drawn after the 2020 census. In Florida and Tennessee, some Black voters have voiced concerns that the new maps make it harder to elect someone who will advocate for their interests.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, political reporter Ashley Lopez and WPLN reporter Blaise Gainey.

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Demand for coal in Europe is rising as Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens the country's vast natural resource and fossil fuel reserves - and subsequently, the world's energy supply.

With trillions of dollars of Ukrainian energy deposits now under Russian control, the effects of the war are being felt far beyond the country's borders.

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This episode is available to everyone, though on some platforms there may be a short delay in availability between the version for subscribers (which is sponsor-free) and non-subscribers (which includes sponsor messages). Thank you for your patience!

Liz Cheney is the Republican party's most prominent Trump opponent. Now, she's lost out on the chance to return to Congress next year after a decisive primary loss to a MAGA-backed rival.

But she's not planning on going away quietly: she'll feature prominently in the fall's January 6th congressional hearings. And she says she might run for president.

This episode: congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving.

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On a trip to Hawaii, Short Wave host Emily Kwong encountered manta rays for the first time. The experience was eerie and enchanting. And it left Emily wondering — what more is there to these intelligent, entrancing fish?

Today, Emily poses all her questions to Rachel Graham, the founder and executive director of MarAlliance, a marine conservation organization working in tropical seas. (encore)

Have you been completely captivated by an animal too? Share your story with us at [email protected].

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ak.), one of seven Republican senators to vote to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, faces primary voters who can choose between her and several other candidates, including a candidate backed by the state Republican Party. Alaska's new non-partisan primary system, almost guarantees that Murkowski will gather enough support to make it to November — unlike Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney (R), whose vote to impeach Trump could cost her dearly. Meanwhile, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin (R) seeks election to the state's at-large congressional district.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, Alaska Public Media's Washington correspondent Liz Ruskin

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The perfect cup of joe might be a matter of taste, but knowing the science behind the coffee-making process could help you elevate your at-home brewing game. Today, barista champion Sam Spillman on the chemical processes behind coffee and her technical approach to the craft.

Have your own approach to coffee chemistry? Tell us at [email protected].

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