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Wil Haygood talks to Steve Inskeep about the life and career of Sugar Ray Robinson, including his many fights against rival boxer Jake LaMotta. Haygood is the author of a new biography of Robinson called Sweet Thunder.

Alexis Ohanian is co-founder of the popular social news site Reddit. His new book, Without Their Permission, tells the story of the site, from startup to Internet giant.

While being forced to tick a single box for "race" has never been a problem for George Washington III, who is black, his mixed-race children see it differently. And for Dave Kung, being allowed to check two races on the U.S. Census form for the first time prompted an unexpected outpouring of emotion.

In his memoir, Crossing Mandelbaum Gate, Bird describes his childhood experience growing up near a checkpoint that separated Israeli and Arab sections of Jerusalem. "These are two people who are filled with victimhood," he tells NPR's Robert Siegel.

Calm down, Scrabble purists. Turns out rumors about allowing proper nouns in the beloved board game were just rumors. Scrabble expert Stefan Fatsis says the rules have remained virtually unchanged since the game was first marketed in 1948 — and after 62 years of consistency, no one can mess with the game that easily.

Amatrice was set to host the 50th celebration of pasta all'Amatriciana famously made there, but this week's earthquake devastated the town. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with food blogger Jeremy Cherfas.

Political analysis looking at President Joe Biden's trip to Florida where he called on Congress to replenish FEMA's disaster fund.

The short chapters in Laila Lalami's novel are narrated by a rotating cast of characters. They conjure a murder mystery, a cross-cultural romance, an immigrant saga, war stories and family dramas.

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says that locals in an area about 35 miles north of Baghdad tipped off the government to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's location several weeks ago. That information was then passed along to U.S. officials, who used it to kill Zarqawi and seven associates with an airstrike Wednesday.

The London School of Economics in Britain is considered one of the world's finest universities. Right now, though, it's reputation's taking a battering. The school's at the center of a storm over its decision to accept large sums of money from Libya — and, in particular, from an organization run by one of Moammar Gadhafi's sons.

His latest book, The House of Doors, is a decade-shifting story that delves into tragedy, cultural dissonance and memory loss.

Saxophonist Gabe Baltazar is one of the last living links to an era when Asian-Americans began to make a name for themselves in jazz. Now, at the age of 83, he's sharing his story in an autobiography.

The Scottish Parliament is expected to demand a second referendum on independence from the United Kingdom on Tuesday. Supporters want the vote to be in 2019 or 2020, just as Brexit negotiations are due to reach their final stage.

When we talk about climate change, we usually talk about the future, like how much sea level and temperatures are expected to rise.

As the second impeachment trial of former President Trump begins on Capitol Hill, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., about his calls for the GOP to turn away from Trump.

Aimee Sachs was unable to move or speak in the end, but she could blink. Her wishes led to three people receiving her organs.

Madeleine Brand talks with actor Ricky Gervais about his new HBO comedy Extras, in which he plays a struggling actor. Gervais is best known as the annoying boss on the acclaimed BBC series The Office.

Putting welfare recipients to work is at the heart of the federal welfare law passed 10 years ago. But while the original law allowed states to decide how best to meet federal goals, some officials fear that the Bush administration will remove some of the flexibility that they say has made the law a success.

Backlash is building among police and prosecutors weeks after New York eliminated bail for most non-violent offenses. They say courts should be able to keep certain offenders in jail before trial.

Sunni insurgents are moving into Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, to escape a U.S. operation that has become increasingly violent. Now U.S. and Iraqi troops are conducting operations aimed at denying the insurgents access to a region that has been an insurgent stronghold.

Some Habitat for Humanity chapters are altering their model and using factory-built housing on some of their sites. It's a change for the organization and for its volunteers.

Some Habitat for Humanity chapters are altering their model and using factory-built housing on some of their sites. It's a change for the organization and for its volunteers.

The president has completed a full purge of top White House aides instrumental in his election. Their ouster could be a big gamble, as Trump finds himself with fewer and fewer allies.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lawrence Wright predicts that the largest "red" state in the union will eventually move into the "blue" column — and change the nation's politics in the process.

Ringwald represented teen angst in '80s films like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. She's also worked as a jazz musician, an author and a translator. Originally broadcast Feb. 12, 2024.