Short Wave

Iowa Republicans caucus in less than a week. Republican presidential candidates are making their final rounds across the state, and our reporters are following their campaigns. We talk to two about what they've learned on the ground.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and Minnesota Public Radio senior politics reporter Clay Masters.

This episode was edited by Erica Morrison. It was produced by Jeongyoon Han and Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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With only 11 days to go until a possible government shutdown, congressional leaders have agreed to a topline budget. But, it resembles one that didn't pass last spring. Will Congress make its deadline?

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This episode was edited by Erica Morrison. It was produced by Jeongyoon Han and Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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A winter storm brought heavy rain and snow to parts of the East Coast this weekend, which got us thinking about snowflakes. Those intricate, whimsical crystals are a staple of magical wintry scenes, but how big can they really get? Well, according to the Guinness World Record keepers, the "largest snowflake" ever recorded was a whopping 15 inches in diameter. It was spotted near Missoula, Montana in 1887. But Kenneth Libbrecht, a physicist at Caltech, has long been skeptical of that record. So he set out to find what makes a snowflake a snowflake and whether that 1887 record is scientifically possible. You can read more about what he discovered here.

Want to share the snowflakes you've spotted this winter? Email us a photo at [email protected].

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President Biden used his first campaign event of 2024 to call out his likely opponent, former President Donald Trump, for the threat he poses to American democracy, calling the issue a 'sacred cause' for the race ahead.

Plus, uphill climbs in congressional races this year, and Can't Let It Go.

This episode: political correspondents Ashley Lopez & Susan Davis, and congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales.

This episode was edited by Erica Morrison. It was produced by Jeongyoon Han and Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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The winter is usually when insects die or go into a state of paused development, but for tiny specks on the white snow called snow flies, it's time to run around, find a lover and make baby snow flies. Neuroscientist John Tuthill has been studying these creatures since he first came across them in 2016. He's found that not only can they survive in the cold, but if one of their limbs starts to freeze, they can self-amputate and pop it right off. That buys the snow fly time to find a mate and make sweet, sweet snow fly love.

Interested in other winter biology? Email us at [email protected] — we'd love to hear from you!

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The former president faces challenges convincing voters he deserves a second term. We explore what they are.

A similar episode regarding the challenges facing President Biden's re-election bid was released on Dec. 28, 2023.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

This episode was edited by Erica Morrison. It was produced by Jeongyoon Han and Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Former president Donald Trump is waiting to learn if his name will be on presidential primary ballots nationwide as well as trial dates for his four criminal cases. We look at Trump's legal woes in 2024.

This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This episode was edited by Erica Morrison. It was produced by Jeongyoon Han and Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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In celebration of our 1000th episode, we're wrapping our heads around big numbers. Educational neuroscientist Elizabeth Toomarian talks about why humans' evolutionarily-old brains are so bad at comprehending large quantities–like the national debt and the size of the universe–and how to better equip ourselves to understand important issues like our finances and the impacts of climate change.

Interested in other ways our brains make sense of the world? Email us at [email protected].

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Lawmakers made headlines in 2023 for seemingly everything but making laws. We look back at their work last year and at their priorities for this year.

This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid & Deepa Shivaram, and congressional reporter Eric McDaniel.

This episode was edited by Erica Morrison. It was produced by Jeongyoon Han and Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Ever gotten a scarlet, hot face after drinking? Or know someone who has? Many people felt it as they ring in the New Year with champagne toasts. That's because this condition, commonly called "Asian flush" or "Asian glow," affects an estimated half a BILLION people, who can't break down aldehyde toxins that build up in their bodies. But what if there's a benefit to having Asian glow?

Katie Wu, a staff writer for The Atlantic, has looked into the research a theory as to why the condition might have been a powerful tool for some of our ancestors to survive disease.

Read Katie's article to learn more.

Questions about other potential tradeoffs for our genetics? Email us at [email protected]. We've love to hear from you and we might cover it in a future episode!

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