Singapore Bans ‘Fake News’; Retirement Reality Check; Is Forgiveness Always Good?

Plus, celebrating 50 years of Monty Python

Stories And Podcasts You May Have Missed Dan Charles/NPR Penn State University, which is as big as a city, has slashed its carbon emissions since 2004. That effort is now paying for itself in lower energy costs. Could small towns or cities do the same? Brandt Jean's act of grace toward his brother’s killer has sparked debate over forgiveness. "I'm proud of you my son, Brandt. Your load is lighter," Allison Jean wrote on Thursday, after her son hugged the former police officer who killed Botham Jean. Gulalai Ismail, one of Pakistan's most controversial women's rights activists, spoke out against sexual assaults committed by Pakistani security forces. She was detained and threatened. Then she disappeared — until last week. Polls show white liberals are increasingly changing their outlook on race. White Democrats, particularly liberals, are more likely to support more liberal immigration policies, upholding affirmative action and embracing racial diversity. Irreversible lung disease has started to show up among young workers who cut, grind and polish "engineered" stone countertops. The popular material is more than 90% silica. Singapore has adopted a new law banning “fake news,” worrying free speech advocates and journalists. Online platforms are required to remove or correct content online that government officials decide is false or face hefty fines.  The U.S. Supreme Court has jumped headlong back into the abortion wars. The court said it will hear arguments in a case from Louisiana that is nearly identical to a Texas case decided by the court three years ago.   Newsletter continues after sponsor message Impeachment Inquiry Roundup NPR’s coverage of the impeachment inquiry this week. Andrew Harnik/AP After a delay, the House Intelligence Committee held its first closed-door depositions this past week with two witnesses. Meanwhile, President Trump thunders, calling the inquiry a waste of time and calling on Ukraine and China to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter. New documents show that senior U.S. diplomats debated the propriety of a White House strategy aimed at pressuring Ukraine for political investigations in exchange for assistance and engagement with Trump.  This Week's Listens Courtesy of Willie Ito Before he animated for Disney, he sketched cartoons in an internment camp. As a child, Willie Ito spent nearly three years in a Japanese American internment camp. In this StoryCorps profile, Ito tells his son how he went from doodling on Sears catalogs to working for Walt Disney. (Listening time, 3:49) ► LISTEN The 2020 census counts prisoners, but they aren’t allowed to vote. This episode of Code Switch looks at Wisconsin’s “Prison City,” where white elected officials represent voting districts made up mostly of prisoners. Those prisoners are disproportionately black and brown. Oh, and they can't actually vote. (Listening time, 30:04) ► LISTEN Celebrating 50 years of Monty Python — and “Spam, Spam, eggs, bacon, and Spam.” Spam was at the center of a classic Monty Python sketch, and their association with the forcemeat had an even longer shelf life than the product itself. (Listening time, 3:42) ► LISTEN History Lesson The first presidential impeachment in American history. Library of Congress/Getty Images When Andrew Johnson was sworn in as president in 1865, the United States was in the middle of one of its most volatile chapters. The country was divided after fighting a bloody Civil War and had just experienced the first presidential assassination. This week’s episode of Throughline looks at how these factors led to the first presidential impeachment in American history. (Listening time, 19:32) ► LISTEN Our Picture Show Picks Tommy Trenchard and Aurélie Marrier d'Unienville The dead live with their loved ones on this Indonesian island. The Toraja people of Indonesia keep the preserved bodies of their deceased relatives at home for years. They're saving up for a big funeral. But there's a deeper reason for the custom. A note: Some images may be disturbing to some readers.   The new realities of work and retirement. People age 65 and older make up the fastest-growing group of workers in the U.S. Some want to work; some have to work — and their numbers are changing how we view retirement. Playlists Of The Week Adele Hampton/NPR The five best “before they were stars” Tiny Desk concerts. The NPR Music team curated a special playlist from Tiny Desk alums who were invited to perform before their careers really took off, including Adele, Anderson .Paak and Brandi Carlile.    September’s must-hear songs and albums. Last month, we dug into a pair of songs inspired by tarot cards, several odes to death and an Irish drinking tune that doesn't end well. But for every bummer, there's a reclamation of sanity, identity or voice via cathartic scream. Listen to NPR Music's Top 20 songs of September and be sure to check out our Top 10 albums from the month. — By Suzette Lohmeyer What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content?  Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy