In 2016, NASA launched a spacecraft to do something rarely attempted before: Collect space rocks from a potentially dangerous asteroid. The mission, named OSIRIS-REx, was successful. Tuesday, scientists opened a sealed canister containing the samples from the asteroid Bennu. Science correspondent Nell Greenfieledboyce talks to host Regina G. Barber about the mission's close calls and what NASA might learn from these space rocks that are older than our planet.

Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

Have a space mystery? Send us your questions to [email protected].

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In what is likely a first, the sitting president of the United States joined a picket line. Biden made a brief stop in Michigan wearing a ball cap and quarter-zip to address picketing auto workers through a megaphone. Trump will campaign with auto workers tomorrow.

This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and national political correspondent Don Gonyea.

The podcast is was produced by Casey Morell and Elena Moore. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Senator Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, is facing federal bribery charges. Federal agents found hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold at his home.

Menendez is remaining defiant and says he will not resign. The senator has faced previous corruption charges — the case ended in a hung jury.

We discuss why these types of cases can be so challenging for prosecutors to win.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and political correspondent Susan Davis.

The podcast is was produced by Casey Morell and Elena Moore. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Ever had an itch you can't scratch? It can be maddening. And even though itch has a purpose — it's one of our bodies' alert systems — it can also go very wrong. Dermatologist Dr. Shawn Kwatra talks to host Regina G. Barber about the science of why and how we get itchy, the mysteries behind chronic itch and how his own experience with eczema, hives and seasonal allergies helps him connect with his patients.

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Congress has left town as House Republicans infighting appears doomed to shutdown the government next week. And both Donald Trump and President Biden appear to have turned their attention toward the general election race — even though the first primary vote has yet to be cast.

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, campaign correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez.

The podcast is was produced by Casey Morell and Elena Moore. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Today on the show, All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly joins Regina G. Barber and Maria Godoy for our bi-weekly science roundup. They talk through some of the latest eye-catching science news, including the percussion-intensive mating life of cockatoos, what pink diamonds today tell us about the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Nuna and the latest on the Nipah outbreak in India.

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Closed primaries — where only members of that political party can vote — are effectively the final say in the vast majority of House of Representatives elections. Can open primary elections help incentive candidates to work toward consensus?

And 300,000 people voted via the web in 2020. And, yes, the tech makes elections experts really worried.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, and voting correspondent Miles Parks.

The podcast is produced by Casey Morell and Elena Moore. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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The former president is evidently trying to shore up support with working class voters in Michigan. He narrowly lost the state in 2020.

The autoworkers' union blasted Trump in a statement — though its relationship with the Biden White House is less than cozy.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, national political correspondent Don Gonyea.

The podcast is was produced by Casey Morell and Elena Moore. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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The last several decades have taken a toll on the oceans: Some fish populations are collapsing, plastic is an increasing problem and climate change is leading to coral bleaching — as well as a host of other problems. But marine biologist and World Economic Forum programme lead Alfredo Giron says there's room to hope for the seas. He works to create systems that governments and the fishing industry can use to make sure fishing is legal and sustainable so oceans thrive for years to come. In this encore episode, he talks to host Aaron Scott about his work and how managing the ocean is a lot about managing people.

We spoke to Alfredo Giron about his research and thoughts, the episode is not meant to reflect the World Economic Forum's positions.

Have questions about the world around you? Email us at [email protected].

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The governor of North Dakota is running to be the Republican nominee for president after a long career in business and two elections to the governor's mansion.

In an interview with The NPR Politics Podcast, Burgum, who has languished in the polls, says his path to the nomination relies on increasing his name recognition.

This episode: politics correspondent Susan Davis and White House correspondent Asma Khalid.

The podcast is was produced by Casey Morell and Elena Moore. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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