Short Wave

It's no secret that our electric grid is a flaming hot mess — and in order to reduce emissions, the U.S. needs to get a lot more renewables onto the grid. But there's a problem: Our electric grid is too old and outdated to handle this new technology. In fact, many of the copper wires on transmission lines are using technology from as far back as the early 1900s!

Because of this, thousands of wind and solar projects are waiting for years to get online. The Inflation Reduction Act is incentivizing a big transition to things like electric cars, heat pumps and other devices, which means we'll need even more electricity that will further push the limits of existing infrastructure.

Now more than ever, we need this new power. With this in mind, some tech companies are finding solutions to make the existing grid work better.

Aaron Scott talks with NPR's climate solutions reporter Julia Simon about these solutions and how they might be a whole lot quicker — and cheaper — than you'd think.

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President Biden welcomed the men in an effort to foster unity as the United States works to counter China's influence in the region. And Alabama is once again in court over its congressional district maps.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving, voting correspondent Hansi Lo Wang, and Gulf States Newsroom reporter Stephan Bisaha.

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

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Today we enter into the plot of a summer blockbuster adventure movie. Regina talks to NPR reporter Emily Olson about the recently uncovered ancient Maya city, Ocomtun. The large site, which researchers found using LiDAR technology, even seems to have "suburbs," flipping their expectations about how robust the Maya civilization was — and where it was.

Read Emily's full story here.

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The New York Democrats discussed the landmark climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, a year after he helped to pass the legislation. He said it will take time to for its provisions to be felt by the American public.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and White House reporter Deepa Shivaram.

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

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Inflation is way down, the U.S. is faring better than other major economies, and people broadly say their own personal financial situation is good. So why are people so down on the economy?

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley.

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

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Kids ask, "Why?" all the time. Why does 1+1=2? Why do we memorize multiplication tables? Many of us eventually stop asking these questions. But mathematician Dr. Eugenia Cheng says they're key to uncovering the beauty behind math. So today, we celebrate endless curiosity and creativity — the driving forces of mathematicians. Regina G. Barber and Eugenia talk imaginary numbers, how to go beyond simply right and wrong and yes, Eugenia answers the question, "Is math real?"

Eugenia's new book Is Math Real? is out now.

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The indictment alleges a sweeping scheme to overturn the state's election results. Unlike the federal charges brought by the special counsel Jack Smith, Trump — should he win reelection — would have no legal authority to pardon himself of any state-level convictions which could result from the latest charges.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and Georgia Public Broadcasting reporter Stephen Fowler.

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

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The Iowa State Fair regularly draws more than a million people to Des Moines to revel in fried delights and livestock shows — that includes presidential hopefuls. But the mood this year is different than it has been in past presidential election cycles.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national political correspondent Don Gonyea, and Iowa Public Radio reporter Clay Masters.

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There's the birds and the bees. And then there's what happens after. The process that leads to the beginning of pregnancy has a lot more twists and turns than a happenstance meeting. Today on Short Wave, NPR health reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin talks about the science of the very first week of pregnancy.

Read Selena's full explainer by clicking this link. Or download and print it here.

Have an incredible science story to share? Email us at [email protected].

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Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that prosecutor David Weiss will be appointed special counsel in the ongoing probe of Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. Weiss, a Trump appointee, was already overseeing the investigation in his capacity as a federal prosecutor.

And Joe Biden has named a new national monument, protecting an area totaling close to a million acres near the Grand Canyon.

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, political correspondent Susan Davis, and White House correspondent Tamara Keith.

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

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