Criticism about representation and misrepresentation in film are nothing new. In this episode, Aisha Harris, co-host of the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, traces the debates ignited by Steven Spielberg's 1985 film, "The Color Purple." The adaptation of Alice Walker's novel is remembered as a fan-favorite that centers Black women's lives, but got markedly different reactions from male and female viewers.

Kevin McCarthy struggles to drum up votes, as Republicans are divided over who to choose as House Speaker. There are now worries over crypto currency trading platform Binance after the dramatic collapse of FTX. Tens of thousands of nurses, rail and mail workers are on strike in the UK, demanding better work conditions and higher pay.

Twitter bans the accounts of several well-known journalists. Tunisia goes to the polls Saturday for parliamentary elections. Iran doubles down on tactics to crush unrest.

An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll shows Americans want congressional leaders to compromise. Peru declares a 30-day national emergency. NPR's Steve Inskeep interviews incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Thousands of migrants arrive in El Paso. China shifts its tone on COVID-19. Somalians face hunger, drought and violence.

Disgraced FTX founder arrested in the Bahamas. California laboratory says it created net energy from nuclear fusion. Investors prepare for latest inflation data.

Suspect arrested for 1988 Lockerbie bombing. Karen Bass sworn in as Los Angeles mayor. Rupert Murdoch to be deposed in $1.6 billion Dominion defamation lawsuit.

More than 1,550 people have been executed in the U.S. over the past 50 years. Hundreds of workers have played a role in carrying out each of those executions. Few in the public know who these workers are or what their jobs require. NPR investigative reporter Chiara Eisner spoke with 26 current and former workers who were collectively involved with more than 200 executions across 17 states and the federal system. In this episode, Eisner speaks with host Rachel Martin about the physical, mental and emotional toll that executions take on the executioners.

Arizona's Sen. Kyrsten Sinema calls it quits with the Democrats and registers as an Independent - we'll look at how that move is being received in her home state. A Ukrainian town rebuilds after months of fighting. Plus, a NASA space vehicle will land on Earth on Sunday, as the space agency plans to once again take humans back to the moon.

Russians welcome prisoner swap amid worries over war in Ukraine. Tech companies cut tens of thousands of jobs. Eight teams keep their World Cup hopes alive.