Far-right converts are changing U.S. Orthodox churches; vaccine refusers won't budge; life without a stomach

Plus, a former Defense secretary says President Trump asked about shooting protesters

View this email online by Christopher Dean Hopkins First up Alexey Nikolsky/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images Here's what we're following today: The Russian Orthodox church in the U.S. is relatively small, but recent years have seen a number of new parishes launched by American converts to the faith, some of them drawn from the far right. "It's now being sort of colonized by these converts in many respects," says a researcher. "They're very digitally savvy and very connected to other far-right actors in the United States and across the globe. And that's really changing the faith." Two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but about one in six still say they "definitely will not get the vaccine" — a ratio that hasn't shifted in more than a year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The resistance, which appears to be spurred far more by politics than science, comes despite unvaccinated people largely driving the virus's mortality rate. A bill to grant security for the families of U.S. Supreme Court justices unanimously passed the Senate Monday. The Republican-written legislation comes amid outcry by abortion-rights supporters to a leaked draft opinion that suggests the court will soon overturn Roe v. Wade. Police say Alabama Vicky White fatally shot herself on the verge of capture in Indiana after more than a week on the run with a murder suspect she helped escape. White had been assistant director at her county jail. The inmate she went on the run with was awaiting trial in a capital murder case, and was already serving time for an attempted murder. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Today’s listens Hua Tang Late last year Sáša Woodruff got some shocking news: She had a genetic mutation that put her at an incredibly high risk for a rare stomach cancer, and the recommended treatment was to remove the organ before it happened. The food lover, a public radio journalist in Idaho, wrote about the experience for NPR. Six months after her surgery, she talked with All Things Considered about her life without a stomach. Listen to the interview. Former Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said then-president Donald Trump inquired about shooting protesters amid the unrest that took place after George Floyd's murder in 2020. He recounts that incident, and many others, in a wide-ranging interview with NPR's Michel Martin on All Things Considered. Hear their conversation or read about it. The Picture Show Claire Harbage/NPR As spring arrives, people in some areas of Kyiv are beginning to put their lives back together, returning to their homes to see what remains after Russia's failed siege on the Ukrainian capital. Even with moments of calm the city is still tense, and the people live with the ongoing threat of possible airstrikes. Before you go Amy Harris/Invision/AP Rappers Young Thug was indicted Monday in Georgia on RICO act and street gang charges. The rapper was arrested at his home in Atlanta. There were no signs of trauma found on any of the three American tourists who died in the Bahamas last week, according to police, though two "showed signs of convulsions." Autopsies for the tourists, who were from Tennessee and Florida, were scheduled for Monday. Mario Batali's sexual misconduct trial began Monday. His accuser says the famous chef aggressively kissed and groped her at a Boston bar five years ago. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WBEZ (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy