Explainers

Kids in Philadelphia go back to school next week. We talk with Superintendent Tony Watlington. Plus, the I-95 cap park project and the best events happening all weekend long.

In the deepest parts of the ocean, strange creatures lurk and industrial fishing and deep sea mining pose a threat. Plus, mercury is in retrograde right now. So, what?

Researcher Dacher Keltner investigates the elusive emotion of awe, revealing how it transforms our brains and bodies, and how to find more wonder in our everyday lives.

Natural disasters can happen anywhere with little to no notice. FEMA and the Red Cross say everybody should have an emergency go bag prepared.

It can be difficult and awkward to find a groove with new friends as an adult. We'll talk about how to make, and keep, new friends at any age. Plus, NPR host Ari Shapiro.

We'll talk about the invention and evolution of ice, the frozen stuff we take for granted. Then, cube that ice and add it to a glass for a cocktail on the rocks!

If you’re a high school senior or a college student, you’ll want to apply for federal student loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA.

Federal standards for food quality labels are lacking, causing tons of confusion for consumers and leading to billions of dollars in food waste across the country every year.

It’s your chance to pick up artifacts of a fascinatingly confused blip in the city’s dining scene.

The original Phillie Phanatic joins us to talk about the recipe for the perfect mascot, which has the power to unite millions of people. Also, Covid case counts in the region.

A new report finds almost 50% of tap water contains PFAS. Here’s what you can do to reduce it from your drinking supply.

The case for like…um…keeping bad English, slang and filler words in our conversations. We'll also talk about the life of Josephine Baker and school funding in Pa.

In his book American Whitelash, Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Wesley Lowery writes about the rise in white supremacist violence in years following the Obama presidency.

Experts say the first thing is to stay calm.

"If it's hot outside for you, it's most likely even hotter for your pet," one expert tells NPR.