Tiny, black-capped chickadees have big memories. They stash food in hundreds to thousands of locations in the wild – and then come back to these stashes when other food sources are low. Now, researchers at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute think neural activity that works like a barcode may be to thank for this impressive feat — and that it might be a clue for how memories work across species.

Curious about other animal behavior mysteries? Email us at [email protected].

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

NPR Privacy Policy

In a pivotal election year, U.S. democracy continues to face a persistent challenge among the country's electorate — gaps in voter registration rates between white eligible voters and eligible voters of color. Long-standing barriers to voter registration have made it difficult to close these gaps, and dedicated investment is needed to ensure fuller participation in elections and a healthier democracy, many researchers and advocates say.

Read more.

This podcast: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and voting correspondents Hansi Lo Wang & Miles Parks.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

As Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza enters its sixth month, Democratic members of Congress who are part of "the Squad" and have criticized Israel's actions are facing primary challengers backed by pro-Israel groups. It's a sign of further division in the party over present and future U.S. support of Israel.

This podcast: political correspondents Sarah McCammon & Susan Davis, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This podcast was produced by Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

On April 8, the moon will slip in front of the sun, blocking its light and creating an eerie twilight in the middle of the day. Stars will come out, the air will get cold, colors will dance around the horizon. It's a full-body experience born from the total solar eclipse that will be visible from North America. Today on the show, Regina G. Barber talks to NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce about why some people say this experience is one of the most beautiful celestial events you can see – and how to prepare for it. Want more ways to enjoy the eclipse? Check out Regina's interview with an eclipse chaser on NPR's Life Kit podcast. Share your eclipse stories with us at [email protected]! We'd love to see it!

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

NPR Privacy Policy

In a pair of decisions Monday, Florida's supreme court ruled the state's six-week abortion ban could go into effect in May, and that voters would have a chance to repeal it in November.

This podcast: political correspondents Ashley Lopez & Sarah McCammon, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

The Justice Department launched a team in December 2023 to look into allegations of war crimes committed during Russia's war in Ukraine. The team isn't limited to looking only at that conflict, though — but in the months since the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the DOJ has been nearly silent on the topic of possible war crimes there.

This podcast: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and national security correspondent Greg Myre.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

For Guyana the potential wealth from oil development was irresistible — even as the country faces rising seas. Today on the show, host Emily Kwong talks to reporter Camila Domonoske about her 2021 trip to Guyana and how the country is grappling with its role as a victim of climate change while it moves forward with drilling more oil. (encore)

For more of Camila's reporting and pictures from her visit, check out "Guyana is a poor country that was a green champion. Then Exxon discovered oil."

Want to more about how countries around the world are grappling with climate change? Write us at [email protected] to let us know — your suggestion might become a future episode!

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

NPR Privacy Policy

A bipartisan group of legal experts is sounding an alarm about presidential power this election season. They're pushing Congress to update a 150 year old law, and limit how the White House can deploy the military on American soil, in case a future president takes advantage of that sweeping power.

Plus, three Democratic presidents take New York to raise money for November's election; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. picks a running mate; and, Can't Let It Go.

This podcast: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

Historic numbers of animals across the globe have become endangered or pushed to extinction. But some of these species sit in limbo — not definitively extinct yet missing from the scientific record. Rediscovering a "lost" species is not easy. It can require trips to remote areas and canvassing a large area in search of only a handful of animals. But new technology and stronger partnerships with local communities have helped these hidden, "uncharismatic" creatures come to light.

Have other scientific gray areas you want us to cover in a future episode? Email us at [email protected]!

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

NPR Privacy Policy

The Supreme Court heard a case this week about mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions. Anti-abortion plaintiffs are suing the Food & Drug Administration, hoping to restrict access to the drug. But, justices seem skeptical of their arguments, and limits on use of the drug could have long-reaching implications beyond abortion.

This podcast: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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

NPR Privacy Policy