NPR poll: The delta surge pushed Americans further behind in all walks of life Many families are under financial stress, parents see kids seriously behind in school, huge rent bills and looming evictions and delayed medical care has negative consequences, to name a few. Selena Simmons-Duffin
Most state and hospital workers are vaccinated as Washington's mandate deadline looms Next week is the final deadline for hundreds of thousands of workers subject to the state’s vaccine mandate. The mandate requires affected workers to be fully vaccinated by October 18th or risk losing their jobs. Kate Walters
It is expected to be a big week regarding vaccination booster news The FDA will review booster data from Moderna and J&J. A preview of what to expect from the FDA this week, and how vaccines are still holding up despite waning immunity. Rachel Martin
Life Kit: What we can learn from our jealousy NPR's Life Kit has tips for how to reframe jealousy in romantic relationships. Andee Tagle
Radio Diaries: Teachers document their hopes and fears during the pandemic Teachers have a lot on their plates this fall — from navigating mask mandates to children who aren't used to in-person school. We hear from seven educators who tell us what it's been like.
Drone Photo Award winners capture a dizzyingly fantastic view of the world This year's best pictures include two friends sunbathing on giant shards of ice in Kazakhstan, workers at a red chili factory in Bangladesh and a white mangrove forest in Vietnam. Suzette Lohmeyer
A mountaineering group is aiming to be the 1st all-Black team to climb Mount Everest The Full Circle Everest team will be scaling Everest next year in an attempt to make history. But it's not just about the climb. They also want to inspire Black people to explore the outdoors. Sharon Pruitt-Young
Maori politician worries New Zealand's COVID plan is a 'death warrant' for her people New Zealand is moving away from a "zero cases" approach to COVID-19. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Maori party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer about why she opposes the change. Ashley Brown
Coming to terms with the COVID death of an estranged mother We remember Holly Serl, one of more than 700,000 Americans who have died from the coronavirus. Ayen Bior
Coronavirus FAQ: Should I humor my friend's request for a pointless COVID precaution? Fly in and stay with us at our cabin, they said. And get a COVID test right after your flight to see if you picked up an infection while traveling. But that's too soon for a meaningful test result. Marc Silver