National News

National News

The CDC's early coronavirus test was poorly designed and it also came with problematic instructions, NPR has learned. CREDIT: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Early CDC Coronavirus Test Came With Inconsistent Instructions, Cost U.S. Weeks

A flawed coronavirus test distributed by government scientists early in the pandemic was poorly designed and came with erroneous instructions that made it doubly difficult for labs to rely on the test’s results, new records show. The shortcomings of the test kits cost the nation precious weeks as officials sought to detect virus hotspots and manage the outbreak. Continue Reading Early CDC Coronavirus Test Came With Inconsistent Instructions, Cost U.S. Weeks

Read More »
Retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. is set to receive the Medal of Honor from President Biden. CREDIT: Sgt. Henry Villarama/U.S. Army

He Risked His Life For His Platoon In Korea. At 94, He Will Get A Medal Of Honor

Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr. will be honored at the White House on Friday and awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of “conspicuous gallantry” during the Korean War. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who will be in town to conduct diplomacy talks with President Biden, will attend the ceremony. Continue Reading He Risked His Life For His Platoon In Korea. At 94, He Will Get A Medal Of Honor

Read More »
A worker operates a forklift to move household waste at a facility that stores recyclable materials in Seoul, South Korea. In 2019, more than 130 million metric tons of single-use plastics were thrown away, according to a new report. CREDIT: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Half Of The World’s Single-Use Plastic Waste Is From Just 20 Companies, Says A Study

In 2019, more than 130 million metric tons of single-use plastics were thrown away, with most of that waste burned, buried in a landfill or dumped directly into the ocean or onto land. Now, a new report finds that just 20 companies account for more than half of all single-use plastic waste generated worldwide. Continue Reading Half Of The World’s Single-Use Plastic Waste Is From Just 20 Companies, Says A Study

Read More »
Bob Garfield speaks onstage at a 2016 event. Bob Garfield speaks onstage at a 2016 event. Bob Garfield speaks onstage at a 2016 event. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Advertising Week New York

WNYC Fires ‘On The Media’ Co-Host Bob Garfield For Alleged Bullying

Bob Garfield, host of the public radio show and podcast On The Media, has been fired. According to a statement from New York Public Radio, an outside investigation found that Garfield violated the company’s anti-bullying policy. Garfield was the subject of a similar investigation in 2020 that resulted in, “disciplinary action and a warning about consequences if the behavior continued.” Continue Reading WNYC Fires ‘On The Media’ Co-Host Bob Garfield For Alleged Bullying

Read More »