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Chris Kraft, One Of The Architects Of The U.S. Space Program, Dies At 95

By • 13 hours ago

One of NASA's first employees, key to creating the U.S. space program, has died at 95. Chris Kraft was the agency's first flight director and managed all of the Mercury missions, as well some of the Gemini flights. He was a senior planner during the Apollo lunar program. Later he led the Johnson Space Center in Houston and oversaw development of the space shuttle.

New Frightened Rabbit Compilation 'Carries On' The Songs Of The Late Scott Hutchison

By • 13 hours ago

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One of the people who helped land humans on the moon died today, just two days after the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of that landing. Chris Kraft helped shape NASA's space program as the agency's first flight director. He put his stamp on everything from the Mercury program to the space shuttle. He was 95. NPR's Russell Lewis has this remembrance.

RUSSELL LEWIS, BYLINE: Anyone who has watched a rocket launch, marveled at the moon landings or seen the space station streak across the darkened night sky can thank Chris Kraft.

Regal Fritillary Butterflies Find Rare Refuge On Military Base In Pennsylvania

By Marie Cusick • 16 hours ago

The regal fritillary butterfly has largely disappeared from the East Coast, save for a surprising refuge on a military base in Pennsylvania. A few days each summer, hundreds descend for a tour.

What It Means That Chinese Media Published Photos Of Hong Kong Protests

By editor • 16 hours ago

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Political Crisis In Hong Kong Deepens As Protests Turn Violent

By editor • 16 hours ago

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To Hong Kong now, where a political crisis is deepening.

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Evangelical Writer Who Influenced Purity Culture Announces Separation From Wife

By • Jul 21, 2019

Joshua Harris, one of the most influential voices on sex and relationships for a generation of evangelical Christians, announced this past week that he and his wife are separating after 20 years of marriage.

Harris' book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, was published in 1997 when he was in his early 20s. It became a manual for young evangelicals looking for love.

In recent years, Harris has apologized for some of the ideas he promoted and publicly wrestled with them in a documentary.

Book: Author Discusses Novel 'Copperhead'

By editor • Jul 21, 2019

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What's Happening With New Abortion Regulations Under Title X

By editor • Jul 21, 2019

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With Alaskan Native Lead, 'Molly Of Denali' Breaks New Ground

By editor • Jul 21, 2019

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'The Git Up': Dissecting The Country Rap Chart-Topper

By editor • Jul 20, 2019

SARAH MCCAMMON, HOST:

And finally today, one of the definitive songs of the summer so far has been "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "OLD TOWN ROAD")

LIL NAS X: (Singing) Riding on a horse - ha. You can whip your Porsche. I've been in the valley, you ain't been up off that porch. Now, can't nobody tell me nothing.

MCCAMMON: Is it rap? Is it country? That's the question that's been playing out for a while now, sparked by the song's removal from Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart back in March. And then along came a new song.

ProPublica Report: Black Americans Lose Big Under Longtime Property Provision

By editor • Jul 20, 2019

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Keeping Cool In The D.C. Heat Wave

By editor • Jul 20, 2019

Copyright 2019 WAMU 88.5. To see more, visit WAMU 88.5.

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Thom Yorke Recalibrates And Digs Deeper Into His Dread Of Technology With 'ANIMA'

By • Jul 19, 2019

In his vast catalog of music, Radiohead's Thom Yorke has trembled like a broken man on his knees. He has screamed in tormented six-part harmony; he has manic-whispered diaries worth of existential fear. Still, he just can't shake the techno-dread. Most recently, that dread has manifested in Yorke's third solo project, ANIMA, released on June 27.

Trump Administration Announces Plans To Move Hundreds Of Federal Jobs Out Of D.C.

By • Jul 19, 2019

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Why Taquerias Are Making Guacamole Without Avocados

By editor • Jul 19, 2019

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Radiohead's Thom Yorke has released a new solo album. It's called "Anima." And it's accompanied by a short Netflix film of the same name. The album, just like the film, evokes an urban dystopia right out of a George Orwell story. Tom Moon reviewed the music and declared it Yorke's most harrowing solo work yet.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "TWIST")

THOM YORKE: (Vocalizing).

TOM MOON, BYLINE: He's trembled like a broken man on his knees.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "TWIST")

YORKE: (Singing) To you, who brought me back to life.

John Tanton, Ophthalmologist And Driver Of Modern Anti-Immigrant Movement, Dies At 85

By editor • Jul 19, 2019

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A Doggone Good Celebration: Shelter Dogs Graduate Cook County Jail Training Program

By • Jul 18, 2019

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U.S. Shoots Down Iranian Drone After Iran Says It Seized Small Tanker In Persian Gulf

By • Jul 18, 2019

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Trump Backs Away From Chants Of 'Send Her Back' That Broke Out At N.C. Campaign Rally

By • Jul 18, 2019

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In Lost Essay, Langston Hughes Recounts Meeting A Young Chain Gang Runaway

By • Jul 17, 2019

When Steven Hoelscher first came across an essay with Langston Hughes' name on it, he says it felt "totally random." Hoelscher, a professor at University of Texas at Austin, was doing research in the archives of an investigative journalist named John L. Spivak.

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