Short Wave

For much of the pandemic, some scientists had been pushing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recognize that the coronavirus is spread through aerosols--very small particles that can linger in the air. The CDC did that this month, so we brought Senior Science Correspondent Maria Godoy onto the show to explain the distinction, and the implications for staying safe during the pandemic.

Is the constant refining of the science behind the coronavirus leaving you confused? Send us your questions at [email protected] and we might answer them on a future episode.

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In an ongoing series congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell looks under the hood at campaigns. From how they raise money to what they do once they have it.

This episode, Kelsey looks at polling. But not the kind you expect. Kelsey talks to two of the top pollsters on both sides of the aisle about who exactly they poll, what they ask them, and how the answers change how a campaign operates.

This episode: campaign correspondent Asma Khalid and congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell

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Democrats have raised oodles of money in the South Carolina Senate race. Like, a whole lot of money. And polling shows things neck-and-neck between GOP incumbent Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. But given Trump's top-of-the-ticket draw there, it could be tough for Democrats to score an upset.

This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, and national political correspondent Don Gonyea.

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Randall Munroe, the cartoonist behind the popular Internet comic xkcd, finds complicated solutions to simple, real-world problems. In the process, he reveals a lot about science and why the real world is sometimes even weirder than we expect. His latest book is called How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems. (Encore episode.)

Here's more on nuclear tests of bottled beverages from nuclear historian Alex Wellerstein.

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Joe Biden warns that nothing is certain, while Donald Trump says everything is still possible. Just over two weeks out from the election, the campaigns are in full turnout mode. Despite the president's confidence, though, Republicans are beginning to message that they will be an effective check on a Biden presidency.

This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

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Monika Schleier-Smith, associate professor of physics at Stanford University, studies quantum mechanics, the theory that explains the nature of the itty bitty parts of our universe: atoms, photons, and individual particles. It's the science responsible for innovations in computers, telecommunications, and medicine. Schleier-Smith was recently awarded a 2020 MacArthur Fellowship for her work in the field. It's research that often starts in a lab and as Schleier-Smith describes, requires both troubleshooting and optimism.

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Today we are sharing an episode of NPR's No Compromise. The podcast series tells the story of three brothers who are determined to change gun politics. Ben, Chris, and Aaron Dorr are carving out a space to the right of the NRA and the GOP.

Discover a social media empire with an unapologetic vision of gun rights—generating millions of likes, follows, and dollars. From Guns & America, reporters Lisa Hagen of WABE and Chris Haxel of KCUR expose how these three brothers from the most uncompromising corner of the gun debate are turning hot-button issues into donations and controversy.

The final episode comes out October 20th, so now is a great time to catch up. Find more episodes here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

No Compromise from NPR: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510356/no-compromise

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Donald Trump mired himself in conspiracy last night at his NBC News town hall. Joe Biden didn't give a clear answer on court-packing, but said he'd make his position clear sometime before the election.

Voters in Michigan and Ohio are feeling differently than they did four years ago. And, more than 20 million Americans have already voted. So, what does that really tell us?

This episode: political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, campaign correspondent Asma Khalid, and voting reporter Miles Parks.

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We hit the road with NPR Education Reporter Elissa Nadworny. She's been on a weekslong road trip to get an up-close view of how colleges across the U.S. are handling the pandemic. On today's show, she tells us how one university has been using mass testing to fight the spread of the coronavirus on its campus. It's a strategy that's run into some challenges, namely, student behavior.

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A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll shows Joe Biden with a double-digit national lead over President Trump. That margin makes states like North Carolina and Georgia competitive for Democrats, which is welcome news for their Senate candidates there.

This episode: campaign correspondent Scott Detrow, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, reporter Steve Harrison of WFAE in North Carolina, and reporter Emma Hurt of WABE in Georgia.

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