U.S. life expectancy hits a new low; support for unions is at a new high

Plus, an astronomer thinks alien technology could be on the ocean floor.

View this email online by Suzanne Nuyen First up Spencer Platt/Getty Images Here's what we're following today: Life expectancy in the U.S. dropped for the second year in a row, making it the lowest it's ever been since the 1920s. COVID drove the drop, even though other countries have seen a rebound in life expectancy since the pandemic began. States are scrambling to find enough teachers to keep their schools open as kids begin to head back to the classroom. Many are dealing with a fight over teaching race history, a shortage of substitute teachers, low pay, lack of respect and more. And for many, the pandemic can be the last straw. Teachers aren't the only ones falling victim to politics. In many communities, libraries have become the latest cultural battleground. Conservative groups are demanding the removal of books they consider unsuitable for young readers, and many librarians see it as an attack on civil liberties. In Jackson, Miss., more than 150,000 people are without clean water. The crisis follows years of failure to fix an aging system in the majority-black city.  The Trump-backed charity Conservative Partnership Institute is being scrutinized for pushing the boundaries of tax law. An NPR investigation has raised questions about whether the nonprofit is violating a legal ban on participating in political campaign activities. A new poll reveals that support for labor unions in the U.S. is at a 57-year high. The rush of support comes as workers at companies like Starbucks, Amazon and Chipotle have launched union drives. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Picture show Toya Sarno Jordan for NPR In the months since Roe v. Wade was overturned, there's been a sharp uptick in Americans seeking abortions at a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. Cost, privacy and convenience are likely behind the rise, but it doesn't come without its challenges: finding child care, the language barrier and withdrawing Mexican pesos can be more difficult than the actual procedure. Today’s listen Bill Ingalls/NASA Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb thinks debris from a meteor that fell into the ocean could be alien technology, and he's planning an expedition to retrieve fragments of it from the ocean floor. 🎧 Listen to hear what exactly he's looking for, or read the story. Last week, we reported on Eva Cardoza, one of the many people released from prison during the pandemic who were abruptly sent back. Hours after our report, a federal judge found "extraordinary circumstances" that called for her release. 🎧  Listen to her family reflect on her return, or read the story. Before you go David Longstreath/AP Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has died at 91. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 and played an integral role in ending the Cold War. U.S. Customs and Border Protection found more than 1,500 pounds of cocaine totaling more than $11.8 million in street value hidden in a shipment of baby wipes. A truck hit the center divider on I-80 between San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif., Monday morning, slathering several lanes in quickly crushed tomatoes and forcing morning commuters to play ketchup. At least one viewer watching at home thought they spotted Beyoncé watching Serena Williams play at the U.S. Open Monday night. It was actually Laverne Cox, who "worships" the singer and says she's flattered. John Wall has spent more than a decade in the NBA and has been named an All-Star. But he says a series of injuries and personal hardships took a toll on his mental health. In 1981, two minor league baseball teams met for an early-season game of no real consequence. It would go down in history as one of the most extraordinary games ever. 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