Brian Mann
Stories
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Scientist on front lines of overdose crisis receives MacArthur 'genius' award
Nabarun Dasgupta, a researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, won a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant for his work to understand the U.S. overdose crisis and help reduce deaths.
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Scientist on front lines of overdose crisis receives MacArthur 'genius' award
Nabarun Dasgupta was recognized with a MacArthur "genius" award for work studying the deadly overdose crisis. He's also a front-line organizer, helping people survive.
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Some Democrats share Trump's goal of forcing more homeless people into medical care
President Trump says one part of the answer to homelessness is civil commitment and forced medical care. Some Democrats agree.
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Kamala Harris backs Zohran Mamdani as top Democrats keep their distance
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani got a major endorsement this week from former Vice President Kamala Harris. But many Democratic leaders remain distant, fueling growing tension.
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Experts alarmed by Trump plan to force homeless Americans into institutions
President Trump wants far more homeless people forced into mandatory long-term addiction or mental health treatment but critics say forcing people to accept care is risky and expensive.
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Former VP Harris endorses Mamdani for NYC Mayor as some Democrats stay silent
Zohran Mamdani is leading in the polls in the NYC Mayor's race. Kamala Harris says he's earned Democratic backing, but some party leaders have been slow to endorse the Democratic-Socialist candidate.
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Trump says civil confinement should be used to get the unhoused off the streets
A plan backed by President Trump could force far more unhoused Americans into long-term treatment for addiction and mental illness. Experts fear people who aren't dangerous could be swept up.
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COLUMBIA RIVER TRAIL RUN
Oregon's Sauvie Island on the Columbia River includes wild stretches of beach, deep forest and dense thickets of luscious blackberries. NPR's Brian Mann sends an audio postcard from a trail run with breaks for berry-picking and swimming in the big river.
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As drug deaths hit a 5-year low, Trump continues to cite fentanyl as major threat
Drug deaths in the U.S. are at their lowest level since March 2025, according to federal data. Trump continues to cite fentanyl as justification for policies ranging from tariffs to immigration.
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Trump's D.C. 'crisis' enters 2nd week with more soldiers — and no exit strategy
Leaders in Washington, D.C., say they're striving to maintain calm as growing numbers of National Guard soldiers deploy to the city. President Trump hasn't said how he wants this "crisis" to end.
